How to unscrew a bike pedal

You'll need to remove your pedals for general bicycle maintenance if you are travelling with your bike and of course to replace them.

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.

How to unscrew a bike pedal

This is because the threads on each crank turn in opposite directions. The reason for this is that if they turned the same way the momentum of your spinning legs could act to slowly unscrew the pedal on the left-hand crank. To combat this while the right-hand drive-side crank arm is conventionally right-hand threaded, the non-drive-side lefthand crank arm is always left-hand or reverse threaded. Happily, once you know this key fact, following our tips will make removing your pedals a breeze. Otherwise get stuck in with our guide. Take taken : 5 minutes Workshop saving : scornful look. Start by shifting your chain onto the big ring, this means that any slips are less likely to result in a chainring-related knuckle injury. Most pedals will accept an Allen key in the back. Often this will need to be a dedicated pedal spanner, as an adjustable or conventional one will be too wide. Now push down and forwards, turning anticlockwise. You can use reasonable force.

A complete guide to materials and styles. Try cleaning and regreasing the threads on the pedal spindle and in the crank arm.

Don't have an account? Create an account. Already have an account? Sign In. New bikes don't come with pedals, so knowing how to install and remove pedals at home is an essential skill. We explain what tools you need, which direction to tighten, and a few other tips and tricks.

Use a pedal wrench or hex key to unscrew the pedals from the crank arms. Right pedals loosen by turning counter-clockwise, left pedals loosen clockwise. Apply bike grease to the new pedals and screw them in at an even 90 degree angle. Right pedals tighten by turning clockwise, left pedals tighten counter-clockwise. Unfortunately, bike pedals do get stuck sometimes. This can be due to the elements of nature, such as water and mud. Maybe a lot of rust has built-up in the pedals. Or maybe they were just over-tightened when assembled.

How to unscrew a bike pedal

Although removing your mountain bike pedals is easy to do on your own, doing it for the first time may be challenging. This is because any mistake could result in stuck pedals or ruined threads and crank arms. Yet, armed with just a few tips and tricks, you can remove your own mountain bike pedals easily while avoiding common mistakes. In this article, we'll show you how to remove mountain bike pedals step by step, avoiding potential problems. To remove mountain bike pedals, first apply penetrating oil to loosen the pedals, then twist the pedal spindle to remove the pedals. If you would like to know more about how to change pedals on a mountain bike check out our article. The first thing you need to do to remove your mountain bike pedals is to determine which type of tool you will need. Most bike pedals require either a 15 mm spanner wrench or an 8 mm hex key. In some rare cases, you might need a 6 mm hex key. To identify which tool you'll need for your bike, you need to look at the spindle to see whether it has parallel faces or a hexagonal pocket.

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Next Post. Did this article help you? In other words, right to tighten, left to loosen. If you feel any play looseness in the bearing, then the pedals need to be tightened. With the threads clean, apply a thin layer of grease or anti-seize to the threads on the pedal axle. How to. Rotate the crank arm to 9 o'clock so it is horizontal with the floor. Forgotten Password? Now, following the exact same steps as before, place your tool so it is pointing towards the back of the bike. If the pedal is still in good condition, store it somewhere in case you need a pedal in the future. Place spanner on the flattened surface between the pedal body and the crank arm.

Knowing which way to unscrew bicycle pedals is an important skill for any cyclist.

Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. A 15mm box wrench or small adjustable crescent wrench will do the same job, provided it is narrow enough to fit. Knowing how to install and remove bike pedals is an essential skill for any aspiring home mechanic. Now, following the exact same steps as before, place your tool so it is pointing towards the back of the bike. You must be logged in to post a comment. Yes No. Contact Points. Fill the forms below to register. Jump to… Tools required to fit and remove pedals How to tell left from right pedals How to remove pedals from a bike How to fit pedals to a bike. About This Article. Repeat the process as before, pushing the Allen key down and forwards. How to remove and fit bicycle pedals.