Creaky stem question

[email hidden] (MikeYankee) wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

This question pertains to threaded road-bike stems that use an internal cone
rather than a wedge at the bottom for friction adjustment. I have several road
bikes and the ONLY ones that give me a problem have this internal-cone type of
stem (e.g., 3T Sintesis or Stratus). They don't always creak but, when they
do, I disassemble, ensure that all the stem parts and the inside of the steerer
tube are clean and burr-free, grease everything liberally, reassemble, etc.
And after a couple of rides the creaking returns. It drives me nuts. Short of
changing stems, can anyone recommend what I can do to fix this? Thanks in
advance.

Mike Yankee

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I don't really have much experience troubleshooting these, but try
making sure that the handlebar clamp interface is also greased, (I
know, it sounds like you're sure it's not this, but just in case) and
also grease the stem/steerer interface by spreading grease on the
inside of the steerer rather than the outside of the stem. Also maybe
try using greases or lubes that can migrate more or less (ie, are
thicker or thinner) than what you're using now - like if you're using
regular white grease, try either some marine grease or some slick
honey.