Exorcised?

I think I may have solved the creak/tick...

It was the last thing I ever thought it'd be, obviously, since it was the last thing I did.



What did I all do? In no particular order:

• Trued & tensioned bolt wheels
• Repacked bearings in both hubs
• Replaced all the cables and housing
• Removed, cleaned, greased and torqued every bolt
• Took off each part, and tried a replacement (handlebars, stem, cranks, bottom bracket, both wheels, seatpost/seat, headset, pedals)

As you can imagine, this was extremely frustrating. Each time, I was sure THIS WAS IT it has to be and I would inevitably be WRONG.

So, I found someone else with a Poprad that made this noise too. Someone important. Someone who works for Trek (who made this particular Lemond, in case y'all weren't aware). Ha! Turns out, there may have been some imperfection in manufacturing. Defect? No. Annoying? YES. The solution? Hang on while I try to kick myself in the ass...

Drip oil into the vent holes.

Somewhere, behind/under/inside the weld, there's a slightly-off-mitred piece of steel that is rubbing the piece of steel it butts into. So when the frame flexes... tick... tack.. tick... tock...

So far, no ticktocktacktork since.

We'll see.