kmcgr22

I got rid of my car recently and started using a mountain bike to get around. My mom is a somewhat experienced bicyclist and is giving me one of her road bikes. The only problem is that is has the kind of pedals you clip into. Not only do I not have the proper shoes for that but also, I don't have any experience with it. So, my questions are the following:

1. Is it possible to remove the pedals from my mountain bike put them onto the road bike or are they incompatible things?
2. Would you reccommend that I attempt this myself with my limited knowledge, or should I just pay someone else to do it?

Thanks.

mrkott3r

You could change the pedals. It isnt too hard. Just remember the left pedal is left hand thread. So it loosens the opposite way to the right pedal. It may take some force to get the pedals off. A couple of ways to get the required force. I just get a big shifter and hit it with a hammer. After checking Im going to hit it the right way.

Make sure you dont cross thread the pedals when putting them on, ie there is a left and right pedal. Sometimes it takes a while to start threading a pedal. Put some grease on the threads. Or its damn impossible to get them off again.

Personally I would get a pair of cycling shoes. It shouldnt take too long to get used to especially if they are spd, they are easier to get out of than other pedals (so Ive heard). You can get normal looking shoes if the pedals are spd. (which Im guessing they are) You can walk in those shoes too.

EDIT: if your mum is a cyclist shouldnt she be able to help you?

cwilkes91

1) Yes it can be done. The threads are the same regardless, some peddles deal with mud better hince the use for mountain bikes.

2) Do it yourself. The hardest part will be getting the old ones off, especially if they have been on there a good amount of time. All you need is a wrench (usually 15mm and some grease for the threads). Some times the pedals have a place for a hex wrench, but this is usually not the preferred method.

SPD cleats are good to walk around in. In the case of mountain bike shoes (or even spinning shoes) there is enough material around the cleat so you don't hear clicking sounds as you walk. Bike shoes are the way to go. They can be akward at first, but it doesn't take long to get used to them. Just a few rides and you will love them. You can always adjust the tension so you can clip out without much effort.

Good luck.

Viggen Ed

Is this ALWAYS the case, or just with modern bikes?

I ask because my GF found a department store mountain bike that was missing a pedal, and the pedals from her old sears road bike dont fit. Perhaps this is only the case with old bikes? Or maybe with department store bikes?

Little Darwin

There is a difference between pedals for a one piece crank (like on old Schwinns and some cheap more recent bikes) and three piece cranks. The one piece cranks are 1/2 inch and the three piece are 9/16 inch.

I believe there may be some other, rarer exceptions, but these are the two groups which represent the only major differences you are likely to encounter.

cwilkes91

Pedals are more standard these days (except maybe the low end). I have an older set of Italian cranks with cross-threaded French pedals that will never be removed. This bike is older than I am so don't plan on riding it, just keeping for posterity.

I haven't seen you post which type of pedals are currently on the bike. If you can't tell, post a pic.

cwilkes91

As a safety measure, you could remove the pedals and take them down to the store to compair threads before buying.

MichaelW

The threads for modern MTB and road bikes are identical.
The easiest way to remove pedals is:
1. Put chain into big front chainring and small cog.
2. Poition crank arm forward and upwards (drive side at 2:00, non drive side at 10:00) and apply brakes.
3. Place wrench into pedal flats, pointing rearwards and upwards. make sure the wrench is a good fit.
4. Place foot on tip of wrench and gently apply weight. Do not hit or stomp or kick. This should unstick a stuck pedal.

To replace a pedal, smear light coating of grease over the threads.
Place pedal in position and note the direction of tightening (non drive side is reverse threaded).
To avoid cross-threading, turn pedal axle by hand in opposite direction until thread engages, the turn to engage threads.
Tighten by hand.
Tighten further with a wrench applying normal hand force.

NoRacer

Actually, I prefer a hex driver on a ratchet. It works very well. You don't have to keep disengaging the pedal as you would using a wrench.