Cannondale Creak

Ray R700

I'm looking for info regarding the infamous Cannondale Creak. I have a 2002 model Cannondale R700 which started creaking shortly after purchase and only when the pedals are being turned. All I know for certain is that washing the bike lessens the creaking sound for some reason, though it eventually returns. Washing the bike after it's been worked on in the shop has produced the best results so far (bike shop adjustments alone seem to be ineffective). Does this make sense to anyone??? Please help!

rek

I have the same bike, had a similar creak, and took it to the LBS as I thought something might be loose. They said that there were a few cases where bottom brackets weren't installed to the proper torque at the factory (the bikes are shipped semi-assembled) and they start to make creaking noises.

They re-installed the BB to the correct torque and the creak hasn't returned since.

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Peter
Cannondale Synapse Carbon Scalpel Cyclocross Ultra

old&slow

I have a CAAD4 which needs the seat post lubed every now and then because the base of the post has actually 'stretched' the seat tube so that you can feel a little bump on the front face of the tube. It's done near on 10,000 km so would be unlikely to be your problem but is something to be aware of as your frame gets older. Inevitable I guess when the centre portion of the tubes is about as thick as a beer can ?

coolworx

I gotta go with Rek on this one...

Almost assuredly a mis-installed BB.

Ray R700

A guy at Cannondale previously mentioned that it might need a torque adjustment, which might explain why the creak would lessen considerably when I rode in an upright, "no hands" position. But why would washing the bike make the creak go away, at least temporarily? Most people think it's a coincidence, but I know there's some kind of connection.

craigez

I've had several creaks form my CAAD 4 frame. One is the side of the bottom bracket shell is painted, which means sometimes the fit is not flush, the shop I bought it from removed this paint, which stopped that creak.

Another one was the derailour hanger. Every 6 months or so I need to take it off, clean the mating surfaces, grease them and reattach. Then just make sure the rear QR is fairly tight. This creak took weeks to find...

Craig

CycleSteve

I've got a C R4000 bike and have had creaking problems. Here's what I'd do, beginning with the easiest: 1) remove, grease, and replace the screws holding the water bottle cages to the frame - I've actually had creaking caused by these screws; 2) clean and grease the seat stem; 3) clean and grease the handlebar stem (I've got a threaded setup); 4) remove the cogs and grease the spline; 5) disassemble the chainrings, grease the bolts hodling the rings together. One of the above has always taken care of the creaking. It's never been the BB, altho it sure sounds like it sometimes.

Hope that helps.

Mampara

I've got a CAAD 4 and a noise used to appear after about 15-20km ride. After I took it to my LBS to check the BB it was still there. Took it back and it was one of the pedals. The sound is gone now.

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Trap, of word getrap.

CycleSteve

Yes, pedals are another source of strange sounds. But usually my pedals (if they make any noise) squeak, not creak. I've also had a creaking or squeaking sound from my shoes if the cleat has loosened a bit (and it doesn't take much).

Ray R700

I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this issue. They're all good comments and will help me to eventually nail down this problem, which I now consider more of a nuisance than a serious BB problem. One last thing: my bike started creaking again last week early in my ride - first time in almost 2 months it has creaked. But it totally stopped after about 15-20 miles. Usually, when it's in creaking mode, it won't stop until after I've washed it. It has never stopped creaking mid-ride before. The previous ride was on wet roads....could there be a connection? Cracks in the frame possibly?

CycleSteve

I've had creaking go away as well when the bike was wet. It might be that even just a slight amount of moister "lubricates" whatever is creaking enough to stop the creak. Or, depending on the temperature of the water, it might contract or expand the metal around the spot that's creaking enough to stop it.

CycleSteve

"Moister"? I meant "moisture".