If pedals are cycling on a bicycle, this can happen for a number of reasons. Most often, this leads to improper care of a two-wheeled vehicle. The trouble can be caused by a prolonged refusal to service the main functional systems of the bike. The deplorable consequences are often the wear of certain parts. Let's find out how to eliminate the problem of idling pedals on a bicycle, what factors contribute to the occurrence of such a breakdown.
Pedals scroll on a bicycle: reason
The considered trouble can arise for the following reasons:
- on a bicycle the chain was greatly stretched;
- worn front sprockets;
- the elements of the rear cassette have deteriorated.
There is also a combination of the above failures.
Assessment of the general condition of the bike
If the pedals on the bike are scrolled, before proceeding to disassemble its components and think about repair, it is worth assessing the general condition of the bike. First of all, it is necessary to check how correctly the rear and front switches are configured, which are responsible for changing speeds. A failure in the settings will be indicated by an uncharacteristic annoying crack during riding, as well as a fairly regular hit of the chain between the sprockets when pedaling.
Sometimes the problem affects bikes on which the gearshift system is not installed. In cases where pedals on a bicycle of a similar plan are scrolled, first of all it is worth paying attention to the state of the chain. Perhaps eliminating the trouble will only require thorough cleaning and lubrication.
Damage to cranks of sprockets
If a situation arises when pedals on a mountain bike are scrolling, you should pay priority attention to asterisks. Defects here can be seen with the naked eye.
As for the reasons why the cranks of the sprockets are damaged, most often this is caused by excessive pressure on the pedals during the ride. Notches can “lick” on them naturally as a result of friction. Ending the life of the sprockets will certainly cause problems with pedaling.
In some cases, the trouble can be eliminated by washing the sprockets from accumulations of old oil, debris and adhering dirt. To remove these impurities, it is enough to thoroughly wipe the parts with a piece of material moistened with kerosene.
If the problem is serious and a few teeth are missing on the sprockets, you need to dismantle the functional unit, disassemble it and, if possible, replace the damaged elements by whole. Naturally, the most reasonable solution in this situation is to install a new set of stars. However, this option requires significant cash costs.
Chain problems
If you pedal the bike, there may be a chain problem. In most cases, to eliminate the trouble, it is enough to wash the links with soapy water, and then carefully lubricate with a special substance based on silicone. A characteristic sign that it is time to perform such actions is the appearance of an annoying squeak during movement. Indication of the need for circuit maintenance may also be the need for significant effort when pedaling.
Perhaps the problem lies in excessive chain stretching. In this case, it begins to sag too much, which leads to a weak grip of the stars and, as a result, pedaling. How to pull the chain? To do this, it will have to be shortened. So, on one of the links there is a special latch that opens the ring connection of the chain. After removing the part, it is enough to remove one or several links, knocking the bushings out of them using a hammer and metal breakdown. In conclusion, it will be enough to connect the circuit back to the same latch.
If the above steps did not resolve the problem, you will have to replace the circuit with a new one.
Problems with the rear rattle of the bike
What to do if pedals are cycling? If a problem occurs, it is worth evaluating the condition of the rear ratchet. Quite often, in the middle of the mechanism, the old grease thickens, after which the bearings begin to stick. It may turn out that there is no oil at all, and the system is covered with pollution and corrosion. In this case, it is necessary to dismantle the ratchet, thoroughly clean it, and then treat the parts with thick oil.
Bearings
The pedals can scroll if the bearings are damaged in the place where the bicycle hub is located. If the latter fell in, they must be replaced immediately. In most cases, adding missing balls is enough. However, it also happens that the entire bearing assembly has to be changed, with which the bicycle hub is connected.
Gear shifters
Pedals on a bicycle can be scrolled if there is an incorrect tuning of the gearshift system. Most often, a special switching foot stops reaching the desired stars. Therefore, you have to pull the shifter flag with considerable effort, squeezing it to the maximum. This is where the pedals scroll.
How to fix the trouble? The root cause here may be the stretching of the cables, the presence of contamination on the gaskets. The solution is to remove them from the shirts and flush the joints with rust using a special tool WD40. In case of rupture or critical damage to sections of cables, you will have to replace them with new ones.
Should I lubricate the cables with oil? Experts do not recommend resorting to such actions. Perhaps at first gear changes will be much easier. However, over time, dirt will stick to the cables coated with grease, which will significantly complicate their course.
It is necessary to lay the cables in the shirts so that the angle of their bending remains minimal. This will avoid excessive friction.
After servicing or replacing the cables, it remains to re-configure the gear shifters. In conclusion, you will need to ride a bike, checking to see if the pedals are turning as before.
Finally
So we examined the main malfunctions that can lead to idle pedaling on a bicycle. We hope the information presented in the article will help you eliminate the trouble and bring your favorite bike back to life.