In the middle of a ride, do you suddenly hear a strange noise that seems to be coming from your road bike? There are several reasons why this should be rectified. Unfortunately, it is often not possible to directly determine which part of the road bike is causing the noise. We have therefore listed several susceptible components and show you the easiest way to check them for noises and what measures you can take against them. How to check the frame and cables.
Noise on a road bike: checking the frame
Pothole, cobblestones - and it rattles in the box? Then there is often something loose in or on the frame. Drop the bike from a height of a few centimetres onto the tyres, try it with the front wheel and rear wheel separately to narrow down the source.
Checking the cables
Internally routed cables that rattle in the frame tubes are a nuisance even on new bikes. They can also hit the walls from the inside when turning. They can be permanently immobilised with foam hoses that are pushed over the cables. A tightened cable tie, which supports the cable against the frame tube, can also help, but the cables must also be removed for this. The effort can be avoided with a brush that is subsequently pushed into the frame tube.
Noises on the road bike: Loose steering bearings
A knocking from the front frame area on uneven surfaces may indicate a loose steering bearing. Check the fit by pulling the front brake, grasping the gap between the fork crown and head tube and moving the bike forwards and backwards. There must be no play between the frame and fork. Readjust the play in the steering bearing if necessary.
Steering bearing dry
If it creaks when steering, the steering bearing is usually to blame. Then it's a case of dismantling, cleaning, applying a thin layer of grease to all parts, refitting and adjusting. The Bowden cables, steering bearing covers and spacers can also creak in the steering area. In this case, it helps to apply a little silicone spray or spray oil to the cable stops on the frame.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
