If you are reading this article, then the question of choosing pedals for a bicycle has already disappeared. You have already purchased new ones. What do you need to change bicycle pedals? Just one key for 15 and the desire to do it. You can take an ordinary open-end wrench, but it is better to look in advance at the fastening of the pedals to the connecting rod. On some models of bicycle pedals, the distance between them and the connecting rod where you need to insert the key is small. An ordinary carob may not fit there. You will have to sharpen it a little in thickness on both sides. But in order not to spoil the keys, it is better to buy a special key for bicycle pedals. Look at the photo, it differs from the usual one only in thickness.
Pedal repair wrench How to tell where the left and right pedals are
Why do you need to know which side is the left and which is the right pedal on a bicycle? Because the threads on them are different. To prevent them from unscrewing spontaneously when pedaling, manufacturers make a left-hand thread on the left pedal, and a right-hand thread on the right pedal. The right pedal of the bicycle is located on the sprocket side, the left pedal is on the opposite side. It's clear. But how to distinguish them when buying? There are marks on the ends. On the end of the right bicycle pedal, which is near the thread, there is a Latin letter “R”, on the left - “L”. That’s the whole secret. See photo. 
Replacing bicycle pedals
When unscrewing there are usually no problems. We unscrew the right pedal counterclockwise, the left pedal - vice versa, clockwise. When twisting, we do everything in the opposite direction. 
But here you need to know one more important nuance. In addition to the fact that the threads on the pedals are different, they are also small.
At the slightest misalignment, you may not get onto the thread. When you put it on the first turns, carefully monitor this. Many people realize that the pedal has missed the thread when it is already too late.
This will render the new set unusable. Tighten the pedals firmly, but do not use excessive force. There is no need to use additional tubes on the key, you can strip the threads. I hope these little tips will help you successfully change your bike pedals.
The bicycle pedal, as a component of the connecting rod design, is a fairly simple part in itself, but it is thanks to it that the bicycle wheels are set in motion. Due to the fact that the pedals are subject to heavy loads, they need to be given special attention.
During the operation of the bicycle, one should not forget about regular maintenance of the pedals, which, as a rule, includes: inspection for cracks, chips, play, moisture or sand, etc., as well as cleaning and lubricating the threads of the axle and the connecting rod itself.
If the pedal for some reason fails and needs to be repaired (maintenance) or replaced, the bicycle owner will have to deal with some features of its dismantling.
First, let's get acquainted with the design of pedals, their types, and consider what tools should be prepared before work.
Pedals design
The pedal is a unit that includes:
— an axis in the form of a metal pin that is screwed into the connecting rod - this is the basis for all other parts;
- platform is a plane for the foot fixed on an axis;
— bearings that connect the axle and the platform, providing rotating torque;
- bolts, nuts and plugs.
Necessary tools and auxiliary materials
When replacing, as well as when repairing (servicing) the pedal, you will most likely need the following materials: cleaning rags, solvent or kerosene and thick lubricant.
To remove and disassemble bicycle pedals, you may need tools such as:
— a small adjustable wrench is preferable to make it easier to reach the nut;
— a pedal wrench, which is designed for non-standard nuts. If available, this key is included by the manufacturers in the bicycle package.
— open-end wrench (15mm);
- a special puller that is used for contact pedals.
Type of pedals
Depending on the platform, pedals are divided into:
- ordinary;
- contact ones, with fastenings for special shoes. They have a more complex design;
- combined, although they have a regular platform, due to the presence of a contact device, they are dismantled according to the principle of contact pedals.
Removing bicycle pedals
When starting to dismantle the pedal, it is important to remember that the threads on bicycle pedals are different, namely: the axis of the left pedal has a left-hand thread, therefore it is unscrewed clockwise, and the right pedal has a right-hand thread and is unscrewed counterclockwise.
Removal process for regular pedals:
- To begin with, the system is moved towards the steering wheel, and then the pedals are carefully unscrewed from the connecting rod.
- We remove the plug located at the end of the platform, thereby opening the locknut.
- We unscrew the locknut, while holding the axle against the connecting rod with the second wrench.
- Remove the lock washer located at the end.
- Unscrew the cone.
- When removing the platform from the axle, do not forget about the bearings. It's better to shoot them separately. If they are bulk, then you should put a rag or a sheet so that the balls do not roll away in different directions.
The pedal was successfully removed and disassembled!
The process of removing the contact pedals:
- On the pedal in the place indicated by the arrow (see figure), fix the puller and unscrew it.
- Without much effort we remove the axle from the pedal body.
- Unscrew the locknut that secures the entire axial structure. To do this, you need to either hold the axis itself with a key, or clamp it in a vice.
- We remove all the nodes in order. At the same time, do not forget about the bearings and make sure that they do not fly apart.
For reference: there are 12 of them on each side.
The pedal is completely disassembled.
