Optimizing your bike will frequently require that you purchase new pedals that were not included "out of the box." In order to put on the new pedals, you must first take off the old ones. Simple? Yes, but not completely intuitive. This is because pedal threads do not run in the standard direction on both pedals. The left pedal is reverse threaded to prevent it from coming unscrewed while you pedal. Forget the old expression "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey."
Step 1
Clamp your bike to a bike repair stand if one is available. Otherwise, place your bike on a level surface where you can easily lean it against an object to keep it upright while you work.
Step 2
Start with the right pedal by moving it to the top of the crank's rotation, pointing the pedal straight up in the 12 o'clock position.
Step 3
Sit in front of the pedal, next to the front wheel, and grab the crank arm with your right hand. If you are not using a bike repair stand, make sure that you have the bike leaning securely against an object so it will not fall while you work.
Step 4
Place your wrench on the pedal's hex fitting and push away from your body while you exert an equal pulling force on the crank arm with your right hand. Put more simply, you are trying to unscrew the pedal by rotating the hex bolt away from the front wheel.
Continue to turn the pedal hex bolt until the pedal is removed.
Step 5
Turn the bike so that the other side faces you, and again sit in front of the pedal, next to the front wheel. This time grabbing the crank arm with your left hand and turning the hex bolt with the wrench in your right hand. Again, turn the bolt away from your body and the front wheel until the pedal is removed from the crank.
Tips and Warnings
- Variations in hex fittings do exist, so check the size of your pedal and ensure you have the proper size wrench before beginning.
Things You'll Need
- Pedal wrench, usually 9/16 inch or 15 millimeters
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