Pedals won’t move forward
#1
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Pedals won’t move forward
Decided to go out biking again, but my pedals won’t move forward. They work fine backwards and as well as when the rear wheel is lifted. They also work when I remove the front chainrings. But whenever the chains rings are on or when the rear wheel is on the ground the pedals immediately become stuck.
#3
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#5
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Mine don't really "move forward" either. They are fixed in place. They spin. The crank arms move forward, but, more specifically, they also spin around a bottom bracket spindle.
Remove the chain, and tell us specifically what's going on. What kind of equipment? Freewheel or freehub? Can the rear wheel be spun forward by hand? Is this a problem with the bottom bracket, pedals, or rear wheel?
Remove the chain, and tell us specifically what's going on. What kind of equipment? Freewheel or freehub? Can the rear wheel be spun forward by hand? Is this a problem with the bottom bracket, pedals, or rear wheel?
Im pretty sure it’s a freewheel and yes the back wheel can be spun forward. I think it might be a bottom bracket spindle problem.
Someone told me that the freewheel ratchet could be stuck under the load and as well as the bottom bracket. They say it can be fixed by lubing the freewheel. What do you think?
Last edited by Nxious; 04-20-19 at 03:17 PM.
#8
Francophile

Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Seattle
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Im pretty sure it’s a freewheel and yes the back wheel can be spun forward. I think it might be a bottom bracket spindle problem.
Someone told me that the freewheel ratchet could be stuck under the load and as well as the bottom bracket. They say it can be fixed by lubing the freewheel. What do you think?
Someone told me that the freewheel ratchet could be stuck under the load and as well as the bottom bracket. They say it can be fixed by lubing the freewheel. What do you think?
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Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
Keeping Seattle’s bike shops in business since 1978
#9
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Joined: Feb 2012
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
I've followed this thread with some interest. From what is really meant by "my pedals won’t move forward" to what the problem turns out to have been. Like so many threads here I suspect the problem is relatively easy to find with the basic deductive process, easiest done with the bike in hand.
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AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Last edited by Andrew R Stewart; 04-20-19 at 07:21 PM.
#10
I watched your video and it certainly looks like a freewheel problem to me. Maybe others can actually watch the video and make a suggestion. I also think if the bike is that old a full overhaul of the bottom bracket wouldn't hurt at all.
https://imgur.com/gallery/0TYwzgI
https://imgur.com/gallery/0TYwzgI
#11
Half way there

Joined: Sep 2015
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Bikes: Many, and the list changes frequently
Your first video shows the drivetrain working normally, but the second shows the "lockup". Were these videos taken at different times?
I don't see a freewheel problem in your second video. You are able to put tension on the chain and the freewheel has locked to the hub through its pawls. It appears that the wheel itself is preventing proper operation.
Are your brakes on? Is the axle mounted so that the tire is centered between the stays (and not rubbing). This looks ok in the video but we can only see one side. I also don't see much of a bottom bracket issue - if you can spin the crank backwards it can clearly spin forwards.
Check your brakes and how your wheel is mounted.
I don't see a freewheel problem in your second video. You are able to put tension on the chain and the freewheel has locked to the hub through its pawls. It appears that the wheel itself is preventing proper operation.
Are your brakes on? Is the axle mounted so that the tire is centered between the stays (and not rubbing). This looks ok in the video but we can only see one side. I also don't see much of a bottom bracket issue - if you can spin the crank backwards it can clearly spin forwards.
Check your brakes and how your wheel is mounted.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 317
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From: Calgary, Alberta
If the bike is parked, the pedals aren't going to rotate forward, unless you lift the rear wheel as in the first video.
Or are you saying they won't move forward even if you are riding the bike?
-- NVM: Is this a troll??
Or are you saying they won't move forward even if you are riding the bike?
-- NVM: Is this a troll??
#13
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Winston-Salem, NC
Bikes: 2014 Wilier Zero.9, 2010 Orbea Aqua, 2007 Ross mtb, 1972 Sekine GS, 1971 Motobecane Grand Record, 1953 Parkes Magpie
If I saw you standing on one pedal and it wouldn't move, it would have more impact.
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