A key point to remember when removing/replacing pedals is that the left pedal (non-drive side) is reverse threaded. "Righty tighty" and "Lefty loosy" will not work on the left pedal. Instead, remember to turn the wrench toward the back of the bike to loosen and toward the front of the bike to tighten for both the left and right pedals.
Step 1
Choose the correct size pedal wrench or hex wrench. If the pedal requires a hex wrench, the wrench will attach at the end of the pedal axle on the back side of the crank arm. Turn the wrench toward the back of the bike to loosen and remove the pedals.
Step 2
Clean the threads of the pedals that are to be placed on the bike and the threads located on the crank arm. Once the threads are clean, apply grease to the threads located on the pedal axle. Applying grease will prevent the pedal's threads from seizing to the crank arm in the future.
Step 3
Find the pedal designator that's usually located on the pedal axle spindle--each pedal will be marked with an "R" for right or an "L" for left. Install the pedal by hand, turning toward the front of the bike. The pedal should go on smoothly with little resistance. Once the pedal is hand-tight, use the wrench to finish tightening the pedal. Caution: Do not over tighten the pedal. Each crank arm will have torque specifications, which can be located on the manufacturer's website.
Tips and Warnings
- Always remember to turn the pedal toward the back of the bike to loosen and toward the front to tighten.
- It is not uncommon for pedals to become loose over time. Periodically check to ensure that the pedals are tight prior to beginning a ride.
Things You'll Need
- Pedal wrench or hex wrench
- Rag
- Grease
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