How to Take Off Bike Pedals Without a Pedal Wrench?

It took me a while to make the decision of renovating my bike – I wanted to change its style to match my own a little more.
Now, for that, I needed to start by changing the pedals first. And instead of taking the help of my local bike shop, I thought I should do it myself. But as it turned out, I need a pedal wrench for that.
And unfortunately, I didn’t have one. But surely, instead of giving up, I started researching on how to take off bike pedals without a pedal wrench – and I found some interesting insights through my hours of research.
Go through this article, and you will get to know those too.
What Is a Pedal Wrench?
As you can tell by the name, a pedal wrench is used to unscrew pedals from the crank arms.
You will notice that these wrenches are mostly open-ended and are often thin enough to fit the gripping surface of the pedals. That is what makes them perfect for pedals.
Is It Necessary to Buy a Pedal Wrench?
We have described what a pedal wrench is, which should give you an idea of how convenient it is for removing bike pedals.
But unless you replace or remove bike pedals frequently, getting them is not really a good idea. Surely, the convenience they will provide will be worth it, but for one job, you can go for other methods instead of spending more money.
Why Is It Important to Change Bike Pedals?
So, why do you exactly need to replace the bike pedals? Firstly, if your bike’s pedals have broken down, then it is definitely not a good idea to keep them as they are. At the same time, if the times have outgrown your pedals and you need an upgrade, then replacing them is a good option.
Lastly, the pedals might not go with the style of your bike – which might instigate you to get new and stylish pedals.
How to Take Off Bike Pedals?
Now let’s move to the process of removing bike pedals without using a pedal wrench – trust me, it’s easier than you think, just follow the instructions.
- Get a Regular Wrench
If you don’t have a pedal wrench, worry not because a regular wrench will do the trick. It will be even better if the wrench is adjustable. However, if it is not, and if you need to buy a regular wrench, then determine the size of the bike’s pedals first and then get a wrench accordingly.
- Locate the Spindle
Now you need to locate the pedal spindle; once you have done that, you will need to put the wrench directly on the spindle. Tightly attach it to the spindle, and then move the pedal backward; at the same time, keep the wrench in a parallel position to the ground.
- Get on the Bike
To put as much weight on the bike as possible, get on the bike and rest the ball of your foot on the pedal, and the rest of it on the wrench. In this position, try to put as much weight as possible – just make sure to balance the weight because otherwise, the wrench might break or loosen up.
- Time to Remove the Pedals
Eventually, the pedal itself will loosen up, and that is when you will have to get off your bike. Remove the wrench from the pedal and loosen it up using your hands – turn it counter-clockwise, and eventually, you will be able to take it off. Repeat the same steps with the other pedal.
Final Words
Now that we are finally done discussing the ways of removing bike pedals, I hope you have learned all about how to take off bike pedals without a pedal wrench.
Even without the most essential tools, you can make things done if you know the right method.