The thread of the pedal / crank ?

Dear Alex,

I'd guess the pedal has been cross-threaded into the crank at some time and this has chewed out the thread. This can be repaired with the insertion of a device called a helicoil. But getting that done where you are I think could prove be difficult & it's really something you'd do for expensive or special cranks. You can rethread the crank but often that doesn't work because it has lost too much metal.

Welding won't work as the pedal would be crmo steel & crank aluminium alloy.

I'd suggest buying a new set of cranks from the biggest bike shop you can find and have them change them over. If your short on cash I bet they can find a second hand pair for you. Or if your cashed up just ask for the best quality pair they have that'd match your bike.

Don't panic... Any bike shop will be able to fix this.

& don't give up on your trip,

Lindsay

Don't panic - I once cross threaded a pedal when hurrying to reassemble a bike at an airport. Didn't realise it until about 40km later by which time I thought I may have ruined the crank and would have to replace it. First though, I unscrewed the pedal and reattached it carefully, making sure it went on straight this time. From memory I had to clean a few metal shards out of the crank's thread first. It has been fine in the years since but I do have to be more careful when replacing the pedals after plane trips.

Syd

Lindsay hit the nail on the head with a helicoil.

A few years ago we had a spark plug strip on our VW just south of Buenos Aires and had to have a helicoil put in. Any regular machine shop / auto repair shop can do it in a matter of minutes. Argentinians are good at finding McGuiver solutions to problems. Give it a try before buying a new crank arm.

Good luck

The helicoil solution works, but it's very unlikely you'd find a left handed one for the left crank. Should be fine on the other side though.

But as above, any bike shop will be able to fit new cranks and it shouldn't cost too much.

Don't be tempted to bodge it and ride. If you manage it your pedals will be crooked and you'll have endless knee problems or similar

Thanks all.

I have found some bycicleteria shops nearby that look like they know what they´re doing from repairs perspective. Not sure whether they´d have a decent crank though.

I´ll take it round tomorrow and let them assess the damage.

BTW, it is the left hand pedal (whilst sat in the seat), does this mean it will need a left handed helicoil?

Thanks again.

Good luck. Get your crank fixed. There's not much more annoying on a long trip than a skipping or faulty crank.

yeah in south america and mexico we fix EVERYTHING.....just go to any bike shop and they will have a excellent job to do.

As above. If it's the left (i.e. non drive side crank) you can use any replacement so long as it's the same length and BB fitting (square taper, ISIS, etc) as the old one. Bike shops often have odd cranks left lying around.

One bodge worth knowing, which I had to do once when the left pedal stripped out the crank threads. I just bought a thick bolt and a couple of nuts from a hardware store, held it in place in the stripped crank/pedal socket with a nut each side, and used it as a rudimentary 'pedal' until I got to a bike shop. Not exactly comfy, but it saved pedalling one legged for two days...

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>One bodge worth knowing<hr></blockquote>i must comment on a brilliant idea no8.on my next tour im taking a spare axle and seems as though it will have 2no uses now.always learning off the thorne tree.