Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Why? Just why? (Bike the right way up.) Trying to find that extra challenge?
Removing pedals - is this as simple as it looks?
- Thread starter ebikeerwidnes
- Start date
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- Tags
- pedals
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Darius_Jedburgh
Veteran
Yes. Really. Providing you have the right tools and don't think a piece of cheese will suffice. And don't crank them to the limit on fitting. Technique is all, and many think that pedals can just be thrown on and forgotten. Then somebody else can sort out the problem.
On the subject of which why has OP not been back to this thread?
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Your question shows a lack of sophistication (implicitly not knowing how to check whether someone has 'been back'). The OP was on just before midnight and will have read every post, except your breakfast contribution.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
To be fair, Darius did say "arguably". You have proved him right 
What is the easiest job on the bike (definition of 'job' will of course be part of your considered reply)?
A pedal which comes off easily is a pretty easy job.
What is the easiest job on the bike (definition of 'job' will of course be part of your considered reply)?
A pedal which comes off easily is a pretty easy job.
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
OK - Thanks
pickies following - dunno why it failed at the start
pickies following - dunno why it failed at the start
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
In response to the person who said I have not been back to look
I had - but it was reasonable to think maybe I hadn't - something weird happened and when I went back I noticed the pictures hadn't been posted - so I posted them last night
This morning I came back just now - and they still were not there - but the message was buffered somehow - I have no clue what happened - probably FBKAC !
Anyway - apologies for lack of images at the start
and thanks to all who have posted
summary - if I get a key to fit that hex socket I can take the pedals off - or at least the one on the side with the chain - and put it back on with only tools I have (normal spanners, smaller Allen keys, hammer etc etc - hopefully with no problems or other special 'bike only' type tools
note to self - must get a bike tool kit of something
I had - but it was reasonable to think maybe I hadn't - something weird happened and when I went back I noticed the pictures hadn't been posted - so I posted them last night
This morning I came back just now - and they still were not there - but the message was buffered somehow - I have no clue what happened - probably FBKAC !
Anyway - apologies for lack of images at the start
and thanks to all who have posted
summary - if I get a key to fit that hex socket I can take the pedals off - or at least the one on the side with the chain - and put it back on with only tools I have (normal spanners, smaller Allen keys, hammer etc etc - hopefully with no problems or other special 'bike only' type tools
note to self - must get a bike tool kit of something
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Just to be clear (I had a doubt yesterday but supressed it) you do mean the pedal and not the right hand crank (leaving its pedal attached)?
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ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
OK - sorry - whole pedally thing - so basically - yes - cranks - my terminology ius based on what my Dad taught me and fiddling -
and my Dad was taught my his Dad and his mates
I have never had contact with anyone who knows what they are talking about until I came to CC
hence lack of tools and words
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Measure the opposite flats of the hex slot and that's the allen key size you need - looks about a 8mm to me (and I have checked this from your image, assuming 170mm crank length). You may find it useful to buy a set of allen keys rather than just the one.
Again having said that, before you go to that trouble, be sure the way the chainguard has been secured cannot be undone and the guard slipped off without needing crank removal.
And finally, remember that the whole purpose of the chainguard is to minimise the grot that gets on the chainring. Many bikes' chainguards are never removed in the bike's lifetime (I assert). So maybe you are fiddling for minimal benefit.
Good list @Dogtrousers - maybe worth its own thread?
Again having said that, before you go to that trouble, be sure the way the chainguard has been secured cannot be undone and the guard slipped off without needing crank removal.
And finally, remember that the whole purpose of the chainguard is to minimise the grot that gets on the chainring. Many bikes' chainguards are never removed in the bike's lifetime (I assert). So maybe you are fiddling for minimal benefit.
Good list @Dogtrousers - maybe worth its own thread?
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ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
Hmmm
I can index gears - seems quite easy after I looked it up and didn't need any special tools
The stuff about the bottom bracket was why I asked the original question!
Anyway - I suppose the worst that is likely to happen it an embarrassing visit to the LBS and ask him to fix what I have done!
I suppose it would be an idea to get a cheap semi wrecked bike with a decent frame and take it apart and put it back together again. Maybe when the weather gets better again!
I can index gears - seems quite easy after I looked it up and didn't need any special tools
The stuff about the bottom bracket was why I asked the original question!
Anyway - I suppose the worst that is likely to happen it an embarrassing visit to the LBS and ask him to fix what I have done!
I suppose it would be an idea to get a cheap semi wrecked bike with a decent frame and take it apart and put it back together again. Maybe when the weather gets better again!
T4tomo
Legendary Member
This line gets trotted out a lot, and its complete and utter bollocks as it depends on which way up the spanner is. It is more confusing than remembering the left hand pedal is reverse threaded.
i.e. Which way is to the back is you start with the spanner at 3 o'clock??
@Moderators - can we lifetime ban anyone who posts this in future?
For the avoidance of doubt:
RH / Drive side pedal unscrews normally anti clockwise as you look at it.
LH / non drive side pedal unscrews clockwise as you look at it
Ming the Merciless
There is no mercy
- Location
- Inside my skull
looking at that I’d say the chain guard will fit over the crank and pedal,once you unbolt the chain guard.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
The OP wants to remove the cranks.
That is done by removing what should be an allen key bolt where they attach to the bike.
Strictly, a crank puller is then needed, but Bosch bikes have a simple spline crank, so the cranks themselves usually come off by hand or with a tap.
Both cranks are identical - apart from the handing of the pedal thread.
In other words, the drive side one is not attached to the chain ring by anything more than its splines.
As regards cleaning, the OP needs to be careful to keep degreaser away from the main bearing on both sides.
That is done by removing what should be an allen key bolt where they attach to the bike.
Strictly, a crank puller is then needed, but Bosch bikes have a simple spline crank, so the cranks themselves usually come off by hand or with a tap.
Both cranks are identical - apart from the handing of the pedal thread.
In other words, the drive side one is not attached to the chain ring by anything more than its splines.
As regards cleaning, the OP needs to be careful to keep degreaser away from the main bearing on both sides.
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
Thanks - I'll give it a go!
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
I can't recall if the allen bolts are both normally threaded, but I think they might be.
One thing to remember is to mark which crank came off which side.
This is because if you don't, you could put the crank with the left hand pedal thread back on the 'wrong' side.
That wouldn't be a disaster, but might cause problems if you come to remove the pedals and find all the sage advice about threads on here doesn't work.
One thing to remember is to mark which crank came off which side.
This is because if you don't, you could put the crank with the left hand pedal thread back on the 'wrong' side.
That wouldn't be a disaster, but might cause problems if you come to remove the pedals and find all the sage advice about threads on here doesn't work.
