Pedals. Which way do they turn?
09-11-05, 04:25 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,260
Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
This happens to me every time.
I'm getting ready to pack my bike for the airplane. The airline makes me reverse the pedals. I never can remember which way the loosen. When I'm standing with the front wheel to my left which way do I turn? Clockwise or anti-clockwise? I do remember that the other side you have to turn the opposite way.
Also, is there a way to remember so I'll never forget next time?
I'm getting ready to pack my bike for the airplane. The airline makes me reverse the pedals. I never can remember which way the loosen. When I'm standing with the front wheel to my left which way do I turn? Clockwise or anti-clockwise? I do remember that the other side you have to turn the opposite way.
Also, is there a way to remember so I'll never forget next time?
09-11-05, 04:37 PM
#2
where2pedalto.com
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 96
Bikes: LoGo Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by stokell
This happens to me every time.
I'm getting ready to pack my bike for the airplane. The airline makes me reverse the pedals. I never can remember which way the loosen. When I'm standing with the front wheel to my left which way do I turn? Clockwise or anti-clockwise? I do remember that the other side you have to turn the opposite way.
Also, is there a way to remember so I'll never forget next time?
I'm getting ready to pack my bike for the airplane. The airline makes me reverse the pedals. I never can remember which way the loosen. When I'm standing with the front wheel to my left which way do I turn? Clockwise or anti-clockwise? I do remember that the other side you have to turn the opposite way.
Also, is there a way to remember so I'll never forget next time?
Or have I got it the wrong way round ?
09-11-05, 04:37 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 8,546
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Right is right and left is wrong.
That is, the right one is normal. You loosen it by turning counterclockwise. It's righty-tighty lefty-loosy. Or, the "right" way, normal, like just about everything else.
The left one goes the other way.
Hope that helps.
Anna
That is, the right one is normal. You loosen it by turning counterclockwise. It's righty-tighty lefty-loosy. Or, the "right" way, normal, like just about everything else.
The left one goes the other way.
Hope that helps.
Anna
09-11-05, 05:06 PM
#4
In Memory of One Cool Cat
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 2,722
Bikes: Lemond Victoire, Cannondale.Mountain Bike, two 1980s lugged steel Treks, ancient 1980-something Giant mountain bike converted into a slick tired commuter with mustache handlebars, 1960-something Raleigh Sports
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
A simple way I remember is to tighten toward the back of the bike. Loosen toward the front.
__________________
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
09-11-05, 05:36 PM
#5
Bob Rae for PM!
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 57
Bikes: Cannondale T700, Trek 620 ('84)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Or, alternately, the pedals always tighten in the direction that you normally pedal. So, they loosen in the opposite direction.
09-11-05, 06:06 PM
#6
Very Senior Member
OK - I'll state the obvious: At least one of the above posts is wrong, because they do not agree.
Which is the wrong post? ? ?
Which is the wrong post? ? ?
__________________
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
09-11-05, 06:18 PM
#7
Lentement mais sûrement
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Montréal
Posts: 2,253
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Blackberry's doesn't agree with the rest... unless you put the wrench on the underside.
BTW, thanks. I bought a pedal wrench for my next trip and didn't think of that. I only checked with the right pedal. Without this thread, I would've probably tighten the left pedal even more.
BTW, thanks. I bought a pedal wrench for my next trip and didn't think of that. I only checked with the right pedal. Without this thread, I would've probably tighten the left pedal even more.
09-11-05, 06:49 PM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Loei, Thailand
Posts: 13
Bikes: Woodrup
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I can never remember any little rhyme. The way to remember is to mark the pedals using liquid paper or correcting fluid (the white stuff that typists use to correct typing errors). When you find out which way to loosen, draw an arrow on the axil between the crank and the pedal. This part gets little wear with contact with your shoes and so the mark will last ages. You can also write a "L" or "R" so you know which side to put the pedal back on to too.
Clean that area of the axil first. The fliud is white so easy to see and sticks. I use it a lot when I want to write on black surfaces. I use a liquid paper pen.
Clean that area of the axil first. The fliud is white so easy to see and sticks. I use it a lot when I want to write on black surfaces. I use a liquid paper pen.
09-11-05, 07:28 PM
#9
Being there, doing that
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 141
Bikes: Avanti Pioneer Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I used to suffer with this same issue so many times at the time of packing the bike. Then one time i noticed the pedals actually have the direction of tightening engraved right there at the base (shimano clipless), so ... doh!
09-11-05, 07:40 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,068
Bikes: 2013 KHS Flite 747
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
the right pedal has a right hand thread. The left pedal has a left hand thread.
09-11-05, 08:40 PM
#11
You know you want to.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,894
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, 1980's 531 steel fixie commuter, FrankenMTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
never shipped a bike: why do you have to reverse your pedals?
__________________
Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
09-11-05, 09:23 PM
#12
Being there, doing that
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 141
Bikes: Avanti Pioneer Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Eatadonut
never shipped a bike: why do you have to reverse your pedals?
