How Do I Remove Bicycle Pedals

This guide explains how to approach how do i remove bicycle pedals, including the preparation, practical steps, common mistakes, and final checks that help you finish with confidence.

10-20 min Time needed

Easy to Moderate Difficulty

Incorrect thread direction Watch out for

Before You Start

Before you begin, ensure you have the correct tools and understand the key safety considerations. Proper preparation will make the job much smoother and reduce the risk of damaging your bike or yourself.

Check first: Always double-check which type of tool your pedals require (pedal wrench or hex key) before you start. Attempting to use the wrong tool can strip the fitting and make removal incredibly difficult, potentially requiring costly crank arm or pedal replacement.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Quick Reference

Common Problems When You Remove Bicycle Pedals

Even with the right knowledge, you might encounter a few hurdles. Knowing what to do when things get tricky is part of becoming a seasoned cyclist. Here are some common problems and their solutions when learning how to remove bicycle pedals:

Stuck or Over-tightened Pedals

This is perhaps the most frequent issue. Pedals can seize onto the crank arms over time due to dirt, water, and lack of grease, or simply from being over-tightened during installation. Don't panic and don't force it to the point of stripping threads.

Solution 1: Penetrating Oil: Apply a good quality penetrating oil (such as WD-40 or a specific bike lubricant) to the threads where the pedal meets the crank arm. Let it soak for 15-30 minutes, or even longer for very stubborn pedals. The oil helps to break down rust and corrosion.
Solution 2: More Leverage: A longer pedal wrench will give you more leverage, making it easier to break the pedal free. If you're using a short hex key, try a T-handle or L-shaped hex key for better grip and torque.
Solution 3: Controlled Tapping: With your wrench securely in place, give the end of the wrench handle a few sharp, controlled taps with a rubber mallet. The impact can help to shock the threads loose.
Solution 4: Heat (Advanced): In extreme cases, a small amount of heat applied carefully to the crank arm around the pedal threads can help. Use a heat gun or hairdryer, but be very cautious not to overheat the crank arm or any plastic pedal components. This is typically a last resort and should be done by experienced individuals.

Stripping Pedal Threads or Tool Fittings

This is a serious problem that can occur if you use the wrong tool, if the tool slips, or if you turn the pedal in the wrong direction with excessive force. Stripped threads on the crank arm usually mean the crank arm needs to be replaced, which can be costly.

Prevention: Always use the correct size pedal wrench or hex key. Ensure the tool is fully engaged and seated squarely on the pedal flats or in the hex fitting. Double-check the thread direction (clockwise for left, anti-clockwise for right) before applying significant force.
If it happens: If the hex fitting on the pedal or the flats on the pedal axle get rounded, you might need to use a specialist tool like an extractor, or even cut the pedal axle. If the crank arm threads are stripped, a bike shop might be able to re-tap them, but replacement is often the safest bet.

Tool Slipping Off

When applying force, the wrench or hex key might slip off the pedal, risking injury to your knuckles or damaging the components.

Prevention: Always ensure the tool is fully seated and firm. When using a pedal wrench, push the wrench towards the crank arm to keep it engaged. For hex keys, make sure it's inserted all the way into the fitting. Wear work gloves for better grip and hand protection.
Technique: Position your body so that if the tool does slip, you don't smash your hand into something sharp. Push rather than pull if possible, as it gives more control.

Advanced Tips for How Do I Remove Bicycle Pedals

Beyond the basic steps, these advanced tips can further improve your pedal removal experience, ensure longevity of your components, and prevent future headaches.

Always Re-Grease Threads Before Reinstallation

This cannot be stressed enough. When you reinstall pedals (whether they are the old ones or a new pair), always apply a generous, even layer of quality bicycle grease to the pedal threads. This serves several vital purposes:

Prevents Seizing: Grease acts as a barrier, preventing water and contaminants from causing rust and corrosion between the steel pedal axle and the aluminium crank arm (a common cause of seized pedals due to galvanic corrosion).
Prevents Creaks: It fills microscopic gaps, eliminating metal-on-metal contact that can lead to annoying creaking noises while you ride.
Easier Future Removal: With greased threads, your pedals will be much easier to remove the next time you need to.

Use a Torque Wrench for Precise Installation

While this guide focuses on removal, the way pedals are installed directly impacts future removal. If you have a torque wrench, use it when reinstalling your pedals. Pedal torque specifications are typically between 30-40 Nm (Newton-metres). Over-tightening can make removal incredibly difficult, while under-tightening can lead to pedals coming loose during rides.

