Old timer told me to grease pedal threads, ruined a crank arm

Guy named Ray who worked at a shop back in the 80s swore by greasing every thread on a bike. Pedals, bottom bracket, everything. First time I greased my pedal threads on a new set of cranks, they spun loose on a ride 3 weeks later. Wrecked the threads in the crankarm. Had to replace the whole thing. Turns out pedals need to be dry or use anti-seize, not regular grease. Who else got bad advice from someone who'd been doing it the old way forever?

3 comments

3 Comments

wendy39121d ago

Seems like you're blaming the grease for what could've just been loose installation though.

the_oscar21d ago

Wait, @reese_nelson actually said that? Grease is not just a lubricant on pedal threads, it lets them back off way easier than dry. Torquing them right doesn't matter if the grease is slippery enough to let them work loose over bumps.

reese_nelson21d ago

Grease is just a lubricant, it doesn't make things come loose. You probably didn't torque them right or didn't check them after a couple rides.