My (new to me) slidy dropout, singlespeed Inbred has a right old squeak that I'm struggling to track down. It seems to be when I really push hard on the left hand pedal - climbing out of the saddle. It doesn't sound like it's a pedal thing, not sure if it's BB, but the noise is so hard to pin down, I'm struggling to work out whether it's front, middle or rear of the bike.
I just can't determine whether it's something like a disc binding, or whether it's linked to the BB? I'm pretty sure it's component related as I did have a similar squeak on the old bike. I've recently switched over to a Shimano square taper BB, with Middleburn cranks and self extracting bolts. Can the cups squeak in the frame? I have a funny feeling that's the side (the left hand side) that has the plastic cup, and I think they say not to grease the plastic side, just the metal side.
Have I answered my question, and should I ignore Shimano and grease that cup too - or might it be something else?
I did wonder whether it was hub related - could the cog squeak on the Hope trials hub body?
Or is it the chain? QR? Cranks on the BB axle? Dropouts? It's doing my head in! 😡
Are you using the on-one chaintugs?
Take them off, put some grease on them where they touch the frame and where the QR goes through them, then refit, squeek will probably be gone.
Thanks Mark - but it's the sliding dropout, rather than the slot dropout, so the tugs are the type with the thin allen bolt that sits outboard (to the rear) of the dropouts, and the sliding part is secured with two chunky allen bolts in each side.
Whilst I wondered if that may be the culprit, it's the same squeak that I've had on the old (vertical dropout) frame - it's such a loud / chronic squeak too - I'd recognise it anywhere!
are you sure its not your knees ...
If you think its the B/B try wrapping some plumbers thread sealing tape around the cups and refit.
My knees were the first thing i thought of...! I'll refit the BB tomorrow and give that a try. I suppose that's the right way to go about it - in a methodical manner... just doesn't normally end up like that.
grease & tighten: pedal, bb & chainring bolt threads.
Check chainline and grease chain tensioner/jockey bearing if using one.