Pedal came off during my ride
#1
slow on any terrain
Thread Starter
Pedal came off during my ride
yesterday, Oct 16. LBS guy said he didn't tighten it enough during assembly. Does this happen very often?
the bike in question
the bike in question
Last edited by eljayski; 10-17-23 at 03:39 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,985
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 131 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4862 Post(s)
Liked 4,011 Times
in
2,607 Posts
Often happens when the bearings are in poor shape. With good bearings, the torque you apply to the pedals gets reversed and tries to tighten the threads. (That's why left side pedals are left-hand thread.) When those bearings aren't working, your torque is now trying to unscrew the pedal. (On a fix gear, if that pedal actually freezes up, you better either have no foot retention or hope that mechanic didn't give the wrench that last tug because you will be unscrewing the pedal with the bones in your foot.)
Likes For 79pmooney:
#4
Full Member
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: California's capital
Posts: 499
Bikes: Litespeed Firenze, Spot Acme, Specialzed S Works Pro Race, Davidson Stiletto, Colnago Superissimo
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 317 Times
in
183 Posts
Not a pedal but once snapped a crank arm with basically the same result: planting my clipped in foot on the pavement going at speed. Do. Not. Want. Again.
Agree it must have been frozen to the axle for some reason, as the threading is reversed to prevent inadvertently coming off.
#5
slow on any terrain
Thread Starter
#6
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Mississauga/Toronto, Ontario canada
Posts: 8,721
Bikes: I have 3 singlespeed/fixed gear bikes
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4227 Post(s)
Liked 2,490 Times
in
1,286 Posts
This isn't supposed to happen...It's obvious that whoever installed the pedals didn't tighten them enough.
#7
slow on any terrain
Thread Starter
#8
slow on any terrain
Thread Starter
#9
slow on any terrain
Thread Starter
Thanks to all of you who responded!
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,483
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1621 Post(s)
Liked 1,814 Times
in
1,011 Posts
Just get a some Allen wrenches or a pedal wrench and put it back on yourself. Pedal installation is not something you need to go to the bike shop for.
Likes For icemilkcoffee:
#11
hello
The bike shop guy was completely swamped with work--his single employee had just quit when I brought the bike in for assembly--so it's evident to me the guy didn't act with due care. On an earlier ride, the rear wheel slipped out of the drop and rubbed on the frame. Also, derailleur adjustments were not done right (2nd opinion from another LBS). Don't think this guy will see much of me going forward.
Thanks to all of you who responded!
Thanks to all of you who responded!
Also, with the collection of bikes you have, you should be wrenching yourself…
Last edited by roadfix; 10-17-23 at 05:47 PM.
Likes For roadfix:
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,018
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2736 Post(s)
Liked 490 Times
in
355 Posts
Happens all the time, really freaked me out when I was a kid and it happened the first time, I thought the bike was falling apart! All it takes is someone who doesnt know how to properly tighten the pedal and installs it anyways. Heck, last time I put pedals on it took me a while to figure out how to use the other as a “backing wrench.” If I had to do it again, I’d have to figure it out again. I’m sure the Walmart employees are trying their best but it’s an easy mistake to make. It’s easy to figure out how to screw the pedals on lol.
#14
Sunshine
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 16,708
Bikes: '18 class built steel roadbike, '19 Fairlight Secan, '88 Schwinn Premis , Black Mountain Cycles Monstercross V4, '89 Novara Trionfo
Mentioned: 124 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11052 Post(s)
Liked 7,600 Times
in
4,239 Posts
The bike shop guy was completely swamped with work--his single employee had just quit when I brought the bike in for assembly--so it's evident to me the guy didn't act with due care. On an earlier ride, the rear wheel slipped out of the drop and rubbed on the frame. Also, derailleur adjustments were not done right (2nd opinion from another LBS). Don't think this guy will see much of me going forward.
Thanks to all of you who responded!
Thanks to all of you who responded!
As for the pedal issue, no idea what brand those pedals are, but if they are junk then buy some higher quality ones that have smooth bearings and a quality spindle that tightens reliably.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Elevation 666m Edmonton Canada
Posts: 2,506
Bikes: 2013 Custom SA5w / Rohloff Tourster
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1251 Post(s)
Liked 338 Times
in
254 Posts
That bike looks nice. But you need to check EVERYTHING regardless of price. Likely the only thing wrong was being not tight on the crank. Did the pedals feel grindy? Some now have crazy 1/16" loose balls. If so, do NOT use them.
