Bicycle Mechanics - Pedal installetion

Is it hard to install a pedal? (shimano ultegra) If i wont ruin anything how do you do it? If i run the cha nce of hirting something i will bring it to the bike shop. thanks

Installation*

Its very easy. lightly grease the threads of your pedal, make sure you use washers between the pedal and the crankarm and keep in mind on the right side is right hand thread and left side left hand thread. Also you will need either a pedal wrench (15mm) or hex key, i need a 6mm for my pedals.

It's easy if you have a good 15mm wrench. The trick is that the left pedal has reverse threads, so it threads in anti-clockwise and is loosened clockwise. The right pedal is threaded normally. Grease the threads before installing them. The problem you might run into is that your original pedals may been threaded on too tightly and a normal length wrench might not have the torque to loosen them. If that's the case, you might need to take them to your LBS.

I Dont think i should mess with them and i am probably going to take them to a LBS. Except my dad is FOR doing our selves.

... make sure you use washers between the pedal and the crankarm .........Why? Neither pedals or crankarms , nor new bikes come with them,and have never used them on about a bizillion bikes.

I Dont think i should mess with them and i am probably going to take them to a LBS. Except my dad is FOR doing our selves.

I tend to agree with your dad - best way to learn is by doing. You may have to invest in a pedal wrench, but it will pay for itself with a few pedal installations and removals.

I agree with Sydney - I've never used washers at the pedal and crank interface.

Remember, when the previous posters say "clockwise", that is viewed as you look at your bike from the respective side. Also, left pedals (which are reverse threaded) usually have an "L" (left hand thread) stamped into the wrench flats of the pedals (or somewhere near).

Why? Neither pedals or crankarms , nor new bikes come with them,and have never used them on about a bizillion bikes.

I have one crankset that came with pedal washers and instructions to use them. I have four that did not come with washers and I do not use washers behind the pedals on them.

Doc

Is it hard to install a pedal? (shimano ultegra) If i wont ruin anything how do you do it? If i run the cha nce of hirting something i will bring it to the bike shop. thanks

It's as easy as installing a light bulb.

Washers?...That's a new one. The easy thing to remember about removing pedals is on BOTH sides of the bike to push the pedal wrench DOWN toward the rear tire, thereby unthreading the pedal. Obviously, the opposite occurs when reinstalling pedals. They're screwed in by turning them on BOTH sides of the bike toward the front tire.

I dotn know, i just read it from the truvativ manual i got. i have a stylo team model and it comes with little washers, they are in the crankarm itself.

Washers?

On the pedal instal make sure to use the recommended pedal wrench (15mm) or hex key. other than that, you turn the wrench towards your front wheel to tighten.

Easiest thing to do on a bike.

Why? Neither pedals or crankarms , nor new bikes come with them,and have never used them on about a bizillion bikes.
My Truvativ cranks came with them. If you check the manual http://www.truvativ.com/manuals/cr-4arm-e-r4.pdf under the heading "Parts and Tools" you'll see it listed. It's also mentioned and diagrramed in step 5 of assembly

Ive never seen them with washers but the idea makes perfect sense. If you have a burr on your pedal spindle it can over time work like a little end mill on the arm. I have seen many arms with a recess milled in from such a thing. I think Ill look for some now...

You know, a newbie fitting a pedal shouldn't be told make sure you have a pedal wrench handy.

I tell everyone who does a bike course with me, don't use force. Be gentle. Bikes and people respond to gentleness. You have to be ultra careful with alloy cranks in particular that you don't crossthread the spindle thread from the get-go. Crossthread an alloy crank and you're basically stuffed.

If you meet a bit of resistance (any resistance) screwing the spindle in and feel tempted to go for the pedal wrench, DON'T!. Start again. If you feel unwarranted resistance, check the threads for burring or other damage. You should be able to screw a greased pedal spindle into the crank all the way with your fingers WITHOUT the assistance of a pedal wrench. The wrench comes at the end to secure the threads.

If your pedals have an allen key hole in the end, use that with an allen key (obviously) to torque down the pedal. Using a pedal wrench leads to the temptation to reef down the spindle far too tightly. The BFs are rife with posts from people trying to undo pedals that have been reefed down by bikeshop jocks (as opposed to qualified bike shop mechanics) who have no idea of what they are doing. The fact that pedal wrenches seem to come with 12" or more of leverage seems to compound the problem.

Finally, if you simply can't get a thread started (rotating anticlockwise, feel the "click" then rotate clockwise), then you're trying to put a left-hand pedal into a right-hand crank. Left-hand pedals have a reverse thread -- you have to put them in by rotating the spindle ANTI-clockwise.

The fact that pedal wrenches seem to come with 12" or more of leverage seems to compound the problem.

.They fail to realize that the leverage is for REMOVING stuck pedals not making them stuck :D

The thing that I remember to get the pedal in right is the pedal as a safety feature has to screw in the way the crank turns normally. This is so you can not unscrew the pedal with the force of cranking down on them. Obiously that is turning the wrench towards the front tire as they said.

