Hi Hubbers, thought I would post this as I have spent a lot of time trying to solve the issue. i have a trek superfly (carbon) softail, and it has been creaking, and not just creaking but creaking so loud that people comment during races lol Anyway last year April the bike was making a hug creaking noise during the emperors challenge, I sent it in and the noise lessened for a few months then started again, just to give you some detail the creak is as follows: sounds as loud as a cell phone ringtone (pretty loud), and Creaks during the full pedal stroke, no matter which pedal you are applying pressure too, its not as bad when not pedaling hard, however it can still be heard, the noise is there when I am sitting or standing, the noise can not be replicated by merely bouncing on the suspension, and there is no noises when pressing one pedal towards the frame and then doing the same to the other side. I serviced the bottom bearings as i assumed this was the problem, noise was there next ride, I sent it in to cycle east LBS (who I must recommend as being awesome) and they replaced the bottom bearings, the noise was gone for a couple of rides and returned, the LBS stripped and re-lubed, and I tried again and still creaked, they stripped and lubed again, and added spacers to the pedals, the bike was still creaking, I decided to take it into my own hands, I removed cassette and cleaned, I removed freehub and serviced the cartridge bearings and lubed the pawls, i serviced the rear hub cartridge bearings, I removed and lubed the drop-outs and lubed the derailleur hanger, I also serviced the cartridge bearings on the rear chainstay (if thats what it's called), and went for a ride, and the bike creaked after 15km's, next I removed the rear triangle / chainstay, and serviced the bearings, I removed the suspension pivot and serviced all the cartridge bearings, including the shock mounting holes. I then removed my XX crank and replaced with an XO crank, and swapped the pedals for other pedals, I also re-lubed pedals, crank and crank arms, chainring bolts, cleats and the holes where the screw fasteners into, I also cleaned and lubed the seat-post and clamp. NB this noise is not the noise of spokes pinging, so I did not lube those. Anyway long story short, I go for a ride and after 20km's it starts creaking again :-( so before the bike goes into Trek to sort it out, I thought I would try one last thing, and yes its madness but I am losing it by now!!! I turn the bike upside down and remove both wheels, I then empty around 2 cups of cooking oil into hole next to the BB, I believe this is a drainage hole, I move the frame around trying to ensure the oil gets into all areas of the frame, yep I know its not good for the bearings etc, but I'd had enough, anyway it dripped out from the head, and from the crank sides, I emptied the oil back out and let it drip from the drainage hole till it stopped. Long story short the bike was silent when I went for a ride, felt like a completely different bike, I did a 50km run and no noise at all. yes I did not fix the problem but I did provide a solution to stop the noise, if you have a creaking Trek, you'll know what i'm talking about... i'm not saying you should follow suit, but if your desperate then perhaps its an option to try, NB do not leave wheels on the bike as the brake pads will be buggered if you get oil on them!!! NB you will need to wipe the bike down with some tissue or something absorbent once finished...
