Pedal Removal

[Dizeee]

Narked as I have done this before on my MTB but I seem to have failed this time round trying to swap pedals between the roadies...

An 18 ml spanner is too big yet a 17 mil is too small. Don't understand that? Plus, on one of the road bikes, the spanner is too thick and cannot get flush to the nut because it comes into contact with the bobbly edge of the pedal connector.

The 18 ml spanner does go on but when you turn it it doesnt fit the nut, a bit like a rounded off allan key would do. The nut and spanner are both quite new so no issues there.

Any ideas?

[neenaw]

Is there a hole for a hex key on the end of the pedal axle?
You can often remove the pedal with a hex key through the back of the crank arm.

Failing that you might need a pedal spanner that's thin enough to fit on the flats of the axle to remove the pedal.

[numtumfutunch]

Any facility to use an allen key through the pedal - my own preferred option?

[ecsrobin]

Get a pedal spanner that will fit between the gap. However my Shimano pedals have an Allen key slot. As mentioned above.

[Jobbo]

Standard pedal spanners are 15mm aren't they?

[Dizeee]

Maybe a thinner spanner is in order...IF I have one... will try and update later

[Rolls]

Yip - 15mm..
Although I too prefer to use an allen key...

[Watchman]

I have a Halfords Professional 15mm spanner just for this. They are thin enough that I've not encountered a bike where they won't fit.

Before that, I had a 15mm Clarke spanner (Machine Mart) that was too thick but I thinned it out on my bench grinder.

[Matt_N]

Just mind yourself cos when it goes your hand will be on a direct course for the chainring or the floor depending on which way up your bike is!

[OscarIndia]

Matt_N said:

Just mind yourself cos when it goes your hand will be on a direct course for the chainring or the floor depending on which way up your bike is!

Which is exactly how I ended up in A & E!

[Dizeee]

Right. fk it - fk the whole damn bike, this is why I do not do anything myself. And the last two posts could not have been any truer, with no bike stand I inverted the bike upside down to attempt this technique, how I am now not missing a hand is beyond me. fk it all, it's going to the bike shop.

Found a thinner spanner, not very long so not ideal and fought with that for a bit. Seemed to fit over the straight edges of the nut but after a few attempts the head of the spanner has rounded off and this is now fking useless, consigned to the bin, me getting annoyed. I then go and re try my proper spanners, the bigger they get the thicker the head - a 15 just about fits but it seems too small. 16 tried again, nope, 17 seems like it s the right size but head too thick to go over the nut as pedal is in way. Now really fked off.

Decide to try the allan key method. Allan key in, cloth wrapped up around it in order for brute force to be applied, nope, this is not going to work, whatever that nut is, is not moving anywhere. After a few attempts round the head off the allan kay and bend the shaft, this now consigned to the neighbours garden in rage. Select a "Parktool" allan key, re attempt, same problem, will not budge and now park tool is at risk of dying as the pressure I am applying to it is prizing the bolt holding the allan keys in.

So I leave the shed in disgrace, angry, and heading towards the usual path of going to a fking bike shop. My left pedal is knackered so I have no choice but to replace it, after I changed my cleats last night the left shoe is loose and bouncing around on the cleat. They have done over 10000 miles in rough weather so I guess this is a good innings. My plan was to swap my 540 pedals from the summer bike to the winter bike then buy a set of Dura Ace for the summer bike.

Maybe, just maybe tomorrow I will investigate buying a pedal spanner from a bike shop. But for now I am seething.

[Dizeee]

And before it is asked, I tested the shoes on different pedals, swapping all of them around, and it is definately the pedal at fault.

[Daveyraveygravey]

I had a mare getting pedals off recently, the combination of all my power going through them (huh!) and their location down in the dirtiest area of a bike made them hard to budge. Went to a bike shop and bought a Park Tools hex pedal spanner. It's got a big screw driver handle type thing and is quite long. 15 quid mind, but worth it for avoiding all the grief.

[TKF]

I'm a mechanical numpty but even I can remove a pedal.

Turning it the wrong way? They undo in opposite directions.

Google pedal spanner. They are all 15mm afaik.

[Watchman]

Dizee, I'm in the Midlands. If you're local, I'd be happy to do it for you. I have many more tools than entire bike shops and enjoy wielding them on bikes. Lemme know if I can be of any help. I'm south of J3 or J2 of the M42.

[MathieuGT]

Matt_N said:

Just mind yourself cos when it goes your hand will be on a direct course for the chainring or the floor depending on which way up your bike is!

THIS! After 3 years working in a bike shop I will soon rather do it with a 15mm spanner than the 8mm allen on the back.

[okgo]

You need to use a proper allen key. Not a multitool. With a proper one you insert it then hit it with a hammer. I have never not managed to free a ceased pedal with that method.

[Shuttle Cock]

Remember to apply copper grease when fitting pedals, and remove every now and again as part of regular maintenance routine, to avoid this situation. Hindsight and all that!

[neenaw]

If you're anywhere near West London then I've got a proper Park Tools pedal spanner that you'd be able to use on it to get the pedal off.

When yu get it off and fit new pedals, just remember to copperslip the threads and that they don't need to be particularly tight!

[Dowks]

I'm near Guildford if you want to borrow a pedal spanner

Copper slip works a treat in helping getting them off