We all know that installing and removing bike pedals is a pretty straightforward process for most bikes. Simply use a pedal wrench to attach the pedals or remove them. And the same goes for installing or removing the pedals on a Peloton or Echelon bike. But you want to learn how to install and remove Peloton pedals for a reason — you’re facing challenges. Luckily, you landed on the right page.
Removing Pedals from a Peloton Bike Can be Challenging
There’s always someone wanting to learn how to attach the pedals on their bike or unscrew them off their machine.
Two things can make it challenging to remove or install Peloton pedals. First, some people use the wrong tool to handle the job. And you know what happens? Frustration, sometimes tons of it.
The second aspect that might make Peloton pedal removal or installation difficult is not knowing how to tighten or loosen the pedals correctly.
If you’re not turning the pedal in the right direction when putting it on the bike or unscrewing it, you’ll end up damaging the pedals’ and crankarm’s threads.
A Peloton Bike’s Left Pedal Features Reverse-threading
A Peloton bike’s left pedal is threaded differently than the left pedal on regular bikes. Not knowing that little fact throws a wrench in the works (pun intended).
Normally, you loosen the left pedal bolt by turning the wrench counterclockwise. But with a Peloton bike’s left pedal, you do the exact opposite of that. You’re supposed to turn the wrench clockwise to loosen the left pedal bolt.
The Right Pedal of a Peloton Bike Has Regular Threading
However, the right pedal on this stationary exercise bike isn’t reverse-threaded. Instead, the right pedal comes with conventional threading. That means you’re to tighten and loosen the right-side pedal the same way you would with a traditional bicycle.
In this post, I’ll show you two things. First, I’ll show you how to remove the pedals from a peloton bike easily and correctly. Then, I’ll describe the step-by-step process for installing the pedals on a Peloton bike.
How to Take the Pedals Off a Peloton Bike
To remove the pedals on your Peloton bike, you need to have the right tool from the get-go. And what you need is a 15mm box-end wrench.
You can also use an 8mm Allen wrench. But that’s not what I recommend because it’s a tad harder to use an Allen wrench to attach or remove any kind of pedal.
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Instead, I recommend the Tekton WRN53115 Ratcheting Combination Wrench. Honestly, there are tons of similar wrenches that can be had for cheaper. But this is the wrench I use and prefer.
This Tekton wrench boasts a 4.5+ rating after over 2,200 Amazon customer reviews from real cyclists as of this writing. Clearly, I’m not the only one that loves this tool.
The open end of this Peloton bike pedal removal wrench comes with 15-degree angling. That ample angling enables you to flip the tool over so that you can engage fastening components more often in tight spaces. And that makes this wrench the perfect tool for accessing the area between the pedal and crankarm of your bike.
Unlike regular pedal wrenches, this 15mm wrench is skinny and provides a good grip on the pedal bolt. What’s more, this tool doesn’t catch on the side of the pedal or crankarm. That means you’ll handle the task smoothly without anything getting in the way.
When you buy a Peloton bike, you’ll usually get a 15mm wrench. But if you misplaced your wrench or didn’t get one for some reason, buy the Tekton one I recommended above. You’ll love it.
Don’t Use an Adjustable Wrench
Just don’t use an adjustable wrench when losing the pedal bolts on a Peloton. This tool just won’t work as it won’t perfectly fit over the pedal bolt of your bike.
An adjustable wrench tapers wider past the jaws towards the back. The same goes for the regular pedal wrench. This tool has a hard time fitting that narrow space as easily as the 15mm box-end wrench.
Now that you have the right tool, let’s get down to work. Follow the steps below to remove the pedals from your Peloton bike.
How to Remove the Left Pedal on a Peloton Bike
With a Peloton bike, the left pedal comes reverse-threaded. That means when threading the pedal out, you’ll need to turn it clockwise. That’s the opposite of how you remove regular bike pedals.
“With a Peloton bike, the left pedal comes reverse-threaded.” (make this text stand out when publishing)
So, put the jaws of your 15mm wrench over the pedal-crankarm gap. It’s best to hold the tool straight up, at 90 degrees to the pedal bolt. Holding the wrench in that position helps prevent cross-threading the pedal bolt.
How to Remove the Right Pedal on a Peloton
While the left pedal on this stationary bike comes reverse-threaded, the right pedal of a Peloton features regular right-pedal threading.
So, loosen the right-side pedal the same way you loosen a regular road bike or mountain bike pedal. Place your wrench between the pedal and the crankarm.
Then, turn the bolt clockwise to loosen it. Once the pedal has become loose enough, you can use your hand to remove it.
How to Install the Pedals on a Peloton Bike
Follow the steps below to install the pedals on your Peloton bike:
Step 1: Lock the Flywheel and Crank
Before you start installing the pedals on your Peloton bike, make sure to lock the machine’s flywheel and crank. To do that, simply turn the resistance knob on your exercise equipment fully to the right. As simple as that.
Step 2: Inspect the Threads in the Crank
Before you attach the pedals to the crankarm and start threading them, take a look at the inside of the crank hole. Are the threads inside still in good condition?
Good crankarms have deep, even grooves. So, if that’s not the case with your crankarm, you’ll want to replace it.
You don’t need to grease the pedal thread or those on the crankarm. All you need to do is try not to overtighten the pedal bolts. If you tighten the pedals too much, you’ll likely break them. Plus, you’ll be creating a future problem. You’ll find it extremely hard to remove the pedals down the road.
Step 3: Determine Where Each pedal Goes
The next step is to determine which pedal goes to the right crank and which one goes to the left side. Typically, bike pedals come clearly marked.
The letter R identifies the right pedal while the letter L indicates the left pedal. When it comes to a Peloton’s pedals, the R or L may not always be easy to find. But you’ll always find the letters somewhere on the pedals.
Step 4: Tighten the Pedal Bolts, But Not Too Much
But, how much should I tighten My Peloton Pedals? When screwing the pedals onto your Peloton bike, make sure not to over-torque the pedal bolt. If you overtighten the bolt, it’ll be super difficult to remove in the future.
As soon as the threads on the pedal axle disappear into the crankarm, give the bolt a little cinch and that’s it. Usually, pedals have an in-built self-tightening system. As you ride your bike, the pedals naturally tighten to some extent and won’t come off.
If it feels like you the pedal isn’t going in or if you notice some resistance, the chances are that you’re cross-threading. Or the threads in the crankarm or on the pedal are damaged.
In that case, just unscrew the pedal and inspect it as well as the crank. If the threads show any signs of damage, buy new crank arms and a set of new Peloton pedals and repeat the pedal installation process.
Peloton says to replace the pedals regularly. How often? They recommend swapping out the pedals every 12 months. However, pedal replacement frequency depends on the intensity and frequency of your rides.
How to Install and Remove Peloton Pedals: Conclusion
Installing and removing the pedals from a bike is the exact same process with most bike types. But when it comes to Peloton bikes, the pedals have reverse threading. And that changes the way you put the pedals on and take them off.
Get the right tool — a 15mm box-end wrench that fits over the gap without catching on the side of the pedal or crankarm.
Then, place the jaws of the wrench on the pedal bolt and turn it counterclockwise to loosen the left pedal. As for the right pedal, turn the tool clockwise to loosen the pedal. To tighten the left pedal, turn it clockwise. And to screw the right pedal on, give it counterclockwise turns.
Avoid over-torquing your pedals. And if the threads on the crank have been stripped, it’s probably time to buy new crankarms.
