How to Fix a Bike Pedal That Fell Off? – 7 Steps

Have you ever experienced biking and all of a sudden, your bike pedal just falls off? We know the feeling & it’s certainly not a good one.

And this isn’t an uncommon situation for bikers, that’s for sure. With that, it’s safe to say that it’s necessary to be educated in everything there is to know on how to fix a bike pedal that fell off.

Lucky you, In this article, we’ll let you know all about it! So just read on to learn all the bits and details on how to fix bicycle pedal in these simple steps!

Step-by-step to Fix a Bike Pedal That Fell Off

What to prepare:

Step 1: First inspect and check the involved bike parts

Loosening bike pedals may be caused by the axle nut being loosened. Remember that it’s the first thing you have to check.

However, this isn’t the only case. Check the parts of the pedals, the crank arm, and the axle nut itself if there are any mild to severe damages.

This step helps you determine the gravity of the problem. While it’s great to be your own handyman, seeking professional help to fix a bike pedal that keeps falling off may be necessary if the problem is too heavy.

So inspect thoroughly.

Step 2: Clean the threads, the bearings, and the pedal

To fix bike pedal bearings, cleaning them is a must. Get your rag or towel and clean off all the parts involved in the bike pedal.

This makes your bike pedals last much longer due to less risk of corrosion or wear.

Step 3: Put some lubrication or grease on the bike pedals’ threads

Simply apply some grease or lubrication on the threads of the bike pedals.

Pedals, as they work, have the tendency to tighten on their own. With the help of grease on the threads, it allows the pedals to work smoothly, preventing them from getting stuck. It also protects the threads from corrosion, which is another cause of bike pedal damage and falling off.

Step 4: Determine the right and left pedal

The orientation of a bike pedal is a lot more important than you think. This is because the right pedal is attached & tightened to the crank arm by turning it clockwise, whereas the left pedal is turned counterclockwise. 

To determine this, you will see a letter “L” or “R” engraved on the pedal.

Step 5: Reinstall your pedal onto the crank arm

Use your fingers first to insert the pedal into the crank arm and turn it about one or two times clockwise or counterclockwise depending on if it’s the left or right pedal.

Now, get a hold of your pedal wrench and place it in between the newly attached pedal and turn the whole crank along with the pedal clockwise or counter-clockwise.

Take note that this is the same rule as the first attachment of the pedal onto the crank arm. For the left pedal, turn counterclockwise. For the right pedal, turn clockwise. Continue turning until it stops on its own into the crank. 

Then, place the pedal wrench in between the area that best takes hold of where the pedal and crank arm meet. Position the wrench to where you are at your most mechanical advantage. Push the wrench clockwise while pulling the crank slightly upward to tighten. 

Step 6: Test the pedal

Give your pedal a test by turning it as much as you want. If you feel something wobbly or even worse, if the left or right pedal keeps falling off still, then reassess all the parts once again.

Step 7: Call the profesional (if neccesary)

If there are any damages to its parts, call professional help for some detailed bike repair. This may be the best resort for recurring problems.

Seeking professional help becomes beneficial if, for instance, your bike pedal broke off or your bike pedal crank arm fell off and all problems of that nature.

Professionals are also more knowledgeable in specialized bikes, so if your specialized bike pedal fell off, they know what to do from start to finish.

FAQs

Are there different pedals or crank arms?

Yes. Some examples of the types of cranks are the following, as all these differ from pedal threading in inches and in metric.

For pedals, there are dual-purpose pedals, delta pedals, flat pedals, and more. There are many brands that offer different kinds of pedals that are much more

One example of a dual-purpose pedal is the MYX bike pedal as it can be used with both SPD clips or athletic shoes.

Make sure you identify the right type before fixing a bike pedal crank.

Are the pedals the same for both sides?

No. The left and right pedals, when installed, are turned differently in order to tighten them. This is why each pedal is marked whether it’s the left side or the right side.

In detail, you will have to turn your pedal wrench (or hex wrench) counter-clockwise to tighten the left pedal.

How to take care of bike pedals?

Here are some tips for maintaining your bike pedals:

Can you order replacement pedals from bike brands?

Some brands offer replacement parts for sale. If the brand of your bike is Pelaton and you’re experiencing Peloton pedal problems.

If by chance, your Peloton pedal fell off and you may need a replacement for your bike pedals, you’re free to purchase from their website.

Once you’ve got that all figured out, the next step is installing & tightening peloton pedals and you’re good to go.

The same goes for the brand, Huffy. You may also purchase a replacement Huffy bike pedal from their website.

Conclusion

When the pedal falls off, the entire bike becomes useless! That’s why a problem like this requires an urgent solution. And with this article’s help, we hope that you gained some knowledge on how to fix a bike pedal that fell off!

So the next time that your pedal fell off bike, stay calm and remember everything said in this article. Just follow the steps, and you’ll be pedaling back again in no time!