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creaking noise in stem/headset

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01 / Original postcreaking noise in stem/headsetArnaud · 8 Jun 2004 02 / This pagePosts 1–8Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #8Arnaud · 15 Jun 2004

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
8 June 2004
Last activity
15 June 2004
Original author
Arnaud
Posts
8
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Public discussion
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779
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0
Topics
Headset service

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  1. Original post
    Arnaud
    Archived post
    #1

    Hi,

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar along
    the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are already very
    tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    I was thinking about applying a bit of grease (or wd40?) between the stem
    and the steering column and the handlebar, but I have read conflicting
    advice about doing this. Some people say you should never grease a
    threadless headset whereas other say that a big of grease helps with
    creaking noises. I don't have a carbon steerer (I think it's just steel or
    aluminium) so maybe grease is ok?

    Cheers,
    Arnaud.

    Report
  2. Simon Brooke
    Archived post
    #2

    in message <[email hidden]>, Arnaud

    (') said:

    Hi,

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar
    along the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are
    already very tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    My Cannondale (Jekyll) stem (or handlebar) also creaks horribly under
    similar circumstances. I had honestly not thought of grease to cure it,
    but I may try. Let us know how you get on.

    --
    [email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

    ;; lovely alternative to rice.

    Report
  3. Just zis Guy, you know?
    Archived post
    #3
    Simon Brooke said:

    My Cannondale (Jekyll) stem (or handlebar) also creaks horribly

    A study of Hammer films will reveal that a creaking noise means it's time to
    hyde...

    --
    Guy
    ===
    May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
    http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

    Victory is ours! Down with Eric the Half A Brain!

    Report
  4. John
    Archived post
    #4

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

    Quoted message said:

    in message <[email hidden]>, Arnaud

    (') said:

    Hi,

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar
    along the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are
    already very tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    My Cannondale (Jekyll) stem (or handlebar) also creaks horribly under
    similar circumstances. I had honestly not thought of grease to cure it,
    but I may try. Let us know how you get on.

    --
    [email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

    ;; lovely alternative to rice.


    My wife's handlebar/quill stem was creaking quite loudly a while back, on
    her 'Super Galaxy'. It turned out to be where the stem entered the steerer.
    Applied some grease and the creaking ceased.

    Thanks, John

    Report
  5. Tom Reingold
    Archived post
    #5
    Arnaud said:

    Hi,

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar along
    the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are already very
    tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    I was thinking about applying a bit of grease (or wd40?) between the stem
    and the steering column and the handlebar, but I have read conflicting
    advice about doing this. Some people say you should never grease a
    threadless headset whereas other say that a big of grease helps with
    creaking noises. I don't have a carbon steerer (I think it's just steel or
    aluminium) so maybe grease is ok?

    Cheers,
    Arnaud.

    This usually comes from the place where the stem meets the steerer tube.
    Definitely remove the stem, grease the outside surface, and replace the
    stem. This will not cause any harm at all. Failing to do this may cause
    harm, so do it.

    The noise sometimes comes from the place where the handlebar meets the
    stem. This can be less convenient to grease.

    These noises often come from much more mysterious places, such as the
    place where the pedal meets the crankarm. Soemtimes, it's the saddle.
    And you could swear it's coming from a different area of the bike.

    Lubricating these surfaces is never harmful.

    Tom Reingold
    Noo Joizy

    Report
  6. Jon Senior
    Archived post
    #6

    Arnaud [email hidden] opined the following...

    Quoted message said:

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar along
    the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are already very
    tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    I was thinking about applying a bit of grease (or wd40?) between the stem
    and the steering column and the handlebar, but I have read conflicting
    advice about doing this. Some people say you should never grease a
    threadless headset whereas other say that a big of grease helps with
    creaking noises. I don't have a carbon steerer (I think it's just steel or
    aluminium) so maybe grease is ok?

    In my experience, modern Aluminium bikes seem to be far more prone to
    developing random creaks. I can elminate those associated with my bike
    by stripping the stem and handlebars and applying copper grease to all
    surfaces before retightening. Other places where this works are seatpost
    and saddle rails. And if you have Aluminium STI lugs on the frame and
    the steel ends on the outer, dirt can get in the gap and produce some
    amazing creaks when turning.

    Which reminds me that I need to do all this again as my Giant is
    currently creaking like an old ship!

    Jon

    Report
  7. Chris Gerhard
    Archived post
    #7
    Arnaud said:

    Hi,

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar along
    the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are already very
    tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    Before you mess with this just check that the QR on the front wheel is
    really tight. My headset creak went completely when I did this. I was
    surprised as I was certain it was the head set.

    --chris

    Report
  8. Arnaud
    Archived post
    #8

    Ok, I've tried a bit of grease on the steering column, handlebar, and all
    the nuts and bolts but the creaks are still there, it seems even worse...

    It seems a lot of people have creaking noise problems and just live with it,
    so I'll try to ignore the noises in the future 🙂

    Cheers,
    Arnaud.

    Simon Brooke said:

    in message <[email hidden]>, Arnaud

    (') said:

    Hi,

    The stem on my Cannondale T800 is creaking when I twist the handlebar
    along the stem axis (when riding hard for example). The bolts are
    already very tight so I don't think the problem comes from that.

    My Cannondale (Jekyll) stem (or handlebar) also creaks horribly under
    similar circumstances. I had honestly not thought of grease to cure it,
    but I may try. Let us know how you get on.

    Report

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