How can i fix a creak in the bottom bracket when climbing out of the saddle?

[Joseph.R]

I’ve been getting a slight but persistent creak from my bottom bracket on every power stroke, but only when I’m out of the saddle climbing. It’s totally silent when I ride on the flat or spin seated. I’ve checked the torque on the crankset and it’s all to spec, so I’m wondering if it could be the bearing preload or something else entirely.

[Donald.H]

I had a similar creak under power when out of the saddle. I checked the crank bolts, chainring bolts, and pedal interfaces, even swapped pedals to rule things out. Nothing changed. In the end it pointed to the bearings; the noise went away after replacing the cups.

[SophiaL]

I still wonder if preload was the issue or if something else was sneaking in. Temperature and dirt can change how those bearings feel under load, and I noticed it only when I stood up and loaded the crank.

[MatthewC]

I kept it simple for a while: cleaned the interfaces, re-torqued everything to spec, and rode a few sessions. No obvious change, so I started doubting the whole noise.

[Robert65]

Could this be frame flex or a loose wheel hub? I keep doubting the bearings, but the symptom fits: only under load, not on the flat.