Clipless Pedal Help, Please....
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Clipless Pedal Help, Please....
Hi everyone
I have finally taken the plunge towards clipless pedals. I own an 05 Specialized Dolce Vita Sport (came with regular pedals and a harness that fits over shoes). I purchased Shimano clipless pedals today. For the life of me I can not figure out how to get the original regular pedals off my bike. It looks like it needs a wrench but my husband and I both tried to get the pedal off with the correct size wrench and it would not even budge. Is there a secret to removing Specialized pedals? There is no place for an allen wrench to losen it that I can see...just the wrench area.
I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thank you
Sandi
I have finally taken the plunge towards clipless pedals. I own an 05 Specialized Dolce Vita Sport (came with regular pedals and a harness that fits over shoes). I purchased Shimano clipless pedals today. For the life of me I can not figure out how to get the original regular pedals off my bike. It looks like it needs a wrench but my husband and I both tried to get the pedal off with the correct size wrench and it would not even budge. Is there a secret to removing Specialized pedals? There is no place for an allen wrench to losen it that I can see...just the wrench area.
I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thank you
Sandi
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Originally Posted by Sandig
For the life of me I can not figure out how to get the original regular pedals off my bike. It looks like it needs a wrench but my husband and I both tried to get the pedal off with the correct size wrench and it would not even budge.
Regards
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remember that pedal threads on the left side of the bike are reversed. A basic rule of thumb is that the pedals loosen as you turn them towards the rear of the bike. clockwise to loosen on the left side, counter-clockwise to loosen on the right.
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Many pedals can be tightened or loosened with an allen wrench as well.
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Originally Posted by timcupery
Many pedals can be tightened or loosened with an allen wrench as well.
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Be sure to apply a liberal amount of good quality, water resistant grease to the new pedal threads before installing them. Pedals often suffer more than other parts of a bike from oxidation (electrolysis) because of the steel to aluminum connection. OHB
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It is not unusual to need more leverage than even a good pedal wrench gives you. One tip is a length of pipe over the wrench handle. But keep in mind the advice above about which way to turn each pedal to loosen it, depending on the left or right side of the bike.
The ultimate technique, however, is to take your bike back to the shop where you bought the pedals and ask them to change them out; many shops around here will install things that you buy from them.
The ultimate technique, however, is to take your bike back to the shop where you bought the pedals and ask them to change them out; many shops around here will install things that you buy from them.
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There are 15 mm wrench flats on nearly all pedals located right against the crank arm. Some of these flats are wide enough to use a regular 15 mm open end wrench but some are narrow enough to need a special thinner "pedal wrench". As you were reminded above, the left side pedal has left-hand (reverse from normal) threads.
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you might try taking the bike to the shop where you bought the pedals and have them install them, they might do it free or just a few dollars, also I have found it helps people new to clipless pedals to put the bike on a trainer to get the feel of getting in and out of the pedals. Falling onto pavement trying to release from pedals is not a good way to start a fun ride
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Hi Everyone
Thank you soooo much for all of your valuable advice. I took the bike to the bike shop today. Those pedals were pretty stuck on there :-)
I am going to put the bike on the trainer tonight to learn how to use them...
Thank you again
Sandi
Thank you soooo much for all of your valuable advice. I took the bike to the bike shop today. Those pedals were pretty stuck on there :-)
I am going to put the bike on the trainer tonight to learn how to use them...
Thank you again
Sandi
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Originally Posted by ulle53
you might try taking the bike to the shop where you bought the pedals and have them install them, they might do it free or just a few dollars, also I have found it helps people new to clipless pedals to put the bike on a trainer to get the feel of getting in and out of the pedals. Falling onto pavement trying to release from pedals is not a good way to start a fun ride
I had a similar incident a few years later when I lost a screw in my spd while out riding and had the same twisting NOT disengaging experience. That was more of a problem as it was my favored foot for landing. It was an interesting trip home - CAREFULLY.