Workshop tips: Servicing pedals, shifting rollers and often forgotten joints

There are other pivot and bearing points on the road bike that are often forgotten because they rarely cause problems. A little care is worthwhile to ensure that they also function perfectly.

Switching rollers

Chain oil attracts a lot of dirt into the bearings of the derailleur pulleys. For maintenance, remove the rollers from the derailleur and lift off the sealing discs on both sides with a small screwdriver. Rinse the sealing discs and bearings with spray oil and clean everything with a cloth. Apply a generous amount of grease to the bearing and the inside of the sealing discs to keep dirt and moisture out. It is not usually worth replacing the bearings because the teeth are usually worn out too - invest in new pulleys.

Joints on rear derailleur & front derailleur

If the shifting mechanism is well lubricated, the derailleur is easier and more precise to operate. The joints of the parallelogram of the rear derailleur and front derailleur cannot be dismantled, but can only be treated from the outside with penetrating oil. Wipe off any excess oil after allowing it to soak in and polish the areas with wax to prevent moisture from penetrating.

>> What you need to bear in mind when working on the stem

>> Fitting & adjusting handlebars correctly

Pedals

Modernity Road bike pedals usually run maintenance-free. If they have play or the bearings are not rotating properly, the procedure varies depending on the model. The following applies in all cases: Individual bearings cannot be replaced; you must always replace the entire axle with the pressed-on bearings. To carry out the work, carefully clamp the pedal body in a vice. And: The right-hand pedal always has a left-hand thread!

Look Keo, Keo2Max, Keo Easy

The plastic nut on the inside of the pedal body can be used to remove the axle and adjust the horizontal play to a limited extent; there is no locking mechanism. Some models require a 17 mm open-end spanner, others a special tool with a multi-tooth socket. Small changes make a big difference here, the adjustment can become a game of patience.

Look Keo Blade

The bearing play cannot be adjusted, the preload is provided by a coil spring. The axle is removed by levering open the small cover cap on the outer end of the pedal and loosening the 3-millimetre Allen screw underneath. To do this, use an Allen key (6 or 8 mm) to hold the other end of the axle.

Shimano SPD SL

The complete axle must be removed from the pedal for adjustment. Open the nut on the inside of the pedal. Here too, the right-hand pedal has a left-hand thread! Many versions require a special multi-tooth tool, only a few require a 17 mm open-end spanner. There are two nuts at the outer end of the dismantled axle: first loosen the outer, smaller nut by two to three turns, then adjust the bearing play with the larger nut and lock again with the smaller nut. Clean the axle and the inside of the pedal body as well as possible before reassembly. The pedal body should be generously greased so that the bearing and axle are fully lubricated when turning. Simply wipe off any excess grease or grease that oozes out.