4 years ago I bought a discounted new roadster IGH bike for $1000, from a very good LBS that sells midrange bikes of all kinds. Nobody else wanted to buy it for 2 years. LOL. I knew I would want to switch almost all the parts too.
>> Threaded headset was poorly set and half lubed at the factory, so it wouldn't ooze out I presume. Was a year before I got around to getting a 32 mm wrench to look at it.
>> Cruiser pedal loose bearings were tight, I took them apart OK, but needed better ones with pegs anyway. At least they had proper size bearings, 5/32" I think.
>> Spokes were not tuned. I straightened them out and rode them awhile until I switched the wheels for a diff SA IGH and dyno hub.
>> The Nexus 7i had tight bearings as well. Plus horrible roller brakes impossible to not have drag.
>> The bare alu rims looked like they were put thru a belt sander. OMG.
>> The grips were stupidly tight, to put my bells and mirror on. I cut them off and garbaged them. Slimy rubber like tires anyway. WTF
>>>> I ALWAYS ALWAYS have tools with me.
4 years ago I bought a discounted new roadster IGH bike for $1000, from a very good LBS that sells midrange bikes of all kinds. Nobody else wanted to buy it for 2 years. LOL. I knew I would want to switch almost all the parts too.
>> Threaded headset was poorly set and half lubed at the factory, so it wouldn't ooze out I presume. Was a year before I got around to getting a 32 mm wrench to look at it.
>> Cruiser pedal loose bearings were tight, I took them apart OK, but needed better ones with pegs anyway. At least they had proper size bearings, 5/32" I think.
>> Spokes were not tuned. I straightened them out and rode them awhile until I switched the wheels for a diff SA IGH and dyno hub.
>> The Nexus 7i had tight bearings as well. Plus horrible roller brakes impossible to not have drag.
>> The bare alu rims looked like they were put thru a belt sander. OMG.
>> The grips were stupidly tight, to put my bells and mirror on. I cut them off and garbaged them. Slimy rubber like tires anyway. WTF
>>>> I ALWAYS ALWAYS have tools with me.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 10-17-23 at 11:58 PM.
#17
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: NW Minnesota
Posts: 209
Bikes: Lemond Poprad, Cervelo Soloist, Cannondale F4, RANS Velocity Squared
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 67 Times
in
45 Posts
The bike shop guy was completely swamped with work--his single employee had just quit when I brought the bike in for assembly--so it's evident to me the guy didn't act with due care. On an earlier ride, the rear wheel slipped out of the drop and rubbed on the frame. Also, derailleur adjustments were not done right (2nd opinion from another LBS). Don't think this guy will see much of me going forward.
Thanks to all of you who responded!
Thanks to all of you who responded!
You bought a bike online or something and brought it to a shop (overworked and understaffed). I am assuming there was a charge for this service. Also, 10 different mechanics will have 15 different adjustments to said derailleur.
I am not justifying poor work. I would and have bought from the LBS directly. But as you said, if they do poor work, take it somewhere else.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Eastern Shore MD
Posts: 944
Bikes: Lemond Zurich/Trek ALR/Giant TCX/Sette CX1
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 603 Post(s)
Liked 860 Times
in
435 Posts
Finding a consistent, reliable bike mechanic is like finding a good barber.
My hair/beard look great!! So far, I've only found one of the two.
I check everything after getting the bike back from the shop - even things on the bike that weren't supposed to be touched.
And the shop only sees the bike if it's a problem I can't fix myself.
Take the bike in for a wheel repair, sit on the seat and it bottoms out... they for some reason moved the seat and didn't re tighten it the seatpost.
I've found just about everything to be loose, not shifting properly, chain blobbed with mass amounts of lube, things over tightened...
My hair/beard look great!! So far, I've only found one of the two.
I check everything after getting the bike back from the shop - even things on the bike that weren't supposed to be touched.
And the shop only sees the bike if it's a problem I can't fix myself.
