Bottom Bracket Creaking, Clicking & Squeaking - What You Should Know

Is It Really Your Bottom Bracket Making That Noise?

Before you assume it's bottom bracket creaking, let's check a few simpler things. Noise can travel through your bike frame, so what sounds like a BB creak might actually be:

• Pedals - Are they tight? Did you grease the threads?

  

• Seat post - Is it clean and properly clamped?
• Chainring bolts - Are any loose?

What Causes Bottom Bracket Creaking When Pedaling?

Okay, so it IS bottom bracket noise. Here's what usually causes that creaking, clicking, or squeaking:

1. Worn-Out Bearings

Bearings wear out over time. When they get old, dirty, or rusty, they create a grinding noise or rough feeling. This type of bottom bracket noise usually gets worse as the bearings degrade.

2. Dry or Dirty Components

Sometimes fixing bottom bracket squeaking is simple - just remove everything, clean it thoroughly, and apply fresh grease. This can eliminate bottom bracket clicking temporarily.

3. Press Fit Bottom Bracket Creaking (The Main Culprit)

Here's the big one: press fit bottom bracket creaking is notorious in the cycling world.

What's a press-fit bottom bracket? Instead of screwing in, the bearing cups are pressed (pushed) into holes in your frame. Think of it like pushing two cups into slightly oversized holes.

Why does press fit bottom bracket creaking happen?

The system depends on an extremely tight fit. But here's the problem: if your frame's holes aren't perfectly sized (even 0.1mm off), the cups can move slightly inside. This tiny movement - even microscopic - causes that awful bottom bracket creaking when pedaling under load.

Imagine a lid on a container that's just slightly too big. Every time you press down (pedal hard), it shifts and makes noise. That's exactly what's happening with press fit bottom bracket noise.

Temporary Fix vs. Permanent Solution for Bottom Bracket Creaking

The Temporary Approach

You can take your bike to a shop. They'll clean everything, re-grease it, and press the cups back in tight. This might stop the bottom bracket squeaking... for a while. But if the frame's tolerances aren't perfect, that press fit bottom bracket creaking will return - often within weeks or months.

The Permanent Solution

To truly eliminate bottom bracket noise, you need to stop the movement at its source.

This is exactly why we developed CRODER TUBE-LOCK. Instead of relying on two separate pressed cups that can shift independently, TUBE-LOCK features a unique design: the two cups thread together INSIDE your frame.

Why this stops bottom bracket creaking for good:

• Tube-integrated structure - Unlike traditional systems with two separate cups, TUBE-LOCK connects both sides as a single unit, delivering superior stiffness and stability that prevents any independent movement
• Layered Corner Technology - CRODER's exclusive design effectively reduces friction and noise between the bottom bracket and your frame's aluminum shell - addressing the contact points where creaking often starts
• Black-Oxide Ceramic Bearings - Featuring ultra-smooth G5-grade ceramic balls with high hardness, these bearings drastically reduce internal friction, making every pedal stroke feel effortless. The black oxide coating improves oil adhesion and wear resistance, ensuring the smoothness lasts

Stop Living with Bottom Bracket Noise

Whether you're dealing with bottom bracket creaking when pedaling, squeaking under load, or persistent clicking sounds, you don't have to keep tolerating it. Don't just mask the symptom with temporary fixes.