Bicycle Mechanics - changing pedals

Hey all ... I'm getting ready to make the change from toe clips to clipless pedals, and I'm asking, how do you change the pedals yourself? Any guidelines, or am I better off going to my LBS to get the work done?

Thanks!

You will need a pedal wrench similiar to the ones in the pix.


http://www.parktool.com/tools/PW_4.shtml


http://www.parktool.com/tools/PW_4BIG.shtml


Also, click on the 'How To' link for installation and removal of pedals.


http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQpedls.shtml

most pedals all you need is an allen wrench, access the allen head from the back side of the crank arm. just remember that the pedals have a left and right side, so be sure you are threading them in the right way. :beer:

and make sure that they give you a right and a left peddle...my LBS gave me two rights the other day. Worked out good though when I went back they gave me a free upgrade. so now I have the nice ones that i couldn't afford. Glad i got a cycleops fluid2 to get used to the dern things too. but I think I'm destined to fall down when I get back outside.:D

sptsgoddess,

You are certainly better off learning to work on your bicycle yourself. Changing the pedals is a great way to start.

Thank you, everyone, for all of your help! Now I need to go find a big wrench .... or find a cute male 20-something cyclist in Northern Colorado who has one! :D

Oh jeez...now the responses will come haha ;)

Does anyone ever do the transition to clipless one pedal at a time?

Most one-legged cyclists do, I suppose.

Cheers...Gary

On my road bikes, I am committed to clipless. On the hybrid, I just changed pedals so I could attach "Power Grips.." I prefered them over traditional cages. Any others like Power grips..?

When I went from cages to clipless, I had my LBS fit guru check my position because I also went from fairly thick-soled, hiking-type shoes to biking shoes with a much thinner sole. That required a slight adjustment in my set-up. Small thing but enough to notice.

Allen key? I'd just use the 15mm flats with a real (automotive-style) 15mm open-end wrench. Some pedals come off very hard!
Also, most better pedals have the direction of the threads marked on the flats of the spindle. Depending on the country of manufacture, it will be marked either R or D for the right-handed thread (common), and L or G for the left-handed (backwards) thread.

Originally posted by D*Alex
Allen key? I'd just use the 15mm flats with a real (automotive-style) 15mm open-end wrench. Some pedals come off very hard!

I agree. I've seen the allen heads but have only ever used a 15mm wrench.

Originally posted by sptsgoddess
Thank you, everyone, for all of your help! Now I need to go find a big wrench .... or find a cute male 20-something cyclist in Northern Colorado who has one! :D
I'm a "cute" 20 something male in southern Colorado, is that close enough:D

i found that a 6" handle adjustable spanner and some WD-40 worked fine to get my 20 year-old seized pedals off. A 6" adjustable spanner wrench is probably the most useful tool around, and not just for bikes!

Originally posted by sptsgoddess
Thank you, everyone, for all of your help! Now I need to go find a big wrench .... or find a cute male 20-something cyclist in Northern Colorado who has one! :D ............................Have big uh,er,... ahh yes, wrench,will travel.