A quiet crack when pedalling or a subtle creak from the mountain bike cockpit can upset even the most patient of characters. For bikers, such disturbing noises raise the hairs on the back of the neck and put the brain on high alert - like the shrill milling of a dentist's drill, for example. Or the menacing squeal of car tyres.
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, you work your way from the back to the front."
A strategy and the right tools are helpful in the fight against cracking and creaking, especially if you have been working against it for a long time without success. Start from the back and systematically work your way forwards. This will minimise the risk of overlooking something.
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.
Does the bike creak when pedalling? Or do you suspect the rear triangle? Check this by applying pressure to the saddle while standing next to the bike. If the creaking occurs, it is either coming from the saddle and seat post or from the rear triangle. It's not just the drivetrain or the joints that can creak. The cockpit or saddle are also often the culprits. Firstly, remove any coarse dirt from the bike and follow Dan's tips and you will soon be back to normal.
