stiff bolts

Now that is a testament to patience.....joined Nov 04....first post July 07🙂

testament said:

hi all, i've had a de rosa merak for about 2 years now, and what with not using it extensively and no technical trouble encountered i have never had to adjust anything... HOWEVER, a creaking has recently developed, and in trying to find the cause of the problem i have attempted to adjust/grease pedals and saddle-post among other things - no luck though, the allen bolts holding the pedals and saddle are as tight as a nuns you-know-where!! i've tried for ages to loosen them but with no luck at all... any advice?? thanks

In BOTH instances, you need more leverage ...

For the pedals, use a pedal wrench -- remember, the crank side is a regular right-hand thread & the non-driveside is a left hand thread.

For the seat bolt (BTW, I'm presuming you've given the respective bolts a shot of WD-40 or penetrating oil), use a "cheater bar" on a handless, L-shaped Allen wrench ... AND, observe that ONE side of the recessed bolt is registered into the frame, while only the other side will rotate.

Yes, this is the one and only time that WD40 is OK to use on a bicycle. Of course, wintergreen oil is superior if you can get it.😄