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Questions and answers about sports

“Creaking” noise from headtube/handlebar

5 min read

Asked by: Jocelyn Perry

Clean the contact surfaces. Grease them with cycle grease and put everything back in place. Don’t forget to put grease on the threads of the bolts. Tighten with the required torque.

Why are my handlebars creaking?

If you have any up and down play and creaking in your handlebar, you need to tighten your stem bolts. With the front wheel between your legs, or the bike in a stand, use a hex wrench to hand tighten the four bolts at the center of your handlebar where it attaches to the stem.

Why is my bike making creaking noises?

Squeaks and Creaks:



These super common sounds are usually due to DIRTY or DRY bearings. You’ll often find that after riding your bike for a while or in harsh conditions these noises start to creep in. Areas to check if you’re hearing these noises would be: Crankset/ Bottom Bracket.

Is it normal for carbon bikes to creak?

If the carbon genuinely is creaking or cracking, then it is breaking – frames are over engineered so it’ll be fine up to a point but if it is genuinely coming from the carbon it is dangerous to use, and a warranty issue.

Why is my cassette creaking?

The cassette can also make noise when it’s not fitted properly. If the cassette is not installed positively and with the correct torque, it can come loose and creak on the freehub body. Often a little grease or assembly paste between the freehub and the cassette is enough.

How do I stop my cranks from creaking?


Quote from video: If it doesn't sort your creaking cleats out then take the bolts out clean. And we greased these as well. And then we actually put Loctite on a medium strength lock tight when doing them back up again.

Why is my new mountain bike creaking?

Quote from video: You will hear the creek. There. This is usually caused by dry or unloved bearings. Sometimes it can be simply just a case of regress in the headset. And that will eradicate the creek but other times

Can I use WD-40 on my bike?

Yes, WD-40 can be used and will not damage your bike chain. It is primarily a cleaner, but also a light lubricant that will last best in dry conditions. It’s not the best lubricant for riding in wet conditions, because it will come off quickly.

What is a creaking sound?

: to make a prolonged grating or squeaking sound often as a result of being worn-out also : to proceed slowly with or as if with creaking wheels the story creaks along to a dull conclusion. creak. noun. Definition of creak (Entry 2 of 2) : a rasping or grating noise.

Can I use WD-40 on bike chain?

WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free.

How do I know if my bike bearings are bad?

Worn out or dry bearings will feel rough, metallic and dry. Sometimes they’re so dry that if you pull your finger fast across the axle you can make the axle keep spinning because there’s no grease inside the bearings to slow it down.

How do I know if my bottom bracket needs replacing?

Quote from video: Changes are likely to be compromised. As well. But if it's just making noises. It might just need taking apart cleaning and servicing re-greasing and putting back.

Why does my bike make a clunking noise when I pedal?

Wheel Noises Only When Pedaling



Noises once-per-wheel-revolution that only occur when you are pedaling are most often related to the freewheel or Freehub. The freewheel or Freehub bearings may be loose, or the cassette may be loose on the Freehub body.

Should I grease crank spindle?

With or without lubricant, in use, cranks will make metal-to-metal contact with the spindle, causing fretting erosion of the steel spindle for all but the lightest riders. Lubricating the spindle for assembly assures a predictable press fit for a given torque.

How do you grease a bike crank?

Quote from video: One first. There is actually an arrow of direction. But here it's just going in clockwise. And already with that fresh grease it's feeling smooth.

Can a bicycle chain creak?

Component: Chain



That creaky squeaking you hear as you pedal “could mean that [your bike] has a dry chain or bearings,” Yozell says. Cleaning and lubing your chain is usually a good place to start with any weird noise, but if it doesn’t solve the squeak, you may need to maintain or replace some bearings (see below).

Why is my BMX headset creaking?

Loosen the stem bolts and compression cap then try again. Don’t overload your headset, tighten it lightly until the headset play goes away, no more. My general rule of thumb is, if you spin your bars and they don’t spin at least like 2-3 times its probably too tight, but others will say around 1-2 is fine.

What’s another word for creaky?

What is another word for creaky?

squeaky grating
rasping rusty
creaking squeaking
unoiled raspy
harsh discordant

How do you describe creaking?

creaky Add to list Share. Something that’s creaky makes a groaning or scraping sound. If your front door is creaky, its hinges might need to be oiled. The sound of footsteps on a creaky wood floor, or climbing your creaky stairs, can be spooky at night.

What is the opposite of creaky?

Antonyms. cheer stay in place regularity. noise.