7bmwm3gtr

Hi, just a little background here-
I'm 16 years old, getting really involved in cycling. I owned a road bike (09 Trek 2.1) for a month and a half, and i'm ready to switch from regular platform pedals to Shimano SPD clipless pedals. I just need some advice.

Should I install the pedals on my own (i know that the drive side has the typical threading while the left side is reversed) or should i pay $20 dollars to have my LBS install it, plus the fact it is a one day service, and i'm pretty sure this job should take about half an hour. The only problem is i don't have that thick lube for where you screw the pedals into. I only have Finish Line Dry Teflon Lube, which i use on pivot points on parts and my chain.

Any advice?

mike9903

It is more like a 2 minute job, do it yourself.

Be careful when working on your pedals to have your chain on your big ring, you don't want to slip and have your hand all tore up from the big ring.

7bmwm3gtr

Yes i know what you mean, i've read it all over the place and i heard you may need to apply a bit more strength because the pedals do tighten up from time to time while you bike.

Thank you!

fbxcore

There is no way in hell I would pay someone $20 and give them an entire day to install pedals. Find someone that has the proper grease and just do it yourself.

Markj61

If the $20 includes installing/fitting the cleats to your shoes, then it's money well spent.

This involves setting fore/aft position of cleat so that the ball of your foot lines up over spindle, lateral rotation, and release tension on pedal (although default position should work OK for most riders).

A few mm's fore or aft can make a big difference. You want to get this right.
I'd have a pro do it, especially if you're new to the system.

Daytrip

Buy a tube of bike grease at your LBS. If you're buying the shoes from them, have them install the cleats at the same time as part of the deal. Do the pedals yourself. You might need a pedal wrench. A standard 12mm open-end wrench will fit, but you need a pretty long one to do pedals correctly. Some pedal sets will let you tighten them up with an allen wrench from behind. That's handy if you want to torque them down, though I don't think most people do.

+1 on getting the cleat positioning right. Since clipless pedals lock your foot into position, you want to make sure that it's the right position. Pain is one good indicator that you've got it wrong, though probably not the only one.

v70cat

I have Durace pedals and you need a hex wrench to mount them.

It is very easy, but you will need the right tool.

Daytrip

You can do it either way with 105s.

lumpytaters

I had my old pedals removed and Shimano 105's installed by my LBS the other day. It took 2 guys, 2 minutes for $2.

7bmwm3gtr

Right now, I'm surprised to have found out that my lbs has a service which fits you with your bike, pedals, cleats and shoes, and that service costs $75 so i need an alternative for the cleat fitting thing.

rmwkokomo

Take a look here:
https://www.pccglobal.com/outdoors/cy...tall/index.php
This description and process is very thorough - alternately, trial and error works too - it really is not rocket science.