Cannondale Neo EQ creaking bottom bracket?

[DroidOne]

I'm experiencing a creaking sound that seems to be coming from the bottom bracket and/or crankset on my Cannondale Quick Neo EQ (2019). It comes and goes and is only apparent when I put some weight on the pedals. Once it starts it goes on for a while (maybe 10-15 rotations) and happens once every rotation and with the pedals at about a 90 degree angle.

Hard to tell more precisely I'm afraid. Can't really hear if it's from the right or left side for example.

Bought it last summer, so it's not even a year old yet. Just passed the 1000 km mark....

Where should I start? Is this a common issue? I'm not very technical, but I can remove the crankset if need be. Anything else would probably need to be handled by the shop as I only own a basic set of tools.

What I've tried so far:

• Removed and cleaned seat post/made sure it was properly mounted (didn't make a difference, as expected).

 

[GLJoe]

I'm experiencing a creaking sound that seems to be coming from the bottom bracket and/or crankset on my Cannondale Quick Neo EQ (2019).

Its a Bosch motor right?
next thing I'd try is making sure the bolts attaching the motor to the frame are tightened. I've seen other people commenting that these can cause creaking if they get a bit loose.

 

[DroidOne]

Its a Bosch motor right?
next thing I'd try is making sure the bolts attaching the motor to the frame are tightened. I've seen other people commenting that these can cause creaking if they get a bit loose.

Yes, will try! Thanks.

 

[DroidOne]

Here's a video of the creaking. I think I nailed it down to the right side:

 

[georgehenry]

Also nip up the bolts that attach the chain ring.

 

[MarkOpti]

DroidOne. I have exactly the same problem with my 2020 Cannondale Moterra Neo 5. I love the bike otherwise.

I took it to REI and their "best tech" worked on it. They could not fix it or pinpoint where it comes from. They told me that they need to start taking it apart and replace block by block. Which is no-go for me. I am thinking of returning the bike ( since REI has 1 year return policy) . Unfortunately I cannot buy now a replacment bike becuase they are out of stock ( sold out) and Cannondale does not know when they get them.

If you find a resolution could you PLEASE share it with me.

 

[MarkOpti]

Update: After hours of googling with different terms seems found post that provides solution:

Widespread Giant motor creaking problem - time for a recall?

I have a 2019 Quick E+ that started making a horrible, loud creaking sound when putting significant torque through the pedals (pedaling uphill, pedaling hard into a headwind, and/or using eco+, normal, or sport modes). The noise is awful, and extremely loud, you can hear the bike from a block...

electricbikereview.com

 

[jimriley]

Are the crank bolts tight? I've experienced a creak there, cured by tightening crank bolts.

 

[georgehenry]

Good to hopefully know what the problem is, but if it is really the engine mounting bolt holes in the wrong place rather than something more simple, that would be a case to reject the bike, get your money back and find something else while you can.

 

[CycleAcrossAmerica]

I had a similar creaking with my Cannondale Neo1. It was driving me crazy. I was sure it was the bottom bracket or motor mounting bolts. It turns out it wasn't the motor mounting bolts, bottom bracket, or where the motor was mounted. It was the battery rubbing in/on the frame. To check to see if this is your problem grab the battery and try to move it in the frame. If you hear a creaking, that is your problem.

 

[TobyAnscombe]

Gonna throw this up there as I *think* that my Cube (Bosch) has a similar noise..