The Cycling Thread

[maviczap]

Just grit your teeth and grind it out. Normally i wouldnt start out in heavy rain these days, but i dont mind if i get caught out in the rain, no matter how hard, although not too cold please. I find it more uncomfortable to cycle with cold feet, than getting wet.

Originally Posted by carelesschucca

This afternoon I'm heading down to my old mans to get a extra pair of hands to help change the pedals, why do so many jobs in anything require 3 hands?

Haha... Yeah, skinning knuckles on a chainring is usually accompanied by tears and a lot of cursing.

That is what large cable ties or toe straps are for.

[carelesschucca]

We've given up even following instructions we couldn't get the bl00dy things off. The inside allen Key socket has rounded on the left pedal even when we were going clockwise. Going to the local shop early tomorrow so here's hoping.

Dean, the cost of the labour will probably be about the same as the cost of the right spanner...

I thought about mentioning it earlier, but I didn't want to be "that" guy. Maybe you'll find it useful.

Even Shimano workshop documents (worth the download btw) tell us that a 6mm Allen key is insufficient to apply the correct torque (about 35Nm IIRC). There is no hope with a pedal that has corrosion (dissimilar metals) or has been jammed - which seems to happen a lot if there is insufficient torque.
If the pedal is greased and torqued correctly with a spanner it will be a lot less trouble to get off later.

Mine went on with a $5 multi tool at the bike shop. You'd think a decent Allen key would have been enough to get them off, but it took a pedal spanner.

[carelesschucca]

I went to Solidrock Cycles after calling the guy.

it took him a minute to loosen the pedal and he wouldn't take a penny, and started cursing Allen Key pedals and told me to try and avoid using them on pedals. The shop is small but jam packed with good gear, the guys were great, sales guy talked tyres for ages and said I'd be daft to go out today. It was snowing when I arrived and the roads were puddled and poor.

I will go back and see them again.

That was easy then. Did you get a spanner to put the new pedals on?

I know a couple of guys like that in local shops... colourful characters who are passionate and they'll shoot sh!! for hours if I let them. They actually have a clue about the gear they have on the shelves.

[maviczap]

I dont understand why factories or people overtighten pedal spindles so tight. I just tighten them up so they're snug.

The only ones ive had come loose, are ones ive forgotten to tighten.

[carelesschucca]

Matt, I had a Pedal Spanner but it wasn't budging, my old man and I rounded the inside allen key trying to get it off and unfortunately my old man stripped some skin off his fingers.

Talking tools I have £30 left in my Christmas budget so was thinking about getting The Bike hand Shimano tool kit from the gaffer, but I don't know how much of it I'd use...

If I wasn't going to get the tool kit what would you guys get for £30???

You must have loosened it for the bike shop. :lol

I can't say anything to the quality of the kit, but that is the sort of thing you'd want for servicing.
If you ride regularly over winter I'd suggest at least the basics... BB spanner, cassette socket and chain whip, cone spanners and chain breaker. Individual tools will burn through that money quickly.

Failing that, work out what you need. If there is nothing immediate, buy a gift voucher for yourself or treat the wife.

[phi-dan]

I've got that same toolkit. It's not bad quality. I'm sure the really expensive stuff is better, but for home maintenance it's ideal.