I saw the thread on this topic a few days ago. I have a terribly annoying creak that I thought was the post head/saddle rail connection. So I tightened, rode, tightened more, rode more, etc. Never fixed it. But I did eventually put way too much torque on that screw and begin to strip the threads. A new post head later and it still creaks. I’ve tightened the bejezus out of the seatpost clamp, still creaks. I have the brass shim in there.
I have the aluminum post right now.
BTW, Tom D, if you see this… any word on my carbon seatpost?
I had a creak which I was positive was my cervelo seatpost, drove me mad with re-adjustment. After a while I found out that it was the water bottle holder attached to my bike that was creaking, have you got anything hanging off your seat that might creak?
I had a creak which I was positive was my cervelo seatpost, drove me mad with re-adjustment. After a while I found out that it was the water bottle holder attached to my bike that was creaking, have you got anything hanging off your seat that might creak?
Negative. Nothing that can make a peep. It’s almost a popping sound… highly annoying.
I have 2 Cervelo and have had creaking from both of them.
Did you change your seat position recently? The reason I ask is in my case both times the creaking was due to how I tightened the bolt and the nut. Basically you need to seat the saddle and then tightened both in small increments , if you over tightened one more than the other (nut v bolt) then everytime you press down on the seat it will creak at least that is what happens to me.
I did what you did once - kept on turning the screw on the bolt and ended up with the bolt breaking in to two pieces while out on a ride. Not clever. In fact you dont have to screw too much for the seat to stay secure.
I suggest loosen both the nut and bolt, re-seat the saddle, tighten both in small increments. Note to get it level you need to start with the saddle pointing down quite a bit.
Good luck. BTW the seat post head and the way it attaches the saddle is the one thing I really dislike about my cervelos.
Interesting. However, it is hard to tighten the bolt with your fingers once the other one is getting tight.
Oh well- I’m selling my P3 and getting a custom ti bike with a good ol’ Thomson seatpost. I think my creaking post problem was due to the lack of a brass shim (since been fixed). Anyways- who wants to buy my 58cm P3 with Campy Chorus?!
However, it is hard to tighten the bolt with your fingers once the other one is getting tight.
Exactly my point - have to tighten each a little bit at a time, if you over tighten the star bolt before tightening the screw nut it will not sit properly and you will get creaking.
The LBS had to show me a couple of times! Slow learner.
I am trying to sell my P2 and get another road bike but no takers! The road bike will have very dependable parts (read your rant - totally agree) Nothing trick, including wheels. I want to ride and race the bike with little dicking around as possible. Willing to sacrifice a lb or two and a few aero mins. I suspect that is heresy on the Forum and be villified forever, probably banned too.
However, it is hard to tighten the bolt with your fingers once the other one is getting tight.
Exactly my point - have to tighten each a little bit at a time, if you over tighten the star bolt before tightening the screw nut it will not sit properly and you will get creaking.
The LBS had to show me a couple of times! Slow learner.
Mine uses a nut that fits into a slot in the head – you can’t tighten it at all, only the bolt that goes into it. Or… are you talking about the bolt that adjusts the angle of saddle tilt? I just set that one where I want it and then crank the other bolt (the one mentioned first) down.
I had the problem before and I figured out that the seat post was not inserted far enough into the seat tube. So I ordered a larger length seatpost and that fixed the problem for me.
Apologies for the miscommunication - what I mean by the the star nut/bolt is the one which you turn with your fingers. The screw nut is the one you use a allen key.
Initially dont turn the star nut too tight before you tighten the screw nut a little, after the star nut can no longer be thightened only then do you screw in the screw nut securely. This process is much easier when the seat post is in the steep position. I have a Soloist and a P2 set up slack and steep respectively.
Hope this helps
p/s I lubed ever point of contact on the seat post and seat head and it never made any difference. Only when I took the saddle off and reseated it as described did it stop.
I get it now. I have been setting the star/adjuster to where I think it should be while the the clamp bolt is loose, then tightening the clamp. I can see how that might not give a clean uniform hold and only result in a slight rocking/creaking.
Just tried it, and so far so good. Thx for the clarification.
A new post head later and it still creaks. I’ve tightened the bejezus out of the seatpost clamp, still creaks. I have the brass shim in there.