Some noises put the human brain on high alert: the shrill grinding of a dentist's drill, for example. Or the menacing squeal of car tyres. For bikers, however, much more subtle noises also raise the hairs on the back of the neck: A quiet cracking sound when pedalling or a subtle creaking noise from the cockpit can upset even the most patient of characters. But why? Probably because we know that troubleshooting can be quite tedious, and we are reminded of this fact with every turn of the pedals and every pull on the handlebars. There is often a simple explanation behind the unloved noises: a loose screw, for example, or a dirty bearing. But who wants to know?
If you want to find and eliminate sources of noise, you should therefore proceed systematically and strategically, says BIKE workshop hero Dan Hooper: "Firstly, you try to find out whether the noise is caused by suspension or pedalling. Secondly, work your way from the back to the front."
Strategy against creaking & cracking on the MTB
You have checked the handlebars, but the creaking still occurs? The headset may also be responsible. The same procedure applies here: remove, clean, grease, fit, done. Finding the source of the noise can be a challenge even for experienced mechanics. Basically, noises can be divided into two large groups. Creaking during suspension and creaking when pedalling. If your bike only creaks when compressing, the joints are often to blame; if it only starts to creak when pedalling extremely hard, you should check the drivetrain.
