Squeaky Torker Pedal revisited

Unicycles and Equipment
1

So I disassembled my squeaky Torker pedal today and found that a half-dozen of the ball bearings had split completely in half and were edging their way into the plastic of the pedal. Cleaned everything out and replaced the parts that were still good, and now the pedal is a bit sticky, but no longer squeaks. (Due to missing a half-dozen bearings now.) Hopefully it’ll last me a little bit longer before I have to buy new pedals.

2

Re: Squeaky Torker Pedal revisited

You can buy replacement pedal ball bearings from a bike shop. Most bike shops should carry them. You should bring a good bearing from the pedal with you to the bike shop so you can get the right size.

3

Neither of the pedals on my new black Torker spins freely. As I spin them, they seem to “stick” every 15 degrees or so. My wife bought the uni pre-assembled, so I don’t know if they were installed properly to begin with.

Are the sticky pedals normal, or should they spin several rotations if I give them a flick? I wonder if they have the same bearing problem that makes other people’s creak sometimes. Should I disassemble them and see if there’s something wrong, or just take it back to the shop where we bought it?

4

I used to have some freestyle pedals like this; I presumed the “clicking” into place was by design. It didn’t make any difference when riding but when mounting or doing something fancy you could align the pedal how you liked without it spinning out of place.

They stayed that way until the plastic of the pedal gave up, the bearings and axle still seemed fine.

Phil

5

Re: Squeaky Torker Pedal revisited

“yogidog98” <yogidog98.nzgi0@timelimit.unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:yogidog98.nzgi0@timelimit.unicyclist.com…
>
> Neither of the pedals on my new black Torker spins freely. As I spin
> them, they seem to “stick” every 15 degrees or so. My wife bought the
> uni pre-assembled, so I don’t know if they were installed properly to
> begin with.
>
> Are the sticky pedals normal, or should they spin several rotations if I
> give them a flick? I wonder if they have the same bearing problem that
> makes other people’s creak sometimes. Should I disassemble them and see
> if there’s something wrong, or just take it back to the shop where we
> bought it?

The pedals are either overtight, or were assembled with heavy (i.e. cheap)
grease packed in them.

If they remain sticky even after a week or so of decent riding, then I
suggest taking them apart to have a look.

  1. Remove the pedals from the unicycle
  2. Get an old shoebox. If the pedals have loose ball bearings, the box will
    catch them.
  3. Pop the end cap off the pedal with a small screwdriver
  4. Remove the retaining nut, holding the other end with wrench
  5. Take apart the pedals, over the shoebox.
  6. Inspect the bearings and inside of pedal. If the loose balls and insides
    have heavy sticky grease on them, remove as much as possible with a soft
    cloth.
  7. Reassemble the pedals, tighten just enough that they don’t bind when they
    spin, but don’t “rock” when you hold the axle and twist the body.
  8. Unless the pedals are complete garbage, they should spin nicely now

Good Luck,

David Winston

6

Thanks, I appreciate the detailed description of reassembly. I had no clue how to remove a pedal. Once my wife gives me access to the Unicycle (I’m not supposed to know she bought it for my birthday yet), I’ll see if it loosens up or inspect the bearings.