Hi all,

I have had this creak for a few months now.  It typically only happens after about 6-7 miles of riding.  It occurs only on the non-drive side (left) and only when I am pedaling.  I tried pedaling with just my my right foot and no noise.  So it only happens when I push the pedal down on the left side.

I have taken the bike in to several shops and then have taken out the BB, cleaned it and reinstalled it, took out the seat post, reinstalled with carbon paste as well as the headset.  The creak is still there, more when I stand up.  The sound starts out distant and then gets louder.  It use to creak when riding flats and hills, but now it is only doing it when I ride up hill.  I am not a hard rider, so not putting too much pressure on the pedals. 

 I have replaced the pedals with old ones that I know don't make any noise, changed the rear wheel with a wheel that I know does not make noise/creaks.  I read some of the posts and put carbon past on the rear derailleur hanger.  I changed to a Dura-Ace chain with a Dura-ace cassette to see if the creak was the cassette.  I checked my cleats and they are tight.  I will try my old shoes and cleats to see if it is the shoe, but I don't think it is.

 I don't know what it could be.  Now, I just rode a century and when I coast there is this rattle sound now.  Argh!!! this is getting frustrating. 

I now have a new bottom bracket on order (but the shop believes this not the source of the creak).  Could it be the frame?  This is a brand new bike (six months old)

Can someone help?  I have read the posts and I think I have checked everything.  Should I have the shop take the whole bike apart and reassemble it?

R3-SL, SRAM Red components, Speed Play pedals, Kyrisium SLPremium Wheels.

 

Have you checked the rear cassette to be sure that it is really tight?

It sounds like you have tired everything. Where does the nosie sound like it is coming from? Have you had it on a trainer with someone standing beside to try and pinpoint where the noise is coming from? I sounds stupid, but it may be your valve stem rubbing on your rim. If you can put it on a trainer and see if it goes away because the front wheel is stationary. Just a thought, since it sounds like you have tried everything else.

Yes, checked the cassette to ensure it is tight.  In fact, replaced it thinking there was an issue.  I also tried another wheel that does not creak.  The bike still creaks so I believe it isn't the wheels at all.

Hello, I haven't had it on the trainer.  I should try that.  The creak typically shows up after the first 6-7 miles, but then it can stop and not come up until later in the ride or sometimes not at all.  This is why I don't think it is the valve stem, but will check that as well. 

 I did place my hand on the frame when the creak was present and I was riding.  There was some vibration down by the BB, but there was more vibration by the rear derailleur.

I can't really describe the noise.  I did record it while riding though.  Is there a way to post a .wav file to this forum for others to listen to it?

I had a similar problem with my R3.  I would have sworn it was coming from the crank but I snugged the cups and still had the problem.  As a last resort I lightly greased my seatpost and it immediately went away.  Be sure and use a carbon grease with a little grit in it.

 I had a VERY similar intermittent creak/crackle that was clearly coming from the BB area on my R3. After checking all of the obvious areas and removing and reassembling parts, I noticed a small hairline crack in the BB shell (specifically, the carbon directly above the alloy BB shell/insert). My frame is now being replaced under warranty by Cervelo....will let you know if the creak appears on my new R3.

EM3

one more thing you might want to double check is to make sure that your skewers are very tight. Sometimes if they are not tight a wheel can creek. Always check the skewers it might be that simple.

I had creaking the other day and found out it was the pedal cleat interface (speedplays)

 Have the same problem with my r3 I believe its going to be a crack in the frame near the bottom bracket. I to tried everything you could think of. 

I had a similar issue, and found out that it was the seatpost. The frame can be an acoustic chamber! Try by using some special paste for carbon on carbon (carbon seatpost on carbon frame), it does magic. Your local LSB should sell some, it costs a few bucks. Remove the seatpost, clean it, put some special paste on, put it back on. ...and don't forget to use a torque wrench, you can crack the seatpost otherwise. Manny

I agree with Chiefan and Manny - I would also check the seat post, clean it thoroughly, and use the carbon paste.

How did you fund out it was a crack in the frame? Did you have the frame x-rayed? Who do I go to in order to find this out? Thanks in advance. Steve

Thanks for your post. Tried that twice. Once I did it and once the shop did it. The shop said I didn't put enough paste on the first time.

 slouie18, the crack is visible on the paint around the BB, whether in fact it is a crack is yet to be verified by Cervelo (my frame is in transport back to Cervelo), but I will follow up with them. My guess is that it is the thick paint and/or epoxy around the BB in that area, and probably not a crack in the carbon. I suppose the flex caused by pedaling together with a hairline crack in paint//epoxy is sufficient to cause the creaking, but I have a feeling it may be somehting more significant, and what I am experiencing is an actual crack in the carbon....stay tuned for more details. Lastly, so far the Cervelo customer service has been great....they too suspect that it is most likely the paint and indicated that in 90% of similar cases they have discovered that such hairline cracks are simply in the paint or epoxy and not the carbon.

EM3