The pedals on your road or mountain bike are one of the parts of your bike that you often need to change, service or replace. Also, a new road bike or MTB usually doesn’t come standard with pedals. Most often you need to fit them yourself. It might seem like a hassle, but luckily it really isn’t. Replacing your pedals is a job you can easily do yourself in under 10 minutes. It’s also often the pedals that are responsible for an unidentified (and annoying) bike creak. If you have this problem, it’s worth removing your pedals, cleaning them and then refitting them. In this blog you will learn how to change bike pedals in just 4 steps! 

To change your Pedals you don’t need many tools. The difference between MTB pedals and road bike pedals is not relevant to removal or fitting. Likewise, you can replace the pedals on a city bike too, using the instructions and tools described below.

All brands of pedals, like Shimano, Look, Time, Speedplay, Crankbrothers or Hope, can be fitted or removed using a 15mm pedal wrench or 6mm Allen Key.

How to change bike pedals: What tools do you need?

• Pedal wrench (15 mm)
• Allen key (6 mm)
• Assembly grease or Loctite
• Possibly new pedals

There’s a difference between the left and the right pedal

The most important thing to pay attention to when replacing your pedals is that the screw threads on left and right are different, so they don’t screw in (or out) in the same direction.

Pedals have a self-tightening mechanism that tightens as you pedal forward. This negates the risk of the pedals unscrewing themselves.

For this reason, which pedal is for the left and which is for the right is always clearly marked on the pedals. This is usually indicated by a small letter R or L printed in an inconspicuous spot on the pedal axle.

How to remove bike pedals

Removing old pedals is often the most difficult part of the job. Because of the self-tightening thread, loosening them can initially require a bit of elbow grease – especially if it’s been a while since you removed them or if you have never greased them before.

Use a 15mm pedal wrench or the appropriate size Allen key for your pedals. When applying force, keep your knuckles clear of the chainring(s). Otherwise when your pedals suddenly loosen you’ll smash your knuckles against the chainring. Far from ideal and pretty painful.

To remove your left pedal you need to turn the pedal wrench or Allen key clockwise. Your right pedal loosens in an anticlockwise direction.

Not managing to loosen your pedals? Spray a little penetrating oil or WD-40 on your pedal and leave it to soak in for 15 minutes. If your pedals still won’t come loose after that, apply some more WD-40 and leave it to soak in overnight.

Cleaning and re-lubricating

Now that you (hopefully) managed to unscrew your pedals, you can clean the screw thread on the cranks. For this you can just use an old, dry cloth. You can also apply some degreaser. Putting the same pedals back on? Then you should also clean the pedals themselves, paying special attention to their screw threads.

Ensure that all the old, dirty grease is completely gone. Then smear the screw threads of the pedals with assembly grease or Loctite. Apply a little to the inside of the screw threads on the crank arms too.

Fitting new pedals

Just as with pedal removal, when fitting pedals your pedals also screw in in opposite directions. The left pedal screws in in an anti-clockwise direction.The right pedal tightens in a clockwise direction.

Make sure that you’re fitting the correct pedal on the correct side. Especially with MTB pedals, you need to pay attention to the direction of the screw thread or the left/right marking on the pedal itself.

The majority of the screwing in of the pedal will happen naturally if you simply turn the crank arm (in a back-pedal motion). Then the pedal will tighten itself. Just the last bit needs to be given a final turn with the pedal spanner or Allen key. Never over tighten your pedal – a final turn with the spanner is enough!

To finish up, wipe off any excess assembly grease that may have been pushed out of the crank arm thread. Job done, you have learned how to change bike pedals! You can hit the road (or the trails) again with your fresh pedals.

Tips for replacing your pedals

• Need to change the pedals on a city bike? You can also follow the steps listed above.
• Take care to keep your knuckles clear of the chainring(s) when loosening pedals…
• Old pedals too tight? Apply some WD-40 and leave it to soak in overnight
• Pedals still stuck? Try making your Allen key or pedal wrench arm longer with a metal rod. The longer the Allen key or spanner arm, the less force required to get results.
• Never fit your pedals without applying some good assembly grease or Loctite. That way you won’t have trouble loosening your pedals in future.
• Every 6 months, remove your pedals to clean them a bit. And, of course, grease them when you refit.

Replacing your pedals – get the right tools for the job

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