Touring - Pedal stuck

Preparing my bike for a tour of the UK when I notice the pedal is stuck solid (problems at airport). I have tried releasing oil and brute stength. No luck. Any tips?

Both pedals or just the left side one?

First off make sure you are turning it the right way. The Left pedal is reverse threaded so it comes off when you spin it clockwise. Assuming you're turning it the right way you need more leverage. Get a length of pipe 3' or 4' and use a ratcheting driver - the handle should fit inside the pipe. Get someone to hold the bike and using the pipe for leverage give 'er hell. It will come off. When you go to reinstall the pedals use some grease to lubricate the threads so it comes off easier next time.

Have a great tour - post some pics...:D

The right hand (drive side) pedal is the more common right hand thread. The left hand pedal (non drive side) is left hand threaded, aka reverse threaded.

Are you actually tightening the left hand pedal in an attempt to loosen and remove?

Also, even if you're turning it the correct direction, pedals can be torqued on pretty tight, and difficult to remove with a ~6 inch long open ended wrench. Special pedal wrenches are made that are longer to provide adequate leverage to loosen stuck pedals.

Both pedals or just the left side one?

ROFL

ROFL

Been there done that, actually bent a wrench in the process.

Been there done that, actually bent a wrench in the process.

Me too, although I didn't bend a wrench. That's why I'm laughing. I guess it's one of the things you have to learn the hard way!

Years ago I made up a mnemonic to remind me which way to turn the wrench when removing the pedals. It's a variation of "Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosely:"

Righty Tighty, Lefty Lunatic.

In other words...

For the pedal on the right side, turn it right to tighten, and left to loosen.

If the pedal on the left side was normal, you would turn it left to loosen. But because it's a lunatic, you turn it right!

I concur with everybody who suggested wiping the threads with a bit of grease to make it easy next time. Even Vasoline or lip gloss would be better than nothing.

is everyone sure he isn't talking about his pedals not spinning on their spindles?

An update. The can of loosening oil is empty. My 16 mm spanner is dead (the metal pipe is didn't help). The pedal has suffered greatly and I am searching for a left hand crank for my FSA MegaExo compact crankset (Kona Jake the Snake). Oh yes, my hands hurt.

Can you say cross threaded

An update. The can of loosening oil is empty. My 16 mm spanner is dead (the metal pipe is didn't help). The pedal has suffered greatly and I am searching for a left hand crank for my FSA MegaExo compact crankset (Kona Jake the Snake). Oh yes, my hands hurt.

Not sure what happened, but time to cut your loses!...:o

Yikes! That's not a good way to start a tour. It's too late now, but with a stuck petal is problem you need to take it to a bike shop-- shop wrenches fix these %$#@&^$*(( things all the time.

If you do want to try it at home.... 1) buy a professional grade petal wrench.

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=27&item=PW%2D4

2) Get a professional grade bike stand.

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=23&item=PRS%2D4W

or

http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=23&item=PRS%2D3+OSLB


3) But a small propane torch and use heat.

Personally, I'd go to a bike shop.

Sorry for your losses Pekka. I hope it's the only problem you have this tour.