While rare, some circumstances force a bike owner to remove the pedals on his bicycle. Most often this is done to replace the current pedals with a newer model or a different type of pedal, such as clipless. Bike pedals are also often removed to make transporting the bike easier--the pedal removal makes the bike slimmer and easier to store. Most of the time pedal removal can be easily done in just a few minutes' time, but there are ways this process can be complicated.
Step 1
Find the location on the pedal where your wrench can be attached. If there is a flat rim where the pedal meets the crank arm, this location was put in place to let you loosen the pedal with an adjustable end wrench. Otherwise, if you look at the axle end on the outside of the pedal, you should see a hole for the Allen wrench.
Step 2
Fix the wrench to the pedal and--regardless of which side you are on--turn your wrench over the top toward the back of the bike. This will loosen the pedal. Continue turning until you can spin the pedal with your hand and full unscrew and remove the pedal from the axle.
Step 3
Loosen a stuck pedal with liquid wrench. Rub or brush liquid wrench onto the threads of your pedal, then allow 15 to 20 minutes for the chemical to make its way through your pedal threads and provide lubrication, making it easier to unscrew the pedal.
Step 4
Use a propane torch to heat the crank arm and expand the metal. This can be dangerous and damaging if you touch the crank arm while hot or get the flame too close to rubber and plastic elements on your pedal. But if you apply the torch for about 30 seconds, then try to unscrew the pedal, you'll find that the expanded metal makes it easier to move stuck pedal threads through.
Tips and Warnings
- Use a "cheater bar" to make turning the wrench with greater ease. This involves placing a pipe over the handle of your wrench and pulling on the pipe to loosen the pedal, providing more leverage.
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