How to Remove Bike Pedals - A Step-by-Step Guide - Sisters in the Wild

Removing bike pedals is an essential skill for any cyclist, whether you’re a casual rider or a seasoned pro. Being able to remove your pedals allows you to perform basic bicycle maintenance, swap out old or damaged pedals, or pack your bike for travel. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of how to remove bike pedals, including the tools you’ll need and some helpful tips to make the job easier.

Why You Might Need to Remove Bike Pedals

There are several reasons why you might need to remove your bike pedals:

To replace worn out or damaged pedals
To upgrade to a different style of pedal, such as clipless pedals
To pack your bike for travel or storage
To perform a thorough cleaning and lubrication of the pedal spindles

Regardless of your reason, knowing how to properly remove your pedals is a valuable bike maintenance skill.

Common Types of Bike Pedals

Before we dive into the removal process, let’s briefly review the most common types of bike pedals:

Platform pedals – These are the standard flat pedals that come on most beginner bikes. They have a large surface area to place your foot.
Clipless pedals – Despite the name, these pedals actually clip onto special cleats attached to cycling shoes. They provide a more efficient pedal stroke.
Toe clip pedals – These have a cage-like attachment on the front to slip your toe into. They offer some of the benefits of clipless without special shoes.

The pedal removal process is similar for all types, but clipless pedals may have an additional step to remove the cleat retention mechanism.

Tools Required for Removing Bike Pedals

To successfully remove your bike pedals, you’ll need a few key tools. While it may be tempting to grab any old adjustable wrench, using the proper tools will make the job much easier and help prevent damage to your pedals or crank arms.

Essential Tools for Pedal Removal

The most important tool for removing bike pedals is a pedal wrench. This is a long, thin wrench specifically designed to fit the flats on the end of the pedal spindle. Some pedals can be removed with a standard 15mm open-end wrench, but a dedicated pedal wrench usually offers better leverage.

In addition to a pedal wrench, you may need:

An 8mm hex key (for some clipless pedal systems)
A rag or brush to clean the pedal threads
Grease or anti-seize compound to prepare pedals for re-installation

Optional Tools and Accessories

While not strictly necessary, a few additional items can make pedal removal easier:

A work stand to hold the bike off the ground
A rubber mallet (for stubborn pedals)
Penetrating oil (for seized pedals)

Having the right specialist tools on hand will make the job go smoothly and help prolong the life of your pedals and crank arms.

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Bike Pedals

Now that you have your tools ready, let’s walk through the process of removing your pedals step-by-step. We’ll assume you’re working on standard threaded pedals. Some high-end pedal systems may have slightly different requirements – consult the manufacturer’s instructions if you’re unsure.

Preparing Your Bike for Pedal Removal

Start by shifting your chain onto the largest chainring and the smallest rear cog. This positions the chain out of the way and gives you the most room to work.

If possible, clamp the bike into a work stand. If you don’t have a stand, lean the bike against a wall with the drive side (the side with the gears) facing you.

Loosening the Pedals

Locate the wrench flats on the end of the pedal spindle, where it screws into the crank arm. Fit your pedal wrench or spanner securely onto the flats.

Here’s the tricky part – pedals are threaded differently on each side of the bike. The non-drive side (the left side when sitting on the bike) unscrews by turning counter-clockwise, like a normal screw. The drive-side pedal (on the right) unscrews by turning clockwise.

To remember which way to turn, you can use the mnemonic “righty tighty, lefty loosey”. But since the drive-side is reverse threaded, you’ll actually need to turn the wrench towards the back of the bike to loosen it.

Removing the Pedals

Once you’ve cracked the initial resistance, continue turning the pedal spindle counterclockwise (for the non-drive side) or clockwise (drive-side) until the threads are completely disengaged from the crank arm.

Carefully pull the pedal away from the crank arm. On some pedal designs, you may need to wiggle it side-to-side a bit as you pull to get it started.

Repeat the process on the other side. Remember, the non-drive side unscrews normally (counter-clockwise), but the drive-side is reverse threaded.

When the pedals are off, take a moment to clean the threads on the pedal and in the crank with a rag or old toothbrush. Inspect the threads for any signs of damage or excessive wear.

Tips and Tricks for Easier Pedal Removal

Even with the right tools, removing old bike pedals can sometimes be a challenge, especially if they’ve been in place for a long time. Here are a few tips to make the job easier.

Using Leverage and Assistance

Seized pedals may require a bit of extra oomph to break loose. You can try extending your wrench with a “cheater bar” made from a piece of pipe. Just be careful not to apply so much force that you damage the threads.

For really stubborn pedals, you may need a second pair of hands. Have a friend hold the opposite crank arm while you apply force to the pedal wrench. This keeps the crank from rotating as you turn the wrench.

Applying Grease for Future Ease

To make life easier the next time you need to remove your pedals, take preventative measures when you re-install them. After cleaning the threads, apply a light coating of grease or anti-seize compound to the pedal spindle before threading it into the crank.

This will prevent the metal parts from bonding together and make the pedals much easier to remove in the future. Just be careful not to over-apply the grease, as this can attract dirt.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Removing bike pedals is a straightforward task that every cyclist should know how to do. With the right tools and a bit of know-how, you can have your old pedals off in just a few minutes.

Recap of Key Steps

To remove bicycle pedals:

Shift the chain onto the largest chainring and smallest cog
Secure the bike in a stand or against a wall
Fit a pedal wrench onto the spindle flats
Turn the wrench counter-clockwise (non-drive side) or clockwise (drive-side) to loosen
Unscrew the pedal completely and pull it away from the crank arm
Clean the threads and apply grease before re-installing

Additional Resources and Tutorials

If you’re a visual learner, there are numerous video tutorials available showing the pedal removal process in action. The Park Tool website and YouTube channel have particularly helpful guides.

For more advanced bike maintenance and repair tasks, consider picking up a comprehensive guide like Lennard Zinn’s Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance or Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance. These books are a worthwhile investment for any home mechanic.

Remember, every cyclist should have a basic understanding of their bike and how to perform simple maintenance tasks. Removing and installing pedals is an excellent place to start gaining that knowledge. With practice and the right techniques, you’ll soon be spinning your way to a more enjoyable ride.