09-11-05, 09:33 PM
#13
You know you want to.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Norman, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,894
Bikes: Pinarello Prince, 1980's 531 steel fixie commuter, FrankenMTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
ohhh...I was thinking of switching the pedals, and I couldn't fathom any reason you would do that.
Makes sense now!
Makes sense now!
__________________
Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
Weather today: Hot. Humid. Potholes.
09-11-05, 10:22 PM
#14
hello
I carry a small hand drawn diagram similar to what I have posted on my garage wall illustrating wrench directions for pedals and BB's for both English and Italian.
09-12-05, 07:25 AM
#16
In Memory of One Cool Cat
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 2,722
Bikes: Lemond Victoire, Cannondale.Mountain Bike, two 1980s lugged steel Treks, ancient 1980-something Giant mountain bike converted into a slick tired commuter with mustache handlebars, 1960-something Raleigh Sports
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by Erick L
Blackberry's doesn't agree with the rest... unless you put the wrench on the underside.
BTW, thanks. I bought a pedal wrench for my next trip and didn't think of that. I only checked with the right pedal. Without this thread, I would've probably tighten the left pedal even more.
BTW, thanks. I bought a pedal wrench for my next trip and didn't think of that. I only checked with the right pedal. Without this thread, I would've probably tighten the left pedal even more.
__________________
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
Dead last finish is better than did not finish and infinitely better than did not start.
09-12-05, 07:38 AM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Ocean City, NJ
Posts: 244
Bikes: Giant OCR Touring, Raleigh Sport Comfort, Cannondale ST400, Cannondale Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Or just don't mount the pedals. Then when you get to the other end just look at them to see which way the threads go.
09-12-05, 08:34 AM
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: On the Road
Posts: 1,260
Bikes: Custom built tourer, custom electric bike, beaters everywhere
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
obfuscate
/obfuskayt/
• verb make unclear or unintelligible.
— DERIVATIVES obfuscation noun obfuscatory adjective.
— ORIGIN Latin obfuscare ‘darken’.
I'm now more confused than I was before. Can someone simply explain in which direction I turn the wrench (spanner).
/obfuskayt/
• verb make unclear or unintelligible.
— DERIVATIVES obfuscation noun obfuscatory adjective.
— ORIGIN Latin obfuscare ‘darken’.
I'm now more confused than I was before. Can someone simply explain in which direction I turn the wrench (spanner).
09-12-05, 09:09 AM
#19
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Allentown, PA
Posts: 43
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Put the cranks horizontal with the pedal you're working on pointing to the front of the bike.
Align the pedal wrench with the crankarm. Push the wrench handle down to loosen the pedal, pull it up to tighten it.
Even if the pedal flats don't allow you to align the wrench, this method will still tell you which way you need to turn it.
Note: this only works if the pedals are installed normally. If they have been reversed, as in the original post, reverse the diection in which you turn the wrench.
Align the pedal wrench with the crankarm. Push the wrench handle down to loosen the pedal, pull it up to tighten it.
Even if the pedal flats don't allow you to align the wrench, this method will still tell you which way you need to turn it.
Note: this only works if the pedals are installed normally. If they have been reversed, as in the original post, reverse the diection in which you turn the wrench.
09-12-05, 09:44 AM
#20
Lentement mais sûrement
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Montréal
Posts: 2,253
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Can someone simply explain in which direction I turn the wrench
the pedals always tighten in the direction that you normally pedal
09-12-05, 09:46 AM
#21
Mad bike riding scientist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 27,365
Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones
Mentioned: 152 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6219 Post(s)
Liked 4,219 Times
in
2,366 Posts
Originally Posted by stokell
obfuscate
/obfuskayt/
• verb make unclear or unintelligible.
— DERIVATIVES obfuscation noun obfuscatory adjective.
— ORIGIN Latin obfuscare ‘darken’.
I'm now more confused than I was before. Can someone simply explain in which direction I turn the wrench (spanner).
/obfuskayt/
• verb make unclear or unintelligible.
— DERIVATIVES obfuscation noun obfuscatory adjective.
— ORIGIN Latin obfuscare ‘darken’.
I'm now more confused than I was before. Can someone simply explain in which direction I turn the wrench (spanner).
__________________
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
09-12-05, 02:17 PM
#23
Being there, doing that
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 141
Bikes: Avanti Pioneer Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BostonFixed
Stand behind the bike.
Both pedals loosen towards you.
Also from behind the bike, both pedals tighten away from you.
Both pedals loosen towards you.
Also from behind the bike, both pedals tighten away from you.
09-12-05, 06:17 PM
#24
Very Senior Member
Originally Posted by BostonFixed
Stand behind the bike.
Both pedals loosen towards you.
Also from behind the bike, both pedals tighten away from you.
Both pedals loosen towards you.
Also from behind the bike, both pedals tighten away from you.
__________________
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
It's better to cycle through life than to drive by it.
