A Simple Guide to Buying and Installing BMX Pedals

Riding a bike has many health benefits and while it can be a great way to commute to work, riding a regular bicycle isn’t as fun as riding a BMX. BMX bikes have become all the rage lately, and for all the right reasons. They improve your cardiovascular health, as they require a bit more effort to ride and they also help you build muscle. Riding any type of bike can also help with weight loss and it can improve your balance, coordination, and posture along with brain activity, but BMX bikes are much more robust, allowing you to ride them in skate parks, where you can perform tricks and push yourself to the limit.

Riding a BMX is an overall great physical activity that keeps your whole body healthy including your mental health. When you ride a BMX you stimulate creative thinking, your productivity and confidence are through the roof and you feel good after a ride. This, in turn, can improve your sleep, as any physical activity releases dopamine which helps reduce stress levels and makes you feel better at the end of the day. BMX bikes and parts come in a wide range of shapes and forms, and every part is essential to the performance and capabilities of your BMX. One such part is the bike pedal, which in my opinion is the second most important part after the chain on your BMX.

Types of BMX Pedals

Thermoplastic

Thermoplastics are the most affordable materials BMX bike pedals can be made of. You get great grip pins with thermoplastic pedals and a broad platform that reduces the chances of your shoe slipping away from the pedal. Polycarbonate is one of the most popular thermoplastics, as they make for rugged BMX pedals that are very durable.

Die-Cast

If you want a bump up in strength and durability you should go for die-cast BMX pedals. These come with easily replaceable pins and make for a lightweight option that is incredibly strong. Die-cast pedals can take quite a beating. Sporting a more rugged and futuristic look, newcomers often buy BMX pedals that are made of die-cast despite the higher price tag.

CNC

Synonymous for being light and robust, CNC-machined pedals are the most expensive out of all BMX pedal types. They can be custom made, feature unique patterns while being easy to remove and put back in place at the same time. CNC pedals are chunky and have a low-profile look making them both aesthetically pleasing and durable.

How to Change BMX Pedals

What You’ll Need

Taking away the old pedals on your BMX and installing new ones isn’t that hard and everyone can do it as long as they have the necessary tools. Make sure before you start removing parts, that you have an Allen key, pedal wrench, and a water-dispersant such as WD-40.

Taking Them Off

1. To take your pedals off of your BMX you first need to spray a little bit of lubricant, especially if you haven’t removed them in a long time. This will loosen any gunk and help you remove them a lot easier. Just make sure you let the water dispersant sit for about 5 minutes so that it dissolves the gunk.
2. When removing the pedals you need to remember that the left pedal spindle is always reverse threaded. This means that you need to turn it clockwise when removing the pedal while it faces the crank arm. The right pedal side is normal which means you need to turn it anti-clockwise to loosen the pedal.
3. To loosen the pedals insert an Allen key into the pedal axle opposite from the pedal. While facing the drive side of your BMX bike, turn the crank arm to the 3 o’clock position. Then, place a spanner on the flat surface between the pedal body and crank arm and push your foot down onto the spanner while holding the brakes. This will rotate the spanner anti-clockwise and loosen the pedal a lot easier. When you have the pedal loose, continue rotating the spanner anti-clockwise until it’s detached. When it comes to the non-drivetrain side, you need to turn the bike around and rotate the crank arm to the 9 o’clock position, place the Allen key/spanner in line with the arm and press it down with your foot. This will make the tool rotate clockwise and loosen the pedal.

Putting Them On

1. Once you locate the “R” and “L” letter on each pedal (representing the side the pedal is supposed to go to) place them on the correct side of your bicycle. You might need to put some lubricant to the spindle threads since the pedals are new. Place the pedal into the crank arm at a 90° angle and easily thread it into place.
2. Position the pedal wrench on the spindle flats and then tighten the pedal using the Allen key. When you feel some resistance whilst turning the spanner/Allen key start tightening the pedal to the manufacturer’s specified torque level. If there is none specified just turn about 1/8 of a rotation after you feel the resistance to secure the pedal properly.