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

What you need is a pedal wrench. An ordinary crescent wrench can work, but it is not the most effective way. Get a pedal wrench from a bicycle store and you can get the job done quickly.

Regards

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.

Many pedals can be tightened or loosened with an allen wrench as well.

thats nearly impossible for me, i broke an allen wrench trying to do so

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

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.

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.

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 :eek:

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

I recall (or is that re-FALL) my first attempt at using clipless. I installed the pedals and cleats myself and was not sure of the angle/setback of the cleat on the shoe. Did not want to hurt the knee (this was before float). Lucky is was only one shoe at a time. I put the cleat on with only one screw left a bit loose figuring that I would see the angle and forward/back location. Have you even clipped in one only one screw and then tried twisting out?? It does not work. The shoe and cleat just twisted and my foot was still locked into the pedal. This lasted a few circles of my block and I finally managed to slow down next to my retaining wall and stop the bike against the wall with my knee-thigh. Altho, I still had trouble disengaging and had to take the shoe off attached to the pedal. It was amusing - my neighbors don't need much help in getting me committed.

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.