Care and selection of the right pedals for bicycles is important and should not be completely forgotten. Especially now that there are many variations that appear on the market, where the appearance often seduces the eyes of bicycle users.
But what you need to remember is, actually we only need to replace the pedal when the reasons for comfort have emerged or when the condition is no longer suitable for use.
After the bicycle is used, it is very important to check the condition and primeness of the bicycle pedals. This can prevent us from various risks of problems that can occur on the way during use.
One damage of bicycle can be one of the reasons bicycle pedal feels heavy, and this could be because there is a problem with the pedals.
Re-checking the condition of the pedals can also be fairly easy, not a lot of equipment that must be prepared. It’s only enough to have tools that are fairly simple, such as:
- L key number 6
- Key number 8
- Number 15 spanner (optional)
- Screwdriver
- Rag
- Grease
While the stages are actually not many, here’s what to do:
1. Unscrew the Bolt
Take the L key that has been prepared to open the bolt on the cover or cover of the bicycle pedal axle. Turn the key to the left, counterclockwise.
2. Ring Part
After that take a screwdriver to pry the ring retaining the axle pedal, which is usually used to hold it in place so that it stays where it should be and doesn’t change (precise). Pry until the ring is out of place.
3. Unscrew the Nut
The next step is to use the number 8 quirk to unscrew the nut. For pedals that are in the non-drive side position, the direction of rotation must be counterclockwise.
However, if the position of the pedal is on the driver’s side (drive side), then the direction of rotation of the key must be in a clockwise direction.
It should be noted that this step must be carried out simultaneously by holding the axle of the pedal at the other end using an L key number 6 or it could be with a spanner number 15.
4. The Axle
Remove the axle that is on the body after the nut has been released. Then check the condition, whether there is damage or not.
If there is, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace it with a new one. However, if the condition is still in good condition, then you only need to clean it using a degreaser and a cloth that was prepared at the beginning.
5. Remove the Bearing
You can do this step after opening the existing nut. Bearing must be removed from the pedal body by means of a poke using an L wrench.
One thing that needs to be straightened out, because many people still think that bearings and bullets or it can also be called buckshot are the same thing.
But actually the two parts are different, although the difference lies only in the placement position.
Make sure to regularly check the condition of the pedals, considering that the pedals are an important part of bicycles. How to care for and check is generally the same for each types of bicycles.