Are my pedals seizing?

[Irn-Bru]

Noticed the other day while washing the bike if I sprayed the hose on the pedals they didn't move, I remember being amused in the past how fast they usually spin (easily entertained). I don't notice while riding but maybe I've gotten used to it and can gain more powah with new, freely spinning pedals? What do? The crank is fine and the bikes done under 400 miles.
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[Ste]

That does sound like the bearings are in need of greasing.

What pedals are they?

[Irn-Bru]

I have no idea, they came with the bike which is a GT Aggressor, 2011 model I think. If you try and spin them with your hand they stop straight away whereas on my bro's bike they spin for ages. Can you service the bearings on most pedals?
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[Ste]

I expect those are basic flat pedals, in which case greasing the bearings and replacing the bearings if necessary is fairly straight forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2HvLpCzpAo

[chris-red]

I've never known bearings needing replacing, they have to be proper fucked and used for a while before that happens even then I would expect the axle to wear first. Sorting them out is easy. In the last lot I did each peddle had 13 on each side, undo the axle and pull it out make sure you have a tray or something to catch all the bearings pull it out of one side first and count the bearings. Clean all the old grease off with a solvent, (off bearings, peddle and axle) then dry them. Put a large blob of grease in each end of the peddle then half put the axle through and put the appropriate amount of bearings into the peddle and make sure they are seated right and push the axle all the way through, more grease more bearings then tighten till there is no slop but it spins freely. It can be fiddly but is easy enough, biggest thing I'd say is make sure the bearings are seated properly, cause then can look like they are but aren't if you get what I mean.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Irn-Bru]

Did exactly as Chris said, and there were indeed 13 bearings on each side. Cleaned, greased and reassembled and while they are better they still aren't as free as I would have hoped for. I think I'll just treat myself to a new pair since these really are very basic plastic pedals. At least I know to rebuild them now I suppose so wasn't a waste of time.

Any recommendations? And are all pedals the same size thread and stuff?
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[stinkwheel]

With very few exceptions, they all have the same thread and have had since Orville Wright (yes, the flying machine guy) came up with it. It's a fucking ball-ache because nothing else in the entire world uses the same thread size and pitch so if you strip your crank thread, you have to pay through the nose for inserts.

Pedals Themselves are not all the same.

If you want bog-basic, plastic flats. On-one do a perfectly functional set for £3.99. Practically disposable.

If you want a little more grip. Wellgo make a cheap, alloy flat with removable pins which are a tad on the heavy side but cheap and effective. I have these on my bike until I grow big enough balls to try clipping into a rigid single speed bike offroad.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WELLGO-LU313-FLAT-GRIPPY-PLATFORM-CYCLE-BIKE-PEDAL-MOUNTAIN-HYBRID-9-16-THREAD-/251278671269?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item3a81603da5
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Irn-Bru]

I notice they are loose ball bearings like my current ones, do they spin freely? I'm guessing proper caged bearing ones cost a fortune?
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[stinkwheel]

Most of the ones I've seen are just loose ball bearings. They work. They've worked for over a hundred years.

I've seen ones with a grease nipple. Seemed like unecessary.

Grease them once a year, make sure the dust cap is in place and it's a non-issue.

Spinning totally freely is probably a sign that the bearings are a tad loose and running out of grease. There shouldn't be any side to side play but the grease will give a degree of "stickiness" when they are well lubed.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Irn-Bru]

Got the new pedals today, they are much more comfy for my big feet. Went for chavvy red (white frame bike) Heavy as you say but my bike is out of it's element already, just a mountain bike with road tyres a lot like my motorbike in a way.
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[Irn-Bru]

Another update. Still happy with pedals but one thing I've noticed is the pins are making a run for it. Lost about 3 on each pedal now. Went over the remaining ones today and they were all quite loose, something to watch out for
____________________
KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[Ste]

Remove the pins and put them back in with a drop of red thread lock.