Bicycle Mechanics - No washers included with new pedals

I was surprised to find out that my new Speedplay Zeros didn't come with any washers for the threaded end of the pedals. Is that normal with new pedals? Do they expect you to run to the hardware store to get the washers? Are the washers necessary?

:/ confused....where would washers go on pedals?

In fifteen years, I have yet to sell a set of pedals that come with pedal washers.
Several cranksets do come with them.
The washers are to protect the crankarm or alter the Q factor

Over the years I've owned and worked on Shimano, Specialized, SR, Speedplay and Look pedals and SR, Suguino, Sun Tour, Shimano (7,8,9 and 10-speed) and Campy cranks and not one of them has ever used washers.

Truvativ and FSA cranks often come with washers(Depends on the model, usually carbon)

I've never seen them on all the pedals I've installed either. I can understand carbon having them, though.

The washers are to protect the crankarm or alter the Q factor

I think I vaguely remember seeing them on track pedals to offset it so a person with larger (wider) shoes will have clearance to the crank arms.
Either that...early senility for me...

OK, thanks. Maybe I don't need them. Somehow I ended up with them on my old Zeros, so I thought they were required.

i don't use them on any of my speedplays either. most crank arms have a steel insert anyway...not sure there is much to protect

mx

Rival cranks come with washers.

I was surprised to find out that my new Speedplay Zeros didn't come with any washers for the threaded end of the pedals. Is that normal with new pedals? Do they expect you to run to the hardware store to get the washers? Are the washers necessary?

Because your specific pedals don't need them.

Pedals only need washers when they don't have a flared edge (which is essentially duplicating the function of the washer). Most cheap pedals with wrench flats that go straight into the pedal face need them because otherwise tightenting them onto cranks gouges them.

Hardly anybody installs pedals correctly, the way they were meant to on the vast majority of bikes out there.

These pedals don't need washers http://www.businesscycles.com/graphics/tped-speedplay.jpg

I can understand carbon having them, though.

Yes because AL doesn't gouge when you tighten on pedals that require washers. Note the sarcasm.

Most cheap pedals with wrench flats that go straight into the pedal face need them because otherwise tightenting them onto cranks gouges them.

Hardly anybody installs pedals correctly, the way they were meant to on the vast majority of bikes out there.

Whatever dude.:50: Even the 10 dollar pedals for sale at the LBS have a flared stop at the end of the threads. I doubt you've seen and inspected a "vast majority of bikes out there," so you are in no position to claim that hardly anybody installs pedals correctly.

washers usually come with sram/truvativ/bontrager cranks, not the pedals

Whatever dude.:50: Even the 10 dollar pedals for sale at the LBS have a flared stop at the end of the threads. I doubt you've seen and inspected a "vast majority of bikes out there," so you are in no position to claim that hardly anybody installs pedals correctly.

No one claimed you couldn't find pedals that do not require washers sperately. I work as the service writer and a mechanic at a commuter shop that deals with mainly low end bikes, so yes I see a lot of bikes daily and many of them are not using pedal washers where they are supposed to be.

Wouuld you like the opportunity to remove your foot from your mouth? Or would you like more space to make a fool of yourself?

I think most pedals I've seen have that flared edge...including cheapo ones. I think the distinction is in the crank. All the cranks I've seen come with washers have a recessed area near the pedal hole that a washer fits neatly into. Cranks that don't need washers just have a flush surface. Why though?....I'm not sure.

Most cheap pedals with wrench flats that go straight into the pedal face need them because otherwise tightenting them onto cranks gouges them.

What were you saying?

No one claimed you couldn't find pedals that do not require washers sperately. I work as the service writer and a mechanic at a commuter shop that deals with mainly low end bikes, so yes I see a lot of bikes daily and many of them are not using pedal washers where they are supposed to be.

Wouuld you like the opportunity to remove your foot from your mouth? Or would you like more space to make a fool of yourself?

Sorry sir, my mistake. I guess you have seen a vast majority of bikes out there, and hardly anyone installs pedals correctly.:lol: