Answered Creaking noise from front of bike

[Beekeeper]

With the recent dry weather, I’ve noticed a creaking noise which seems to be coming from the handlebar area but hard to tell exactly where.

The screws which hold the handlebar on don’t seem lose.

Maybe its coming from the headset?
Any ideas? What should I try first?

 

[wepn]

I get that a fair bit. Are you a Clydesdale like me?

If not I'd say maybe yes check the torque settings on the headset bolts. Can you replicate it while stationary by compressing the suspension and listen to narrow down the location?

 

[#lazy]

Could be anything as creaky noises travel all over ! Check all bolts are tight , I’d sit on the bike and push the bars up/down , then do same with feet off pedals , same with arse off the seat . You should be able to narrow it down . Could be grit in bar clamps/seatpost clamps/pedals , loose chainring or any bearings so good luck ?

 

[steve_sordy]

Dry or rusty headset bearings. It won't take long to check.

 

[Jdog]

This is a good video of a few basic things to check:
A little bit more involved but for bigger travel forks I have personally experienced fork stanchion creek myself and a good video of this can be found here:

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

Could be anything... and not necessarily from the spot you think the noise is coming from.

In my particular case (months ago), it came from the stem portion that clamps over the handlebar. It was a cheap stem with a faulty machined interface which has since been replaced. Problem solved, lesson learnt.

Hope you find your gremlin and please let us know what it was when you do.

 

[Beezerk]

Can I put a fiver on the seatpost being the creaky fecker ?

 

[Beekeeper]

Can I put a fiver on the seatpost being the creaky fecker ?

You could be on to a winner there. I have my suspicions. I’ll try to find out this weekend and report back

 

[Simps]

I had a creak which I swore was the seatpost and removed it, stripped it down and greased it twice only to find it was the motor bolts that were loose by less than a quarter turn each. It sounded like the seatpost but must of been resonating through the frame.
Tightened them up and no creaks. Least I know my seat and seatpost won't need any attention for a while
Cassette came loose yesterday too so I tightened that up and everything else on the bike, amazing what comes loose over a few months.

 

[Beekeeper]

You could be on to a winner there. I have my suspicions. I’ll try to find out this weekend and report back

The creak was indeed from the seat post. I took it out, cleaned it, applied a bit of lube to it and creak is gone.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I took it out, cleaned it, applied a bit of lube

Remember people, from wheels to mistresses, this hack has been working for thousands of years.

 

[Beekeeper]

The creak was indeed from the seat post. I took it out, cleaned it, applied a bit of lube to it and creak is gone.

Unfortunately I must have put too much grease on and its now behaving like a dropper post with a mind of its own ?

 

[Zimmerframe]

Are you saying you can't keep it up anymore ?

 

[Ripping g]

With the recent dry weather, I’ve noticed a creaking noise which seems to be coming from the handlebar area but hard to tell exactly where.

The screws which hold the handlebar on don’t seem lose.

Maybe its coming from the headset?
Any ideas? What should I try first?

. ive a levo thats started to do same when you push n pull on the bars checked all my bolts ??‍

 

[KennyB]

Unfortunately I must have put too much grease on and its now behaving like a dropper post with a mind of its own ?

Had that once, used carbon assembly paste.

 

[Beekeeper]

Had that once, used carbon assembly paste.

Will that work on aluminium?

 

[Beekeeper]

Are you saying you can't keep it up anymore ?

I’m going to self-isolate from your jokes Zim ?

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

Are you saying you can't keep it up anymore ?

Thanks to you, I can’t read any new post in this thread without blushing...

 

[Zimmerframe]

I’m going to self-isolate from your jokes Zim ?

When I finally say something funny, you probably will ...

 

[GrandPaBrogan]

I’m going to self-isolate from your jokes Zim ?

I was going to suggest using some soap before you do, but that would be like throwing petrol into the fire with Zimm around. So I decided not to... (oh, did I just type that out loud?)