My wife's bike is a 2009 Spec Mika Pro and mine is a 2009 Spec Rockhopper. They both have Shimano A530 pedals. Neither of them have significant mileage or abuse. I've never had to clean significant mud out of the drive train before.

We went for a nice long muddy ride Thursday afternoon. When we got home I thoroughly washed off both bikes, in spite of freezing air temp and diminishing light. Yesterday I gave the chains a thorough cleaning with degreaser, drying, WD-40, drying, and finally teflon chain wax.

Today when we went for a short ride, we both experienced kind of a "crunchy" feel in the pedals under load, sort of like a little sand in with bearings somewhere. I can't find any dirt. The bearings are all sealed and not-under-load none of the components exhibit any grinding/crunchy feeling.

I'd really appreciate help here - our LBS is 60 miles away in Flagstaff and not exactly convenient even if they do have pretty much next day service this time of year.

Thanks,
Fran McHugh
Winslow, AZ