Important! Due to the constant influence of the environment and the serious mechanical stress to which the pedal is subjected, some difficulties may arise when twisting this unit. To facilitate the process of removing pedals, experienced cyclists use two techniques:
- The bicycle pedal can be soaked in solvent or kerosene, which will allow you to get rid of clogged dirt that blocks rotation as much as possible.
- The connecting rod and axle can be heated: a slight deformation will free the threads and help remove the axle.
It is also important when installing the pedal, when tightening the axle, not to damage the thread, because this will significantly complicate the subsequent removal process. Everything must be done as carefully as possible!
Bicycle pedal installation
Before installing a new pedal, the axle threads should be cleaned of dirt by wiping with a clean rag and lubricated with grease. Thanks to these simple steps, the pedals will be able to smoothly slide into place, and their subsequent removal will take place without any problems.
Pedal installation process:
- Take the right pedal and install it in place, twisting it clockwise. To begin with, it is better to twist it by hand. This way you minimize the risk of damage to the threads if the pedal is not level.
- Take the key and tighten the pedal firmly.
- Install the left pedal by twisting it counterclockwise.
- To ensure that the pedals do not unscrew spontaneously while driving, both units must be tightened well with a wrench.
The bicycle pedal replacement process is complete. Have a nice trip!
A bicycle is a person’s faithful friend and assistant, which finds application in a variety of areas of everyday life and leisure. Therefore, it is important to ensure its competent and timely maintenance, replacement of faulty and worn parts.
One of the most susceptible mechanisms to aging are pedals, because they perceive traction loads, transmit large torques and operate in a very aggressive environment for metal - moisture, dust, sand easily destroy the internal parts of the pedals.
How to remove pedals on a bicycle
Removing the pedals may be necessary not only to replace them, but also for repairs or maintenance, for example, in case of bearing wear. In addition, if the connecting rod needs to be replaced or repaired, the pedal is also removed from it.
In the latter case, it is more convenient to carry out the work by securing the connecting rod removed from the carriage in a vice, but much more often you have to change the pedal on a bicycle standing on wheels.
In this case, the technology includes the following steps:
- Bicycle parts are cleaned of road dust and dirt with a damp cloth or a stiff brush; in case of severe corrosion, the joints are treated with white spirit, a corrosion inhibitor or other aggressive compounds. It is important to remember that they can destroy paint and varnish coatings and some types of plastics, so such intervention is not always justified.
- The type of thread is determined. The left and right pedals of the bicycle have different threads, otherwise they would unscrew when moving. Accordingly, when removing them, they should be unscrewed in the direction opposite to the rotation when driving, that is, the left pedal will be unscrewed clockwise, and the right pedal counterclockwise.
- The tool is selected. Most modern models have a mounting pad that is 15mm wide, but it's best to ensure this by measuring it with a caliper. This will help prevent the pad from being “licked” if the key is chosen incorrectly. We will consider the classic version. In this case, you will need a 15mm wrench, long enough to provide a comfortable lever, and not worn out so as not to damage the pedal. You can use a regular socket wrench, but for them 15 mm is a non-standard value that is not available in most sets. If you do not have such a key, use an adjustable key or a special bicycle key.
- With a strong and fairly sharp movement, the thread breaks from its dead point. If this fails, the joint can be poured with water, the temperature of which is close to boiling - due to the thermal expansion of the metal, the fit density will decrease slightly. You should not use open fire or other high-temperature heat sources - this will have an extremely negative impact on the performance properties of the part in the future.
- Now the pedal should come out easily and fairly quickly. It is enough to continue rotating the mounting pad with the wrench.
Installing the pedals
Now about the installation. First of all, you need to make sure that the thread type matches, and thoroughly clean the threaded surfaces. You should start screwing in the pedal manually, maintaining the alignment as accurately as possible - a misalignment during screwing in can cause destruction of the thread, which is unlikely to be repaired. When you are sure that the pedal goes along the thread, screw it tightly and proceed to install the second one.
We hope our article helped you understand how to replace pedals on a bicycle. May your iron horse serve faithfully for many years to come!
A bicycle is the most affordable, quite convenient and useful means of transportation. Many people are fond of riding two-wheeled vehicles, some perform masterly tricks on BMX, but in any case, timely maintenance and repair of equipment plays an important role. This avoids many unexpected problems. There are times when the question arises: how to remove pedals from a bicycle? Having delved a little deeper into the intricacies of the design, you can effectively repair the vehicle yourself. This way, you can get the most out of your equipment, customize it to your individual preferences, and easily cope with unexpected breakdowns.
