A ride starts with no noise but this builds up over maybe half an hour from a single small click to a long creaking noise.
I recently took most of the drive train off for a long overdue deep cleaning, so initially suspected everything else (lockring, chainring bolts), but they all seem fine.
I noticed the noise stops if I stop pedalling with my left leg, so thought it might be the pedal, but after a removal, clean/regrease and reinstall with greased threads, the noise is still there.
After this ride at the side of the road I pressed on the left pedal at 6 o’ clock position, and that quite reliably produced the creak.
I’m pretty sure it’s the bottom bracket, I was hoping not because I’d replaced it maybe 4 years ago, at the time I could only afford a cheap fsa pf-30, and as it’s my only bike it is ridden to work, trained on or raced in rain or shine, so could guess that the bottom bracket has failed early.
Does anyone think the noise sounds like the bearing, or is the shell just creaking? Last time a bearing went the noise was similar, but there was a noticeable seizing in the pedal motion (whereas this feels fine) and it was consistent and didn’t “reset” like this one does after not riding for a day.
Thanks
Is the noise coming from the bottom bracket?
byu/Castille210 inbikewrench
by Castille210
5 Comments
You could try spraying a bit of WD-40 around the BB pressfit area, then doing your left foot test to help it seep in.
If the noise goes away or changes you know your culprit.
Best soon followed up by removal and inspection for frame cracks, weird wear etc. then reassembly with appropriate assembly compounds.
Surely sounds like your bottom bracket. On my old BB30 to 24mm adaptor shell, I applied retaining compound to set for a few days to eliminate creaking like your situation.
I already checked the seat post, saddle, pedals, chainrings spoke tensions, quick release at the drop outs before concluding it was the BB. Changed out the ball bearings too. Haha
Take the chain off. If it dosent spin smooth or makes a noise it’s the bottom bracket
It’s definitely coming from that area. I doubt the bearing is bad as you said it spins ok. Maybe the bearing needs to be pulled and reset? Is that what you mean by shell, or do you mean the shell itself. That would require a crack and then you’re toast. Could always tear it all down and pit it back together but that is a decent amount of work.
I’ve also seen personally some crazy stuff like what you’re seeing and it being the seat post or saddle. You stopped pedaling on the left and sound went away but you also stopped shifting your weight as well. That is a long shot but give it a quick shake and see if it makes any noise.
Could it be your pedal/cleat interface? Try it with a different set of pedals. Obligatory: it’s never the bottom bracket.