The trick to getting off tight pedals is to use two long pedal wrenches one of each pedal with braker bars... losen each pedal together. You use the oposite motion of the crank arms to effectivly lock the crank and make the pedals come out...

Make sure the pedals are tight...

My Truvativ cranks came with them. If you check the manual http://www.truvativ.com/manuals/cr-4arm-e-r4.pdf under the heading "Parts and Tools" you'll see it listed. It's also mentioned and diagrramed in step 5 of assemblyI would not argue that some cranks may come with them and in some circumstances might be required or a good idea. It's just not SOP.

well even it is not needed, my truvativ came with them and i figure why not, it isnt going to hurt anything regardless

One more safety tip hope it's not too late make sure to shift to the big chain ring in the front so in case you slip ....

I'd recommend using never-sieze type thread lubricant over grease when installing pedals.

I'd recommend using never-sieze type thread lubricant over grease when installing pedals.Duno why unless you own an anti-sieze company. Grease works.Most important thing is not to overtighten.

That sig is ********.

No need to tighten pedals harder then anything else. As long as they are not falling off it's ok since they will tighten themselves over time. Or atleast stay tight. Just make sure you dont have any play and you will be good to go.

No need to tighten pedals harder then anything else. As long as they are not falling off it's ok since they will tighten themselves over time. Or atleast stay tight. Just make sure you dont have any play and you will be good to go.Well, that's the theory,but they aren't always self tightening.Bad or sticky bearings can cause them to loosen.It does happen.

That sig is ********.

Whose?

Whose?

hey it's been 3 days. what'd u decide to do?

by the way, the difficult part about pedals is removing them; it requires a lot of force and if u're not careful u can injure urself when the pedal suddenly gives... otherwise there's no way u can hurt the bike.

sd

.. otherwise there's no way u can hurt the bike.

sdYa ever seen a crank arm pedal thread stripped out. Shouldn't happen,but hacks, and the inept manage it.

Is it hard to install a pedal? (shimano ultegra) If i wont ruin anything how do you do it? If i run the cha nce of hirting something i will bring it to the bike shop. thanks

Fear of "ruining something" or failure is sometimes good. More often it results in a lack of learning. I am new to bike repairs but am finding it pretty straight forward. It certainly isn't rocket science. Installing a pedal is much like installing a light bulb. Actually installing a flourescent bulb is much harder.

hey it's been 3 days. what'd u decide to do?

by the way, the difficult part about pedals is removing them; it requires a lot of force and if u're not careful u can injure urself when the pedal suddenly gives... otherwise there's no way u can hurt the bike.

sd


In my bed with a fever, does that answer your question, and are you talking about my sig?

How about cleat installation. putting them on is a sinch, But do i go to my LBS and have them do it, or just try to adjust them my self. Im more on the side of getting them adjusted by a pro. How do they adjust the cleat?

Duno why unless you own an anti-sieze company. Grease works.Most important thing is not to overtighten.


1) A small tube of anti-sieze will set you back ca. 3-5 dollars, it will last you many years.

2) When dissimilar metals are in contact (e.g. steel pedal spindle and aluminium crank arm, aluminum seat post in steel frame) a galvanic current is set up between the metals causing corrosion. Never sieze has additives to prevent this, most greases don't (an exception is wheel bearing grease designed for boat trailers).

3) Grease IS better than nothing at all.

1) A small tube of anti-sieze will set you back ca. 3-5 dollars, it will last you many years.

2) When dissimilar metals are in contact (e.g. steel pedal spindle and aluminium crank arm, aluminum seat post in steel frame) a galvanic current is set up between the metals causing corrosion. Never sieze has additives to prevent this, most greases don't (an exception is wheel bearing grease designed for boat trailers).

3) Grease IS better than nothing at all.Grease has worked on every thing I ever used it on long term.

1) A small tube of anti-sieze will set you back ca. 3-5 dollars, it will last you many years.

2) When dissimilar metals are in contact (e.g. steel pedal spindle and aluminium crank arm, aluminum seat post in steel frame) a galvanic current is set up between the metals causing corrosion. Never sieze has additives to prevent this, most greases don't (an exception is wheel bearing grease designed for boat trailers).

3) Grease IS better than nothing at all.

Grease, that is petroleum based grease, is an aliphatic hydrocarbon produced by distillation and catalysis of petroleum. By its very nature, it is hydrophobic (water hating) and a poor conductor of electricity. The galvanic potential between the steel of the spindle and the aluminum of the crank arm is rather low to begin with and, when a barrier layer of grease is placed between the tight fitting threads, it is highly unlikely that galvanoylsis would take place.

Antisieze, on the other hand, would be highly useful if the pedal were stainless steel, as was the crank, or possibly with titanium or aluminum spindles. These tend to gaul more than steel on aluminum.

