How to Mount Clip & Strap Pedals

It goes without saying that without pedals, your bicycle would be rendered largely useless. Looking more closely at the composition of a pedal reveals that it has a spindle. The spindle, in turn, attaches to a threaded eyelet at the end of the crank. Mounting your clip and strap pedals properly prevents damaging the threads of either the pedal spindle or the crank. Clips and straps also allow your foot to remain firmly attached to the pedal when transferring power from your foot to the pedal. Mounting clip and strap pedals is a straightforward process that can be carried out with relative ease.

Things You'll Need

  • Bicycle repair stand (optional)
  • Bicycle grease
  • 15 mm pedal wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fit your bicycle into a bicycle repair stand. If no repair stand is available, enlist a friend to hold the bicycle upright while you mount each pedal.

    • 2

      Use your finger to coat the the threads of each pedal spindle with bicycle grease.

    • 3

      Differentiate between the left and right pedals. Look for an "L" or an "R" on the pedal spindle. "L" designates a left pedal while "R" designates a right pedal. If these markings are lacking, attach each pedal so that the enclosed portion of the pedal strap is pointed forward.

    • 4

      Thread the greased spindle of the right pedal by hand clockwise into the eyelet at the end of the right crank. The right crank is on the same side of the bicycle as the chain and sprockets.

    • 5

      Tighten the pedal by hand as far as possible.

    • 6

      Attach a 15 mm pedal wrench to the flat portion of the pedal spindle between the crank and pedal's platform.

    • 7

      Grab hold of the opposite crank for leverage. Use the pedal wrench to fully tighten the pedal.

    • 8

      Thread the left clip and strap pedal counter-clockwise into the eyelet on the end of the left crank. Tighten the pedal by hand as much as possible.

    • 9

      Grab hold of the opposite crank for leverage. Use the wrench to finish tightening the pedal.