Let's Play A Game, Name That Creak?!

[isitafox]

Yeah would have done yesterday but had to do the school run and the like. Will try and give you a bell after dinner!

[AdamR28]

Had to type this out for someone else. You've already done 1):

What we need to do is work out exactly where the creak is coming from, here are a few tests to narrow it down. If you can make a note of exactly when any creaks appear (as in, 50% pressure, bars turned at 60 degrees, etc) that would be great:

1) Stand over the bike with one hand on each grip, the front wheel in line with the frame and gradually increase downward pressure onto the bars until all your weight is over them.

2) Do the same again with the bars turned 180 degrees.

3) Do the same test as 1), but this time with both hands on one grip. Do both left and right hand sides independently. This will feel a bit horrible as the bike will flex a LOT, but you don't need all your weight.

4) Sit on the bike with the front wheel up against a wall and the bars straight. Apply pressure slowly and gradually to the pedals to try and drive the bike through the wall. Don't touch the bars while doing this - if you need to keep the front end straight, grab the stem. Keep going until the rear tyre is about to lose grip.

5) Do the same again but with the bars turned 180 degrees.

6) Stand the bike on the rear wheel and turn the bars slowly from left to right (to rotate the headset), trying to get a full 360 rotation (180 degrees left and 180 degrees right) if you can.

7) Stand over the front wheel facing towards the rear of the bike and grip the front tyre / wheel between your knees. Twist the bars left to right (as if you are trying to steer) but resist the twisting with your knees.

[Dman]

That will help me in the future, had a creak yesterday, just stripped front end down cleaned regreased and refitted everything, it worked but don't know exactly where the noise was.

[niconj]

I had a creaking front end and after sanding down the anodization of my Echo forks got rid of it.