Road cycling, especially in the great outdoors, is balm for the soul. It clears the mind and leaves everyday worries behind. It is all the more annoying when this idyll is interrupted by a squeaking part on the bike. And it's even worse when it's not immediately obvious which component it is. Anything from the saddle and cranks to the handlebars and stem can be the cause of the "noise". In our opinion, this is the best way to check the latter.
Noise on the road bike: Checking the handlebar-stem unit
A constant creaking noise when pedalling and the noise stops when you ride freehand? Then the cause is most likely in the handlebar area. Hold the handlebars by the brake levers when stationary and alternately push and pull. If the noise cannot be generated in this way, the saddle is also a possible cause - due to the weight shift when riding freehand.
Noise at the gear lever
Check that the brake levers are secured against twisting. Tighten them carefully, but do not exceed the maximum torque, especially with carbon handlebars. It may be better to unwind the handlebar tape and apply carbon assembly paste under the handlebar body and tape. This reduces the required screw torque.
Checking the stem clamp
Thoroughly clean the clamping surface on the handlebars and the contact surfaces on the stem. Apply a thin layer of grease to the surfaces of aluminium parts; only carbon assembly paste should be used on handlebars and fork stems made of carbon. Also grease the screw threads and tighten to the specified torque.
Spacers and cables
If it only creaks when the steering is turned, Bowden cables or the headset cap may be the cause. A squirt of spray oil into the cable stops can work wonders, as can spraying wax into the cracks under the stem.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
