Pedal tools

Pedal tools

Pedal tools are designed specifically for removal and installation of pedals - they are 15mm thin spanners

Why a specific tool for pedal removing and installing pedals?

Pedal threads (generally) are different on the left and right side of the bike:

The drive side pedal (right hand as you sit on the bike) does up in the normal tightening direction - turning to the right (clockwise or righty tighty) to tighten

The non-drive side pedal (left hand as you sit on the bike) does up in the opposite way around - turning to the left (anti-clockwise) to loosen

This design is so that as you pedal, the pedals can self-tighten rather than come unscrewed (if they are not done up tight enough they will still loosen and fall off!)

Get on with it ... why does this mean a special pedal tool is required

Firstly - pedals can be very tight (and they can corrode or rust on with time - especially if grease is not applied when installing) and pedal spanners tend to have longer handles than a standard spanner

Secondly - pedals that use a 15mm spanner for tightening only have a thin gap for tightening (so your normal large adjustable spanner won't fit), and a small cone spanner - though looking appealing - may break under the heavy load required to loosen the pedal

Note: more and more pedals are using allen keys for fitting / removing pedals - from the back of the crank