Creaking wheel

Does anyone have any idea what a creaking sound from my rear wheel could be? It only does it when i'm on the bike, so i assume its weight related. It has a flip-flop hub, and i've been riding on the fixed side for only about two weeks now - the noise started two days ago. I have a slight suspicion the spokes might have loosened off since riding fixed due to more tension on the wheel (52:18 ratio) - but i'm not sure as i don't know how taught they have to be. Do (2 month old) wheels loosen their spokes?

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

I would have guessed spokes too. Nothing terrible, just them stretching under a little strain and becoming looser. Just go get the wheel trued and all will probably be fine.

if the rear wheel creaks, my first step is to check the hub. is it quick release or nut? the spokes can loosen, but don't think they would creak.

Spokes 'clicking' where they're crossed, loose spoke/eyelet, cracked rim (unlikely). Make sure it's definitely the wheel, and not some other less obvious component eg. saddle rails, seatpost, pedal, cleat, etc.

The hub is reasonably new (2 months) with nuts rather than quick release, so' im not quite sure what could be wrong with it. I was skeptical about spokes creaking originally - but if they become very loose i though the whole wheel could creak.

I was thinking of tightening every spoke half a turn and see if that does it - i wouldn't over tighten them would i? They are a lot looser than the front wheel spokes.

Rear wheel spokes should be AT LEAST as tight as front wheel. Sounds like 1/2 a turn on each spoke will be fine... for starters...

is the wheel still running true? if it is, then give the nipples half a turn each. and keep a piece of masking tape handy to remember which spoke you're turning in case the phone rings, kettle boils, ham is finished in oven....

BringMeMyFix Rear wheel spokes should be AT LEAST as tight as front wheel. Sounds like 1/2 a turn on each spoke will be fine... for starters...

thats what i wasn't sure about - tightening the spokes sounds like the way forward then...cheers!

Hovis Brown is the wheel still running true? if it is, then give the nipples half a turn each. and keep a piece of masking tape handy to remember which spoke you're turning in case the phone rings, kettle boils, ham is finished in oven....

And always start at the valve.

probably is the spokes but check there are no cracks in the rim while you're at it - I had a wheel that clicked and it was because of cracks round the eyelets.

This thread will do:

I noticed a creaking/grinding noise when i was out cycling last night. My first instinct was the bearings in my bottom bracket as I'd fitted a new (but second hand) one the week previous. So today i stripped everything down to have a look... & the BB and cranks are prefect. Then i checked my chain for stiff links & it's fine, as is the chain line. The spokes are tight too.

So my last option was to look at the hub.

It's a surly hub & the problem seems to be that the axle is tightening and loosening the caps around the sealed bearings. I'm kinda stumped as to what to do. I just fitted 2 small plastic spacers at ether side as to stop them getting clamped to the frame, i'll report back tomo if this works. Also i'll post some pictures as i feel i may not have explaned this very well. Any input on the matter would be appricated.

The problem seems to be the cartridge bearings on the left side of the hub. How can these be adjusted? i lack the experience to replace them.

spokes tend to ping rather than creak.

Creaking is the remit of a new generation of repressed teenagers, a phenomenon which began in the US, but like so much of their baggage, has now spread to the UK's middle classes.

There is clearly a privileged adolescent residing in the rim, suffering from vocal creak, and no doubt harping on about the unfairness of their weekly allowance.

So disappointed.. thought this thread was about *creek*ing a wheel.

I'd rather talk about this wheel... that i hate, a lot.. mostly because of the stickers though..

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Replaced the sealed bearings. sorted that out. Surly recommend 7901 but 6901 are the same dimensions and fit snugly, Witcombs will have 7901's in next week if this doesn't work out.