All tips
Pedals or crank are loose
Play, creaking or wobbling at the pedal, crank or bottom bracket.
1. Problem
When pedalling you feel a wobble or knock at the pedal or crank. The crank moves sideways, or there is a creak with every turn. If ignored, the thread in the crank can be destroyed – and then the repair gets expensive.
2. Cause
- The pedal has worked loose in the crank thread
- Worn pedal bearings (play in the pedal axle)
- Loose crank bolt – the crank no longer sits tight on the axle
- Worn or loose bottom bracket
3. Solution
- Tighten the pedal with a 15 mm spanner – note: the left pedal has a reverse thread (loosen clockwise)
- Replace a pedal with play in the axle – pedals start at a few euros
- Tighten the crank bolt to the correct torque (usually 35–50 Nm, printed on the crank)
- If the whole axle wobbles (both cranks together), the bottom bracket needs replacing
4. Workshop tip
Please don't keep riding with a loose crank – a loose aluminium crank is often ruined after a few kilometres. We replace pedals on the spot and a new bottom bracket usually the same day.
— Bike Haus Freiburg
Matching spare parts
Rather have it repaired?
Come to our workshop at Heckerstraße 27 without an appointment – small repairs are often done right away while you wait.