Unusual Noise

crosstownk

Hi All,

I've a Giant Defy 4 that yesterday started making an intermittent noise when under load. The noise sounds like the brakes are rubbing the rim. The thing is, it happens when I'm accelerating or climbing. For instance, when I get moving after a red light or if I go up a hill and apply more effort it will make the noise . The noise is momentary and intermittent - kind of a quick 'yelp'. It may happen 6 or 7 times until I back off the power when I reach a reasonable speed. It's hard to identify exactly where the sound is coming from.

I've looked at the brakes and there is sufficient clearance from the rims. To be sure, I also slackened both brake cables using the little release lever and also with the adjuster at the calipers but the noise persists.

I can bring it back to my LBS as the bike is still within warranty but it's difficult to find the time with work during the week and at the weekends I'd prefer to be out on the bike.

Has anyone any ideas as to what may be responsible for this noise? Hopefully it's something I can fix myself with the help of a few experts.......

XtotheZ

check the BB? also check the front skewer, i had a squeeking noise coming out of mine before

XtotheZ

thinking about it its most likely BB, clean degreaser regrease check the bearings, pedals aswell. Its happenening under load as you said so thats the most obvious place

crosstownk

XtotheZ wrote: »

check the BB? also check the front skewer, i had a squeeking noise coming out of mine before

I removed and refitted both wheels as a shot in the dark at the roadside yesterday. I'll have a look at the BB when I get home this evening.

.ak

I'm having something very similar with my Giant Talon. I think it's either the stock pedals or the crankset. Only happens when I stand up on the pedals and try pushing hard. It's very annoying. I wonder if it's something to do with how I clean it.

Replacing the pedals with new MX80s soon anyway, so I'll see if that fixes the issue. If not I think I'll bring it to my LBS and see if they can identify it.


Whilst on the subject - and sorry for hijacking the thread - my handle bars also squeek a bit when I'm cycling up on the pedals off the seat, basically when I apply weight or pressure to them - and I'm only 69kg! Should I tighten up the stem?

.ak

What's the BB btw? :P

not yet

.ak wrote: »

What's the BB btw? :P

Bottom bracket.

07Lapierre

BB = Bottom Bracket

Is it a Squeak, creak or Click?

In my experience...
Squeak = Bearings (wheels/pedals or maybe rear derailler jockey wheels)
Creak = Loose Pedals, Loose wheels, Saddle post or Headset.
Click = Loose Spokes, wheel or pedal bearings.

other possible cause of intermittent squeaks..shoes rubbing crank arms or chainstays when out of the saddle.

crosstownk

07Lapierre wrote: »

BB = Bottom Bracket

Is it a Squeak, creak or Click?



other possible cause of intermittent squeaks..shoes rubbing crank arms or chainstays when out of the saddle.

It's more of a squeal - like momentary brake squeal which is why I initally looked at the brakes. It could be from elsewhere (BB) with the hollow frame amplifing the noise and making it's location hard to detect.

It'd definitely not anything rubbing the stays and it also happens when sitting.

.ak

Mine is something like a mix between a squeek and a creak! More creak...

If it is the BB how do you fix that? Something you need to tighten up?

07Lapierre

.ak wrote: »

Mine is something like a mix between a squeak and a creak! More creak...

If it is the BB how do you fix that? Something you need to tighten up?

Very unlikely to be the BB.

check wheels and pedals are they tight?

lescol

I've been using Look Keo 2 Max and they can make some awful noise especially on standing or pushing hard, cured when I got off the bike and rubbed a bit of chain oil across the metal piece on the pedal.

Dermot Illogical

If it's the rear maybe see if the wheel is on securely? As you apply power there might be slight lateral movement.

crosstownk

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

If it's the rear maybe see if the wheel is on securely? As you apply power there might be slight lateral movement.

The wheel is definitly on securely, and fully home in the drop outs.

My initial thoughts were exactly as yours - I thought the wheel might have been moving/flexing under load and coming into contact with the brakes.

diomed

http://jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

t'bear

diomed wrote: »

http://jimlangley.net/wrench/keepitquiet.html

Thats a super article, but I have a noise on a new Felt, I think its coming from the rear wheel somewhere, the quirky thing is it only occurs when I am out of the saddle and rolling the bike, and more specifically only when the bike leans to the right hand side , not the left hand side. Any pointers?

07Lapierre

t'bear wrote: »

Thats a super article, but I have a noise on a new Felt, I think its coming from the rear wheel somewhere, the quirky thing is it only occurs when I am out of the saddle and rolling the bike, and more specifically only when the bike leans to the right hand side , not the left hand side. Any pointers?

Try this:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=90697498&postcount=27

irishrover99

I had the same problem with my Defy 5 recently. Couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Brought it back to the shop and it was the rear wheel hub that was causing the noise. It was not greased enough.
Your problem sounds similar to mine

macnab

Check all your spokes are a similar tension to their neighbouring spokes.

t'bear

macnab wrote: »

Check all your spokes are a similar tension to their neighbouring spokes.

Tried the dropout fix and will take it for a spin this evening. Failing that I might go to lbs and ask them to check the hub as suggested

diomed

If you think the noise is coming from a wheel you could put in another wheel and see if the noise disappears. Perhaps you can borrow a wheel for a test.
I know this might not be easy to do if you just have the one bike.

.ak

Anyone know why my handlebar would be creaking every time I put weight onto it? May I have fitted it wrong?

crosstownk

I had a quick look over the bike before heading out for a 50km spin this evening. I didn't see anything obvious. The noise was present for the first 3km then disappeared. It was fine for the rest of the spin.

When I pulled into the driveway I thought I heard what may have been a very slight creak from the BB but I needed a shower so didn't investigate it any further.

I'll see what happens on my weekend spin(s).

Dermot Illogical

.ak wrote: »

Anyone know why my handlebar would be creaking every time I put weight onto it? May I have fitted it wrong?

The last time that happened to me it was because I had under-tightened the bolts.

.ak

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

The last time that happened to me it was because I had under-tightened the bolts.

Yeah gonna take the stem apart and re-tighten the bolts with some grease.