ride_FADCshoryu

Hi

I recently purchased a Univega Gran Rally and thought about adding toe clips. This was when it was discovered that my pedals were installed on the wrong sides. I was told that the threading is possibly ruined to the point that re-threading would not fix the issues. Though heli-coiling is probably a viable option, getting a new crack set seems to be the cheaper/better option. I found a few options on ebay and just wanted some sound advice before making a purchase. I have a listing posted below. Is price reasonable? Anything I should ask the buyer before making purchase? I have seen some variants of Shimano 600 cranksets, does it make a huge difference which one I get? Is it highly probably that I will need new pedals too? Thanks in advance for any and all help!

Shimano 600 Ultegra Crankset Rings FC 6207 39 52 170mm | eBay

My bike: https://i.imgur.com/Crhp4pc.jpg?1

FBinNY 

I don't know why you think the pedals are installed incorrectly. judging from the photo, I see a right pedal in the right crank, and assume the left is on the left side. My opinion is based on the "kick" tab of the bottom rear of the pedal.

I can't tell about toe clips, but suspect that mounting them with proper hardware shouldn't be an issue, since quill pedals of this type are usually made to accept toe clips.

As far as the cranks go, I expect the threads to be fine as well, but there's no harm in removing the pedals to check, and replacing them with fresh grease on the threads. There may also be a benefit in that steel/aluminum parts left together for a long time (multiple years) can be prone to corrosion and hard to separate.

3alarmer 

...+1. How did you "discover" that they were backwards ? Just as an FYI, I've occasionally seen someone manage
to put one pedal partially in on the wrong side, but it would take some doing to fully mount both of them that way. #nttawwt

ride_FADCshoryu

Hello

Thanks for the speedy reply. I actually had a more experienced biker tell me that the pedals are reversed, and after examining them myself, it really seems like that is the case. Since you say otherwise, could it be the reflectors that are messing up the balance of the pedals? When left alone both pedals go to an upside down position. Pics below.

Left Pedal Natural Position: https://i.imgur.com/syXcaH3.jpg

Right Pedal Natural Position: https://i.imgur.com/PxXrWjq.jpg

Should that pointy looking thing be pointing to the front or to the back when the pedals are rightside up? Currently they point to the back, with the reflectors pointing to the front when the pedals are rightside up.

cyclist2000

the pointy thing is the kick tab that FB was referring to. When riding, they should pointing to the back of the bike. These were used when toe clips are placed on the pedals to help you flip the pedal upright to get your feet in the clips.

Andrew R Stewart 

The pedals settling into their weighted side down has nothing to do with whether they are threaded into the proper sides of the crank. As the pedals are "top heavy" by design they will tend to pivot to an upside down position UNLESS their bearings are WAY too tightly adjusted. If toe clips and straps were installed this tendency would be even greater.

BITD this needing to flip the pedal over when starting out was just part of learning how to ride a nice bike. I suggest that the OP either practice this pedal flipping technique or just replace them with pedals that are symmetrical top to bottom. Andy.

3alarmer 

...as stated previously, the pointy things are kick tabs, which point rearward so that you can use them to cleverly and skillfully flip your pedal into a position amenable to foot insertion in your pedal/toeclip/strap assembly.

I'm not certain where you got the idea that pedals have a natural balance point that makes them hang with the foot side up ? A few do, most do not.

Reflectors are often seen on both the front and back surfaces of new pedals, but they break or get removed for various reasons.


You might have some trouble with toe clips/straps. Most beginners who start using them have at least one incident of falling over because they
could not unclip quickly enough, or more to the point, failed to anticipate the stopping event in time to unclip. It builds character.

ride_FADCshoryu

cyclist2000

I had a hunch that was the kick tab FBinNY mentioned, thanks for clearing that up. It also means that my pedals are installed correctly (hooray!). My first road bike; I have much to learn. I bought into the wrong instillation thing because my pedals were always upside down, but it seems to be normal? Or is it caused by the reflector?

EDIT: Nevermind, 3alarmer cleared it up! Thank you!

ride_FADCshoryu

3alarmer

I plan on getting some like these.

Vintage Ducson Grand Prix Toe Clips 2X Drilled Chromed L'Eroica | eBay

FBinNY 

The pedals hang the way they do because of gravity. Without the reflectors they'd hang upside down because the cage is mostly on top. They hang at the angle they do because there's only the one reflector, which BTW is mounted using the toe clip holes. Someone must have removed the rear reflectors at one time o another.

