Mountain Bike Handlebars Creaking

You could try removing the handlebar and sticking a nitto or beer can shim around the clamping area of the bar and remounting it.

Mountain bike handlebars creaking. There are 25 4mm and 26 0mm clamp area diameters for both handlebars and stems so you might have a 25 4mm bar in a 26 0 stem which might make it creaky and loose. The first thing to check is that the handlebar binder bolt is tight enough. Avoid stems which have the clamp bolt behind the handlebar see john allen s web page for examples. Check if the pivots are tight using the appropriate size hex wrench for the pivot bolts.

Derailleur housing is especially prone to creaking since the longitudinal wires hidden inside the jacketing can so easily move against metal housing caps. If this motion isn t smooth then the headset is too tight. Check the handlebars for any signs of cracking at the stem interface and replaced the handlebars if i found any cracks or other signs of metal fatigue. Make sure your handlebars are straight then tighten the stem bolts again equally and evenly until you reach proper torque spec.

The rear suspension on a mountain bike has multiple pivot points that can develop squeaks when they re loose or dry or when the bearings need to be replaced. Pivot bolts should be tightened to the bike manufacturer s specifications using a torque wrench. As alec griffiths an experienced bike mechanic from local bike shop cadence cycles in bath explains the chances are that the sealed cartridge bearings normally found in the headset setup which. If you can t fit the bar into the stem s clamp with the shim then this isn t the problem.

Http gmbn eu subscribe get exclusive gmbn. Loosen stem bolts equally and evenly until loose. The threads and the underside of the head of this bolt should be lubricated with grease or oil. Alternatively metal housing caps can.

Running the front brake clunk test described above but while pushing and pulling the handlebars in different directions can reveal creaks too. If your headset is tight and you re still experiencing creaking or clunking follow the instructions below.