How to unscrew a bike pedal

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You'll need to remove your pedals for general bicycle maintenance if you are travelling with your bike and of course to replace them. If your pedals haven't been removed in a while, you might need to spray a little penetrating fluid, such as GT85 or Muc Off Bike Spray, to get them started. If, after a couple of turns, you've managed to expose a few threads then spray the fluid again, repeating every few threads until the pedals are free. A dry, corroded thread can become damaged if you remove the pedal without a little help from a lubricant or oil. Before removing the pedals, protect yourself from possible injury by placing your chain onto the big ring. Remember, the left pedal spindle is reverse threaded. Turn it clockwise to remove the pedal when facing the crank arm.

How to unscrew a bike pedal

We talk you through how to fit and remove pedals from your bike in this clear step-by-step guide for beginners. Knowing how to remove and change bike pedals is a key skill for any cyclist, especially if you're assembling a new bike or want to try out riding with clipless pedals. In this step-by-step guide, we talk you through the tools you need to change the pedals on your bike, including how to identify your left and right pedals, how to remove old pedals and, of course, how to fit new pedals. If you are fitting your first set of clipless pedals, check out our guides on how to use clip-in pedals and how to set up your cleats. If your pedals have parallel faces on the spindle between the pedal body and the crank, you will need a 15mm spanner. You may struggle to fit an adjustable spanner in there. Some pedals, such as more expensive Shimano pedals , have a larger locking nut next to the wrench flats. If your pedals have a hexagonal socket on the end of the spindle when viewed from the inside of the crank , you will need an 8mm hex key. Some pedals use a 6mm hex key instead, but these are in a minority. A hex key with a long handle is best for removing pedals, and a T-shaped hex key with a sliding end is ideal because it enables you to move the long part of the hex key to avoid the bike's chainrings. Note you always fit or remove pedals from the crank end of the pedal spindle. If your pedals have a bolt, cap or screw on the outside end of the pedal spindle, this is only used to service the bearings.

But there are a few things that are easy to get wrong.

Last Updated: March 12, He has been a bike mechanic since , beginning as a volunteer with the Provo Bicycle Collective, and growing and honing his skills as a bicycle mechanic and educator in multiple Bicycle Collective locations over the years. This article has been viewed , times. When bike pedals get worn down or loosened, it's time for them to be replaced. Fortunately, you can easily replace your bike pedals at home using a few simple tools. Before you replace your bike pedals, examine your pedals to see if you need an Allen wrench or pedal wrench. Once you have the right wrench, use it to remove the right pedal first by rotating it counterclockwise until the pedal is loosened.

Disclaimer: Bikexchange is reader-supported. We may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links on our site. Knowing how to change bike pedals correctly is essential to owning a bike. In this guide, we will walk you through this quite easy process. Removing bike pedals is straightforward, so long as you follow some basic advice to do the job correctly, and it may require a lot of force. These are all the tools you will need, which every cyclist should have in their bike tool kit. You can find all of these online or in your local bike shop. Shimano pedals typically have arrows pointing the right way to tighten. The reason for this is that the threads are opposing, meaning that the drive side pedal follows the standard thread logic: turn left to loosen, turn right to tighten righty tighty , lefty loosey ; the non-drive side turns left to tighten, right to loosen, which is a reverse thread. The easiest way to remember how pedal threads work: both pedals tigthen by turning forward toward the front of the bicycle and loosen by turning backward toward the rear of the bike.

How to unscrew a bike pedal

We talk you through how to fit and remove pedals from your bike in this clear step-by-step guide for beginners. Knowing how to remove and change bike pedals is a key skill for any cyclist, especially if you're assembling a new bike or want to try out riding with clipless pedals. In this step-by-step guide, we talk you through the tools you need to change the pedals on your bike, including how to identify your left and right pedals, how to remove old pedals and, of course, how to fit new pedals. If you are fitting your first set of clipless pedals, check out our guides on how to use clip-in pedals and how to set up your cleats. If your pedals have parallel faces on the spindle between the pedal body and the crank, you will need a 15mm spanner. You may struggle to fit an adjustable spanner in there. Some pedals, such as more expensive Shimano pedals , have a larger locking nut next to the wrench flats. If your pedals have a hexagonal socket on the end of the spindle when viewed from the inside of the crank , you will need an 8mm hex key.

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Repeat with the left pedal but rotate the spanner wrench counterclockwise. Jack can also often be seen zooming about with his partner aboard their beloved tandem. Home Components Pedals and cleats. You may struggle to fit an adjustable spanner in there. Road, Tech Oct 17, Viewed from the outside of the crank, the right pedal goes on clockwise and the left, anticlockwise. How to. It is also sometimes stamped onto the wrench flats of a pedal, or printed onto the body of the pedal. You can also check the axel alignment by turning the pedal crank backwards and watching the pedals carefully. If your pedals use wrench flats, place your spanner onto these so it is pointing towards the rear of the bike. How to Stop a Bicycle Rim from Wobbling.

Use a pedal wrench or hex key to unscrew the pedals from the crank arms.

Insert the threaded end of the new right pedal into the right pedal hole. Contact Points. Follow Us. Bike Parts. Jack Luke Deputy editor. Forgot your password? Opinion, Tech Nov 21, A small dab spread thinly on the threads is enough. Pull on the pedals gently to make sure they feel secure. If your pedals use wrench flats, place your spanner onto these so it is pointing towards the rear of the bike. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. All rights reserved. Tip 3 Remember, the left pedal spindle is reverse threaded. Each pedal will tighten by turning towards the front of the bike.