New 2013 madone 4.5 knocking noise issue

Wackoy2k

Bought the new Trek Madone 4.5 in late April and have fitted deep wheel rims and a set of new Look pedals. (Fitted by LBS).

Used the bike for the first time in the Joey Hannan Tri in Limerick, and during the cycle, a really annoying knocking noise began when I pushed hard on the right pedal using the harder gears.

Brought it back to the LBS and they advised that it was something that wasn't tightened in the factory.

Noise seemed to be gone following that visit, however, during the Valentia last weekend the noise returned and I can feel it now as well as hearing it.

Brought it back to the LSB and they said it was the pedals. (Look Carbon Keo - bought new in September 2012). The LSB put a basic set of pedals on and I test rode it outside the shop and the noise was still there.

Anyone else have any problems like this in the past? Any suggestions.

CheGuedara

A loose headset would be my first suspect - solution: open stem bolts, tighten top cap, retighten stem bolts. If the steerer is carbon then use a torque wrench or bring the bike into your LBS which should have one.

Bottom bracket bearing could be loose, it sounds like an issue that is sometimes found with press fit BB's (bb30, bb86, bb90 etc) - solution: pop the bearing out and reinstall with loctite 641. This should hold the bearing secure and prevent movement and noise. Probably one for the LBS.

Outside shots

- loose seat post - solution: remove, clean, reinstall (using carbon assembly compound if available), tighten to spec)

- loosely tightened quick releases (oddly enough one that cause an array of strange noises) - solution: tighten quick releases so they tighten snugly (nothing excessive, if you're having to put weight behind the levers to close them or if it takes big effort to open them they're too tight.

Hope this is of some help!

Wackoy2k

Thanks CheGuedara,

Looked at the wheels and seat post already and they have been ruled out.

I will have the LSB look at the BB90 today and see if that resolves the issue.

Thanks again.

decrrrrrr

Get a torch out and have a very close look around the bottom bracket area.

A poster on the forums, Macadam, has a similar problem with his bike (Trek 4.5 2012 model). When we looked at it closely, there was a hairline crack which you would have actually thought was a defect in the paint work.

Trek replaced the frame for him

Wackoy2k

Bike has been in the LBS for the third time now.

Bearings have been replaced with new. LBS has tried with different wheels, pedals and now new bearings.

I can't take the bike up hills or push the pedals too hard as I am afraid I am doing damage and the noise is so annoying.

Should I look at possibly asking the LBS to fix or replace?

billyhead

I had the saem problem with my carbon road bike. I have it a year and the noise was their every time I turned the pedal. Sounded like it was coming from the crank. It wasn't their on my long spin last weekend. If its a aproblem with the bearings does anyone know if the noise can go away and come back. I brought the bike to the LBS who examined it and said there was nothing to worry about

mirv

Sounds like your wallet might have a worn or loose bearing. Better take it to the LBS for a tune up.

Sure it's not the headset? I found I had a creaking sound when I stomped on the pedals uphill until I clean out the head tube, steerer, stem clamp and repacked the bearings (really easy - just pop off the seal with a knife, degrease in spirits and overpack with good thick grease). Make sure all contact surfaces like the bearing races and collars are as clean as possible and free of grit.

Your average LBS isn't going to bother repacking/cleaning/diagnosing a problem anything as intimately as you would on your own bike when they can go they can replace components and hope for the best.

Dotsie~tmp

mirv wrote: »

Sounds like your wallet might have a worn or loose bearing. Better take it to the LBS for a tune up.

Sure it's not the headset? I found I had a creaking sound when I stomped on the pedals uphill until I clean out the head tube, steerer, stem clamp and repacked the bearings (really easy - just pop off the seal with a knife, degrease in spirits and overpack with good thick grease). Make sure all contact surfaces like the bearing races and collars are as clean as possible and free of grit.

Your average LBS isn't going to bother repacking/cleaning/diagnosing a problem anything as intimately as you would on your own bike when they can go they can replace components and hope for the best.

I had a knocking on right power application to pedal last 2 weeks. Was doing my head in so I lubed everything one by one and tested. Was the wheel where it meets the drop-outs at the rear. Lubed up noise gone, unexpected as it sounded like the bracket but the noise "travelled" in the frame. Rode through filth and rain the other day and got a creak that sounded like it came from the rear only when I sat on. Bracket smooth no play so I checked the spokes at rear and some not so tense. I dropped a bit of lube on where the spoke overlap near the hub and creak gone.

The lesson I think is constant maintenance routine is necessary and noises aren't always something serious. Lube everything!

Wackoy2k

Thanks All,

Will have a look this evening and see what I can do myself.

Wackoy2k

mirv wrote: »

Sounds like your wallet might have a worn or loose bearing. Better take it to the LBS for a tune up.

Sure it's not the headset? I found I had a creaking sound when I stomped on the pedals uphill until I clean out the head tube, steerer, stem clamp and repacked the bearings (really easy - just pop off the seal with a knife, degrease in spirits and overpack with good thick grease). Make sure all contact surfaces like the bearing races and collars are as clean as possible and free of grit.

Your average LBS isn't going to bother repacking/cleaning/diagnosing a problem anything as intimately as you would on your own bike when they can go they can replace components and hope for the best.

Thanks MIRV,

Took your advice and played around with the Headset. When I tested there was no noise.(Quiet as a mouse)

Going to bring it up into a few hills tomorrow and see if it is really gone.

Have to admit, the LBS really looked after me. They wanted to get to the bottom of the noise as much as I did.

mirv

Chances are unless the bearing preload tension is REALLY loose on a headset you won't be able to hear it until you start cranking on the bike, or until you go over a bump.

Stand beside your bike, pull the front brake fully, then rocking the bike forwards and backwards while applying some weight onto the handlebars, while looking at where the fork meets the bottom of the head tube. If you see play here, you have a loose headset.

Still though, I reckon it's probably a lack of grease or a few specks of grit lodged somewhere in some contact surface - could even be where the stem clamps the handlebars and steerer tube - so a proper clean, repack and rebuild will probably sort things out. Gives you a chance to get nice and intimate with the machine that you ride and care for and gives you confidence at basic repair jobs.

Ciaran OHara

Sorry to hi jack your thread but you guys are talking about lubing all these different sections of your bike. I would like to know what liquid or product you are using for this job?

Hope you have some luck with your knock, the internal cabling in my bike made noise and it drove me mad!!

mirv

Thick bearing grease, the stuff that usually comes in a tub rather than a tube. I don't really like thin white lithium grease - feels too thin and isn't very waterproof.

Brad768

I have the same issue as you. Replaced the bb, thought it fixed it but nope. Checked the rear hub today and that seems to be the culprit. Hopefully it is anyway..
Might be something you want to check

breanach78

Old thread but some new info. To the poster that sugested using loctite on the bottom bracket. Are you sure about this? I don't think I would like to use loctite on a press fit bearing. What about the next time it has to come out? I nicticr the drive side can be hard get out I if LT was in the equation tout could cause damage to the frame.

Wackoy2k

Issue was sorted in the end. The issue was with the front aero wheel that I had added to the bike. Once they replaced the wheel free of charge the problem was sorted.