i really don't know if removing them would be a good idea, but you probably can provided you didn't mess them up while riding.

So your suggestion is just to leave it on?

it wouldn't hurt to take them off and apply a little grease on the threads...i did just that for my new pedals, it's a good idea

Thank YOu, I will do that this weekend.

You need to take the pedals off, got to the store and buy new ones, then install them (with grease).

Those stock pedals are crap-tastic even by cheap pedal standards. I never even installed mine but just twisting the spindles between my fingers was enough to tell that the bearings were unacceptable. brand new pedals shouldn't be noisy/gritty right out of the box.

What is the best, cheapest, pedals to get???

one more thing, is it me, or are the stock brakes really weak?

stock brake (i only have the front installed) worked fine last night for my 220lb brother, when he was riding my bike

i'd also like to upgrade the pedals, but i don't know what to choose.

same for wheels, saddles, and everything else.

I like SPD pedals. They aren't "the cheapest" because you have to buy shoes too, but they are my personal preference.

Cheap SPD shoe/pedal combo @ http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/141...m-M3-Pedal.htm

If you don't want to go clipless:

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/142...rap-Pedals.htm

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/115...-Pedal-Kit.htm

or

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Pedal+Set.aspx


It's not a great brake but if all you use it for is supplementing your backpedaling (when riding fixed of course) it's fine.

The saddle is also crap-tastic and needs to be replaced ASAP but saddles are such a personal thing that no one is going to be able to tell you what will be most comfortable for you.

The wheels need truing when they arrive but there is nothing wrong with them, why do you think you need new wheels?

As for "everything else"- I swapped the bars to pursuit style because I find them to be more comfortable [YMMV] and I was never riding in the drops anyway. I added a new brake lever because the road levers don't work w/ the new bars. As mentioned above, I added SPD pedals because I run them on all my bikes. I taped my new bars with some regular black cork bar tape. I went to an 18T cog since it's hilly around here.

My suggestion is to get the bike and ride it as-is for a little while and figure out what you want to replace or upgrade. Some of the components (eg. pedals, saddle) aren't too good out of the box but the frame/wheels/bars/cranks/etc. are all good enough to ride with until you actually decide you need to upgrade/replace them.

yeah mine are creaking my bike is like 4 months old.

i can't use SPD pedals since i commute of this bike, and i don't want to own a pair of cycling shoes cause i don't have to money.


i'd like to get bull horns, or maybe chop and flip an old set of handlebars, i'd like a rack down the line for mine, and i want to know a good wheelset to buy later.

i don't know jack about wheels, so i'm learning before i do anything.

also i hear a sharp sounding creak coming from the pedals, could that mean i didn't put them together right?

mine has a creak at the pedal area, but i think its because i was riding with only 4 chainring bolts for a while.

Does anyone know where to buy the socket that matches the BB?

Why do you think you need a new wheelset?

Have you checked/tightened your chain ring bolts lately? (the 5 bolts that hold the chain ring to the crank arm)

no, i haven't checked it at all.

the only thing i'm upgrading are the bars and then pedals after that. i'm still new and learning...is it possible to use a threaded stem to replace the one that's on the bike now? basically i'm wondering if this: http://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=3434
will fit on the bike?

you'll need a threaded fork, which i kinda wish it had :(

These most-def need to be checked (regularly) becasue at best they cause a noisy flexing of the chainring, at worst they can brake your bike and possibly your body if the chain ring snaps or comes off the crank arms. You just need an allen wrench (I'm too lazy to go see what size but ony one size will fit) to tighten them.

Not without getting a new fork.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html#headset


You can get a shorter threadless stem if you are just trying to bring the bars in closer to you.

yea that's probably what i'll end up doing then, i don't want to spend even more money on a new fork. thanks

first thang i upgraded was the pedals. then bars. then gearing

i think 5mm and 8mm are common sizes for the bolts, i checked them, they seemed tight enough.

it only happens when i'm starting out, so flex might be a culprit,

Mine came loose pretty quick so you might want to keep an eye on yours regardless. [Safety First]

Can you tell if the creaking is coming from near the pedals or closer to the bottom bracket?

holy crap you have bolts for a rear rack. i bought my messenger in 2006 and do not have those. Which I realized only after my new rack and panniers were delivered yesterday. :notamused:

The bike doesn't come with these bolts they were purchased seperately.

You can use the water bottle cage bolts to mount the rack temporarily. Just don't let water/dirt get into your downtube until you replace them.

You've got PM.

How do you tell if the pedals are good or not?