You’d be wrong if you thought pulling your bike pedals off was straightforward! Nevertheless, those who follow the adage that turning most threaded things right, or clockwise, tightens them, and turning them to the left, or counterclockwise, loosens them will find themselves in a precarious position. Because the threads on each crank rotate in the opposite direction, this is the case. To prevent the pedal on the left-hand crank from being unscrewed by the velocity of your spinning legs, they must revolve in opposite directions.
Although traditionally right-hand threaded, the non-drive side left crank arm is always left-hand or reverse-threaded to overcome this. Following our guidelines will make removing your pedals a snap after you’ve figured this out. Consider spraying penetrating oil on the treads if you’re experiencing problems. If it doesn’t work for you, check out our step-by-step tutorial on how to remove, change, and install bike pedals.
How To Change Bike Pedal
Keep Your Knuckles Protected
Before you get started, you need to realize that bike pedals don’t screw in the correct direction. Or, to be more precise, just one of them does. Aside from having a left-hand thread, the left-foot pedal on your bike requires you to remove it in the other way of how you’re used to doing things. As a result, you must spin it counter-clockwise to loosen it and clockwise to tighten it, respectively.
To avoid chainring-related knuckle injuries, move your chain to the large ring at the start of your ride. To do this task, you’ll need the bike on the ground rather than mounted on a bike stand, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming but can ultimately keep you safe from any injury.
Tidy Up And Examine
If you observe any evidence of wear or damage, you should clean the threads on the axle as well as the end of the crank. If your taping tools are looking worn, you may save the day by taping them. It would be a cause for concern if the pedals couldn’t be removed without much effort.
Reinforcement of the Right and Left Hands
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Trying to insert and tighten the wrong pedal into the opposite crank arm’s threads might cause serious damage since the Right and Left pedals have opposing threads. When a right-side pedal is placed at an angle, it may seem like it has snagged on a left crank arm thread. To avoid cross-threading the spindle hole of the crank arm and perhaps ruining it, do not try to “power through” assuming that the threads are merely too tight or coarse to work through. This costly mixup has been avoided by labeling or stamping spindles with the letter R or L, making them easily distinguishable.
However, if you don’t have them or they’ve worn out, you may just hold both pedals side by side with the spindles up to figure it out. The angle of the threads should be examined as well. The threads on a right-side pedal slope upwards and to the right, whereas the threads on a left-side pedal slope upwards and to the left.
Get the Proper Tools and Equipment
You will require the appropriate gear to be successful when attempting a pedal switch. Each modern pedal has a crank arm that can be screwed into using one of two different types of tools. This long and thin tool is used to remove the pedal from the crank of most pedals. It is intended to fit the external spindle flats that are located between the pedal and the crank leg of the pedal. It’s possible that you already have a wrench that will work, but investing in a decent pedal wrench isn’t overly expensive, will save you a lot of time, and will save you from getting knuckle bruises along the way.
It’s not as difficult as you would think it is. If you want to modify your high-end pedals, all you need is a hex key of the appropriate size that will fit the spindle that is located within the crank leg. A torque wrench that can be adjusted as well as bike lubrication are both additional items that are recommended. By utilizing them, you can ensure that your pedals are firmly fixed following the specifications set by the manufacturer.
Actual Installation Process Begins
First, identify the pedals on the right and left sides of the pedal. Make sure to check the axle or wrench flats for “L” and “R” inscriptions. Pedal thread direction can be used to identify pedals if “L” and “R” markings are not visible. The left crankshaft is used with pedals that are left-threaded (that is, with threads that slope uphill to the left). The right crankshaft is used with pedals that are right threaded (that is, with threads that slope upward to the right). Please refer to the graphic at the top of this page if you’re unsure.
After that, use a lot of grease on the pedals’ threads. Thread the right side pedal onto the right crank with the fingers on the wrench flats. Snug the pedal up using a wrench. To get the best mechanical advantage, place the wrench on the flats. Holding the wrench in one hand and the opposing crank in the other is a good technique. Pedal the bike backward at this stage to attach both the left and right wheels.
Tighten pedal with opposite arm acting as the second lever. To install the left pedal, repeat the procedure but thread the pedal counter-clockwise. A typical pedal thread torque of 360 inch-pounds is typical. That equates to around 30 pounds of effort with a foot-long wrench.
After completing these steps, you should be ready to go! Make regular checks on your pedals to ensure they are securely fastened. You may also get your pedals checked by a mechanic if you’re still unsure about how they feel. Enjoy your next voyage and come back for additional “How-tos” and helpful hints in the future!