Bicycle Mechanics - Right amount of pedal spin?

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Rob_U
08-03-08, 10:32 PM
I know they're cheapies, but I just picked up a set of Wellgo LU-214 City pedals (for my Trek Navigator) from REI, and one spins very freely, and the other stops after just a few turns. Is this mis-match common? All of the sets at the store were like this. Which is the correct condition? I'm just replacing the original nylon Wellgo pedals that came stock, so I'm not up for a lot of expense at this point. The original pedals seem to be different from each other, but neither spins really freely. I'm going to call the store tomorrow, but I'm interested to see if their response is the same as what I get here.

Thanks, Rob

enigmagic
08-03-08, 10:56 PM
To be fair, I've seen a lot of discrepancy in cheap pedals' bearing adjustment. I think in most cases it is a case of the spindle being misaligned against the bearings or some poorly seated or manufactured seal rubbing like crazy. In my experience for the price of $14 the mismatch of bearing adjustment isn't going to affect you. I'd just ride them til they break and not worry about it.
operator
08-03-08, 11:13 PM
You can adjust it if you really wanted to.

Bill Kapaun
08-03-08, 11:17 PM
Maybe they used right handed ball bearings in BOTH pedals!:)
Rob_U
08-04-08, 06:20 AM
Thanks for your replies.

You can adjust it if you really wanted to.
How would I adjust them? They seem to be a press fit assembly. How do you get them apart, and then what do you do to adjust them? Would I adjust the tight one to be looser, or the opposite?

Thanks, Rob
operator
08-04-08, 08:12 AM
Thanks for your replies.

How would I adjust them? They seem to be a press fit assembly. How do you get them apart, and then what do you do to adjust them? Would I adjust the tight one to be looser, or the opposite?

Thanks, Rob

You'll have to look for yourself, if you really can't take it apart then you can't do anything. It's not about which one is looser or tighter, it's about which one is as loose as you can get it without the pedal developing play - just like any other cup/cone adjustment.
rogerstg
08-05-08, 11:00 AM
The free spinning pedal is the problem since it lacks grease. You can usually pry off the end cap, remove the nut and have access to the spindle and bearings/bushings.
Al1943
08-05-08, 01:30 PM
The free spinning pedal is the problem since it lacks grease. You can usually pry off the end cap, remove the nut and have access to the spindle and bearings/bushings.

+1
A well greased pedal doesn't spin much.