I Can't Pedal Forward

rachel7217 said:

I just bought a used bike and whenever I try to pedal forward or move the pedals forward with my hands, it seems to lock in place. They move backwards fine. I have no idea what the problem is. Help?

The pedals move backwards because the rear hub is freewheeling ... that's a good thing because it means you can coast without having the pedals turning constantly.

I reckon your rear tire is jammed against the frame's lower "stays" ... so, you'll have to loosen it with the quick release on the LEFT side of the rear axle, center the wheel in the frame, close the quick release lever to "lock" the wheel in place.

If the wheel slips in the future, you MAY have to turn the hand-nut on the right side of the bike between 1/8th & quarter turn to make the quick release's hold a bit tighter.

NB. If your bike has a solid rear axle, then it is held in place with NUTS which will require a wrench of the appropriate size (or, an adjustable wrench). Same deal -- loosen the nuts, center the wheel and then secure the wheel by tightening the nuts.

It can also be a problem with the rear derailleur.

rachel7217 said:

I just bought a used bike and whenever I try to pedal forward or move the pedals forward with my hands, it seems to lock in place. They move backwards fine. I have no idea what the problem is. Help?

Take it back for a refund! :eek:

rachel7217 said:

I just bought a used bike and whenever I try to pedal forward or move the pedals forward with my hands, it seems to lock in place. They move backwards fine. I have no idea what the problem is. Help?

I think I know what is happening. 😎
Young Rachel is crouching next to the bike. She can hold the pedals with her hand and spin them backwards, but she cannot spin them forwards.
She could try raising the rear wheel off the ground. It will now spin freely !!!!:eek:

Aussie Steve said:

I think I know what is happening. 😎
Young Rachel is crouching next to the bike. She can hold the pedals with her hand and spin them backwards, but she cannot spin them forwards.
She could try raising the rear wheel off the ground. It will now spin freely !!!!:eek:

So how do I pedal when the rear wheel is on the ground?

rachel7217 said:

So how do I pedal when the rear wheel is on the ground?

With your feet. Or did you mean OFF the ground?

Lonnie Utah said:

With your feet. Or did you mean OFF the ground?

The cranks pedal forward when the rear wheel is off the ground, but it's kind of difficult to ride a bike with the rear wheel off the ground.

Hi there... your original message said that you were trying to spin the pedals by hand; I thought you had the rear wheel in contact with the floor...
when you actually sit on the bike, and put your feet on the pedals:
- does the bike move forward when you pedal?
- or will it not go forward at all?
We need to know what you are actually doing before we can give you any advice...😕

rachel7217 said:

The cranks pedal forward when the rear wheel is off the ground, but it's kind of difficult to ride a bike with the rear wheel off the ground.

You never mentioned what kind of bike are you talking about ...

Any chance the brakes are rubbing against the rim?

You didn't mention whether or not the rear tire was rubbing against the frame ...

What about the FRONT wheel? Could that be what has locked up?

i have the same exact problem with my brothers old bike. the pedals are fine when the rear wheel is off the ground but i cant figure out why. im no expert at repairing this stuff, i just ride it, so if anyone has any ideas whats wrong.. i dont think the rear wheel is jammed against the frame, i cant see how that would happen. ill try to just fool with it but if anyone has ideas that would be helpful

I think she is stuck in top gear... :eek:

Shift the gears to the small one (cog) at the front and the big one (cog) at the back... 😄

can you take a few pictures to better help show the problem?