Bicycle Mechanics - Pedal removal.

Help. I am trying to remove my pedals off 105 cranks using a 15mm spanner but cannot shift them at all. How much force do I need to use. Tips greatly appreciated. I could go down to my LBS but since I want to put new pedals on I bought mail order I am to embarassed to do so.

If the treads were not greased properly, it may take considerable force. A small squirt of WD-40 may help. Leave it for a while to seep in.
If you try to remove them the wrong way, it takes even more. The non-drive side thread is reversed, it is removed by turning clockwise.

I usually place the crank at the forward position (2:00 drive side, 10:00 non-drive side), put a long spanner on the pedal so the spanner runs backwards, just above the crank, apply the brakes and stand on the spanner.

Originally posted by MichaelW
The non-drive side thread is reversed, it is removed by turning clockwise.

This is what got me the 1st time I removed a pedal. Before trying anything - insure that you are turning it the correct way. Also, as mentioned, let some WD40 or anti-sieze stuff penetrate it for a few hours.

Good luck!

Do you realise that one is left-threaded? (It's the one on the left side, btw).
Please read a bike repair manual.

A couple more hints:

Both pedals loosen by turning them toward the back of the bike. Turning them toward the front tightens them. (This is just another way of saying what has already been said about the left side pedal being reverse threaded).

If your bike has more than one chainring, put the chain on the big ring before wrenching the pedals. This could save your knuckles from some bloody scrapes.

I always put the wrench so that it more or less parallels the crankarm. This allows me to reach over the top tube and use the opposite crankarm for leverage.

A pedal wrench (as opposed to just any old 15 mm spanner) makes the job much easier, as it provides plenty of leverage.

Good luck, grasshopper.

Regular Guy gave advise on the direction.

Here is another trick to getting the pedals off:

Put the wrench on the pedal with the wrench handle pointing horizontal and pointing toward the back of the bike. Sit on the bike and put your foot on the wrench handle and push. Stand if necessary.

This always works for getting a tough pedal loose for me.

I had some pedals that would simply not come off using a spanner. I used an open-end 15 mm wrench since I did not own a pedal wrench and it worked great.

Thanks for the advice everyone.
I have now got the pedals off.
Used WD40 and then placed a long pipe over the end of a spanner with the pedal resting on an anvil. This gave me the required leverage.
New pedals now on, greased first of course.