Bike Forums - Do you ever clean and lube pedals?

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- - Do you ever clean and lube pedals? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/706314-do-you-ever-clean-lube-pedals.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FBinNY (Post 12066847)

BTW- it's important to note that this happens only ball bearing pedals when things are OK. Bushing pedals should be threaded in the opposite direction, and if BB pedals have rust or frozen bearings they'll unscrew.

I have seen this mentioned as a safety feature. If the pedal bearing seizes, the pedal will unthread instead of jamming tight and possibly injuring the riders leg. I wonder if this has ever happened or is just an urban legend.

Quote:

Originally Posted by HillRider (Post 12067618)

I have seen this mentioned as a safety feature......or is just an urban legend.

IMO more of an urban legend to back justify the thread direction, then a design to save ankles. I say this for a few reasons.

1- we know how hard it can be to remove a properly tightened pedal and I think the ankle would go before the pedal came loose.
2- the design predates things like toe clips or clipless pedals.
3- that wouldn't explain the BB threading.

There is a safety aspect involved and that's a reduced tendency of pedals to unscrew.