Creak diagnosis on my Specialized Camber

[veggieburger]

I have been trying to diagnose a ‘tick’ for the last couple of days. Yesterday I pulled the cranks, checked the BB, tightened down the crank bolts. Chain is lubed well every ride, it’s at about ¾ - ½ life remaining. I tightened the crank bolts, did not lube them though.


The tick happens on the right side on every downstroke. Not the left side. Not when I descend. Yes when I’m standing. (so not the saddle or post)


Enough there for an educated guess?

[bikerambler]

I went through something similar, sound went away when I lubed my rear spline.

Good luck.

[saab2000]

Does this bike have thru axles? Tighten them.

[EB]

Thru-axles should be tightened to torque spec. This is the number one cause of mysterious "bottom bracket" creaks on TA frames.

Given that the Camber is a full suspension frame, when was the last time you did a linkage bearing service? Does the creak only occur when pedaling, or can you recreate it by standing on the pedals and cycling the suspension?

Edit: Based on the fact that you said it doesn't happen when descending, it's unlikely to be a linkage bearing issue.

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by veggieburger

I have been trying to diagnose a ‘tick’ for the last couple of days. Yesterday I pulled the cranks, checked the BB, tightened down the crank bolts. Chain is lubed well every ride, it’s at about ¾ - ½ life remaining. I tightened the crank bolts, did not lube them though.


The tick happens on the right side on every downstroke. Not the left side. Not when I descend. Yes when I’m standing. (so not the saddle or post)


Enough there for an educated guess?

So many possibilities for a tick or creak on that bike.....but that is a lot of lube. Every ride?

[veggieburger]

Originally Posted by charliedid

So many possibilities for a tick or creak on that bike.....but that is a lot of lube. Every ride?

Every ride, then wiped down.

Not linkages, bike is silent descending.

Not thru Axles.

Rear spline - you might be onto something there. Might try that.

[.RJ]

check your cassette lockring

put a different set of pedals on

remove, clean and *lightly* grease your thru axles

[veggieburger]

Originally Posted by .RJ

check your cassette lockring

put a different set of pedals on

remove, clean and *lightly* grease your thru axles

Doesn't have thru axles. Old school QRs.

Pedals - never thought of that.

[catchourbreath]

How's the fork looking? Could it be fork bob on some old seals?

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by veggieburger

Doesn't have thru axles. Old school QRs.

Pull the skewers out and check them, then. Check that all the hub/frame/skewer interfaces are clean and your hub caps are tight.

[old fat man]

Seatpost collar, saddle bolts?

[Spaghetti Legs]

Drop of lube on any crossed spokes

[mdeth1313]

Had this kind of issue and it turned out to be a shot qr skewer. Tends to not be the cranks.

skewer and/or cassette/spline 1st, can also be a worn cleat. Also had a FD cage that was hitting the crankarm ever so slightly.

[kppolich]

Originally Posted by old fat man

Seatpost collar, saddle bolts?

seatpost binder/saddle rail clamp was my bolt as well.

[veggieburger]

Originally Posted by .RJ

Pull the skewers out and check them, then. Check that all the hub/frame/skewer interfaces are clean and your hub caps are tight.

Good call. Haven't taken my front wheel out in eons.