Switch the reflectors to the back (where the kick tab is) and mount your tor clips in front, and you'll be good to go. However you're missing at least one dist cap, so you'll want to find or improvise one.

Meanwhile, tell yoiur friend to stop making bar bets that he can trick you into believing anything.

ride_FADCshoryu

Thanks Andy, appreciate your input. Indeed I am learning.

ride_FADCshoryu

Haha, thanks for the bike and science lessons FB. I did buy into it at the time, but my own curiosity compelled me to do more research which is why I came to BikeForums.

ride_FADCshoryu

So much knowledge here, thanks again everyone.

3alarmer 

...they all work pretty much the same. They do come in sizes, so if you have large (size 11 American) feet like mine, you need the L or the XL ones.
The steel chrome ones are very shiny, but I use clips on all my rides ( a lot of them) and kinda make do with what shows up used at the co-op here.

We sell them for a buck, used. The plastic ones also work well, and are lighter, if less durable. You need straps to make the whole thing go.

If you are using shoes with a wide toe box, the clips they make and sell for MTB's work on road pedals and fit the shoe toe better.

Examples:

ride_FADCshoryu

I got these for $12.31 (shipped) off eBay.

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/ioUAAOSw7NNUEh5n/$_57.JPG

Christophe Special. Was the price reasonable? Reputable brand? I kind of just went with what was cheapest, but your pics are quite informative.

zukahn1 

The pedals look fine to me and are not incorrectly mounted. When sitting free the kick taps will tend to be to the top and front, basicaly upside down This on purpose so when you put you foot on the pedal they kick back to the upright postion so one can put there foot into clips in one easy motion.

3alarmer 

...Cristophe was, for a long time, the go to guys for these. So should work fine if sized right.

With a road clip like that, it's important that the strap have enough body (stiffness) to maintain an open loop.
A lot of the cheapest black nylon ones don't any more. So look for something more durable than leather, but about as stiff.

When you have your first instance of pulling up at a stop light, realizing you forgot to unclip, and falling over in slow motion, remember this thread.

ride_FADCshoryu

Hey zukahn1! You as well as other members here were really helpful with explaining that concept to me; the funny thing is that you all kind of said it in different ways which is cool. Thanks!

ride_FADCshoryu

3alarmer

Awesome! Except for the part where I already went and bought cheap nylon straps! I will let you know how they work out though.

When you say slow motion, it doesn't sound so bad haha!

JanMM

If you use toe clips long enough, you will accumulate a variety of straps. You will find that those straps are very useful. Switched to clipless almost twenty years ago but still use the straps for odd jobs on occasion.

Coal Buster

That looks like a replacement front fork. From the pic, it looks like the front and rear brakes have different reaches. Shouldn't be a problem unless there's frame damage from an accident.

JanMM

Sharp eyes!
The pic doesn't show obvious frame damage, but I'm just looking at a single image on my monitor. Previous owner may have just wanted a chromed fork?

ride_FADCshoryu

Wow, I'm new to all this but it seems like the frame is indeed a replacement. Looks great though I think!

ride_FADCshoryu

Haha, interesting. I will try to remember to update if any odd jobs involving toe clips come up.

ride_FADCshoryu

I have been using toe clips for about a week now. The very first day, I almost fell when I pulled up to a traffic light and realized I couldn't unclip as fast as I thought. Lucky a car was next to me which I used for leverage; the lady in the driver's seat yelled.

Today however, while riding up to a traffic light, I couldn't decide whether I would do a track stand or unclip. By the time I decided I would unclip, my bike had already come to a stop and it was too late. I fell over, seemingly in slow motion, and I instantly remembered this thread haha. It was a really busy intersection, more like a junction, and I felt somewhat embarrassed as I laughed at myself while looking around to see if anyone caught what happened; sure people did but most of them ignored it (NYC indeed). Although, two guys on motorcycles actually rode up to me, and one of them asked if I was alright; it made me feel a lot better. Guess he understood what it felt like to fall.

Anyways toe clips are awesome, they assist so much with pedaling form and power. The also make me think more while biking. I always have to think ahead to make sure I unclip when I should and things of that sort.