Centaur BB creaking @ 700km

[Devon]

So my Centaur BB started creaking on tonight's ride. Only got 700km on it. Fitted to a Centaur Carbon crankset with 53-39 rings. Creaking less or non-existent when climbing. Any ideas? Fitted it myself, too tight maybe?

[MajorMantra]

What BB? Power Torque? Threaded cups or press fit?

[Devon]

Threaded & Power Torque; it's this years model.

[MajorMantra]

If you're sure it's the BB, strip, grease all metal to metal interfaces and reassemble. Most likely explanation would be cups moving in frame because of insufficient torque. I assume the wave washer is correctly installed?

When you say it doesn't do it when climbing, does that mean standing? If so I'd strongly suspect your saddle/seatclamp area rather than your BB. Other possible sources of creaks are QR/hub/frame interfaces, stem bolts, headsets, pedals etc. etc.

[bikerjulio]

One time I'd just finished putting a bike together. Went for a ride and stopped part way through because of a horrible "BB" noise. Abandoned altogether and went home on the subway, that's how bad the noise was.

It was a pedal.

[Devon]

Seated and standing. It only creaks when the cranks are turning.

I initially thought pedals too, bikerjulio, however when pedalling with only one foot the noise continues.

As a side thought I did adjust my seatpost height recently, I will check it just to humour the possibility, but it seems bizarre.

[doozer]

i had this on an older ultratorque BB. Used blue loctite on the cup threads which eliminated the problem. I think there is an online guide on how to do it. Just do a google

dooz

[Devon]

Ah, that actually gives me a thought. It was a brand new BB and an older frame; so the threads may be worn. Therefore in theory, Loctite would do the trick...

[RTW]

Had this too. It was dirt on the dropout. Only creaked when pedalling.

[rijndael]

Had this too. It was dirt on the dropout. Only creaked when pedalling.

I spent a few hours taking my cranks off, removing the BB30 bearings, cleaning, and greasing it - two times! It was the rear skewer/dropout and it only squeaked when I was pedaling.

[Devon]

Bizarre! I will give the bike a thorough clean, thanks.

[rijndael]

For my issue, it was the torque that is applied during the pedaling that caused some rotation/movement in the dropout - even though the QR was tight. If you're not pedaling, there's no torque, so there was no sound.

[Devon]

That's exactly the conclusion I came to re:the dirty dropout theory.

[MajorMantra]

You can apply grease to the dropout as well. I like greasing things.

[Devon]

Does that not attract A LOT of dirt?