How do I take off my pedals?

sinar

Hi,

I was not sure if I should post this in the beginners section or this one. I'm trying to take the pedals of my bike and I can't get them off.

I have a 2005 Trek Fuel EX9 WSD and want to replace the Shimano SPD pedals for some flat ones from an old Kona bike.

I got the pedals off the Kona easily enough but I can't get the ones of the Trek to move.

I'm not at all technically minded and I'm not even sure which way I should be trying to unscrew them, they seem rock solid either way.

Can anyone tell me in very simple terms which way I should be trying to unscrew them? would I be better using the little Allen key or a 15mm wrench? The wrench I have is very thin and cheap, would I have more chance getting them off if I bought a better wrench? Also would it be worthwhile putting some WD40 or something similar on the bolt bit to help loosen it?

Thanks for reading and any advice is greatly appreciated,

Julie

mattow

You need to get a pedal spanner - Park tools are generally the best. You won't be able to get enough leverage from an allen key.

sinar

Thanks, I'll get one.

Julie

nonnac85

left pedal screws off the "wrong" way (turn pedal spanner clockwise) because otherwise when you are pedalling you would be unscrewing it. the right pedal unscrews normally (anticlockwise).

redvee

Tried the allen key thing with an extension bar on the end, cue snapped allen key :oops:

stumpyjon

Get a decent pedal spanner or ask your LBS nicely (mine got a stuck pedal off my bike in 30 secs and didn't charge me after me trying for over an hour at home with the wrong tools).

toasty

They tighten the same way the wheels spin if you were riding forward, ie one is clockwise, one anti.

allthegearnoidea

decent quality alen keys are a must! the quickest way to stripped threads as i have found out to my error in the past!
i now have a set of allen heads for my ratchet driver (socket set) and some half decent allen keys! (along with loads of cheapy nasty ones!)
a soak in some penetrating lube is always a good idea and a little grease on the threads on replacing is good too!
but if all else fails, lbs all the way!!!

Surf-Matt

Definitely use a pedal spanner - squirt some GT85 (or similar) onto the thread first.
They often need a LOT of leverage and they tend to suddenly go, leading to slipping hands hitting spikey bike parts! I always wrap a cloth around the spanner to protect my hands.

My stupid little way I remember the thread direction is:

Left Loosen anticLockwise

irony

nonnac85 wrote:

left pedal screws off the "wrong" way (turn pedal spanner clockwise) because otherwise when you are pedalling you would be unscrewing it. the right pedal unscrews normally (anticlockwise).

Actually you will find that pedal threads are such that when you pedal forward they unscrew themselves... if you don't believe me then simply loosen the pedals then grab one by the axle and pedal it forwards and the pedal will come off.

The same is true of bottom bracket cups, they unscrew when you pedal forwards (though the thread directions are opposite to pedals because they are not on the cranks).

I don't know why they are designed like that.

irony

Surf-Matt wrote:

Left Loosen anticLockwise

Left loosens clockwise;

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=83

toasty

Toasty wrote:

They tighten the same way the wheels spin if you were riding forward, ie one is clockwise, one anti.

Just to make this more clear, keeping the pedals stationary the wrench will spins the same way the wheels would, were you going forward, to tighten.

If you keep the wrench stationary and spin the cranks as mentioned above this would obviously give the opposite effect

Surf-Matt

irony wrote:

Surf-Matt wrote:

Left Loosen anticLockwise

Left loosens clockwise;

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=83

I told you it was a stupid way of remembering! Got it wrong the first time, slipped and sliced open my hand on the outer chainring - it hurt.

Greg T

I had this problem recently.

My LBS gave me the best top tip ever.

Have the crank at the three oclock position (facing forwards horizontally towards to the front wheel.

Put your foot on top of the pedal

Put your pedal spanner on the pedal pointing to as near to one o'clock as you can

Using your foot as leverage to prevent the pedal from turning towards the back - pull the spanner backwards towards the back wheel.

You'll need to really push down with your foot on the pedal and possibly lean on the saddle at the same time.