Stages of work
In order to remove the pedals, you will need a fairly simple tool - a wrench and a hexagon. The latter may not be suitable for some types of equipment and you can use either a connecting rod puller or a wrench. Often only an adjustable wrench is used. Before starting work, you should know that the right pedal axle is unscrewed counterclockwise, and the left pedal axle is unscrewed in the direction of clockwise movement. Step-by-step instruction:
- Using a screwdriver, remove the special plug located at the end;
- Then you need to hold the axle with a wrench and unscrew the nuts;
- Next, disassemble the washer and unscrew the cone;
- Remove the bearings very carefully;
- You need to remove the pedals from their axle.
Thus, the work is almost complete, the pedal is completely disassembled; repairs or maintenance can continue, for example, treat the bearings with grease, change the bicycle pedal completely, or lubricate the connecting rod. It all depends on the specific situation, because if a part is damaged, then it needs to be unscrewed and replaced. Special tools can be found in stores of the appropriate profile. Finally, we put the pedal in place, check the parts for strength by tightening them, and secure them with a plug.
Pedal design features
Such a simple element as a bicycle pedal has its own nuances. Today there are three types of parts:
- Platform;
- Contact pedals on a bicycle;
- Combined.
Each of them has its own specifics: the first are designed to grip any shoes, the second - for special cycling shoes, and the third are universal and have a contact mechanism on one side and a platform on the other. Thus, the bicycle pedal provides a comfortable ride.
The design also includes a connecting rod that is low-maintenance and requires no maintenance. In case of mechanical damage or problems, you only need to replace the connecting rod with a new one. All the nuts that secure this part are very easy to unscrew. First you need to remove the pedals, disassemble the cone and, if necessary, lubricate the bearings. The repair is not complicated and does not take much time. In order to remove the connecting rod you need a special puller or certain skills. This is quite effective and fast, otherwise it will take a lot of time and effort to disassemble the structure. The connecting rod is held by a large bolt on the shaft; during driving, the place where they touch becomes dirty and it is very difficult to remove the connecting rod.
In order to avoid problems with equipment pedals, it is necessary to regularly inspect and troubleshoot problems. Bearings are also important. There are several types of them, but simple bulk and cartridge ones, which differ in weight and quality, are especially popular. Experts give preference to functional and reliable parts. Is there a large assortment of sports equipment and parts on the modern market? and choosing and replacing suitable pedals for your bike is not difficult. Repairing this element is quite simple.
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crank for bicycle stels
It is quite easy to identify them: you sit on a bicycle and know that the left pedal will be under your left foot, and the right pedal will be under your right foot. Due to the fact that they have different thread directions, they unwind differently and twist differently.
Example: the right pedal is unscrewed counterclockwise, and the left pedal is unscrewed clockwise. The right pedal is twisted clockwise, the left pedal is twisted counterclockwise. This is important to remember!
When you tighten the pedals, thereby installing them into the connecting rods, you need to lubricate the threads themselves with grease, otherwise a problem may arise when unscrewing this pedal in the future. If this happens, I advise you to use WD 40, it should help!
But there are cases when the pedal does not want to unscrew, then you have to use an angle grinder. In this case, the connecting rods will become unusable, but you will be able to get the pedal. You can use other methods that come to your mind, the main thing is not to despair, but also not to be stupid.
How to properly disassemble the pedals?
To disassemble the pedals, first remove the protective cover. The pedal contains a lock nut, a locking ring, and a radius nut. You can unscrew the locknut using a 11mm socket.
Next we need to unscrew the radius nut using a screwdriver. That is, on one side we insert a screwdriver and do not allow the locknut to rotate along with the pedal axle. On the other hand, we begin to rotate, and thereby unscrew the radius nut and the locking ring.
Be careful as this process may cause the bearing balls to fall out. Next, we need to pull out all the balls and clean them of old grease. For this you can use gasoline or diesel fuel.
Don't forget that the pedal axle also needs to be cleaned of old grease. But don’t worry, the result is worth it and the effort spent will pay off in that the pedal will function well. Ultimately, nothing should remain old anywhere. After this, you need to make sure that there is no damage to the bearing raceways. If any part is found damaged, it should be replaced.
Next, the process of lubricating the bearing raceways in the pedal itself begins. To do this, you can use Litol 24. After that, we install bulk bearings there. Remember that this must be done on both sides. Next install the pedals. It is installed on the side where the recess is smaller, and where the recess is larger - the radius nut is tightened, a corkscrew ring is installed and at the end the lock nut is tightened so that the pedal does not unwind during operation. Then we do everything in the opposite order when you untwisted the pedals. Don't forget to use a screwdriver to tighten the radius nut and adjust its free rotation correctly. But the pedal should not wobble. Here you need to look for a middle ground.
Next, you can add a small amount of lubricant inside where the locknut is located, and close it all with a lid. After this, you need to put the pedals on the connecting rods, and I talked about how to tighten them correctly at the beginning of the article, so there shouldn’t be any problems. I hope this material will be useful to you! If you have any questions, ask in the comments - we will try to answer everything! See you!
