hairyman

I just got a new pair of MKS Sylvan Touring pedals to replace the plastic junk that I previously had.

I haven't installed them yet, but if I hold the spindle in one hand and turn the pedal with the other hand it feels kind of gritty and isn't really smooth.

Is that normal for new pedals? Will they smooth out if I just ride them for a while? Does this mean the bearings are too tight -- should I open them up and adjust them?

bikeman715

yes i would open them up and adjust . sound like they are too tight.

Makeitso

They shouldn't feel gritty. They may have some dirt in them so you should maybe open them up, clean and lube and then try to spin.

Ball bearings should never feel gritty if they are clean and properly lubricated (I assume they are ball bearings).

Al Criner

I just got some of those. I love them but out of the box they are adjusted real tight and they don't have much grease in them, either. Open them up and add some good grease then adjust them.

Also, I highly recommend the dust cap tool to remove and replace the dust caps. the caps are aluminum so they can be easily damaged with pliers and wrenches but they need to be screwed on tight or you will lose them.

Panthers007

I've got the full fleet of MKS pedals, with the GR-9 my favorite platforms, and they all needed an overhaul before use. As do many pedals - but people just don't notice. Congratulations for being a rarity! So take them apart, clean, put in lots of good grease, and adjust the cones & keep adjusting until there is no lateral play or binding. Repeat.

The MKS pedals are likely underrated due to people not doing this. Once properly adjusted, the MKS pedals are excellent.

Tally Ho!

JohnDThompson 

Most cup & cone type bearings are adjusted too tight from the factory. Open 'em up and back off the cone a little bit and you should be fine.

Panthers007

Just got back from a pleasant first-of-the-season 10 mile ride. Guess what? One of my MKS GR-9 pedals went out of adjustment. So I've got it's guts spread out next to me and away we go - again!

Have fun!

hairyman

Thanks for all the advice! I'm ordering the special dust cap wrench (don't you love proprietary fasteners?) and some grease right now so I'll be tearing them apart as soon as it arrives.

Panthers007

I thought all MKS pedals had a gray plastic cap on the ends. At least the one's I have in stock do. Your Sylvan pedals have a threaded cap?

<EDIT> never mind - I see they do. Wow! Think I'll get me a set of those.

Happy Trails!

Shimagnolo

I bought a pair of MKS *once*.
It is a sad state of affairs when a product arrives new in need of repair.
The appropriate response is to return it, not repair it.

jgedwa

Yeah, but pedals are notoriously the crappiest quality bike part one runs into.

Most other components are fine at the low to mid level. But even mid to higher level pedals (from any number of companies) are often crap. I have learned the hard way to take every pedal I buy out of the packaging to make sure it feels decent. A couple of weeks ago I went through my LBS entire stock of one particular model of pedals looking for one that did not have 3-4mm of sideways play. Not one felt good.

jim

Panthers007

Most pedals arrive needing an overhaul. This is a standard in the industry. Campagnolo is one exception - they arrive ready to race. Overhauling pedals used to be considered a normal occurrence in bicycle-maintenance. Nowadays people just don't bother. Then they howl at the Moon when their pedals bind or rattle, etc. My advice is to simply take the time, open the pedal, clean it, grease it and replace the bb's (I always use new bearings), and adjust them. Ta Da! You are now riding on your own handiwork. Nice & smooth.