How To Take Off Bike Pedals

If you need to carry out some routine cycling maintenance or want to replace your worn-out bike pedals, it’s good to know how to quickly and easily remove the pre-existing ones.

Sometimes, this process can be made trickier if you’ve been cycling in muddy conditions or if your bike is a bit older. Mud, water and rust can force your bike pedals to get jammed which makes it harder to remove them from the bike.

In this guide, we’ll cover how to easily remove bike pedals in a few simple steps.

What tools do I need to remove bike pedals?

You’ll typically require the following tools:

  • 15mm pedal wrench or Allen key (usually 6mm or 8mm) depending on your pedal type
  • Grease  (optional, for reinstallation)

So, whether you’re switching pedals, upgrading the drivetrain or just trying save space when storing your bike, here’s how to take off bike pedals.

Note that the threads on each pedal side turn in opposite directions. The right pedal uses a right-hand thread and should be turned anticlockwise for removal. Meanwhile, the left pedal uses left-hand thread and should be removed by being turned clockwise. Ultimately, the pedals will loosen by the wrench turning towards the rear of the bike.

How to remove bike pedals step by step

1. Position the Bike

  • Place the bike on a repair stand or lean it against a wall.
  • Shift the chain to the largest chainring to protect your hands from the chainring teeth.

2. Identify the Pedal Sides

  • Right pedal = drive side (same side as the chain)
  • Left pedal = non-drive side
  • Important: The left pedal has a reverse (left-hand) thread — it loosens clockwise!

3. Remove the Right Pedal (Drive Side)

  • Position the crank arm so it’s horizontal and pointing forward.
  • Place the wrench or Allen key on the pedal axle.
  • Turn counterclockwise to loosen.
  • Once loose, unscrew it by hand.

4. Remove the Left Pedal (Non-Drive Side)

  • Position the crank arm the same way.
  • Place the wrench or Allen key on the pedal axle.
  • Turn clockwise to loosen (reverse thread).
  • Unscrew by hand once loose.

5. Clean and Store

  • Wipe off any old grease or dirt from the pedal threads.
  • If you're reinstalling later, apply a bit of bike grease to the threads to prevent seizing.

Tip: If the pedals are stuck, try using a longer wrench for extra leverage.

Overall, changing your bike pedals is easy and quick when you follow the correct instructions. For all your bike maintenance needs, check out Halfords today.

07/25