kitteh

Just moved back from clipless to platform pedals and got myself a pair of DMR V8 flats. I've greased them as per the instructions on the grease syringe (which was barely enough for one pedal, forget both), but I'm not happy with the way the spin. Still seem slow and probably even dry. I put in more grease but then most of it just leaks out from near the spindle so it's not making any difference.

Will the pedals spin better after a while? Does the grease take time to make its way through? I haven't put them on the bike yet.

ed 

Do they feel really restricted or just grease-packed? Why do they need to spin super-freely? That to me, is a sign of not enough nice, thick grease?

kitteh

Hmmm, didn't think of the latter.

Ah yes. I just checked another new-ish pair of pedals and they don't spin freely either. But this seems to have a small bit of grinding when you hold the it from the spindle. Not audible.

Anyway I've put in all the grease it can take, I don't think I can do anything else to make it smoother.

DX-MAN

I have yet to encounter a pedal set that spins as freely as, say, my wheel hubs. Don't care; they work, and they don't cause me any grief.

dminor 

Any greaseable-bearing pedal is going to exhibit drag from the grease; it's just the nature of the beast. The only way around this is sealed-bearing pedals. As you suspect, the spin, or lack thereof, is determined by the volume of grease you pump in. If you want it to turn a bit more freely, less greasing but cleaning/repacking more often; less freely, pump 'er full and pump more in as the old leeches out.

Syncros includes grease ports in a couple models of their pedals (besides for lubrication of course) specifically for controlling rotation for certain stunts (no-footers, etc.) - - so that you'll know the pedals will stay in position when you take your feet off them.

kitteh

Yeah I think this was my mental block of sorts. The only other time I grease bearings is when I service my hubs and they rotate quite well.


Never thought pedal rotations would be such a big deal! (But then I've never caught that much air either lol).
I was comparing them to a pair of Time ATACs which I think are sealed bearings, not fair in that case.

Cool, pedals are on the bike, let's find out how much they hurt. Thanks for all the help.