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Creaking Headset-Stem

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01 / Original postCreaking Headset-StemRavi · 29 Apr 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–8Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #8Mark Janeba · 11 May 2003

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Road Cycling
Published
29 April 2003
Last activity
11 May 2003
Original author
Ravi
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8
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  1. Original post
    Ravi
    Archived post
    #1

    I ride a 1996 Trek OCLV 5200 frame with a threaded headset. For some reason, I have a constant
    creaking noise coming from the headtube area. When I remove the stem, re-grease and replace, the
    creaking goes away (temporarily) or at least dies down a bit. However, after a few days days of
    riding, the noise comes back. I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris
    King headset) and have even replaced my stem.

    However, after no creaking for a few days, the noise has started again! It seems odd that I
    should have to lube the stem that often as on my previous bike I never had this problem after
    years of riding.

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?

    I keep the stem very tight and use a heavy grease (bearing grease) as the lube. My stem is a
    wedge-quill type of stem, so it has a wedge that slides up as I tighten the allen bolt to hold it in
    place (performance brand).

    Report
  2. Alex Rodriguez
    Archived post
    #2

    In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

    Quoted message said:

    I ride a 1996 Trek OCLV 5200 frame with a threaded headset. For some reason, I have a constant
    creaking noise coming from the headtube area. When I remove the stem, re-grease and replace, the
    creaking goes away (temporarily) or at least dies down a bit. However, after a few days days of
    riding, the noise comes back. I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris
    King headset) and have even replaced my stem.

    However, after no creaking for a few days, the noise has started again! It seems odd that I
    should have to lube the stem that often as on my previous bike I never had this problem after
    years of riding.

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?

    I keep the stem very tight and use a heavy grease (bearing grease) as the lube. My stem is a
    wedge-quill type of stem, so it has a wedge that slides up as I tighten the allen bolt to hold it
    in place (performance brand).

    Hollow tubes are a great sound conduit. The noise could be coming from somewhere else. Have you
    checked your handlebars? Your fork? Your frame? The hub? All are potential sources of noice.
    -----------------
    Alex __O _-\<,_ (_)/ (_)

    Report
  3. Ueyn Block
    Archived post
    #3

    Ravi at [email hidden] wrote on 4/29/03 11:05 AM:

    Quoted message said:

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?

    A common misdiagnosed creak from that area actually comes from the front wheel's quick release. Try
    opening it and cleaning/lubing the cam then closing it back up. Not only will it operate better - it
    won't creak.

    -Ueyn

    Report
  4. Kyle Legate
    Archived post
    #4
    Ravi said:

    I ride a 1996 Trek OCLV 5200 frame with a threaded headset. For some reason, I have a constant
    creaking noise coming from the headtube area. When I remove the stem, re-grease and replace, the
    creaking goes away (temporarily) or at least dies down a bit. However, after a few days days of
    riding, the noise comes back. I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris
    King headset) and have even replaced my stem.

    However, after no creaking for a few days, the noise has started again! It seems odd that I
    should have to lube the stem that often as on my previous bike I never had this problem after
    years of riding.

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?


    Try rec.bicycles.tech. This is not the place to find your answer.

    Report
  5. Mike S.
    Archived post
    #5

    "Ravi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I ride a 1996 Trek OCLV 5200 frame with a threaded headset. For some reason, I have a constant
    creaking noise coming from the headtube area. When I remove the stem, re-grease and replace, the
    creaking goes away (temporarily) or at least dies down a bit. However, after a few days days of
    riding, the noise comes back. I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris
    King headset) and have even replaced my stem.

    However, after no creaking for a few days, the noise has started again! It seems odd that I
    should have to lube the stem that often as on my previous bike I never had this problem after
    years of riding.

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?

    I keep the stem very tight and use a heavy grease (bearing grease) as the lube. My stem is a
    wedge-quill type of stem, so it has a wedge that slides up as I tighten the allen bolt to hold it
    in place (performance brand).

    Report
  6. Hjalmar DuklæT
    Archived post
    #6

    "Ravi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I ride a 1996 Trek OCLV 5200 frame with a threaded headset. For some reason, I have a constant
    creaking noise coming from the headtube area. When I remove the stem, re-grease and replace, the
    creaking goes away (temporarily) or at least dies down a bit. However, after a few days days of
    riding, the noise comes back. I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris
    King headset) and have even replaced my stem.

    However, after no creaking for a few days, the noise has started again! It seems odd that I
    should have to lube the stem that often as on my previous bike I never had this problem after
    years of riding.

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?

    I keep the stem very tight and use a heavy grease (bearing grease) as the lube. My stem is a
    wedge-quill type of stem, so it has a wedge that slides up as I tighten the allen bolt to hold it
    in place (performance brand).

    Try greasing the handlebar where it's fixed to the stem. Works for me.

    Hjalmar

    Report
  7. Qui Si Parla Ca
    Archived post
    #7

    Ravi-<< I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris King headset) and have
    even replaced my stem.

    Look for cracks in the handlebar, where the stem attaches to it.

    Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
    (303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

    Report
  8. Mark Janeba
    Archived post
    #8
    Hjalmar Duklæt said:

    "Ravi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I ride a 1996 Trek OCLV 5200 frame with a threaded headset. For some reason, I have a constant
    creaking noise coming from the headtube area. When I remove the stem, re-grease and replace, the
    creaking goes away (temporarily) or at least dies down a bit. However, after a few days days of
    riding, the noise comes back. I have recently had my headset replaced by a bike shop (with a Chris
    King headset) and have even replaced my stem.

    However, after no creaking for a few days, the noise has started again! It seems odd that I
    should have to lube the stem that often as on my previous bike I never had this problem after
    years of riding.

    Any thoughts as to what could be causing the problem?

    I keep the stem very tight and use a heavy grease (bearing grease) as the lube. My stem is a
    wedge-quill type of stem, so it has a wedge that slides up as I tighten the allen bolt to hold it
    in place (performance brand).

    Try greasing the handlebar where it's fixed to the stem. Works for me.

    Hjalmar

    Try greasing the **not-obvious** parts of handlebar/stem hardware. I was in despair over ever
    finding my creak, changed bars, no luck -

    then I greased **under the head** of the stem binder bolt (threaded headset). This stopped the
    creak, while greasing the binder, threads, handlebar/stem contact, etc., didn't.

    Good luck,
    --
    Mark Janeba remove antispam phrase in address to reply
    ==========================================================

    Report

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