Which Size Bike Pedals?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Bicycle pedals mainly have two sizes:

9/16” and 1⁄2”

. The 9/16” is the more standard version of pedals and covers almost all subtypes.

What size pedals Does my bike need?

Bicycle pedals mainly have two sizes:

9/16” and 1⁄2”

. The 9/16” is the more standard version of pedals and covers almost all subtypes.

Are my pedals 9/16 or 1 2?


If the cranks are THREE PIECES, meaning two crank arms bolted to a spindle, it will be 9/16 thread on the pedals

. If the crank is ONE piece through a large bottom bracket housing, it’s 1/2 thread.

What is the most common bike pedal size?

The

9/16”

is the most common pedal thread size on the market today and is the size that most manufacturers use for their pedals. Almost all modern adult bikes have the 9/16” pedal with 20 threads per inch (tpi).

Are larger pedals better?

Larger Pedals

However,

bigger is not better for everybody

! As the pedal gets wider, the likelihood of ground clearance concerns increases — you’ve got a greater chance of striking obstacles or dragging your pedal in the dirt around tight turns.

How do I choose mountain bike pedals?

In short,

the more pins in the bike pedal, and the longer the pins, the better grip you will get between your shoes and your pedals

. We recommend that mountain bikers look for flat pedals with 10-12 pins per side. There are a couple of other pin-related items to consider as well.

Are all bicycle pedals the same size?

When it comes to pedal sizes,

there are two sizes: 1⁄2” and 9/16”

. 1⁄2” pedals are only used on very basic bikes with a one piece crank. A one piece crank is just that, it’s one piece of steel that is bent/forged to run from one pedal, through the frame, to the other pedal.

Are all bike pedals the same size thread?


Most pedals have 9/16′′ x 20 tpi threads

. Pedals for one-piece cranks are 1/2′′ x 20 tpi. Older French bicycles used a 14 mm x 1.25 mm thread, but these are quite rare. French-threaded pedals are commonly labeled “D” and G” (French for “droite” and “gauche” (right and left).

How do you tell which pedal is which?

What is standard pedal thread size?

Bicycle pedals are commonly a

9/16′′ x 20 threads per inch

. The inside diameter of the internal thread (the “nut”) must be smaller. Measured in millimeters, the OD of the pedal is typically 14.2mm.

What size pedal wrench do I need?

The flats on almost all modern pedals take a

15mm spanner

, though many pedal spanners also have a 9/16-inch jaw for older pedals. Don’t be tempted to use thin wheel cone bearing spanners, as they’ll distort and be ruined. 4. If there’s a hex socket it will be 6mm or 8mm.

Which way do pedals thread?

It is important to remember that pedal threads are different from left side and right side.

The right side pedal has a right-hand thread (removes counterclockwise, installs clockwise). The left side pedal has a left-hand thread (removes clockwise, installs counterclockwise)

.

Do all road bike shoes fit all pedals?


Some shoes are compatible with both two bolt and three-bolt pedal systems, but many, including more specialist performance shoes, are only compatible with one or the other

. Look carefully at the product description on the cycling shoes product page to ensure your pedals and cleats are compatible with your shoes.

Can I put clipless pedals on any bike?

If you have several bicycles, you might want to purchase clipless pedals for the ones you ride most so that you can use your clipless shoes (and enjoy all the benefits of going clipless)

regardless of which bike you choose to ride

. The most important thing is practicing before hitting the road or trail.

Should I upgrade my bike pedals?

A road pedal upgrade

allows you more confidence to “take charge” and ride harder

, particularly when descending and also when manoeuvering through the bunch. If you don’t trust your old pedals maybe it’s time to upgrade. Road bike riding is all about efficiency: getting the most bang (power), for your buck (effort).

Where should foot be on bike?

You should position your foot over your bicycle pedal

so that the ball of your foot, also called the metatarsal, is directly over the pivot arm of the pedal

. The pedal’s pivot arm is the axis, which runs through the body of the pedal.

Are all flat pedals the same?

Different Materials. Just like with most all the components on your mountain bike,

not all pedals are made from the same materials

. While the majority of both flat and clipless pedals are machined from aluminum alloy, more and more pedals are now also offered in some kind of composite option.

Can I use MTB pedals on a road bike?

Condensed answer: Road and mountain bike pedals designed for adults have the same pedal thread (9/16” x 20 TPI). As a result, you can easily swap pedals between bikes.

There’s nothing wrong with using mountain bike pedals on a road bike

. Some people even do it on purpose to enjoy the benefits of MTB shoes and pedals.

Do pedals make a difference on a mountain bike?

They are small and seemingly insignificant. But the truth is, pedals are a very important facet of having a bike that fits you, and

the difference between a quality pedal and one that doesn’t work very well for the type of riding you are doing can make or break the experience.

Why are flat pedals better?

Flat pedals provide several benefits when descending;

better power transfer through your cranks, greater range of foot position and rotation, ease of adjusting heels down, quick and easy removal of your feet from the pedals

. Good body position, range of motion and angulation are maximized with flat pedals.

How wide is a boss pedal?

For example, the typical Boss pedal is always

2.87 x 5 inches

. While there are smaller and larger form stompboxes, this is an extremely typical size for a single effects unit with only one bypass switch.

Can you replace bike pedals?

Use a pedal wrench or hex key to unscrew the pedals from the crank arms. Right pedals loosen by turning counter-clockwise, left pedals loosen clockwise. Apply bike grease to the new pedals and screw them in at an even 90 degree angle. Right pedals tighten by turning clockwise, left pedals tighten counter-clockwise.

Why do pedals have different threads?

I read the question and your response regarding why left and right pedal threads are the opposite of what one might, at first glance, expect. The reason for this is

due to the effects of precession, where one round object rolling inside another will turn in the opposite direction due to the clearance between the two

.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.