Ever faced a situation where you had to remove the pedals of your bike, and you can’t find the pedal wrench? Faced it or not, you better know how to remove bike pedals without a pedal wrench.
Who knows? Maybe a time will come when you’ll need this not-so-rocket-science knowledge. It’s not tough if you think it is. Rather, the steps we’re going to break down to you are a piece of cake.
Why Replace the Pedals?
Before removing pedals from your bike, it’s essential to know the following reasons why you’re going to replace these things.
Breaking Issues
It might be the first reason you’re going to replace the pedals of your bike. Most of the pedals out there are constructed with plastic. It carries almost your full body weight while you ride over the road.
So, chances are it might break after using it for a couple of months. If the pedal you’re using seems flimsy or damaged, it’s the right time to replace it.
Looking for Upgrades
Maybe you’re tired of old-fashioned pedals and looking for some upgrades. Take adequate amounts of time to see which type suits your bike best.
Also, you have to make sure you choose the one that matches your feet perfectly. Since you’re spending your valuable cash for upgrading, the pedal you’re going to purchase should be more flexible and more durable.
Switching Up the Style
It’s a must to change the style of your loving bike if the outlook is your concern. Taking the old pedals away and installing the new classy ones is what you need in order to switch up the appearance straight away.
You’ll find a variety of models with top-notch construction and a jaw-dropping outlook. Pick any of one from there to truly take the aesthetic of your vehicle to the next level!
Different Types of Bike Pedals
Though every pedal looks almost the same, there are a couple of types available.
These days, the market packs 3 different kinds of pedals to choose from, such as –
- Cage pedals
- Flat pedals
- Clipless pedals
Cage Pedals
It’s a common type of pedal that needs no specific footwear at all. With toe straps constructed with plastic, rubber, and leather, it delivers an efficient pedal stroke and suits almost every user’s feet.
Flat Pedals
Unlike the cage pedals, this one requires special shoes. If you use the flat one, you’ll have to apply a lot of pressure on this pedal to keep your feet away from slipping off or such issues. Compared to the previous one, it gets a less effective pedal stroke.
Clipless Pedals
It comes with the most effective pedal stroke and requires specific shoes. This one right here ensures a better pedal-to-foot connection, also a great choice for recreational riding, racing, and mountain biking.
Since your feet will stay attached with the paddle while riding with the clipless pedals, it lets you get more power and maximum stability.
But we think it’s not the go-to option for beginners who have just learned the way of riding a bicycle!
Read More: Best Pedals for Fixed Gear Bikes
Getting Rid of Pedals – Step by Step Guide
Without further ado, we’re showing the easiest way that you can apply to take off the pedals from your bike, even without the assistance of a pedal wrench. Let’s get started:
Step-1: Knowing the Size
First off, you have to know the size of the pedals so that you can find out the ideal wrench. Pick up the 15 mm wrench (that comes with an open-end) as you don’t have a specific pedal wrench to make the job done.
Well, focus on the pedal to see there is a wrench flat; it’s located on the spindle. This is the place where you have to use the standard wrench.
But if you, unfortunately, find no wrench flat, it means you’re going to take off the pedals of an old-model mountain bike. Some of the low-end road bikes out there also have no specific wrench flat.
In that case, you have to get your hands on an Allen bit that measures around 8mm rather than getting a standard wrench.
Let’s move on to the real action after locating the wrench spindle.
Step-2: Applying the Standard Wrench
Place the standard wrench straight away onto the spindle of the pedal. Keep in mind, it should be attached firmly to the spindle.
Now, moving the pedal behind is the next thing you need to do. This is to make the handle of your wrench stay parallel. Also, ensure that the kickstand of your bike stays steady.
Step-3: Getting on Your Bike
Here, you should place your single foot onto a single pedal, and the other foot should be on the floor as if you’re ready to ride!
When it comes to positioning, you should place the heel of your foot on the wrench, and the ball of your foot on the paddle. Start applying pressure at a snail’s pace onto the wrench.
Guess what? It’s time to burn some calories by applying as much pressure as you can through your body weight!
After a couple of seconds, you’ll feel that it’s moving under your foot. What does it mean? Well, it means the pedal is getting loose.
