Michael Warner
Posts 121
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First, are you sure it's the front end, rather than the bottom bracket creaking under the extra pressure of standing? If so, you should be able to reproduce it by getting off the bike and twisting the bars, as you do when standing up.
Hold the front brake and push the bike back and forth - any movement in the bars indicates a loose headset. Any roughness when turning the bars indicates worn headset bearings. Check the frame in that area and the forks carefully for damage or cracks. Try removing the bars, clean the clamping surfaces and re-grease the stem bolts. If that doesn't fix it, remove the stem and spacers and do the same. Lastly, the headset may need to be disassembled, cleaned and re-greased. Rain drives grit into and removes grease from every little nook and cranny!
If you're not comfortable with pulling your bike apart, see Park Tools' excellent website for how-to pages, or get help from a shop after eliminating the easy stuff.
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