[Closed] Pedal Removal - What Am I Doing Wrong?

Is it before or after the cuddly toy?

That rather depends on the angle of the wrench

Which is why I said to have it pointing upwards.

what if the bike's upside down

How do you sit on it when it's upside down?

How do you sit on it when it's upside down?

Do you even flip, bro ?

(hadn't actually read your other post, obvz - it's way too far up the page - was more relating to ads' version)

Is this forum thread left or right handed?

In the unlikely event that you figure out which way to turn it, heating the crank is very effective as the alloy crank will expand more than the steel pedal.

BTW right is right. i.e. Right hand pedal has a normal thread.

Greybeard - Member
Is this forum thread left or right handed?

This thread is priceless! 43 posts giving guidance to the OP on loosening a pedal.

How on earth is there any debate in the replies...?

[url= https://www.sheldonbrown.com/pedals.html ]https://www.sheldonbrown.com/pedals.html[/url]

My fave and added to keep this one alive...
bike on its wheels, alan wrench or pedal spanner in/on pedal axle with tools long end pointing to rear of bike with crank arm anywhere forwards of bottom
Stand on weapon of choice.

Freely admit that if in doubt I just Google the answer.

In my defence I don't change pedals often, ok?! 🙂

Wally - Member
What about if the bike is on a conveyor belt?

Coughed my energy drink at that post! You evil genius. 🙂

Saw some great threads on that one bitd!

So did you get the pedals off in the end or do you need more detailed advice?

simondbarnes - Member
I'm amazed some of you can even tie shoe laces or even breathe. How the hell can taking a pedal off end up with a thread this long?!

Its basically this that keeps independent bike shops in existence 🙂

belugabob - Member
The use of this phrase always amuses me.
To the uninitiated, it's not obvious what is going left or right.
If you understand the left/right implications of the phrase, then you don't need the phrase.

I really don't think that's true. Certainly for me, when I knew nothing, it was useful. It's pretty obvious when you put most tools on a bolt or screw what you're talking about when you say left or right

It depends on whether your spanner is pointing up or down, from the nut (if it's pointing left or right, things are even less clear)

Joking aside did the op get the pedal off I wonder?

Nope. Stuck fast. Can't budge it even with extra leverage.

Nope. Stuck fast. Can't budge it even with extra leverage.

Are you turning it the right way?

(sorry)

Yes. I've now watched umpteen Youtube videos on pedal removal and I'm satisfied I'm turning it the right way.

valid question though, given all of his comments on here seem to suggest he's turning it the wrong way. Exactly how are you attempting to unscrew it now OP? Picture would be handy ( http://postimages.org )

If I were sitting on the bike, pedal at about 10 O'clock. Pulling allen key towards me.

At about 10 o'clock looking from which side? Which direction is the allen key pointing? There are so many ways to be ambiguous about this, hence why I reckon a pic would help - and it's really not that difficult to provide one if like most people you have a smartphone.

Are you wearing the correct colour undergarments for pedal removal?

This is already at the "simple headset query" stage 🙂

I appreciate a pic would help but I can't nip out to the garage at the moment.

Looking from the back of the bike, the Allen key is pointing away from me and I'm pulling it back towards me.

You'll get a lot more power into it if pressing down rather than pulling up, so rotate the cranks and tool into a position you can do that.

That is correct. However, you'll have far more chance of removing the pedal by pushing rather than pulling.

[quote=shooterman ]Looking from the back of the bike, the Allen key is pointing away from me and I'm pulling it back towards me.

😆 I like the wonderful ambiguity of that statement! (and I've no idea how anybody else is working out whether it's right or wrong)

Yeah....3 pages on removing a pedal 😀 if it makes it to 5 it may be a classic in the making.

There is a lot of talk here of allen/hex keys..what if, like my wifes bike, it uses a pedal spanner, does this change the technique required?

To be fair I had the same pedals, and one of them ended up stuck fast, no idea how my mate ended up cutting the pedal and welding a big bolt to it to get it out. The crank arm was still fine afterwards but I needed a new pedal axle though. [img] https://photos.app.goo.gl/gFXF98bhhvp5oiab2 [/img]

[img] [/img]

[url= http://www.cortthesport.com/2014/07/bike-pedal-removal-for-dummies.html ]http://www.cortthesport.com/2014/07/bike-pedal-removal-for-dummies.html[/url]

JoeG - you've ruined the thread now! That cearly shows how to remove a pedal and is really har to misinterpret.

Spoilsport.

Proper pedal spanners or hex sockets on a 1/2" drive powerbar are much better than an Allen key.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

shooterman - Member
Yes. I've now watched umpteen Youtube videos on pedal removal and I'm satisfied I'm turning it the right way

the right way being the left way hopefully?

kettle of boiling water onto the end of the crank arm? a wee bit of expansion and contraction to break the grip?

Is this forum thread left or right handed?

Well, I've turned the forum upside down, put in an allen key, a pedal wrench, a towel and a spanner, soaked the lot in plus gas, boiled a kettle of water and I still can't get it undone... 😯

Might try the boiling water tip later (Ophelia permitting).

Now you know you're turning it the right way, if it's not releasing the problem is likely to be corrosion between steel pedal axle and alloy crank - the force required to shift it will probably break something.

Boiling water or hot air gun on the crank, then Plus Gas on the pedal hole asap before it cools, leave to soak, repeat every hour. If using boiling water, pour over the crank [u]avoiding[/u] the pedal (the heat will conduct down to the end), else you'll get water where you want to put the Plus Gas.

When using Allen wrench, rather than having the crank pointing up, point it forwards, so that the wrench goes past the crank axle - it reduces the leverage trying to spin the cranks, so it's easier to hold them still.

Doh! Too late to edit.

When using Allen wrench, rather than having the crank pointing up, point it forwards, so that the wrench goes past the crank axle - it reduces the leverage trying to spin the cranks, so it's easier to hold them still.

^ Now even the experts are confused! 😆

Try this.

1. Crank at 6 o’clock position
2. Spanner or long hex key at 3 o’clock position
3. Wear grippy shoes
4. Lean bike against wall or held upright by trusted friend
5. Stand on pedal with left foot
6. Gradually apply weight to spanne/hex key with right foot

You know what op?
Just buy new cranks and pedals.
Much easier... 😀

1. Crank at 6 o’clock position
2. Spanner or long hex key at 3 o’clock position
3. Wear grippy shoes
4. Lean bike against wall or held upright by trusted friend
5. Stand on pedal with left foot
6. Gradually apply weight to spanne/hex key with right foot

that is the way to tighten the RH crank arm not loosen it

 

fwiw i always stand on the same side as the pedal im removing and lean over the top tube to stick my allen key in the back of the crank. i can usually shift it with minimal pressure but tougher ones i might stamp on, just undo towards the back of the bike...

i did have the same trouble once tho, i ended up fabricating an excuse to visit the LBS, when there i nonchalantly added "oh by the way would you mind just nipping my pedals off, dont think i have an 8mm at home..."

pinged it off no trouble!

Surely the only way to remove crap Superstar products is with a massive rock?

Then set fire to the warehouse.