Creaking Thomson seatpost

[Zorro5614]

Hi guys

 

Need some advice with a creaking Thomson seatpost.  There is a popping/creaking noise coming from the seatpost clamp area.  It is definitely an issue with the post.

 

I have tried different saddles, grease on post, vaseline and carbon paste but with no luck.  As soon as I put back my old Syncros seatpost, the noise disappears.

 

Anyone have any ideas?  Is this because of the rough outer texture of Thomson Elite post?  Rougher texture of carbon paste makes the noise worse.  I have tried clamping the seatpost down to about 7nm, but still creaking.

 

Thanks in advance.

[cpelser]

My Thomson Elite setback did the same.

 

Remove all the bolts that tightens the saddle clamps, wash these as well as your posts top part etc in lukewarm water with an old toothbrush. Get all the dirt and everything out of there.

Grease both the bolts as well as the part they tighten into, grease the part that clamps the saddle rails.

 

Once your saddle if back on, remove any excess grease with a paper towel. (If required)

 

If there's still a creak there must be a crack in the aluminium or something wrong with your ears

[Zorro5614]

The issue is not at the top where the saddle is attached with the bolts.  The issue is at the bottom where the seatpost goes into the frame.

 

The seatpost length that is inside the bike is also quite a bit more the minimum required, so that is also not the problem.

[cpelser]

And I presume you've greased your seatpost clamp bolt as well?

 

It may be that the Thomson is 0.0001mm smaller in diameter and needs to be tightened a bit more that gets the seatpost clamp creaking.

[Zorro5614]

Greased everywhere possible.  Did some rides to with different combinations of two seatposts and two saddles and after a while the noise was there on all combinations.

 

Recently replaced my BB, so I am sure it's not that.  Could it be a broken seatpost clamp?

[No Hare]

please post soundbite.... no,no don't.

 

You say: Did some rides to with different combinations of two seatposts and two saddles and after a while the noise was there on all combinations.

 

So, it must be something other than the seat post?

[Zorro5614]

Remove the seatpost clamp and found this worn out rubber seal.  Could this cause the seatpost to move and creak?

[Sepia]

I have two posts and I am unfamiliar with that seal.....or am I missing something?

[Pulse]

I've had a similar issue before, drove me nuts.

 

Ended up being a cracked frame.

[Zorro5614]

I have two posts and I am unfamiliar with that seal.....or am I missing something?

 

It's not part of the seatpost.  It is part of my quick release seatpost clamp that seems to be worn down.

[bikebloke]

"quick release seatpost clamp" theres your problem

[Surv0MTB]

Yep, replace the clamp, will sort your issue. Had the same with mine.

[Zorro5614]

Thanks guys

[Mongoose!]

I had the same issue on my Trek Madone 6.9 SSL frame (carbon). At the end it was the frame self creaking where the top tube joins the seat tube. Thus you cannot access it from the seat post side where you insert the seat post. So what I did was removed the fork and access the joint in frame from the head tube opening (made an extension with two cold drink straws attached to the Q20 short "nossle". So basically sprayed the top tube full of lube by entering from the side of the top tube. Frame was held vertically to allow the access lube to enter the joint (seat tube / top tube).

 

Like you I also change and greased different saddles seat post and everything but the frame.

 

The bike is now quite... for months

[droo]

Not QR clamps in general, just that particular one. If it's got one of those plastic bushings on it it's not very good. Find a decent clamp and you're good to go.

 

(I think. Creaks are a bastard and can be sorted only by a process of elimination. Right of admission reserved. Etc.)