Cyclists will often remove the stock flat pedals and replace them with clipless pedals to securely hold their feet to the pedal and improve cycling performance. Other times, you may want to switch from one clipless system to another. Cycling shoes are paired with a compatible pedal and the combination provides more control while reducing the pedaling energy lost during the transfer from your legs to the rear wheel. Most of the challenge in replacing pedals is removing the old ones that are frozen in place.
Step 1
Place the wrench on the flat section of the pedal attached to the crank arm. Make sure the mouth of the wrench has a secure fit to the pedal so you will not slip.
Step 2
Turn the wrench toward the back of the bike to loosen the pedal. The right pedal, the drivetrain side, has regular threading in that clockwise turns tighten the pedal and counterclockwise turns loosen the pedal. The left pedal is the opposite. Clockwise turns loosen the pedal and counterclockwise turns tighten the pedal.
Step 3
Stick a length of pipe over the wrench handle to give you more leverage if you still cannot loosen the pedal. Again, make sure you are turning the wrench in the correct direction and are not tightening the pedal by mistake.
Step 4
Apply a lubricant such as WD-40 or Liquid Wrench to loosen the threads. Allow the lubricant to soak in for at least five minutes before trying to use the wrench again.
Step 5
Heat the crank arm near the threads with a propane torch. Be careful not to put the flame near the pedal as there may be rubber parts on the pedal that may be damaged by the heat. It won't take much heat on the crank arm to expand the threads and make it easier to loosen the pedals, so use the torch in 15-second applications and then try to loosen with the wrench.
Tips and Warnings
- Most stuck pedals can be attributed to turning the wrench in the wrong direction. Always double-check that you are removing the pedal by turning the right pedal counterclockwise and the left pedal clockwise.
- Pedal axles are typically made of steel and crank arms are usually made of aluminum, so you run the risk of stripping the aluminum threads if you turn the pedal the wrong way or force the threading.
Things You'll Need
- Pedal wrench or 15-mm combination wrench
- Propane torch
- Lubricant
References
- "The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair for Road and Mountain Bikes"; Todd Downs; 2005
- "Complete Bike Maintenance"; Fred Milson; 2011
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