Take the bike in for a wheel repair, sit on the seat and it bottoms out... they for some reason moved the seat and didn't re tighten it the seatpost.
I've found just about everything to be loose, not shifting properly, chain blobbed with mass amounts of lube, things over tightened...
Likes For Jughed:
#19
Senior Member
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 737
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 373 Post(s)
Liked 435 Times
in
254 Posts
I had a pedal come off on a ride, but it was 20+ years old and had 10's of thousands of miles in it (my first clipless pedals, purchased ca. 1992). The pedal body came completely off the spindle - it just wore out. It wasn't a big issue, I only found out when I tried to unclip at a light and had to use my other foot. When I moved my right foot outboard the pedal body slipped completely off of the spindle, still attached to the cleat. I slipped it back on, and finished my ride. I had to focus (1) on clipping out with my other foot, and (2) on keeping my right foot inboard so the pedal didn't slip off.
I agree with others who posted above, that you need to find a new LBS. There's no excuse for not doing a proper job when the consequences can be serious injury (or worse) for the user. I don't care how "swamped" he was, that is simply inexcusable.
(Gorgeous bike, by the way.)
I agree with others who posted above, that you need to find a new LBS. There's no excuse for not doing a proper job when the consequences can be serious injury (or worse) for the user. I don't care how "swamped" he was, that is simply inexcusable.
(Gorgeous bike, by the way.)
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,220
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 582 Post(s)
Liked 1,027 Times
in
496 Posts
This could potentially upset me. Anyone building a silver bike with Campagnolo has to care about a scuffed crank from the get-go due to the builder's obvious neglect. How bad is it?
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 503
Bikes: Kona Dew, Gary Fisher Paragon, Salsa Campeon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 125 Post(s)
Liked 133 Times
in
86 Posts
I had this happen with a high end mountain bike from probably the most reputable manufacturer out there. Stuff happens!
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,460
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8383 Post(s)
Liked 9,274 Times
in
4,556 Posts
Happens all the time? I can't recall seeing a pedal come off, ever. Was following a guy through a turn and his crankarm came off and I ran over it.
Had 3 pedals snap off and I crashed twice. Had a Look pedal unscrew from the spindle while climbing a canyon. Suddenly my foot was out by the front wheel.
Friend snapped an Ultegra crankarm and crashed. Another snapped a Campagnolo crank and also crashed. I was following a big guy down a singletrack trail and when he landed from a small jump his BB spindle snapped off and he made a cloud of dust when he went down.
Was rolling my bike around the garage and a pedal fell off. Another Look pedal which came unscrewed from the spindle. I put Loctite on them now.
Had 3 pedals snap off and I crashed twice. Had a Look pedal unscrew from the spindle while climbing a canyon. Suddenly my foot was out by the front wheel.
Friend snapped an Ultegra crankarm and crashed. Another snapped a Campagnolo crank and also crashed. I was following a big guy down a singletrack trail and when he landed from a small jump his BB spindle snapped off and he made a cloud of dust when he went down.
Was rolling my bike around the garage and a pedal fell off. Another Look pedal which came unscrewed from the spindle. I put Loctite on them now.
Likes For big john:
#24
slow on any terrain
Thread Starter
So I am trying to understand this situation...
You bought a bike online or something and brought it to a shop (overworked and understaffed). I am assuming there was a charge for this service. Also, 10 different mechanics will have 15 different adjustments to said derailleur.
I am not justifying poor work. I would and have bought from the LBS directly. But as you said, if they do poor work, take it somewhere else.
You bought a bike online or something and brought it to a shop (overworked and understaffed). I am assuming there was a charge for this service. Also, 10 different mechanics will have 15 different adjustments to said derailleur.
I am not justifying poor work. I would and have bought from the LBS directly. But as you said, if they do poor work, take it somewhere else.
Being impetuous, I bought a third bike, a Tommasini Tecno from Italy about the same time as I bought the Bertoletti. When it arrived, I decided to take it to the other LBS I deal with and it turned out to be a great decision. Set up right the first time. Here are the Kirk and the Tecno:
Last edited by eljayski; 10-18-23 at 12:00 PM.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,518
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18534 Post(s)
Liked 15,895 Times
in
7,461 Posts