Forum menu
Put an O ring or small elastic band around the axle of left one to tell you it’s a LH thread.
Or put chainrings on the RH one but no chainrings on the LH one (unless you have some weird niche thing going).
Put an O ring or small elastic band around the axle of left one to tell you it’s a LH thread.
standard indicator for a charged battery round these parts (well in my garage but I'm sure others must do this) - people might think you've got a motor in there next thing you'll be asking how to pee into a test tube
I thought a brief update was due, reading through the thread again still brings me huge joy - what a laugh!
I think Dez B was pretty close to having a solution that I can remember, however what I resorted to was keeping a note on my iPhone with a picture that says "To undo, push towards front of bike, same for other pedal"
Couple of trips completed, and that has done me proud
If you have a Shimano (external) BB then the instructions are handily printed on that.
Pedal facing forward,
Insert allen key so it points at the front wheel
Push allen key towards down tube / frame.
Works for left, right, upside down whatever.
I always tighten or undo pedals with the wheels on the ground. That way I just have to remember that undoing pedals is the direction in which my knuckles will smash into the exposed teeth on the big ring when it suddenly lets go. This might be less memorable with 1x drivetrains.
Shimano pedals have litttle arrows on them that say tighten.
If its done up and the allen key is bending when you try to undo it its the other way.
Cant see the problem.
If its done up and the allen key is bending when you try to undo it its the other way.
Cant see the problem.
😂
Same problem with less knuckle skin jeopardy...
Linkage collet bolts where the allen key fits in the thread end (the head end having the wedge expander bolt).
So it is both backwards and you cannot push to engage the threads. Spent an hour thinking the linkage wasn't exactly aligned with the frame until I realised I was rotating it in the wrong direction. Wore a hole in my finger pushing against the expander bolt in the process. 🙁
That way I just have to remember that undoing pedals is the direction in which my knuckles will smash into the exposed teeth on the big ring when it suddenly lets go.
Holding the hex key still and using the opposite crank arm as the lever greatly reduces the level of jeapordy.
My suggestion is to accept, that like USB plugs, there's no way to know until you try 3x.
Grab a pedal, all have left or right marked somewhere. Offer it to the correct side, R = drivetrain, and use your fingers to turn it until it begins to screw in to the crank. When you have established the direction by feel, use the pedal spanner.
I was stoned off my tits for years as a bike mech and still managed to get it right.
Usually.
Oh undo....
Well that's just the opposite of what you already did.
Holding the hex key still and using the opposite crank arm as the lever greatly reduces the level of jeapordy.
As does putting the chain in the big ring before you start.
(thanks Jenn - that tip always stayed with me)