Benefit: Ensures optimal tightness, preventing damage to threads and improving safety.

Periodic Pedal Removal and Cleaning

Don't wait until your pedals seize to remove them. Make it a part of your regular bike maintenance routine, perhaps annually or bi-annually, especially if you ride in wet or dirty conditions.

Benefit: Keeps threads clean and greased, extending the life of your pedals and crank arms, and making future removals simple.

Consider Pedal Washers

Some pedals, particularly those with a very flat or narrow contact point with the crank arm, benefit from a thin pedal washer. These are small, thin metal rings placed between the pedal shoulder and the crank arm. They can:

Protect Crank Arm Finish: Prevent the pedal shoulder from digging into and marring the crank arm's paint or finish.
Prevent Creaks: Provide a smooth, consistent surface for the pedal to seat against.
Note: Not all pedals require them, and some pedals have an integrated washer effect. Check your pedal manufacturer's recommendations.

How Do I Remove Bicycle Pedals FAQ

Q: Why are bicycle pedals threaded differently on each side?

A: Bicycle pedals are threaded differently to prevent them from unscrewing themselves due to a phenomenon called "precession". As you pedal, forces are applied to the pedal axle. On the right side, the natural tendency is for the pedal to tighten with a standard thread. On the left side, the forces would cause a standard thread to loosen, so a reverse (left-hand) thread is used to make it tighten instead. This clever design ensures your pedals stay securely attached while you ride.

Q: What size wrench do I need for bicycle pedals?

A: Most modern bicycle pedals require either a 15mm pedal wrench (which is thinner than a standard 15mm open-end wrench to fit the narrow gap) or a 6mm or 8mm hex key (Allen key), inserted from the back of the crank arm. Some older or specific pedals might use other sizes, so it's always best to check your pedal's specifications or look for the tool fitting on the pedal itself.

Q: Can I remove pedals without a special pedal wrench or hex key?

A: While technically possible with an adjustable wrench (also known as a shifter or spanner), it's strongly not recommended. Adjustable wrenches are prone to slipping, which can strip the flats on the pedal axle or round the hex fitting, making future removal much harder and potentially damaging your tools or the bike components. A dedicated pedal wrench or the correct size hex key provides a much more secure fit and significantly reduces the risk of damage.

Q: How often should I remove my pedals?

A: You should remove your pedals whenever you need to replace them, transport your bike (especially for air travel or tight storage), or perform deep cleaning. For general maintenance and to prevent seizing, it's a good practice to remove, clean, and re-grease your pedal threads annually or every couple of years, particularly if you ride in wet, muddy, or dusty conditions. This simple maintenance step can save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

Q: Do all bikes have the same pedal threads?

A: The vast majority of adult bicycles use a standard 9/16 inch x 20 TPI (threads per inch) thread size. This standard applies to almost all mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, and city bikes. However, some children's bikes or very old vintage bikes might use a 1/2 inch x 20 TPI thread. Always verify if you're unsure, especially when buying new pedals, though 9/16" is overwhelmingly common.

Final Checklist for How Do I Remove Bicycle Pedals

Before you consider the task complete, run through this final checklist to ensure everything is done correctly and to prepare for future rides or maintenance.

Identified Left and Right Pedals: You correctly distinguished between the drive-side (right) and non-drive-side (left) pedals.
Understood Thread Directions: You remembered that the left pedal loosens clockwise and the right pedal loosens anti-clockwise. This is the single most important detail.
Used Correct Tools: You used the appropriate 15mm pedal wrench or 6/8mm hex key that fit your pedals securely.
Applied Correct Leverage: You positioned the crank arm and wrench/hex key for maximum leverage and applied steady, firm pressure.
Cleaned Crank Arm Threads: The threads on your crank arms are free of old grease, dirt, and debris.
Applied Fresh Grease (if reinstalling): If you plan to reinstall pedals, you have applied a fresh, even coat of bicycle grease to the pedal threads to prevent seizing and creaking.
Inspected Components: You've briefly inspected the pedal threads and crank arm threads for any signs of damage or wear.
Disposed of Waste Properly: Old rags and grease are disposed of responsibly.

By following this guide, you should now feel confident in your ability to remove bicycle pedals for any of your cycling needs. This foundational skill not only aids in maintenance but also empowers you to customise and care for your bike effectively.