Stem creaking sound

This is not uncommon as headsets settle in and need tightening.

When this sound starts on my bike I just undo all the stem bolts, undo the headset cap, the headset bolt, take the stem & handlebars off (no need to undo all of that stuff), pull the fork down to free the headset up and just make sure that the crown race (the big washers between the fork and the headset bearings) is seated correctly on the bearings, but some lube on the bearings, do a bit of a cleanup as this area gets dirty, and then put everything back together.

You need to ensure that the fork is retightened to the headset and to the frame so there is no movement.

This gets rid of the creaking sounds for me.

Cablestein said:

There's unannoying creaking sound coming from my stem when I put weight on my hoods. It doesn't sound unsafe, so I just live with it so far, and try to be lighter on the arms.

But still, it's ANNOYING.

What can I do... just untighten the stem, jiggle the handlebar and re-tighten and hope that eliminates it?

It sounds like it's coming from the clamp holding the handle bar to the stem.

When I apply massive pressure to the handle bar in the middle, near the stem, there's no creaking sound.

When I apply only mediocre pressure to the forward parts of my handle bar, ie hoods, I get a snappy creak sound coming from the clamp. Could it have something to do with the handle bar tourquing or twisting downwards. The handle bars do not budge downwards when I apply that pressure on the hoods, the clamp is tight enough.

Maybe the clamp has to be even so much more tighter to remove any downwards flex?

Sounds like we have a similar problem...

cyclingforums.comt356978.htmlOpen ↗

The noise may be coming from the bars not the stem.
How old are your handlebars?
Is there any visible wear at the centre. Can you feel a ridge where the stem has cut in?
The centre, just to the side of the stem/bar shim is the weak point on alloy drop bars.

Set

...(That is Check your headset...)

That's what my creaking was. The symptoms were almost identical. It was a very quick and easy fix at the LBS....

L

I just gave my hybrid a bath this last weekend. Now everytime I turn the handle bars it sounds gritty like a gravel sound.

Yup, had the same "annoyance" on the Trek at one stage. Was easy for me:

1) remove bars from stem
2) remove stem from steerer
3) remove forks from headtube
4) remove headset bearings.
5) check for any moisture (everywhere)
6) dampen a rag with kerosine, and wipe every contact point
7) dampen a rag with TF2 spray, and wipe every contact point
8) smear a little grease on every contact point (including stem-to-stearer and stem-to-bar)
9) smear a little grease on the bolt-threads and re-fit everything
10) ride. silence now for 8000 km

~gm~