Pedal grease leakage

sogood said:

Is grease leakage the norm for a new pair of pedals?

Been running in a new pair of CB's Quattro and there's so much green grease coming through the axle bearing/bushing area that it's starting to run onto the soles of my shoes. I am even surprised by the volume of grease previously hidden. I note that there's also similar grease leakage from my new SPD pedals.

My question is, is this normal? Is it just a normal running in thing? Or have I been unlucky to have pedals that like to leak grease?

My experience with CB's pedals has been that which you're describing, and as far as I am aware, that is perfectly normal. Mine started to drip by about 1000km.

I recall reading somewhere that the pedal spindles are apparently designed such that grease will flow out of the bushing area when there's too much or its wearing out.

I generally take that as a sign that the spindles need regreasing, and have succssfully used both motor high temperature bearing grease, and standard bike grease with no issues.

Doing it with a thick grease is difficult if you're using the supplied grease tool (with the eggbeaters at least), so I find it easier just to dismantle the pedals.

n

My Candy pedals were fine (no leakage) 'til I regreased them after a half-season of frequent use. (The grease that was pushed out wasn't so dirty, so I probably won't bother again for a while.) Anyway, I did notice that the pedals oozed grease for a while afterward. My guess was that there was pressurized grease in there that squeezed and eased its way out as I rode on them. The Quattros apparently don't have a grease port like the Candies do, but maybe something similar is at work. In any case, although the mess is inconvenient and maybe even a bit dangerous, I hope it's a good sign...that the bearings/bushings are well-packed with grease.

sogood said:

Is grease leakage the norm for a new pair of pedals?

Been running in a new pair of CB's Quattro and there's so much green grease coming through the axle bearing/bushing area that it's starting to run onto the soles of my shoes. I am even surprised by the volume of grease previously hidden. I note that there's also similar grease leakage from my new SPD pedals.

My question is, is this normal? Is it just a normal running in thing? Or have I been unlucky to have pedals that like to leak grease?

Yes normal, just wipe it off. It is the excess grease being squeezed out. Once cleared, it will be done with (until the next time that the bearings are regreased).

Feel good that the manufacturers put enough grease in there. I have seen brand new components with virtually bone dry bearings.

Thanks for the confirmation on this issue. I was just surprised by the volume of it.