Things You'll Need:
- Pedal wrench
- Hex wrenches (6 and 8mm)
- Light grease
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Step 1
Remove the old pedals first if necessary. Pedals are threaded differently on each side--they tighten by turning them toward the back of the bike. Therefore, when you're on the left side of the bike, you'll turn the pedal left to loosen it, and on the right side you'll turn to the right. Most pedals are loosened with a 15mm pedal wrench, though some are attached with an Allen wrench fitting on the backside of the pedal crank arm. This usually requires an 8 mm hex wrench.
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Step 2
Clean the threads of the crank arm with a soap-and-water solution, then allow to dry. This removes grit and gunk that may interfere with the threads of the new pedals.
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Step 3
Put a layer of grease on the new pedal threads and screw them in finger tight. If you hit any obstructions or "catches" along the way, back out the pedal, check for grit or metal flashings and try again. Tighten as far as possible using your fingers.
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Step 4
Tighten the pedals with your pedal wrench or hex wrench, once the pedal is finger tight. To ensure you get a good, tight fit, hold the crank arm still as you tighten, and be sure you're working in a spot that gives you a good mechanical advantage. Having a helper at the stage is a good idea. Tighten the pedal securely with your pedal wrench or hex wrench. If you want to be sure you have the pedals tight enough, you can use a torque wrench and tighten to 360 foot-pounds. This is not strictly necessary, however--if the pedal is snug with the wrench, you'll be fine.
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Step 5
Check the pedals carefully to be sure that you've got them in securely and straight. Take a short test ride and check the pedal action. The pedals should feel secure and not wobble at all. If you detect any problems, take the pedals out, check for damage to the crank-arm threads and repeat the process carefully.
