Pedals of DOOM - Marin Muirwoods

Hi,
I picked up this Marin Muirwoods cheaply on Ebay recently so I can ride it in this year’s Brighton Big Dog. I’m looking to get it race ready for August and then, after I’ve got the race out of the way, spending some time doing it up properly. Having never been that interested in retro bikes, before being forced to buy one, I’m now well and truly hooked. I rode the Muirwoods on XC for the first time today and really enjoyed it. It felt light and responsive and gobbled up all the climbs. I was initially quite concerned about racing on a retro bike but now I’m really up for it.

When I got the bike the seat post was seized in the frame and my LBS quoted £30-£80 to release it, they said it could take hours and involve hacksaws, they gave me some tips on trying it at home and after 1.5 frustrating hours, I managed to get it free. However the crappy plastic pedals are really stuck on. I’ve lubed them and heated them up and really worked to get them to begin unscrewing. One of them started to rotate and I managed at least one full rotation. However the pedal has not actually changed position in any way and hasn’t unscrewed at all. Does this mean it is a write-off?

So I’m after advice, firstly on ways to get the damn pedals off, secondly, if all else fails, I’ll be looking for 2 crank arms and want advice on what best to buy.

Pics supplied. I’ve chucked on some old XC tyres that were rotting away in my garage and the bar ends and saddle were on it when purchased.

Might seem obvious, and apologies if you've already tried it, but are you turning the pedals the right way, as they have different axle rotations on each side?

pull the cranks off, take the pedal off its spindle and put the spindle in a vice

take the crank off and put the whole crank in the bin

Sounds brutal, but the old school Alivio cranks is very heavy, and has non-replaceable rings, plus is very low geared. Chances are you'll kill the pedals with surgery anyway, a new crank and pedals may be the way forward.
Welcome to the wallet emptying but addictive world of Retro bikes...

Thanks for the advice, I'll be binning the lot and investing in a new (hopefully lighter) crank.

Is there any specific type (or special fitting) crank that I need to buy? I want to reduce costs purchasing parts on-line, rather than direct from LBS. I've been caught out in the past buying the wrong parts for my bike and want to avoid unnecessary expenditure.

My advice would be to steer clear of your LBS after quoting silly prices to remove the offending pedals.. Have a look in the for sale forum on here as i'm sure you'll find something suitable at a reasonable price

Rich

Any crank for a square taper axle from around 1994 onwards would be ok I guess. I can't see what other components your bike has but I'm guessing its got an 8-speed cassette.

I'd probably be looking for a crank with 22,32,44 rings.
The choice of ring size depends largely on your fitness and the size of the smallest sprocket on the rear cassette. If its an 11 tooth then either 42 or 44 outer ring would be fine. If the smallest cassette sprocket is 12 tooth and/or its an older 7-speed cassette then instead you may want to go for something with 24,36,46 chainrings (e.g. http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... light=m550)

Assuming its an 8-speed cassette with 11tooth small sprocket I'd probably be looking for one of the deore lx cranks with from this period (m563 code I think) or the stx-rc (mc36) crank. Plenty of choice though. Seems that plenty of xt cranks crop up on here too (m737 or m739).

Here are some other suggestions for an 8-speed setup.
The vanilla stx cranks here would be fine:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=211349
Any of the cranks here would be fine too, though you may need to budget for rings:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=205645
xt m737 available here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=210556
and here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... t=chainset
and here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewto ... t=chainset
The later lx m570 cranks here (ugly as hell but functional):
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=209664

Should you need a new bottom bracket too then I believe you'd need a square taper 113mm axle with 68mm shell (e.g. shimano un54) on an 8 speed setup. Possibly need a longer axle if its a 7-speed setup though (e.g. 118 or 122?). I'm certain someone will be along to correct me if I'm wrong.

Re: pedals, no need to stick to retro, plenty of nice flat pedals out there new and at a reasonable price. If you like clips and straps then wellgo 939 and 964s are both good.

Great find!! I used to work with Marin bikes from 94-96. Is this a '95? Maybe '96? It's been so long, I don't remember but it looks like a bike from "my time".

The Muirwoods was a good buy back then. Relativly light wheight and with solid equipment. The STX rear mech shifts beautifully.

As for Crancks.....the rest of the bike looks to be original so if you want to keep it that way you should look for the same Alivio cranck. Should be possible to find at a very reasonable price. If not, I agree with the other advice you got. Find something more solid and lighter.

I am looking for a better crank for my budget build, unsure if a 2nd hand upgraded spec would be a better bet than an entry level alivio. I know the quailty of the upgraded spec would be better in theory but you are buying 2nd hands part which are many years old and always a risk