bottom bracket shot?

souter

Argh, Wicklow isn't just killing my legs, I think my bottom bracket may be expiring. It's making intermittent creaking and rattling noises (at least I think that's where the noises are coming from - one of those infuriating noises you can't reproduce with the bike stationary).
Assuming it is the bb, is it likely to be servicable and if not, can anyone recommend a super strong one?

bcmf

see if your cranks can move in and out.There should be sod all play if there is then BB is on its way to BB heaven.
They arent really servicable and you are best renewing.
What crankset are you using so the knowledgable heads can recommend when they arrive.

souter

Don't think there's any play (this from memory, I'll check later).
Sugino zen messenger crankset, the current BB is described as "Sealed cartridge, square taper, 68mm x 103mm" whatever that means for compatability.

stuf

I thought the BB was knacked on one of my bikes but the squeak on the down-stroke turned out to be the saddle - think about what else might be going on at the same time as the noise is happening.

fletch

stuf wrote: »

I thought the BB was knacked on one of my bikes but the squeak on the down-stroke turned out to be the saddle - think about what else might be going on at the same time as the noise is happening.

Also check your pedals. I thought my BB was gone recently but it turned out to be a cracked pedal.

souter

okay, will do some more investigation. Suspect this may drive me demented as the noise is impossible to reproduce with bike stationary. Also, just to muddy the water further, there was a similar sound in a similar area earlier, which persisted when freewheeling - surely ruling out the bb.

kona

souter wrote: »

okay, will do some more investigation. Suspect this may drive me demented as the noise is impossible to reproduce with bike stationary. Also, just to muddy the water further, there was a similar sound in a similar area earlier, which persisted when freewheeling - surely ruling out the bb.

Loose crank.

stuf

souter wrote: »

okay, will do some more investigation. Suspect this may drive me demented as the noise is impossible to reproduce with bike stationary. Also, just to muddy the water further, there was a similar sound in a similar area earlier, which persisted when freewheeling - surely ruling out the bb.

could be a loose spoke or two

Greyspoke

To check if there's play in the BB, then as bcmf said, take a hold of the end of each crank and try and waggle it from side to side, you'll feel any slight play. Also, unship the chain from the chainring to see if you can spin the cranks freely. Basically, if there's no, or very little play and they spin feely then your BB is probably okay.
If you're getting the noise while freewheeling then it's quite possibly coming from the freewheel itself. Check the wheel bearings for play and free movement too.

NeilMcEoigheann

also check that the chainring is not loose on the spider, i had this, just tighten the nuts.

souter

...stuf with the saddle diagnosis.
Everything else is rock solid, but yesterday hit a speed bump and the saddle tipped up. Tightened it and back to stealth mode.
Thanks for the advice and saving me from wasting money.
Unidentified noises are indeed a path to madness, Sheldon needless to say has a good article http://www.sheldonbrown.com/creaks.html

stuf

Glad to hear it's sorted.

kinda weird because the timing coincides with the pedal stroke so you 'feel' a squelch that makes you think BB

souter

Noticed my chain was a bit stretched (1/16th" over 12" - blame Sheldon Brown for the imperial units), so replaced it. The last remaining creaks and clicks have gone and the bike is back to stealth mode. And rides much smoother.