billyk
Guru
My new Quest (559) makes a deeply-aggravating creak or series-of-clinks almost continuously when I ride. I don't know about you, but I like a smooth-running bike and this is driving me nuts!
The facts:
- It is a metallic creak or clinks. It brings to mind: a disk brake rotor irregularly rubbing on the pad or housing; a chain slapping against a chainring; a joint creaking for want of lubricant; ...
- It is not regular: not associated with a particular part of the pedal stroke, or the wheel turning. It seems to be associated with steering.
- The noise only occurs when I'm sitting on the bike: never on a bike stand or walking it.
- It is more pronounced/continuous when pedaling, but still occurs rolling freely with the pedals held still, especially in a turn, even a very small turn, or small road bumps. It is the same in every gear.
- A friend walking alongside while I rode slowly confirms that the noise is definitely in the front end. It is quite loud enough for a person near the bike to hear.
- It is almost continuous, with breaks of a few seconds at a time, even on a smooth concrete floor.
- I can sometimes elicit a clink or two by bouncing my butt in the seat or turning the handlebars quickly with the brakes held tight and the bike still.
Here's what I tried (I did these tests independently):
- Removed the front brake from the bike. (The rotor is not bent.)
- Removed the chainring guard (in case of slapping)
- Removed my fenders
- Disassembled the chainstay and greased the joints - top and bottom - with Phil Wood bearing grease
- Greased the swingarm shock bearings
- Tightened the head tube (which was very loose on arrival)
None of these things made any difference at all. I think it must be in the steering column, but I had my local bike shop look at it and tighten it, which made no change.
I need a new idea! This is taking all the pleasure out of having a new bike!!!
The facts:
- It is a metallic creak or clinks. It brings to mind: a disk brake rotor irregularly rubbing on the pad or housing; a chain slapping against a chainring; a joint creaking for want of lubricant; ...
- It is not regular: not associated with a particular part of the pedal stroke, or the wheel turning. It seems to be associated with steering.
- The noise only occurs when I'm sitting on the bike: never on a bike stand or walking it.
- It is more pronounced/continuous when pedaling, but still occurs rolling freely with the pedals held still, especially in a turn, even a very small turn, or small road bumps. It is the same in every gear.
- A friend walking alongside while I rode slowly confirms that the noise is definitely in the front end. It is quite loud enough for a person near the bike to hear.
- It is almost continuous, with breaks of a few seconds at a time, even on a smooth concrete floor.
- I can sometimes elicit a clink or two by bouncing my butt in the seat or turning the handlebars quickly with the brakes held tight and the bike still.
Here's what I tried (I did these tests independently):
- Removed the front brake from the bike. (The rotor is not bent.)
- Removed the chainring guard (in case of slapping)
- Removed my fenders
- Disassembled the chainstay and greased the joints - top and bottom - with Phil Wood bearing grease
- Greased the swingarm shock bearings
- Tightened the head tube (which was very loose on arrival)
None of these things made any difference at all. I think it must be in the steering column, but I had my local bike shop look at it and tighten it, which made no change.
I need a new idea! This is taking all the pleasure out of having a new bike!!!