Bicycle Mechanics - #$@@#$ cant get pedals off!

I finally got my new SIDI and Speedplay pedals but I cant get the old SPD pedals off!!!! Arrrggggg they have like your basic crescent nut and then the allen on the back but I cant budge either one. Am I doing something wrong or did the LBS tighten the crap out of it?

Any thoughts or should I just take in to the LBS?



Thanks
Charlie

LBSes are NOTORIOUS for overtightening pedals...actually, so is everyone else...people get these pedal wrenches that are like, 6 feet long, and they crank down on them SO HARD so that no ONE, EVER will be able to get them off...

anyway...i usually just keep trying to get it until i get discouraged, i let it sit for a while, then come back to it when i'm feeling better...

make sure that you're turning the wrench in the right direction...maybe try some sort of thin lube...if you can't get them loose, take it to a shop, and have them just remove the pedals. put the new ones on yourself with a short pedal wrench, and tighten it just past snug. and make sure you make them thar threads nice an' greazzy!

It's often a problem, especially if the threads weren't greased before the original pedals were installed.

I had the same problem taking my original pedals off, but managed to do it using a nice long allen key on the back, and using a piece of pipe I had laying around for leverage. If you can't do this, or are worried about breaking something important in the process, take them down to the LBS. They'll have the right tools for the job.

Don't forget too that the left hand pedal is reverse threaded (so that it naturally tightens during it's natural rotation).

Oh, and before you install the new pedals, take a precautionary step to stop this happening next time and grease the new pedal threads before you put them in! :D

Damn I type slow.... :D :beer: :beer:

Thanks at least I know that I am not doing something wrong. I will take to the LBS and have them take them off.

You could always pour boiling water over the end and the differential expansion of the alloy and steel may free them off enough.

oh! that's a great idea!!!

the specific heat of aluminum is less than steel or something...which causes the aluminum to heat faster, causing it to expand faster...it also cools faster too. it'll work unless there are steel inserts for the pedals.

blah. science.

And what are the coefficients of thermal expansion for titanium, steel and aluminum?

To think this started as a poor guy who could not getting his pedals off and now you guys are well on your way to split the atom!!!!!!LOL

Big H

OK this is the WORST I am a LOSER:D

I take the bike into the LBS and the first thing that he says is "you know that these are reversed threaded dont you?" you should have seen the look on my face.....:eek: :eek:

I was cranking them the wrong way the whole time

AS I crawl back under my rock

booyah said so up top, and you said you werent doing anything wrong. that was the first thing i thought of.

live and learn...don't feel bad about it...i always try both ways on the confusing bits, like pedals, spokes, or lockrings if i get stuck beacuse, you know...sometimes you can't remember.

I remember the whole reverse thread thing by looking at it like this: To install pedals, you can hold the spindle and backpedal. They'll thread right in, on both sides. Want them off? The opposite applies. Takes a teenie bit of thought when you're standing there with a pedal wrench, but it's served me well through the years. (What can I say, I'm very visual in nature.)