How to Remove Bike Pedals Like a Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide

Removing bike pedals might seem like a simple task, but it’s a crucial skill for any cyclist, whether you’re performing maintenance, upgrading your components, or packing your bike for travel. Improper removal can lead to stripped threads, damaged cranks, or even injury. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing detailed instructions and helpful tips to ensure a smooth and successful pedal removal every time.

Why You Might Need to Remove Your Bike Pedals

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s briefly touch upon the reasons why you might find yourself needing to remove your bike pedals:

• Maintenance and Cleaning: Pedals, like any other component, require cleaning and lubrication. Removing them allows for thorough cleaning and re-greasing of the threads, preventing creaking and ensuring smooth operation.
• Component Upgrades: If you’re upgrading to new pedals, you’ll obviously need to remove the old ones.
• Bike Transport: For shipping or fitting your bike into a car or bike case, removing the pedals can often make things easier.
• Preventing Damage during Storage: If your bike is going to be stored in a crowded space, removing the pedals can help prevent them from being damaged or damaged others.
• Troubleshooting: Sometimes, diagnosing a creaking or clicking noise can require the pedals to be removed for inspection or lubrication.

Tools You’ll Need

Having the right tools is paramount to a successful pedal removal. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Pedal Wrench (or Spanner): This is a specialized wrench designed to fit the flat sides of the pedal spindle. Pedal wrenches are typically longer than standard wrenches, which provides added leverage. A 15mm wrench is the most common size, but some pedals may use a 16mm or even a different size.
• Allen Keys (Hex Keys): Some modern pedals have an Allen key socket on the inside of the spindle instead of wrench flats. A standard set of Allen keys should include the most common sizes, usually 6mm or 8mm. Double-check the size needed for your pedals.
• Gloves: Optional but recommended. Bike parts can sometimes be dirty, and gloves will protect your hands.
• Rag or Paper Towels: For cleaning any dirt or grease from the pedals and tools.
• Grease: Lithium or bicycle-specific grease. This is crucial for when you reinstall the pedals to prevent them from seizing.
• Penetrating Oil (Optional): If the pedals are particularly tight or rusted, a bit of penetrating oil can help loosen them.

Understanding Pedal Thread Direction

This is the most crucial part of removing bike pedals, and the most common area where people go wrong. Bike pedals have different thread directions depending on which side of the bike they are on. This is to prevent the pedals from unscrewing themselves when you’re riding. Failing to understand this can cause damage or frustration.

• Right Pedal (Drive Side): The right pedal (the one on the same side as the gears) has a NORMAL (RIGHT-HAND) thread. This means to loosen it, you need to turn the wrench COUNTER-CLOCKWISE (as you would with most standard bolts/nuts).
• Left Pedal (Non-Drive Side): The left pedal has a REVERSE (LEFT-HAND) thread. This means to loosen it, you need to turn the wrench CLOCKWISE.

A useful mnemonic is to think of the pedals “unwinding from the crank arm.” When looking at the bike from the side, turning the pedal axle outwards (away from the frame) is how you should try to undo both pedals.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Removing Bike Pedals

Now, let’s get to the practical part. Follow these steps carefully:

Step 1: Prepare Your Bike and Tools

1. Position Your Bike: Ideally, place your bike on a stable bike stand, or you can lean it against a wall. Make sure it’s secure to prevent it from falling.
2. Identify the Pedal Type: Examine your pedals to see if they have flat sides for a wrench or an Allen key socket on the inside. This will determine which tool you need.
3. Gather Your Tools: Collect your pedal wrench, Allen key (if needed), gloves, rag, and grease.

Step 2: Position the Wrench/Allen Key Correctly

1. Right Pedal: Place the pedal wrench (or Allen key) onto the flat sides (or Allen socket) of the right pedal spindle. Make sure the tool is fully engaged and has a good grip. The wrench should be positioned so that you’ll be turning it counter-clockwise to loosen.
2. Left Pedal: Place the wrench or key on the left pedal. The wrench should be positioned so you are turning it clockwise to loosen.

Step 3: Loosen the Pedals

This is where the proper application of force, taking into consideration the direction the threads, is key.

