How To Remove Bike Pedals?

If you are a cycling enthusiast, you might have wondered how to remove bike pedals. Removing bike pedals is a useful skill that can help you maintain, repair, or upgrade your bicycle. 

You might need to remove bike pedals for various reasons, such as cleaning, lubricating, replacing, or switching to different types of pedals. However, removing bike pedals is not as simple as it sounds. 

You need to use the right tools and follow the proper procedures to avoid damaging your bike or injuring yourself. In this blog post, we will show you how to remove a bike pedal safely and easily, step by step.

Why Should You Know How to Remove Pedals From Bike?

Changing bicycle pedals is an important skill for cyclists, as it improves their flexibility and makes maintenance easier. By swapping pedals, they can adjust their bikes to different surfaces or preferences, achieving better results. 

Changing pedals regularly also avoids problems caused by wear and tear and enhances security, preventing possible mishaps due to faulty parts. Moreover, it enables riders to switch to more advanced pedal systems, improving their biking efficiency and responsiveness. 

Therefore, learning how to remove a pedal on a bike allows cyclists to customize their rides, prolong their equipment’s durability, and keep up with changing biking needs, leading to a safer and more fun cycling adventure.

What Are the Differences Between Left and Right Pedals?

Bicycle pedals are not symmetrical, but have distinct left and right sides. The main difference between them is the direction of the threads that attach them to the crank arms. 

The left pedal has a reverse or left-hand thread, while the right pedal has a normal or right-hand thread. This is to prevent the pedals from loosening while riding, as the pedaling force tends to tighten them in the opposite direction. 

Therefore, it is important to match the pedals to the correct sides and use the appropriate tools to install or remove them.

How to Remove Bike Pedals?

1. Prepare Your Bike

Before you start removing your bicycle pedals, you need to make sure your bike is stable and secure on a flat surface. This will prevent your bike from moving or falling while you work on the pedals, which could cause damage or injury. 

There are different ways to secure your bike, depending on what you have available. You can use a kickstand, if your bicycle has one, to keep it upright. You can also use a bike stand, if you have one, to hold your bicycle in place. 

Alternatively, you can lean your bicycle against a wall or a table, making sure it is balanced and supported. Whatever method you choose, ensure your bike is firmly secured and not wobbling or sliding.

2. Check What Kind of Wrench You’ll Need

Before you remove your pedals, you need to check what kind of wrench you will need to loosen them. Two main types of wrenches can be used for this purpose: a pedal wrench or an Allen key. 

A pedal wrench is a thin, flat wrench that fits into the narrow space between the pedal and the crank arm. It has two or three different sizes of flats on each end, usually 15 mm, 16 mm, or 17 mm. An Allen key is a hexagonal-shaped tool that fits into a socket on the back of the pedal. 

It can be either L-shaped or T-shaped, and it usually comes in sizes ranging from 4 mm to 8 mm. Some examples of common pedal wrenches are the Park Tool PW-3 or the Shimano TL-PD40, and some examples of common Allen keys are the Bondhus 20199 or the Park Tool AWS-10.

3. Rotate the Right Pedal Counterclockwise

To remove the right pedal, you need to place the wrench on the pedal spindle and align it with the crank arm. You can hold the opposite pedal with your other hand or foot to prevent the crank from spinning. 

Then, you need to rotate the wrench counterclockwise to loosen the pedal. You may need to lift and replace the wrench for each half-rotation, depending on the size and shape of the wrench. 

If the pedal is too tight or stuck, you can try some of these tips: apply some lubricant to the threads and let it soak for a few minutes, tap the wrench lightly with a hammer to break the seal, or use a longer wrench to increase the leverage. 

Be careful not to damage the pedal or the crank arm while doing this. Once the pedal is loose enough, you can unscrew it by hand and remove it from the bike.

4. Rotate the Left Pedal Clockwise

To remove the left pedal, you need to switch the wrench to the left pedal spindle and align it with the crank arm. You can hold the opposite pedal with your other hand or foot to prevent the crank from spinning. Then, you need to rotate the wrench clockwise to loosen the pedal. 

You may need to lift and replace the wrench for each half-rotation, depending on the size and shape of the wrench. The left pedal has a reverse thread because it prevents the pedal from unscrewing itself due to the rotational force of the crank. 

To avoid confusion or damage, you can remember the rule “righty tighty, lefty loosey”, which means that you turn the wrench to the right to tighten and to the left to loosen, except for the left pedal. You can also mark the pedals with tape or stickers to indicate which side they belong to.

5. Remove Pedals from Crank and Clean Threads

After you have loosened the pedals with the wrench, you can pull them out of the crank arms by hand. Be careful not to drop them or hit them against the bike frame. You can store them in a plastic bag or a box, and label them with the right and left sides. 

To clean the threads of the pedals and the crank arms, you can use a rag, a brush, or a solvent to remove any dirt, grease, or debris. You can also use a toothpick or a needle to clear out any stubborn particles. 

Cleaning the threads is important because it prevents rust, corrosion, or clogging, which can damage the pedals or make them hard to reinstall. It also helps to ensure a smooth and secure connection between the pedals and the crank arms and to avoid any squeaking or clicking noises while riding.

How to Install Bike Pedals?

Installing bike pedals is a simple task that can be done in a few minutes with the right tools and technique. You will need a pedal wrench or an Allen key, some grease, and a rag. First, identify which pedal is for the right side and which is for the left side. 

The right pedal has a right-hand thread, which tightens clockwise and loosens counterclockwise. The left pedal has a left-hand thread, which tightens counterclockwise and loosens clockwise. 

To avoid confusion, look for an R or L mark on the pedal spindle or the crank arm. Next, apply some grease to the pedal threads to prevent them from seizing or creaking. Then, align the pedal spindle with the crank arm hole and start threading it by hand. 

Make sure the pedal is going in straight and not cross-threading. Once the pedal is snug, use the pedal wrench or the Allen key to tighten it firmly. Repeat the same process for the other pedal, but remember to reverse the direction of tightening and loosening. 

Finally, wipe off any excess grease with a rag and ensure the pedals are secure and spin smoothly.

Conclusion

Knowing how to remove bike pedals is a useful skill for any cyclist. It can help you replace worn-out or damaged pedals, switch to different types of pedals, or pack your bike for travel. Removing bicycle pedals is not difficult, but it requires some tools and technique. 

You should also remember to grease the threads and tighten the pedals properly when reinstalling them. Regular bike maintenance can improve your riding performance and safety. I hope this guide was helpful and informative. 

If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below.

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