How to Lubricate Bicycle Pedals

Keeping all of your bicycle's components working smoothly is important not only for your convenience, but also for your safety as well. Properly lubricating your bicycle pedals is one of the simplest and most important steps to having a well-functioning bike. The procedure is simple and should be part of your monthly bicycle maintenance schedule. It takes is a little bit of time, a wrench and basic bicycle lubricant.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Pedal wrench or 15mm wrench
Bicycle lubricant
Shop rag
Bicycle grease

Step 1

Remove the pedals from the spindle with the pedal wrench or 15mm wrench.

Step 2

Wipe off any grease, dirt or debris on the pedal and on the pedal threads with your shop rag.

Step 3

Find the ring of bearings on the inside of the pedal, and remove the protective cover. If the bearings are loose, make sure not to lose any by holding the pedal with the bearings facing upward.

Step 4

Squirt some bicycle lubricant on the bearing ring and the spindle. Replace the protective cover, and apply a touch of grease to the spindle after cleaning it with your rag.

Step 5

Thread the pedal back onto the spindle by hand. Once it is snug, use the pedal wrench to tighten the pedal against the crank.

Tips & Warnings

Some pedals might require an Allen wrench instead of a pedal wrench for removal.

Note that the left pedal has a reverse thread and needs to be removed and replaced by turning your wrench in the corresponding direction.

Improper installation of your pedals can lead to serious injury. Take a short test ride after reattaching your pedals to make sure they stay snug to the crank arm.

Resources

Pedal Pediatrics

Article Written By Jake Kulju

Jake Kulju is a Minneapolis-based freelance outdoors writer with 10 years' experience. He is an outdoors guidebook author for Avalon Travel and his work is regularly published in "Outdoor Traditions Magazine" and "Naturescape News." His nature-based poetry is published in "Poetry Canada" and "Farmhouse Magazine." Kulju holds an English degree from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.

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