Creaking BB30

**Stan** · 19-03-13, 16:12

Two questions;

a) any remedy except taking it to an LBS for a re-greasing?

b) If I leave it, will it die quickly/quicker and how long until it does?

**Dalesman** · 19-03-13, 16:51

Unlikley to be BB, if it is its a new frame

**Stan** · 19-03-13, 17:10

Originally Posted by Dalesman

Unlikley to be BB, if it is its a new frame

eh?

Bottom brackets can and do creak.... it definitely is btw, all other checks / clean / grease has been done.

**Jen J** · 19-03-13, 17:18

Don't ride it, you'll die.
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Disclaimer: I am neither a bike mechanic nor a fortune teller.

**BHB 10.6.6** · 19-03-13, 17:55

If I was a betting man I'd have a fiver on the saddle.

**Stan** · 19-03-13, 18:39

Originally Posted by BHB 10.6.6

If I was a betting man I'd have a fiver on the saddle.

As long as the cranks are rotating is the same consistent creak when standing. Sounds like a bag of bolts for the first two miles or so then gets quieter but is persistent throughout thereafter. Yet spin it in a workstand - nothing which apparently is symptomatic of BB30 of you use google.

I've checked and greased (where applicable) pedals, cranks, QR's, cassette, mechs, saddle, post, headset, fork stem and cleats.

**BHB 10.6.6** · 19-03-13, 18:48

Originally Posted by Stan

I've checked and greased (where applicable) pedals, cranks, QR's, cassette, mechs, saddle, post, headset, fork stem and cleats.

Have you checked your missus' ear rings?

**Dalesman** · 19-03-13, 19:19

Is it the cheap Bianchi ?
Carbons probably failing at the headset.
See Jens post for more details as to consequences.

**Stan** · 20-03-13, 10:47

I found an LBS 2 miles away that are a Cervelo dealer and will give me a while-you-wait espresso whilst greasing my BB.

I may have found an LBS that I want to deal with for the first time in 13 years of looking.

**Neil Helks** · 20-03-13, 11:45

Originally Posted by Stan

eh?

Bottom brackets can and do creak.... it definitely is btw, all other checks / clean / grease has been done.

So are you saying that you have cleaned and greased it yourself ? Is there any play ?
If you spin the cranks with the chain off does it feel rough ?

The lifespan of BB30s seems to vary massively but as has been implied it is not always easy to establish where noises are coming from . Unless it's obvious we would always make sure there are no obvious loose bolts then change the pedals and test ride it , ride it standing up eliminates saddle and seatpost issues , ride it while putting minimum pressure on the bars eliminates stem and bars creaking .
It can be quite time consuming , hope the LBS sorts you out .

**Stan** · 20-03-13, 13:20

Originally Posted by Neil Helks

So are you saying that you have cleaned and greased it yourself ? Is there any play ?
If you spin the cranks with the chain off does it feel rough ?

The lifespan of BB30s seems to vary massively but as has been implied it is not always easy to establish where noises are coming from . Unless it's obvious we would always make sure there are no obvious loose bolts then change the pedals and test ride it , ride it standing up eliminates saddle and seatpost issues , ride it while putting minimum pressure on the bars eliminates stem and bars creaking .
It can be quite time consuming , hope the LBS sorts you out .

Cheers Neil. No there's no play and it spins really smoothly on and off the bike. I've tried stems and bars by leaning on them hard and - yes really- riding no handed for a bit to see if the noise varies, but no.

Edit: and no I haven't greased it myself, thats why I'm taking it to the LBS. I dont have the tools and am hamfisted enough not to trust myself to bash something that is press-fit on a carbon frame.

**Lord Greenville** · 20-03-13, 14:46

Worst case scenario is a hairline crack in the frame - I think DK had an issue with this a couple of years ago - apparently it caused a right old creak but only when being ridden, not on a work stand, IIRC,

**serge the seal of death** · 20-03-13, 14:58

check seatpost / saddle clamps and seatpost.

**Dalesman** · 20-03-13, 15:25

One of the daftest creaks I had on Carbon bike was the brake cable ferrule where it went onto the frame. I kid you not !!!!
Standing up and giving it pasty it seemed to be coming from the BB area, it was cured with a touch of oil.
The one thing you've not bothered with is the chain ring bolts, torque em up.

**BHB 10.6.6** · 20-03-13, 19:53

What price for an outside chance on the Cleats?

**Stan** · 20-03-13, 20:24

Could be a good call - they are down to the wear mark and I do have new ones - ill give it a go.

**Nobby** · 20-03-13, 23:03

Had the same brake cable ferrule creak DM mentioned on my roadie.

The creak that nearly drove me mad was the rear mech hanger on the AS-R - took it off, cleaned it and the dropout, refitted, creak gone :-/

**The BIG GT** · 21-03-13, 00:57

I don't suppose anyone else is thinking that it might just be Stan who's doing the creaking...?

**Stan** · 21-03-13, 23:23

Spoke to the (potential) LBS - they are going to check it for me. He did say that BB30 was the bain of his life, and if it was creaking as long as there is no roughness or play in the cranks, packing it with grease will only provide temporary relief and it'll probably come back in time.

Apparently worse in Carbon frames 'cause there normally is no drain hole in the frame so moisture stays sealed behind the bearings.

:-/

New bike time eh?