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Ever since I bought my Occam around 30months ago I've avoided riding it in the wet if I can help it. On dry days I'd actually stop at puddles and carry the bike through to avoid it getting dirty water in the rear end.
As soon as it got muddy/ gritty/ sandy water on it it would graunch and grind and make the most godawful racket. Peak sludge seemed to be much worse than crystal clear lakes water, but that is probably just my bias.
I'd assumed it was the cassette or the shitty arsed DTSwiss wheels, but it happened whichever wheels I had on. It also happened much more under torque. Generally it would happen in 1st gear up to a certain speed and then stop as I started spinning.
Anyway, getting to the point, someone mentioned an awful creak on his Occam the other say and I've suddenly come to the conclusion that the main part of the cacophony I have is not the gears but the linkages. Fair enough the gears do make a noise, but perhaps the perpetual creaking is actually the frame/ linkages/ bearings
Anyway, had all the bearings swapped last week and the noise is much worse. Few puddles today and it just wouldn't shut up the rest of the ride. On every pedal stroke the main pivot creaks like a bastard. And the rear end also creaks.
Alas I can't find the person's post ( quelle surprise), but would love to hear if other people have managed to fix the problem
Currently kicking myself for not availing myself of the Spec'duro PSA. I've really loved riding the Occam when it didn't creak, but can't be doing with it making those noises all the time.
When you say all, which ones?
Main pivot seem the worst to me on bikes.
The Slayer suffers with the mech hanger, it's a weird bolt/nut on outside of frame, if I get a creak, it's usually that. Quick clean, sorts for a Couple of months
<p style="text-align: left;">Had an occam since 2020 and its been creak free for the main, especially first 2 years, apart from the cheap piece of rubbish headset. That's finally died and I've just done my first complete bearing change after that time, riding in all weather and its not creaking now and was only slightly before.</p>
Bottom bracket? Pedals? Dropper post?
Not very helpful, but I have an Occam which creaks. Has done for a while. Some, possibly all, of the bearings were replaced just before I bought it (I've got the invoice so could check) 3 years ago. Probably hasn't been ridden enough to kill them yet, but maybe. Keep meaning to try and work out what's causing it, but it doesn't bother me that much.
If you think it's down to the bearings/linkages, I'd maybe go back to the shop and ask them to check their work. That said, creaks are a nightmare to track down sometimes, sounds sort of get referred around the bike like calls to reception at a dodgy parcel company. What sounds like the bottom bracket turns out to be the rear skewer or the saddle rails or grot in the lower headset bearing or a loose cleat, maladjusted pedal etc. I think sometimes all you can do is work your way through stuff methodically checking, lubing and re-torquing until you find the culprit.
I once changed the bottom bracket and cranks of a Voodoo Wanga singlespeed only to finally realise the noise was actually coming from the rear quick release. That was a joyous experience :-(. Mate had the same issue on an Orange 5 which I solved in 30 seconds 🙂
Similar problems with my Rise (Alloy) - main pivot bearings or the linkages needing strip and clean regularly to abate the incessant creaking
Ever since I bought my Occam around 30months ago I’ve avoided riding it in the wet if I can help it. On dry days I’d actually stop at puddles and carry the bike through to avoid it getting dirty water in the rear end.
Honestly, you need to get to the bottom of it methodically and sort it (I’m not too bothered by creaks myself but appreciate I’m in the minority). Carrying a mountain bike over puddles is a sad state of affairs.
Don’t own an occam but have ridden one plenty of times and they’re great bikes. Get the creak sorted and enjoy, no need to replace the frame!
Owner of a silent Occam....
I replaced all the bearings over the winter, just because I hadn't done them from new (2019).
This thread might help, it’s talking about the Rise but it’s the same linkage. Mine never creaked, the back end did feel really sloppy though, but plenty of people on the Rise FB group complain of the creak.
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/side-loading-of-shocks-any-solutions/
My friend had to hire a bike on holiday last year because her Occam linkage wouldn’t stay done up.
One got the same carbon occam as you and find it generally quiet and creak free. It's had one full bearing swap which I did myself. It's no stranger to foul conditions but I tend to use hardtail in the winter. One of the main things to check is whether the linkage has been torqued correctly and the correct loctite used on the splines.
Check bearing/linkage near the rear axel. As they move so little, they are prone to seizing on any FS.
Honestly, you need to get to the bottom of it methodically and sort it (I’m not too bothered by creaks myself but appreciate I’m in the minority).
surely it will be the obvious option… Occam’s razor innit?
many thanks for all the input
Bottom bracket? Pedals? Dropper post?
Might be BB in some cases, but not the main noise. Wrong place.
Not pedals. Had three different pairs on there, made no difference.
Ditto dropper. Wrong direction and have tried two different ones
all you can do is work your way through stuff methodically checking, lubing and re-torquing until you find the culprit
On that front, what is it that will actually stop the creak? Lube, locktite, cleaning it or just torquing TF out of it?
Similar problems with my Rise (Alloy) – main pivot bearings or the linkages needing strip and clean regularly to abate the incessant creaking
thing is though, the shop had it completely apart last week and it's already there.
or maybe ...
If you think it’s down to the bearings/linkages, I’d maybe go back to the shop and ask them to check their work
Carrying a mountain bike over puddles is a sad state of affairs
true dat.
This thread might help, it’s talking about the Rise but it’s the same linkage.
will check that thread, thanks
Check bearing/linkage near the rear axle
they've been changed 4 times already!
thing is though, the shop had it completely apart last week and it’s already there.
if they’re not an Orbea dealer they might not know about the problematic linkage. There’s a chance they didn’t even use the preload tool when they put it back together.
Another creak free Occam owner (sorry!). Mine is the 2022 version with the updated linkage, the shock yoke bit. If what I’ve seen on various forums regarding the need to locktite the splines on the old design, I’m guessing that Orbea changed it for a reason. If you’re already on the new design, dunno? If not, consider changing