Follow These Steps to Remove Shimano Pedals Yourself Easily!

Occasional maintenance is never going to leave the chat if you are serious about holding your bikes for a long time. Even the best mountain bike of yours will need inspection and repairs after a while.

You may have the best and most comfortable seat, but after some time it will need to go for a new better one to take place. And similarly, you would need to repair or replace pedals that are parts that go through a lot as you constantly ride the bike.

Both would need removal, basically what I’ll talk about today. The Shimano ones are pretty popular. So, let’s make this a guide on how to remove Shimano pedals.

So Exactly How To Remove Shimano Pedals?

Start with a pedal inspection to confirm the direction of threading, apply some grease on threads and avoid any cross-threading thoughts. Tighten the pedal, remove it carefully with the right amount of pressure. And that should be it!

Now that was a short note on how the whole things work, but it’s still not clear enough. So, let’s explain how do you remove Shimano pedals right beneath.

Inspect The Pedal First.

Finding out which pedal is which comes first. And by that, I mean, you must decide whether it’s a left or right one, there are markings for that you should check. In Shimano SPD-SL pedals, for instance, you’ll find a bend end in the back while the front is a rounded segment.

The drive side is basically the right pedal, and it threads clockwise. While non-drive side or left pedal would follow anti-clockwise threading. And having this piece of information matters in the pedal removal process.

Grease Application for Prep.

For this step, you’re going to need some grease. If you already have Chain Lube for Bikes, then that should be enough. Onto the peda, start fitting the crank protecting washers. Next, you want to use a little grease for wiping the threads so that the screwing in or out becomes extra smooth.

Now start with the drive side pedal (the right one) and you want to thread into crank the pedal carefully. Rotating the axle clockwise will conduct that. This shall show a movement towards the bike front, while you stand on the drive side looking at it. Do this for both sides.

Don’t Go For Cross Threading.

The thread is connecting. Meanwhile, you should check from each and every angle. Just to be sure that it’s moving straight. Now bring the spanner or Allen key (whatever tool you’ve chosen to go with) and put it inside the socket or spanner flats.

To avoid any type of slipping here, you have to work with a lot of torque. People usually prefer removing Shimano pedals with Allen key. You want to fix the key in the crank position at 6 o’clock position.

And if you don’t know what that means, it’ll point towards the ground basically. The Allen key should be maintaining a 90-degree angle to the crank arm. In other words, it should be at 3 o’clock position, which means pointing towards bike back.

Grip the pedal and let it stay still. While you try pushing it in an anti-clockwise direction so that the pedal can come loose.

Pedals Need Tightening Next.

You basically need to tighten the pedals so that the axle flange holds snugly against the arm of the crank. There’s no need for any crazy tightening here of course. The part should naturally become snug enough as you keep pedaling.

Now in some cases, you may discover the threads are becoming tight or sticking even before you have the pedal to fully home. You need to check the axle alignment then. Do this from all sides of course.

If this is not a problem, then check the threads and see if it’s damaged (probably it is). However, even with a damaged one, it’s still sometimes feasible to make those work again by pedal threading from the crank’s inboard side. However, if the damage is too much, there’s no alternative to a new crank.

But, if your first pedal fits just fine, then carry the process for the offside pedal. And in that case, you need to go for anti-clockwise tightening.

Carefully Remove the Pedals.

Now, this is just basic removal of pedal that I don’t think needs much description. But a few things in mind is still necessary. For example, the part about loosening drive side and offside pedals a specific direction. Then using good quality tools for getting an ideal fit.

Or else get ready to experience some of the worst slips that literally cause pedal damage. Not to mention the hurt you’ll get on your knuckles in case of punching the chainrings.

Applying Force, The Right Way Is Key.

Now about how to remove Shimano pedals from crank with the right amount of force, pressure, or whatever you want to call it. The trick is using your foot for the pressure when the tool stays in a 3 o’clock position while the crank is at a 5 o’clock position. Never ever wear road bike shoes, the soles literally will slip.

Just After Removal.

• Clean the pedal properly.
• Twist the pedal axles a bit.
• Waggle the axle to check if the bearings are spinning smoothly. Any tightness or wobbliness is a concern.
• Look for wear in cleats and clean it properly.

Frequently Asked Question

1. Which way do Shimano pedals unscrew?

Depends on which side pedals you are referring to. If it’s the right pedal, you must turn it counterclockwise. And on the contrary, you go clockwise for a left pedal to loosen it.

2. Is it hard to change bike pedals?

Not at all! Unless you have no knowledge regarding how these simple automobile DIYs works. Then visiting a professional to get it changed sound wise enough. Otherwise, it’s just going to need a few simple tools usually available at home and some instructions to follow.

3. How to take off bike pedals without a pedal wrench?

You can use a spanner for the task too, instead of a pedal wrench. Simply position the bike the right way to work with the pedals easily, then put it inside the spanner and turn it to get the pedal free. And then you just have to turn the crank arm and again position the spanner properly.

Wrapping Up

And that’s how to remove Shimano pedals. It’s absolutely fine if you are not a mechanically savvy person. You can still try to give the process some thought, and if the steps sound easy enough to you, just go for it. Removing pedals is considered to be a very simple maintenance chore that owners can do themselves with little guidance which I tried to prove in this piece of writing. Hope It Helps!