Rhythm Thief
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ross on Wye
Yes. I always copper grease all the threads on any bike build, even down to the bottle cage bolts.
First time with cleats
- Thread starter markyt71
- Start date
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Yes. I always copper grease all the threads on any bike build, even down to the bottle cage bolts.
Rhythm Thief
Legendary Member
- Location
- Ross on Wye
And as for the pedals, the left hand pedal is a left hand thread. As others have said, pull the spanner up towards the back of the bike. They might be tight though, and a proper pedal spanner is worth having.
Once you get your new pedals on and go for a ride while clipped in, try and relax. I think a lot of issues people have when they're new to clipless pedals come from instinctively trying to lift their feet off the pedal while twisting, which makes it much harder to unclip. Try riding somewhere quiet without traffic for the first time and try unclipping and clipping back in while you're moving along, just to get used to it. You probably will fall over at some point, but you won't be the first, not by a long way!
Once you get your new pedals on and go for a ride while clipped in, try and relax. I think a lot of issues people have when they're new to clipless pedals come from instinctively trying to lift their feet off the pedal while twisting, which makes it much harder to unclip. Try riding somewhere quiet without traffic for the first time and try unclipping and clipping back in while you're moving along, just to get used to it. You probably will fall over at some point, but you won't be the first, not by a long way!
kingrollo
Guru
If they are too tight it's a bike shop job.
It's all very well saying hit it with a hammer etc - that's fine if you are 100% sure what you are doing. But if you aren't and/or you don't have the correct tools - you can quite easily make things worse.
First time I couldn't shift a pedal - I had to swallow pride and take it to lbs. However each time the pedals come off the pedal threads get a dollopp of grease .....and there is no need to massively tighten pedals - with that knowledge and a decent pedal wrench you will find for future pedal changes.
It's all very well saying hit it with a hammer etc - that's fine if you are 100% sure what you are doing. But if you aren't and/or you don't have the correct tools - you can quite easily make things worse.
First time I couldn't shift a pedal - I had to swallow pride and take it to lbs. However each time the pedals come off the pedal threads get a dollopp of grease .....and there is no need to massively tighten pedals - with that knowledge and a decent pedal wrench you will find for future pedal changes.
- Location
- Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Ditto.
teeonethousand
Senior Member
I had Planter Fasciitis a few years ago..dunno how it got it but it took about 18 months to completely go away. I ride flats purely because I don't want to risk any ankle injury twisting my foot out. Anyone had/got this and is my concern a sensible one?
Big John
Legendary Member
I had it years ago when I was running marathons. For years I got away with no injuries and when plantar arrived I was rarely without one problem or another. After having various shots of cortisone by different specialists, and none of them doing any good, I finally got tendonitis to the point I had a huge lump on my heel. Thankfully I ended up with arthritis in my right knee which put paid to any running but at least most of my 'running induced' injuries oh so slowly disappeared, including plantar and the lump on my heel. Sadly, and it pains me to say it, but rest is probably the only cure. Plantar, surprisingly, didn't affect my cycling. I always cycled when I was injured.
teeonethousand
Senior Member
And you cycled clipped? No problem twisting out?
vickster
Legendary Member
Get the quick release SPD cleats, SH-56 Iirc, no twisting required. If you stay with flat, make sure you us fairly stiff soled shoes, like a trail running or walking shoe (too stiff though and I get cramp in feet 😵)
I had to give up clipless a few years ago as my arthritic knees don’t bend enough to pedal comfortably at the front of the foot as is required.
Not sure why twisting ankle would cause plantar fasciitis though (mostly down to running, a lot of walking or standing, unsupportive footwear, flat feet)
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
I've suffered PF and clipping in and out of spuds made no difference.
Me too, and if anything, cycling clipless gives it some relief.
teeonethousand
Senior Member
Thanks all ..I feel an experiment coming on 😄
OP
OP
markyt71
Regular
Thanks everyone for your help. Amazing response. I eventually purchased a spanner from amazon, but to be honest I kept putting it off for days. Any excuse not to try to change pedals. I plucked up the courage to do it today. Harder than I thought although this was probably down to my technique. Couldn't work out how to position bike etc. Finally did it. Greased the screws and they went in easier than I imagined. Problem I had was I thought if I apply to much pressure I'm going to damage something. It may sound stupid to a lot of experienced riders but to a non mechanical novice it's a horrible experience. I've tried releasing my feet whilst on an indoor trainer. Going OK with that it's just trying to get my feet back into the clips that I'm finding awkward. Going out tomorrow ( early doors. 6am) to try out on roads. Once again thanks to everyone for your support and insight.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
vickster
Legendary Member
Depending on where you are, watch out for ice at 6am for the next few days! I just had to scrape the car to go to supermarket!
