Aside from adjusting the height of a unicycle saddle that has a quick-release seatpost clamp, one of the easiest things you can do in terms of maintenance or parts replacement is to remove the pedals.
It’s simple, straightforward, effectively impossible to do wrong (with one caveat), and requires only one basic unicycle tool (or bike tool, if you will).
With that said, here’s all you need to know.
Removing Unicycle Pedals
So you want to remove the pedals from your unicycle; here’s what you need to do.
For this, you will need one basic tool: a thin bicycle type 15mm wrench. There are pedal wrenches you can buy from collections of unicycle and bike tools, but one from the tool box will be too thick to accurately tighten.
Put the unicycle in front of you as if you were going to mount it, then lay the saddle forward onto the ground.
Insert the wrench so that it engages the space in between the pedal and the crank arm and give it a strong shove to loosen it.
The threads are different on both sides, so it’s important that you know which way to turn. If you’ve laid the unicycle down in the manner described, if you insert the wrench so that the handle is facing you, you can push down on both sides; counterclockwise for the right pedal and clockwise for the left.
They are threaded in this manner so that they don’t come loose while you’re riding. It actually makes a lot of sense once you understand why.
Once you’ve loosened them with the wrench, you should be able to unthread them fully and get them off by hand. Then you can replace them with new pedals. Installing is the reverse process from the one described.
As easy as this process is, there is one very important note. If you are installing new pedals, make sure you install the proper pedal on the appropriate side – right on the right and left on the left.
New pedals are typically marked with “L” and “R” stamps or stickers, for left and right, obviously. They must be installed on the appropriate, corresponding side of the cycle or you will damage the threads.
Beyond this, that’s pretty much all there is to replacing the pedals on your unicycle.
Now that we’ve covered this, you might be asking why you would want to take the pedals off in the first place, at least once they’ve already been installed.
Well, for one, you might want to replace your pedals, either to customize the unicycle or just to replace old, worn or damaged pedals, to give your ride new life.
Another reason is for traveling. The profile of a unicycle is quite wide with the pedals installed but actually remarkably thin once the pedals have been removed. Casing, bagging, or otherwise preparing a unicycle for travel is much easier once the pedals have been taken off.
Where to Get the Necessary Unicycle/Bike Tools As Well As Replacement Pedals or Crank Arms
If you’re replacing pedals and need new ones, or are just looking for a place where you can get high quality unicycle parts or bike tools at competitive prices for repair, replacement, or customization, visit Unicycle.com.
They are the uncontested leader in their industry, represent the top brands, offer a wide assortment of parts and tools, and uphold a high standard of customer service.
Visit their website for more information and if you need additional help with replacing any parts on your unicycle (or what special tools you’ll need) get in touch with them directly and they’ll help you out.
