How To Replace Bike Pedals : Complete Guide

After riding your bicycle for some time, the pedals on your bike may wear out or get damaged, for reason like these you will need to replace the pedals. Removing and replacing the bicycle pedals might seem like an easy process for a beginner but you can easily get confused. Here we will take you to step by step on how you can be able to replace the pedals on your bicycle the right way.

Tools For The Job:

For your to be able to do the task of replacing the bicycle pedals you will need a number of professional tools in order to remove the existing pedals on your bicycle and put on the new ones. The first and most important tool you will need is a wrench that fits on to your pedals standard size is 15mm for adult bicycles a 14mm for kid's bicycles. 

The wrench also goes by the name spanner so don't get confused when purchasing the tool in the hardware store. The other tool that you can use for the job is the Allen key 8mm or 6 mm, this is also known as a Hex key. 

How To Replace Bike Pedals

Removing The Pedals Using A Wrench:

The first step of removing the pedals off the bicycle is securing the bicycle so that it does not disturb you while working on it. Choose a flat surface that you will be working on and engage the kickstand so that your bicycle can rest on it. 

If your bicycle does not have a kickstand you can rest it against the wall. another method of securing your bicycle to remove the pedals is by setting the bicycle upside down in order for it to rest on the seat of the bike and the hand bars (in this case all directions while using the wrench are opposite, clockwise instead of anticlockwise).

Placing The Wrench On The Drive Side Pedal:

It is important for you to start working on the drive side of the bicycle. The drive side of the bicycle is the side where the chainring usually is. Most bicycles drive side is usually the right-hand side of the bicycle.

It is important for one to start on the right side of the bicycle because the direction that you will need to rotate the wrench to loosen the pedal is different to the left side. Wrap the jaws of the wrench around the flats between the pedal and the crank arm and hold onto the opposite side of the pedal.

Make a half rotation by the use of your wrench and lift the wrench off the flats. While still holding on the opposite side of the pedal place your wrench and make another half rotation. Continue with the process of cranking up the wrench in a counterclockwise direction until the pedal is fully loosened. Take the right pedal off and set it aside by sliding it out the hole in the crank arm.

The thread on the left pedal is the opposite of the right pedal. This is a measure taken to ensure that the pedal does not unscrew itself when one is riding the bicycle. For you to be able to remove the bicycle pedal with ease repeat the same process as done with the right pedal but ensure that your spanner is moving in a clockwise direction instead.

Removing The Pedals Using An Allen Key

An Allen key is a simple tool used to drive bolts and screws with hexagonal shaped heads. The tool is bent in an "L" shaped with unequal arms. After securing your bicycle of a flat surface go onto the drive side of the bicycle to work on it.

Insert the end of the Allen key on the end of the pedal axle. Ensure that the crank is facing downwards and with a little force in the counter-clockwise direction and preventing the crank from moving backward it will be loose in no time. 

Once loose, you can simply put in the long end of the Allen key and simply turn until the pedal comes off. For the other pedal on the left side of the bicycle repeat the same process with your tool but in a clockwise direction in order to remove the pedal.

Putting In New Pedals:

Before putting on the new pedals on to your bicycle it is advisable that you apply waterproof grease on the pedal holes of your bicycle so that it becomes easier for you to remove them when the time comes.

Since each pedal hole has a different thread pattern, manufactures have ensured to make the pedals on the market with direction to know which goes on to which hole. On the new pedals, you will see an "R" and "L" code. Do not put the pedals on opposite holes as this will damage the threads. 

On the right side of the pedal, cover the wrench jaws on the wrench flats of the newer model of pedals and then rotate in a clockwise direction to keep the pedal tight. You can tighten the pedal by making half rotations until it is fully tight. With an Allen key, insert the end of the tool into the pedal hole and into the Allen key socket on the socket and rotate it in a clockwise direction.

While working on the pedals on the left-hand side of the bicycle rotate the wrench or Allen key on a counterclockwise direction until the pedal of the left side is secure

Read: How Long Do Bike Tires Last? Everything Explained!

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Q. What size wrench do I need to change my pedals?

A. 15mm size wrench is the most common.

Q. Should I grease pedal threads?

A. Yes. It is advisable to do this a few times a year to slow down wear and tear.

Q. Is white lithium grease good for bicycles?

A. If you cannot find bike grease, lithium grease can be a good substitute for the job.

Q. Are clip less pedals more efficient?

A. Vastly efficient by generally taking the most of your powerful stroke.

Q. What is a pedal spindle?

A. This is a body on which the footrest is attached to.

Conclusion

Change the pedals of a bicycle is an easy process that will not need you to take your bike to the shop. Just follow the simple step by step process on installing the pedals. Once done check on the pedals to ensure that are correctly attached by pulling the pedals gently, if you feel any play in the bearing then the pedals need to be tightened.

Scroll to Top