How To Replace Your Pedals
Applies to both 1/2″ and 9/16″ thread sizes. The left pedal has a reverse thread.
DownloadReplacing a set of pedals on your bike may seem simple enough, but here’s a few tips that will help you prevent damage and make sure they stay on tight for those long rides. I recommend using a proper 15mm pedal wrench for this job, as they have a long handle and are designed to fit properly in the small axle slots.
When removing your pedals, the first step is to make sure you have both wheels firmly on the ground. This will give you better support for the leverage that is required to loosen your very tight pedal threads.
Right Pedal Removal
Loosen the right side pedal by turning counter-clockwise just like any traditional threaded nut. Notice how I have positioned the crank arm and pedal tool so that I can push down with more force.
Left Pedal Removal
It is very important to remember that the left pedal has a reverse thread, which keeps the pedal from unscrewing while you ride. To loosen the left side you will have to turn the wrench clockwise.
Pedal Installation
Before installing the new pedals, apply a thin coat of waterproof grease to the threads. This helps tighten your pedals and keep the treads from seizing, so that they can be removed in the future.
Tighten the right pedal by turning the wrench clockwise, and tighten the left pedal by turning counter-clockwise.
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15 Responses to “How To Replace Your Pedals”
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Alex, I found this tutorial very helpful in replacing my pedals. Thanks very much for all you do to make cycling safe and more cost effective for everybody.
I really recommend not to force pedal wrenches when you don’t know which way your turning!, good tutorial explanation
People sometimes get confused by clockwise and counter clockwise. So we teach it, “with the pedal wrench pointed straight up, push it to the back of the bike to loose, and to the front to tighten.” That way they don’t have to remember rotation, just front and back.
Hello,
I successfully overhauled my bottom bracket using your tutorials, thanks a lot.
However, I think my pedal bearings need to be re-greased.
I am having trouble taking the pedal apart. Are you able to provide any tips? Thanks…
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Just found your site. It’s fantastic. My SPD told me how to put them on, but forgot to tell me how to take the old ones of. Thanks so much, now I have to dive into all the other tutorials you have. Great Stuff!
My pedals are the kind that you have to insert an allen wrench into from the other side of the crank arm. I usually get really messed up doing that, I have to remember which side of the bike I’m standing on and which pedal I’m working on. Also my pedals usually get so tight that to get them off, I have to put a piece of pipe on the end of the allen wrench like a breaker bar. Someday I’ll snap off my allen wrench. Is there a better tool for working with these pedals?
If your pedals don’t have flats on the other side (so you can use a pedal wrench), then you’re pretty much stuck with using an allen key. The best thing I can suggest is what you’re already doing… using an extension bar. Does anyone else have suggestions?
Found your site by searching for “remove bicycle pedals”.
It couldn’t be simpler than following your straightforward instructions. Good job that man!
@ Larry -
I probably have the same pedals. It works much better to use an honest-to-goodness Allen wrench instead of a small key. I just used one from my L-wrench set (it’s about 8-9″ long) to remove & regrease my pedals.
I have to be conscious of which direction I’m pulling, too — which, incidentally, is why I came to this page. I think of it as the right side being the “right way”, like every other screw out there — righty tighty, lefty loosey. I could also think of putting the crank arm forward, and pulling its pedal off — which means, literally, that I’d pull the wrench upwards, whether it’s the right or left crank.
I should clarify my last tip –
Pulling up on the crank means putting the arm forward, putting the wrench even farther forward, then pulling up on both the rearward arm of the crank and the wrench itself. With the pedals that use a hex wrench through the back, this is pretty much the only way to fit a long wrench like I mentioned above.
Great site, Alex, I’ve recommended it to quite a few people.
Leland,
Great add to this tutorial. I had a set of pedals with Alex only removal which were really tightly screwed in. Used your advice, along with Alex’s great advice and the pedals are off.
Thank you Alex for the great site and all the great tutorials, and Leland for the great add.
Alex, Great video!
“That was easy!”
Dennis
[...] Alex, the Bicycle Tutor, has a very helpful video on removing pedals. [...]
Another handy video Alex. Thanks for that. One thought, a video on repairing pedals, e.g., Shimano SPD pedals would be helpful.
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Thanks for this it was very helpful. I was out riding the other day and my left pedal arm snapped off so this helped a lot because I didn’t have to pay the guy to fix it.