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Questions and answers about sports

Creaking sound when pedaling [audio clip included]

4 min read

Asked by: Allan Jefferson

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

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.

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 bike headset from creaking?

Quote from video: The best thing is just to check the whole clock pic I'm going to take the wheel out take the axle out and give it all good strip. And clean and re grease it I'm also going to do the headset. And take

How do you fix creaking pedals?

Simply remove the pedals, clean the threads on both the pedals and crankarm, and reinstall with a fresh coating of grease. You can also get creaking from cleats. Wipe down both the cleats and pedals with a wet rag, and then spray both with a light coating of silicone spray or wax-based furniture polish.

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.

What do loose spokes sound like?

Spokes often move as they pass under your body weight with each wheel revolution. This can produce a tick or click noise, which comes from where the spokes touch each other at the cross. Squeezing pairs of crossed spokes on his front wheel definitely produced ticking-type noises.

Why is my MTB 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

Why does my pedal click?

Quote from video: Check also the fixing bolt depending on your type of bottom bracket. Also take the bottom bracket cranks. Move them back and forth and feel if there's any movement that suggests that the bottom

How do I know if my headset bearings are worn?

Bounce the front wheel off the ground a few times: a rattling sound indicates the headset is loose. If the bars lock in the middle and point straight then it’s either too tight or the bearings are heavily worn.

Should I grease headset bearings?

The headset bearings are one of the most common points to grease and it is advisable that in addition to greasing the bearings, you also grease the fork crown and in the frame where they sit, as well as the rest of the steering parts, but you must be careful not to grease the steerer tube at the point the stem is

Why is my bottom bracket creaking?

Most of the time, the true cause is a loose chainring bolt—tighten them up and that’ll quiet most creaks. After you check the chainring bolts and if you still hear the noise, look at your pedals, crank bolts, seatpost, and seat. By checking these first, you’ll save an hour of digging into your bottom bracket.

How often should you grease bottom bracket?

Around the three month mark is normally enough time, even in the best conditions for dirt to work its way into the small gaps and contact points around the crankset and bottom bracket area.

How long should a bottom bracket last on a bike?

As for a bottom bracket, on the low end, maybe 5000 miles. The basic Shimano one most people use (UN51/55/similar) can reasonably expect 10k+ miles. But sometimes you get unlucky and get a bottom bracket that lasts maybe 500 miles.

How do you fix a noisy bike pedal?

Quote from video: If your pedals have been around a long time it's possible that the bearings may need lubrication or replacement best done by your mechanic. Or you may want to replace the pedal entirely.

Can pedals creak?

#5 Clipless Pedals



Whether you’ve got Shimanos, Looks, Speedplays, or any other pedal system, they all can and will creak. The main cause of pedal related bike creaking occurs when the dang things aren’t screwed into the crank arm tight enough.