How To Service Bike Pedals

Servicing bike pedals is not often something particularly high up on the to do list! This is probably because stiff or crunchy pedals are not as easy to notice as say wheel bearing wear for example. While pedals are built pretty tough, regularly stripping the axle out and re greasing the bushings can dramatically increase the life of your pedals, especially as they are in the brunt of the mud on bike rides this time of year.

Now, not all bicycle pedals are serviceable. Most pedals of any quality usually are though and follow the same, if not a very similar, process to the one we show on the Funn Ripper SPD pedals.

What You Need To Service Your Bike Pedals:

• Socket set

• Allen keys

• Rag & tissues

• Spray oil

• Grease

• Emery paper - Optional

Stripping down your pedals

Firstly remove your pedals from your bike. Remember the left hand (non drive side) pedal has a reverse thread so will loosen when turned clockwise! There is usually an end cap on the outer shell of the pedals, this is to protect from mud. Remove this to expose a smaller nut, pictured here, that holds the axle in to the pedal.

Now holding the axle in place using an 8mm Allen key, undo the smaller nut. Note this nut on the right hand (drive side) pedal may also be reverse thread!

It may be a bit stiff, but with this small nut removed the axle should pull out. As you can see… mine is pretty grim!

Now thoroughly clean out the pedal casing and axle. Spray oil into the pedal and clean by pushing in some tissue or thin cloth.

Now wipe down the pedal axle. You may find some particularly tough grime on the axle like mine in the picture. If this is the case, spray on some oil and rub with a very fine emery paper.

Be careful not to overdo it, simply use the paper to remove the grime, not score the axle!

Now apply grease to the axle and pedal body. I put quite a lot on and any excess is force out the end when you re fit the axle.

Now re fit the axle and tighten the locking nut, again remember the drive side may be reverse thread. Then refit the end cap from the pedal.

Job done! Just got to re fit them to the bike. This is a simple job and it makes a real difference to the resistance of the pedals when spinning on the axles. Some pedals may have slightly different process but generally if they are serviceable pedals it will be very similar to the method described above.

Thanks for reading, feel free to get in contact with any questions.