Creaking noise

lightning

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2021
715
410
UK
My Kona Ebike has developed a creaking, or cracking noise from the front when l
am descending rocky terrain.

lt only started on this ride, l've checked all the bolts, stem, bars, axle, lower fork bolts etc

l've done a visual inspection of the fork (a Rock Shox Lyric) and all seems fine.

Any ideas as to what could be causing this noise, could it be the headset bearings need adjustment?

The bike is two months old, it's done 600 miles.

l am hoping it's not a fault with the fork, l once had a failed bonded fork leg on a Rock Shox Sektor.
 

lightning

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2021
715
410
UK
l took the headset apart last night and re greased everything so will try it later and see if it's any better.
 

GrandPaBrogan

⚡ eGeezer ⚡
Oct 5, 2019
1,329
2,068
New Zealand
Try checking the seat post. Loosen the seat clamp, raise the seat post (or the outer tube if a dropper post) by about 3mm, then retighten the seat clamp.

I realise it’s counterintuitive seeing as the sound is coming from the front, but it’s been known to happen for some, me included. May not be the cause in your case, but you’ve got nothing to lose... and it only takes about a minute to check. ??
 

lightning

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2021
715
410
UK
Yes l had exactly that on my Foxy R, tried everything and eventually it was the seat post needed greasing!

However this noise still occurs when standing on the pedals so it can't be that.
l have a feeling it's the bonded steerer tube but will report back later after l've been for another ride.
 

alan_sh

Active member
Aug 3, 2020
178
88
Rochdale
My wife's bike creaks from the pedals area when you roll it backwards. I think it's the motor not quite centralised somewhere.
 

Kiwibloke

Well-known member
Feb 27, 2021
111
195
Kent
I have a different bike but a similar issues, mine is creaking from the headset, at the first service they greased it and it was fine for about a week or so, it's back now so will contact the dealer again, I'll keep you posted.
 

RickBullotta

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jun 5, 2019
1,849
1,579
USA
Could be anything from headset adjustment/tension to headset bearings to ovalized/cracked frame to fork bushings, wheel bearings, loose spoke, loose axle, and lots more. Hard to localize sounds sometimes.
 

lightning

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2021
715
410
UK
Well, the good news is that stripping and re greasing the headset has completely cured the creaking noise, a 10 mile ride tonight largely off road and with some rocky descents and no creaking at all.

lf the noise returns l will get a better headset fitted.
 

RickBullotta

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jun 5, 2019
1,849
1,579
USA
Well, the good news is that stripping and re greasing the headset has completely cured the creaking noise, a 10 mile ride tonight largely off road and with some rocky descents and no creaking at all.

awesome. double check the headset preload after that ride and you should be good to go!
 

nasamorpheus

Member
Jul 17, 2020
186
95
Ljubljana
I bought superstar components headset for my cube stereo hybrid and it's great!! It has good water protection . After cleaning I apply silicon spray over whole bike exception are brakes.
 

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