Keep on applying equal pressure to both pedals to make sure you’re not breaking the wrench loose at all.
Pushing the wrench downward through your body weight is a good idea to make the job done. It’s the perfect time to take off once it gets down to the ground.
Step-4: Time to Take Off!
After loosening the bike pedals, it’s better to take the wrench and use your hands to re-loose it. Twisting the pedal counterclockwise will be a good idea to remove it straight away. Keep on twisting till it comes to your hand.
Once it comes to your hand, ensure to apply the exact same technique to take off the second one.
WOW! You did it. That was as easy as ABC and less time-consuming!
So, Is a Pedal Wrench Worthless?
NOT AT ALL! A pedal wrench is a great tool; even undoubtedly, it’s the best tool when we talk about detaching pedals from your bike. It’ll always help you remove those things within no time.
So, if you’re capable of spending a pretty penny, it’s not a bad idea to have this super-efficient tool. It’ll let you make your “pedal-removing” task done even more easily and precisely.
But if you’re not able to spend extra dollars, there is no problem using a standard wrench since it works pretty well.
Installing New Pedals – Step by Step Guide
So, after casting the old one away, you’re wondering about having super-awesome pedals to install these things on your bike, right?
Well, if your answer is a straight “yes,” then you should sit tight and keep on reading the following steps below. We’ll let you know the easiest way of installing new pedals.
Step-1: Applying Grease
After successfully detaching the old pedals, now your duty is to apply a certain amount of grease (waterproof) to the holes of your bike threads. It makes sure to keep your pedal away from seizing, for which you won’t have to burn the midnight oil getting it off in the future.
Step-2: Inserting the Threaded End
Keep your eyes on the pedals to see the right one equips a tiny “R” on it, ensuring that it’s the pedal for the “right side.”
Never try to push it so hard into the hole, you just have to ensure that the threaded end is resting in that hole.
Step-3: Placing the Wrench
No worries, even if you don’t have a specific pedal wrench. It’s absolutely fine to use an Allen wrench in terms of installing the new pedal on your bike.
You should insert the end (hexagonal) of your wrench through the hole of the pedal and into the socket of the Allen wrench at the end of the spindle.
Step-4: Continue Rotating
You’ll have to keep on rotating the wrench clockwise till the pedal of your bike gets completely tight. Repeat it with the left one as well until the pedal gets secure. We’re just one step away from completing the whole task!
Step-5: Checking for Confirmation
You should slightly pull the pedals to ensure if they’re attached firmly or not. If you feel the pedal is coming off, you’ll need to re-tighten it to make it firm. That’s all!
Keep in mind, the pedals that you have installed recently won’t spin much freely. The bearing requires a couple of days in order to break in.
Some Important Tips
The way of removing pedals might be a wee bit risky, especially if you’re not familiar with the proper rules and techniques. Maintaining adequate amounts of safety and knowing some essential things are the key to keep yourself out of injuries and troubles.
Tip-1: Putting on Safety Dresses
Though the pedal-removing task is pretty easy, quick, and hassle-free, however, it’s always a wise decision to wear safety dresses before you start doing it. You’ll have to touch the bare parts of your bike, so wearing gloves is a plus to keep your hands safe.
Tip-2: Working in a Bright Area
Daytime is the best period to work with your bike; guess why? Because there might be screws or such things that you won’t see with your eyes clearly if the working area is too dark.
However, if you prefer night over the morning, then don’t forget to use extremely powerful lights.
Tip-3: Washing Off Hands after Applying Grease
As you know, grease or lubes are usually toxic. So, after you apply it on the pedals of the bike, be sure to clean your hands up thoroughly with some water and soup.
Tip-4: Taking Adequate Time!
You should take as much time as you can when it comes to removing pedals or installing them. You’re not in a race or competition! So, it doesn’t make sense to hurry! Doing it slowly will keep you safe and out of all issues.
Final Words
Now that you know how to remove bike pedals without a pedal wrench, you won’t have to have a heart attack when you need to change the pedals, and you don’t see any pedal wrench in front of you. Guess you’re going to be that guy in town who won’t buy any pedal wrench at all, eh?
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