Stuart Black

Grease, that is petroleum based grease, is an aliphatic hydrocarbon produced by distillation and catalysis of petroleum. By its very nature, it is hydrophobic (water hating) and a poor conductor of electricity. The galvanic potential between the steel of the spindle and the aluminum of the crank arm is rather low to begin with and, when a barrier layer of grease is placed between the tight fitting threads, it is highly unlikely that galvanoylsis would take place.

Antisieze, on the other hand, would be highly useful if the pedal were stainless steel, as was the crank, or possibly with titanium or aluminum spindles. These tend to gaul more than steel on aluminum.

Stuart BlackGaul: A Celt of ancient Gaul, acording to Websters. But whatever.The anti-siezers will never give it up. It just GALLS them too much. ;)

Gaul: A Celt of ancient Gaul, acording to Websters. But whatever.The anti-siezers will never give it up. It just GALLS them too much. ;)

Back off, man, I'm a scientist! We don't have to know how to spell! Oh, wait that's the engineers :D

You know, a newbie fitting a pedal shouldn't be told make sure you have a pedal wrench handy.

A newbie SHOULD be informed that a regular wrench can scratch the crap out of his cranks, before he learns for himself the hard way.

A newbie SHOULD be informed that a regular wrench can scratch the crap out of his cranks, before he learns for himself the hard way.
Well, how can one learn from their mistakes if they aen't allowed to make any?

Well, how can one learn from their mistakes if they aen't allowed to make any?

The idea is to learn from other peoples mistakes instead of having to make the mistake yourself. This is how knowledge is built.

I hope you don't own a gun and feel the need to learn everything for yourself. :eek:

A newbie SHOULD be informed that a regular wrench can scratch the crap out of his cranks, before he learns for himself the hard way.

And again you have taken a quote out of context. You'd make a good politician. And funny, the pedals and cranks I have dealt with over the years with a normal wrench haven't suffered at all.

How about cleat installation. putting them on is a sinch, But do i go to my LBS and have them do it, or just try to adjust them my self. Im more on the side of getting them adjusted by a pro. How do they adjust the cleat?

sure, goto a pro if you like. the recommended way is to place it over the ball of your foot. i haven't seen too many LBS guys do that for a customer though.

sd

And again you have taken a quote out of context. You'd make a good politician. And funny, the pedals and cranks I have dealt with over the years with a normal wrench haven't suffered at all.

Explain to me what is out of context?

And I'll expect your vote when I move down there and run for Prime Minister.

HC people! It's just installing pedals, not a trip to Uranus and back

HC people! It's just installing pedals, not a trip to Uranus and back

It is starting to feel like a trip to my anus.

doh!

lol

How to install a pedal: Get a 15mm end wrench. Call your insurance company to make sure you're insured in case you kill yourself in this ever so delicate procedure. Check with maker of wrench to make sure its torque-rated for pedal installation. If its a snap-on, then go exchange it for a craftsman. Now repeat five times: Righty tighty, lefty loosey. 5 times! Now, pray to Ladep the god of all left side installations, and his half brother Pedal, the god of all right side installations. It goes like this:

righty tighty
lefty loosey
don't let me fall
on my fat caboosey
should I strip
or bend a thread
I hope I die
until I'm dead

Chant that once or twice. Now, carefully (CAREFULLY!) put the wrench on the RIGHT SIDE pedal. Gently (GENTLY!) take the wrench off and thread the pedal into the crank arm carefully (CAREFULLY!) and turn it righty tighty until its too hard to turn by hand. Now that you've had a little practice with the wrench, you're ready to put the wrench on the pedal. Gently (GENTLY!) turn it clockwise until it doesn't turn anymore. Now, carefully (CAREFULLY!) snug it up just a tad so it won't come out without just a little bit (LITTLE BIT!) of force. Now you are done with the Right Side.

Now go say that chant again. And say this out loud 5 times: Right Loosey Lefty Tighty. Now do everything you did for the right side pedal but turn the crank in the opposite direction. Carefully (CAREFULLY) get it threaded in and gently (GENTLY!) snug it down.

Did you say the chants? Did you pray? Did you hurt yourself? Contact a lawyer and your insurance company right away. Then sue your insurance company, the wrench company, and the pedal company, and the crank company, and your Great aunts sisters grandaughters son's company, because they failed to tell you that you could Hurt Yourself (thats a legal term, now) if you weren't careful.

Lastly, put the wrench on the next flight to Uranus, and swear to never use a wrench in such a way again. Pray to Ledap if it makes you feel better.

And THAT, is how you install pedals.

With the cleat thing, I installed them mysleves im not sure if they are put on exactley the same as each other. The onhly reason im not sure is because of my knee probelms and i want my riding to go smooth and NO knee pains to come back. So with that said IM in delmme to go to a bike shop because a person from the bike shop said that you dont need to worry because of the flat, but i dont want knee probelms. So if some one could clarify that probelm that would be great. (sorry if i said things more than once :) )