Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

New pedals "knocking"

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

New pedals "knocking"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-02-11, 11:27 AM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jpatkinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 251

Bikes: Gunnar, Surly

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
New pedals "knocking"

I bought a new pair of MKS Sylvan Touring pedals (not from Universal, BTW) a week ago from an online retailer. After just about 5 miles of commuting, the L pedal started "knocking" with an easily heard and felt "clunk" with each rotation of the crank. I switched back to my other pedals, to confirm this was a pedal issue.

So, I called the retailer today, and he advised I should take apart the pedals and grease them, since they can be user-serviced. I haven't done this before. Would anyone here "service" a brand new pedal? Or, would you exchange it -- which means packaging up and mailing, etc?
jpatkinson is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 11:59 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Beverly Hills, MI
Posts: 590

Bikes: '72 Fuji Finest, '80 Austro-Daimler Inter 10, '06 Fuji Team Issue, '06 Salsa Las Cruces, Nashbar Frame single speed

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
To ask the obvious question, are you sure the pedal was tight to the crank arm? As to adjusting the bearings, unfortunately it seems that pedals are the one component that seem to be assembled with the bearings too tight, I've almost always had to loosen the cones a smidge.
dperreno is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 02:13 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
jpatkinson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 251

Bikes: Gunnar, Surly

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by dperreno
To ask the obvious question, are you sure the pedal was tight to the crank arm? As to adjusting the bearings, unfortunately it seems that pedals are the one component that seem to be assembled with the bearings too tight, I've almost always had to loosen the cones a smidge.
The pedal was quite snug. Seems these pedals are pretty easily serviced. I will get some Phil Wood grease and see what I can do! Thanks.
jpatkinson is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 03:34 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
dsbrantjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319

Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times in 723 Posts
jpatkinson: There is a special wrench fro MKS/Campy dust caps available from several retailers - search on "MKS Sylvan Dust Cover Cap Wrench" to find them
dsbrantjr is offline  
Old 09-02-11, 08:47 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
cyclist2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695

Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times in 604 Posts
To answer your question, I would just service it myself. I did exactly that when I got a set of spd pedals this spring and there was a clicking sound I figured out that one pedal was loose so I got a tool for the pedals and fixed them myself. I always like new tools and like to do the minor repairs myself.
cyclist2000 is offline  
Old 09-03-11, 07:29 PM
  #6  
Old fart
 
JohnDThompson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,814

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Mentioned: 153 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3597 Post(s)
Liked 3,421 Times in 1,946 Posts
MKS pedals are notoriously tight when new. I've made a habit of opening new MKS pedals and loosening the adjustment a tad before mounting them.

N.B. the dustcap wrench is the same one you'd use for Campagnolo, Gipiemme, Ofmega, and many other vintage pedals.

Last edited by JohnDThompson; 09-03-11 at 07:33 PM.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Colorado Kid
Bicycle Mechanics
8
08-14-18 08:03 AM
Rob_E
Folding Bikes
34
02-11-18 12:28 AM
Mark42
Bicycle Mechanics
20
07-25-17 06:22 AM
jsdavis
Bicycle Mechanics
6
05-23-12 07:08 AM
sirtirithon
Bicycle Mechanics
9
03-20-12 12:51 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.