How to Change Pedals on a Bicycle (Step-by-Step Guide)

Your pedals are worn out, or you want to upgrade to clipless pedals. Changing pedals seems simple—just unscrew them, right?

Not quite. Bicycle pedals use reverse threading on the left side, which means turning them the “normal” way will actually tighten them. Understanding this critical difference prevents stripped threads, damaged cranks, and pedals that become impossible to remove.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the complete process of changing bicycle pedals safely, including the left vs right threading rules, tools needed, and common mistakes to avoid.

Understanding Pedal Threading: The Critical Rule

The most important thing to know is that left and right pedals thread in opposite directions.

Right Pedal (Drive Side)

• Threads: Standard/right-hand threads (clockwise to tighten, counterclockwise to loosen)
• To Remove: Turn counterclockwise (toward the back of the bike)
• Memory Trick: “Righty-tighty, lefty-loosey” applies here

Left Pedal (Non-Drive Side)

• Threads: Reverse/left-hand threads (counterclockwise to tighten, clockwise to loosen)
• To Remove: Turn clockwise (toward the front of the bike)
• Memory Trick: “Lefty-loosey” is reversed—turn clockwise to loosen

Why reverse threading? The pedaling motion naturally tries to unscrew pedals. Reverse threading on the left pedal prevents it from loosening during normal pedaling.

Tools Needed

Before you start, gather these tools:

• Pedal wrench (15mm is most common, but check your pedals—some are 9/16” or 8mm)
• Allen wrench (6mm is common for pedals with Allen key sockets)
• Grease (bicycle-specific grease or anti-seize compound)
• Rag (for cleaning threads)
• Optional: Pedal removal tool (for stubborn pedals)

Pro Tip: Some pedals have both a wrench flat and an Allen socket. The Allen socket is often easier to use and less likely to slip.

Step-by-Step: Removing Old Pedals

Step 1: Position the Bike

1. Secure the bike: Place it in a bike stand or flip it upside down (resting on handlebars and saddle)
2. Shift to smallest chainring: Makes it easier to access the pedals
3. Clean the area: Wipe down the pedals and crank arms to remove dirt

Step 2: Remove the Right Pedal (Drive Side)

1. Position the crank: Rotate the crank so the right pedal is at the 3 o’clock position (pointing forward)
2. Choose your tool: Use a pedal wrench or Allen wrench, whichever fits your pedals
3. Turn counterclockwise: Turn the pedal counterclockwise (toward the back of the bike) to loosen
4. Apply force: Pedals can be tight—you may need significant force. If the bike moves, brace it better or have someone hold it
5. Unscrew completely: Once loose, unscrew the pedal completely by hand

Troubleshooting: If the pedal won’t budge, try:

• Applying penetrating oil (like WD-40) and waiting 10-15 minutes
• Using a longer wrench for more leverage
• Tapping the wrench with a mallet (be careful not to damage threads)

Step 3: Remove the Left Pedal (Non-Drive Side)

1. Position the crank: Rotate the crank so the left pedal is at the 9 o’clock position (pointing forward)
2. Turn clockwise: This is the critical difference—turn the left pedal clockwise (toward the front of the bike) to loosen
3. Apply force: Left pedals are often tighter due to reverse threading
4. Unscrew completely: Once loose, unscrew by hand

Important: Remember—left pedal loosens clockwise, opposite of the right pedal!

Step-by-Step: Installing New Pedals

Step 1: Prepare the Threads

1. Clean the crank threads: Use a rag to remove old grease and dirt from the crank arm threads
2. Check pedal threads: Ensure the new pedals are clean
3. Apply grease: Apply a thin layer of grease to the pedal threads (this prevents seizing and makes future removal easier)

Why grease? Pedals can seize in crank arms over time, especially if installed without grease. Grease prevents corrosion and makes removal much easier later.

Step 2: Identify Left vs Right Pedals

Most pedals are marked:

• Right pedal: Usually marked with “R” or has threads that look standard
• Left pedal: Usually marked with “L” or has reverse threads

How to tell: Look at the threads. Right pedal threads slope to the right (standard); left pedal threads slope to the left (reverse).

Step 3: Install the Right Pedal

1. Start by hand: Thread the right pedal into the right crank arm by hand, turning clockwise
2. Check alignment: Make sure it’s threading smoothly—if it feels wrong, stop immediately
3. Tighten with tool: Once hand-tight, use your pedal wrench or Allen wrench to tighten firmly
4. Don’t overtighten: Tighten until snug, but don’t use excessive force

Step 4: Install the Left Pedal

1. Start by hand: Thread the left pedal into the left crank arm by hand, turning counterclockwise
2. Check alignment: Ensure it’s threading smoothly
3. Tighten with tool: Use your tool to tighten firmly (remember: counterclockwise to tighten on left pedal)
4. Don’t overtighten: Snug is enough—overtightening can damage threads

Critical: Left pedal tightens counterclockwise—the opposite of normal threading!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong Threading Direction: Turning left pedal counterclockwise to remove (should be clockwise)
2. No Grease: Installing pedals without grease leads to seizing
3. Overtightening: Can strip threads or damage crank arms
4. Cross-Threading: Forcing pedals when threads don’t align properly
5. Wrong Pedal on Wrong Side: Installing left pedal on right side (or vice versa) will damage threads

Troubleshooting Stuck Pedals

If pedals are stuck and won’t budge:

1. Apply Penetrating Oil: Spray WD-40 or similar penetrating oil on the threads, wait 10-15 minutes
2. Use More Leverage: Use a longer wrench or breaker bar (be careful not to damage threads)
3. Heat: Apply heat with a heat gun (careful—don’t overheat aluminum cranks)
4. Tap Method: Tap the wrench with a mallet while applying steady pressure
5. Professional Help: If all else fails, take it to a bike shop—they have specialized tools

Prevention: Always grease pedal threads during installation to prevent seizing.

Installing Clipless Pedals

Clipless pedals follow the same threading rules:

1. Identify left vs right: Most clipless pedals are marked “L” and “R”
2. Install right pedal: Thread clockwise into right crank arm
3. Install left pedal: Thread counterclockwise into left crank arm
4. Tighten firmly: Clipless pedals need to be tight to handle the forces of clipping in/out

Note: Some clipless pedals have different tension settings—adjust these after installation.

Installing Platform Pedals

Platform pedals (flat pedals) follow the same rules:

1. Check for markings: Most are marked “L” and “R”
2. Install right: Clockwise into right crank
3. Install left: Counterclockwise into left crank
4. Tighten: Snug but not excessive

Changing Bicycle Pedals FAQs

Summary: Threading Direction is Everything

Changing bicycle pedals is straightforward once you understand the critical threading difference: right pedals loosen counterclockwise, left pedals loosen clockwise. Remember this rule, grease your threads, and you’ll avoid the most common mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

• Right pedal: Standard threading (counterclockwise to remove)
• Left pedal: Reverse threading (clockwise to remove)
• Always grease threads before installation
• Don’t overtighten—snug is sufficient
• If stuck: Use penetrating oil and more leverage

With the right tools and understanding of threading, changing pedals is a quick job that every cyclist should be able to do themselves.