How to Remove and Install Pedals

You will need some tools for removal and installation of your pedals. A really good investment would be pedal wrenches. They are found at your local bike shop and are designed with long and narrow jaws for good leverage and also able to fit into the smallest axles. You should check what type of pedals you have to see if you can use a regular combination wrench instead of the special pedal wrench- most pedals are 15mm. Some pedals are designed for an Allen wrench to be used on them, try to choose a wrench with a long handle—this provides the best leverage. If you can’t find a long handled one then you can always use a piece of tubing to act as an extension for even better leverage.

Usually there’s only a few reasons for removing pedals, an upgrade, trade out pedals with another bike, or if you are shipping your bike, then you will need to remove them to get the bike to fit into a bike box.

Removing and installing pedals is not as easy as you may think. Pedal axles are normally made out of steel and the crankarms are typically aluminum. There is always a possibility of the steel pedal threads stripping out the soft aluminum threads. The way that the pedals are threaded is different than the normal threading. On the right side, the side with the drivetrain, the pedal has normal threading that turns clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen. But, the left side is the opposite, you turn it clockwise to loosen it and counterclockwise to tighten it. Plus, pedals are notorious for being attached with superhuman strength, so it can be quite a task to remove them.

1. Removal

Majority of pedals have flat spots on the axle right near the crankarm, this is where your wrench grips. If there is not a flat spot then your pedals probably need an Allen wrench, if they do then that hole would be in the end of the pedal axle. A safety note: If your bike has more than one chainring, before you attempt to loosen up the pedals, shift so you are in the large chainring, that way if your hand slips while working on the pedals, then it won’t get hurt on the chainring teeth. Plus, try to keep your hand on the top of the wrench, this will keep your hand from directly hitting the chainring, instead the wrench will hit it first in case you slip.

There are 3 keys to an easy pedal removal:

Make sure you are turning the wrench the right way, to loosen the pedals you want to turn the wrench towards the back of the bike.
Position the wrench beside the crankarm this will get you the best leverage. When it’s in the right spot you’ll be able to push toward the crankarm. If you still can’t get it to work, try a different type of wrench.
Use a good pedal wrench that has a long handle or attach a cheat bar to your wrench, one long enough to get some good leverage

2. Installation

A main reason that pedals are so hard to remove is because they are not lubricated properly. So when you install your next set of pedals make sure that you grease up the threads before you screw the pedals in. Be sure to check the pedal axles and ends to see which side they are supposed to go on, there should be an “R” for “Right” and an “L” for “Left”. Some pedals are French so there would be a “D” for “Droit” (Right) and a “G” for “Gauche” (Left).

Pick a pedal and start to hand thread it into the correct crankarm, always thread towards the front of the bike for both sides. If you can’t get it to take then do not force it to go, you are more than likely trying to install the pedal into the wrong side. You want to thread it by had as far as you can get it to go, then use a pedal wrench to tighten them up the rest of the way. It is crucial that you get the pedals nice and tight so that they won’t loosen from the pedal pressure. You may have a difficult time with the pedals that take Allen wrenches if all you have are short Allen's. You can use a cheat bar for these so that you can be sure they are at the correct tightness level.

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