Pedals

The pedal is the part you put your foot on. The axles of the pedals screw into the cranks.

Pedal Threading

• Direction
  
  • The right pedal has a normal thread but the left pedal has a left (reverse) thread
    
• Thread Sizes
  
  • Three-piece cranks, one-piece, and old french differ in tpi

Pedal Types

1. Plain/platform pedals:
   Rely on the rider's coordination to keep the foot properly located on the pedal.
2. Toe-clip pedals
   Work with stirrup-like clips and adjustable straps to hold the foot in place. Can be used with normal street shoes or with special cleat shoes.
   
   
   
3. Clipless pedals
   Requires a special cycling shoe with a cleat fitted into the sole, which locks into a mechanism in the pedal, holding the shoe firmly to the pedal.

Tools for Pedal Removal and Installation

1. 15-mm pedal wrench
2. Grease

How to Remove Pedals

1. Mount bike on repair stand and shift chain to the largest chainring to help protect against cuts from the chainring teeth
2. Place the wrench into the pedal wrench flat so that the wrench and the crank form a 90 degree angle or less (to maximize mechanical advantage)
3. Turn the pedal wrench counterclockwise to remove the right pedal or turn the crank so that the pedal is pedaling forward. Remove the pedal completely from the crank.
4. Since the left pedal has a reverse thread, loosen the left pedal by turning the pedal wrench clockwise.
   

Some models and makes of pedals do not use a pedal wrench plant. These pedals will typically have an 8 mm hex fitting on the back side of the pedal wrench.

Installing Pedals

1. Begin by identifying the left and right pedal. Look for an 'L' or 'R' marking on the wrench flats. If there are no 'L' or 'R' markings, use the pedal thread direction to identify pedals. (Left thread slopes upward to the left)
2. Heavily grease threads of both pedals
3. Using fingers on wrench flats, thread right side pedal into the right crank. Tighten the right pedal by turning clockwise.
   
4. Tighten the left pedal by turning counter-clockwise.

ParkTool - Pedal Installation and Removal

Bicycle Tutor - How to Replace Your Pedals