Here’s a quick guide on how to fit pedals to your bike but first up let’s help you identify which is the left and right one. This is really important to remember when fitting them. Left pedals have a left hand thread, ie they tighten up counter-clockwise. Left hand pedals are often marked with an ‘L’ somewhere on the axle or may be splined to help identify them. Right hand pedals may be marked with an ‘R’ or have a plain, un-splined axle.
How to Fit Pedals to Your Bicycle
1. Prepare your Tools
Before you begin, make sure you have the following tools:
- Pedals (left and right)
- Pedal wrench or 15mm spanner or allen keys depending on what the pedals need
- Grease
- Rag or paper towel
- Optional: Anti-seize compound
2. Remove the Old Pedals
- Left Pedal: From the left hand side of your bike, fit your pedal tool and turn it clockwise (or towards the back of the bike) to remove it.
- Right Pedal: From the right hand side of your bike, fit your pedal tool and turn it counter- clockwise (or towards the back of the bike) to remove it.
3. Prepare the Threads
- Clean Threads: Wipe the pedal threads and crank arms with a rag or paper towel. Sometimes a light spray like WD-40 or GT85 can help here.
- Apply Grease: Apply a thin layer of grease to the pedal threads. This prevents corrosion and makes future removal much easier.