A key point to remember when removing or replacing pedals is that the left pedal is reverse threaded. "Righty tighty" and "Lefty loosy" will not work on the left-side 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
Using the rag, clean the threads of the pedals that are to be placed on the bike and the threads located on the crank arm. Apply a thin layer of grease to the threads located on the pedal axle. Applying grease will prevent the pedals threads from seizing to the crank arm in the future.
Step 3
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.
Tips and Warnings
- Each pedal will be marked with an “R” for right or an “L” for left. The designator is usually located on the pedal axle spindle. It is not uncommon for pedals to become loose over time. Periodically check to insure that the pedals are tight prior to beginning a ride.
- Do not over tighten the pedals. Each crank arm will have torque specifications, which can be located on the manufacturer’s website.
Things You'll Need
- Pedal wrench or hex wrench
- Rag
- Grease
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