Quick question on removing pedals

[Melstar]

To unscrew my pedals: The left pedal, unscrew clockwise? and the opposite for the right... right?

Hope my question makes sense

[DebW]

The right pedal has right-hand threads. The left pedal has left-hand threads. To screw pedals on, the wrench comes from back of bike to upright to front of bike. Opposite to remove. You had it right.

[Kalidurga]

Deb, everyone here should be paying you a consulting fee. I love the way you explain things so coherently!

[SadieKate]

The right pedal has right-hand threads. The left pedal has left-hand threads. To screw pedals on, the wrench comes from back of bike to upright to front of bike. Opposite to remove. You had it right.

Adding "if you stand on the same side of the bike as the pedal . . . "

I just remember, "righty tighty, lefty oddie", as in the left one is odd or the opposite. I'll stand on one side of the bike to do both pedals at times.

[DebW]

Adding "if you stand on the same side of the bike as the pedal . . . "

Doesn't matter where you're standing if you always turn towards the front of the bike (though that only applies to the upper half of the wrench stroke). Avoids the right-left perspective dichotomy.

[SadieKate]

Doesn't matter where you're standing if you always turn towards the front of the bike (though that only applies to the upper half of the wrench stroke). Avoids the right-left perspective dichotomy.

Good for you, Deb. Doesn't always work for me. Ask Bubba. I get all goofed up unless I just think "left or right." At least I don't build a spreadsheet to do it.

[DebW]

Then there's the method I learned in physics class for doing cross-products of vectors. You point your thumb in the direction you want the screw to pull towards, and the way your fingers curl tells you which way to turn the screw. Use right hand for right hand threads, left hand for left hand threads. But since I have trouble picking out my right hand, this doesn't work well for me.

[Grog]

SadieKate is right.

If you put on your pedals, then it's because you want to go on a bike ride, hence you want to go FORWARD. Screw towards the front wheel.

If you put off your pedals, you're stopping, so you want to go towards your rear wheel when you screw it off.

Another interesting note on pedals: I used to use a wrench and, well, I could never take them off. A bike mechanics I now adore has told me to put them on and off with an allen key. It works so easily, it's unbelievable. They don't need to be excessively tight either (just normally tight). It changed my life!

[Adventure Girl]

At least I don't build a spreadsheet to do it.

Was that a dig at your favorite problem child? Don't you roll your eyes at me!!!

[Adventure Girl]

Adding "if you stand on the same side of the bike as the pedal . . . "

I just remember, "righty tighty, lefty oddie", as in the left one is odd or the opposite. I'll stand on one side of the bike to do both pedals at times.

I admit it. I have left/right problems sometimes (Yes, I am the problem child!). This explanation helps me keep it straight.

[Melstar]

The right pedal has right-hand threads. The left pedal has left-hand threads. To screw pedals on, the wrench comes from back of bike to upright to front of bike. Opposite to remove. You had it right.

Ah hah coolios, thanks Deb!

The guy i'm borrowing the bike from really had his clipless pedals tightened to the max. Had to literally kick the wrench... but its all good.

[KnottedYet]

Thanks to this thread, my Park Tool book, and the LBS guys who sold me a pedal-wrench for the muscularly un-endowed and some grease; I was able to switch out the pedals on my Kona. Took off the Frogs and put the flats back on so SKnot can use it.

I'll be checking those puppies to be sure they stay where I put 'em.

I had no problem, unlike the shop guy who assembled the bike in the first place and cross-threaded the pedals. (I'm gloating just a *tiny* bit.)

[lph]

I know all you savvy ladies have already answered the question several times over, but i still have to butt in with my way of remembering which way the pedals go:

they go OFF the opposite way that I pedal. If not I'd be pedalling them off the bike all the time...




(wheee! I got a brand-new drive train

[Nanci]

Knot, they tighten up as you pedal- you don't have to worry about them getting loose!

Grog- I used your way to remember right after I read it, coincidentally. I finally decided to move the 959's to the road bike, and the 747's to the MTB.

I like Back Off, too. Easy to remember.

Nanci