How To Remove Road Bike Pedals? A Complete Guide For Newbies

Bicycle pedals have a reasonably simple design. If the pedal makes a squeak or feels uncomfortable, you can completely replace this part yourself.

If you need to learn how to remove road bike pedals, immediately review the specific instructions in this article.

I will show 6 key factors you need to handle this operation perfectly.

Things You Need For This Tutorial

Removing bicycle pedals usually will take a little of your time. To avoid making an unfortunate mistake, you should know the basic information below.

Pedal design

The pedal works according to the mechanical principle to rotate the shaft opposite the handwheel. Thread the pedal against the natural axial direction. And the user will tighten the pedal shaft with the left foot.

Therefore, to loosen the left pedal, you must rotate the threaded shaft to the right and vice versa with the right pedal.

Other tools and materials

You will need specialized tools to loosen and remove the pedals. A wrench is a must-have tool for loosening the thread. Most road bike pedals today are compatible with hex or Allen wrenches.

In some cases, you will need lubricant to protect the pedal threads. Finally, you must invest in a brand-new product to replace the old pedal. A quality and heavy product will be the most optimal choice.

You're better off looking for alternatives by visiting your local bike shops and checking the quality.

How To Remove Road Bike Pedals?

After preparing all the above tools, it's time for you to replace your old pedal by following a few steps below:

Check the pedals

Before proceeding to remove the pedal, check the direction of the pedal. Correctly identify the left and right pedals for proper thread loosening.

Some pedal types have left and proper markings on the shaft. Some other types support identification through the front circle and the last part at the back.

Grease and preparation

If you need to remove the driver's side pedal, you can install the crankshaft guard on the right pedal and use grease to lubricate the pedal threads.

Then turn the shaft clockwise to insert the pedal into the crank. With the pedal on the left, you will have to rotate the stick in the opposite direction.

Avoid cross-threading

After turning the shaft, you connect the thread. However, sometimes, the line may go differently than expected.

To avoid similar situations, double-check from every angle. Then you can take the screw and socket and apply force through the wrench to prevent slipping.

Tighten the pedals

You continue to supply torque until the shaft flange fits the crank. During cycling, the pedal will automatically tighten. However, you should still fix the screw by tightening operations in this step.

While tightening the pedal, remember to check the shaft alignment. Especially when the threads are sticky and fixed in place, you may have to replace one because the cables in the handwheel are damaged.

You can remedy this situation by threading the thread into the pedal onto the inside of the handwheels. If the line is damaged, you must prepare a new one.

Remove the pedals

After completing the above steps, it is easy for you to remove the pedal. Even novices can loosen the pedals. However, you should apply some tips below to make the process faster.

With the left pedal, you will need to loosen it counterclockwise. Whereas with the left pedal, you will have to reduce it clockwise.

Plus, it would help if you prepared tools compatible with the pedals. Poor-quality tools can damage joints, pedals, and many other vehicle parts.

Use gentle force

Position the handwheel at 5 o'clock for the most effective impact and the tool at 3 o'clock. Then, use something other than road cycling shoes to make the process go smoothly. You should choose a shoe with a non-slip sole.

The strong impact will help you to remove the pedal successfully. After you remove it, clean it with a soft cloth and other specialized tools. You must also check for gasket wear and regular operation on the shafts and bearings.

FAQs 

Removing the pedals is a relatively easy task. After completing all the above steps, you may need to consider some information below. 

Why can't I remove the pedals?

There are a few reasons you might be unable to remove the pedal. A few typical cases are improper tooling, insufficient driving force, and no leverage.

To fix this problem, you should use a rubber hammer to knock on the wrench to provide extra leverage in loosening the pedal.

What type of pedals for road bikes?

The two most common types are flat pedals and clip pedals. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages in meeting specific user requirements well.

For example, a clipless pedal will have reasonable speed control. This type is one of the best options for moving through bumpy roads.

Meanwhile, flat pedals often appear on mountain bikes. It has high traction, which is very suitable for downhill handling collision situations.

What should be paid attention to when removing the pedal?

Before removing the pedal, you must carefully check the dimension and the pedal condition. It would help if you prepared all the necessary tools to avoid difficulties while removing the bicycle pedals.

What tools do you need to prepare to remove the pedals?

Some tools you need to prepare before removing the pedals are a pedal wrench, hex key, and lube/grease.

Conclusion 

I have just shown you how to remove road bike pedals. After reading the information in the article, I hope you have the answer to the above question as well as quickly replace the pedal effectively. Thank you for reading!