1. Right Pedal: Holding the crank arm steady with one hand, firmly push down on the wrench handle in a counter-clockwise direction. It might be tight and might require some force. Don’t be afraid to use your body weight. If it’s really stuck, try the penetrating oil (optional step below).
2. Left Pedal: Holding the crank arm steady with one hand, firmly push down on the wrench handle in a clockwise direction. Again, be prepared to apply some force.
3. Feel for Movement: Once you feel the pedal start to move, continue turning the wrench or Allen key until it is loose enough to unscrew by hand.

Step 4: Remove the Pedals Completely

1. Unscrew by Hand: Once the pedals are loose enough, you should be able to unscrew them the rest of the way by hand. Continue turning each pedal in the same direction as you were using the wrench (counter-clockwise for right, clockwise for left).
2. Be Patient: Don’t force it. If a pedal is stiff, check you are turning the correct direction and try again gently.
3. Set Aside Safely: Once removed, set the pedals aside in a safe place. Avoid laying them on the floor where they might get damaged or tripped over.

Step 5: Optional: Use Penetrating Oil

If the pedals are proving very difficult to remove, here’s how to use penetrating oil:

1. Apply Oil: Apply a small amount of penetrating oil to the area where the pedal spindle meets the crank arm. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
2. Try Again: After the oil has had time to penetrate, attempt to loosen the pedals again with your wrench or Allen key.
3. Repeat if Necessary: If the pedals are still stuck, you can repeat this process, allowing more time for the oil to work.

Step 6: Clean the Pedal Threads and Crank Arm Threads

1. Clean Pedals: Use a rag to wipe off the threads of the pedal spindles. Remove any old grease, dirt, or debris.
2. Clean Crank Arms: Similarly, clean the threads on the crank arms. You can use a brush or a cloth to remove any grime.

Reinstalling Your Pedals

While this article focuses on removal, it’s important to understand the reinstallation process too. Here’s a quick rundown:

1. Apply Grease: Before installing the pedals, apply a small amount of grease to the pedal threads. This will prevent them from seizing in place, and will make removal easier next time.
2. Start by Hand: Begin threading the pedals back into the crank arms by hand. Make sure they are going in straight and easily. You should be able to get several turns by hand. If there’s resistance, stop, and check the thread alignment. You do not want to cross-thread your cranks.
3. Tighten with Wrench: Once the pedals are started, use the pedal wrench or Allen key to tighten them. Tighten each pedal until snug, but avoid over-tightening them. There’s no need to go wild with leverage.
4. Double-Check: Finally, make sure that both pedals are securely fastened.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes that people make when removing bike pedals, and how to avoid them:

• Forgetting the Reverse Thread: This is the most common mistake. Always remember that the left pedal has a reverse thread and turns CLOCKWISE to loosen.
• Using the Wrong Tool: Using the wrong sized tool, or using a crescent wrench that can slip, can result in damaged pedals or injury. Always use the correct size pedal wrench or allen key.
• Not Using Enough Leverage: If the pedals are tight, don’t be afraid to use a long handle wrench and apply pressure steadily. A good pedal wrench is designed to withstand these forces.
• Using Excessive Force: While some force is usually required, using excessive force can damage components. Don’t force anything, check you are going in the right direction. Penetrating oil is your friend if force alone fails.
• Forgetting Grease: Always grease the pedal threads before reinstalling them. This prevents future problems.
• Cross-Threading: If you encounter resistance when installing, don’t force it. Stop and make sure the threads are aligned correctly. Cross-threading can permanently damage crank arms.

Troubleshooting

Here are a few common issues you might encounter and their solutions:

• Pedals Won’t Budge: Use penetrating oil, apply steady force, and ensure you’re turning the wrench in the correct direction. If that still doesn’t work, you may need to visit a local bike shop.
• Wrench Slipping: Check that you’re using the correct size wrench and it’s fully engaged with the flats on the pedal spindle. If you are using a crescent wrench, switch to a pedal wrench as soon as you can.
• Stripped Threads: If you strip the threads on the crank or the pedal, replacement is needed. Try to avoid this by always working patiently and carefully.
• Damaged Pedal Flats or Allen Key Sockets: Avoid this by using the correct size wrench or Allen key, and working slowly and steadily.

Conclusion

Removing bike pedals is a straightforward task once you understand the thread direction and have the right tools. By following these detailed steps and avoiding the common mistakes, you’ll be able to confidently maintain your bike, perform upgrades, and travel without hassle. Remember to be patient, use the correct tools, and always grease the threads when reinstalling your pedals. Happy cycling!