How to Change Pedals On Peloton bike? (Full Process)

At a first glance, it may not sound hard removing and installing pedals on your Peloton bike. But things can take a different turn if you have never changed your bike pedals.

It is common to make some silly mistakes when you are in that position. Sometimes, these minor mistakes can give you major problems that are beyond your expectation.

Your Peloton bike may come with the default pedals that are compatible with a 3-hole cleat (such as Look Delta cleats). Often these pedals are trivial in terms of performance. Those who are serious about cycling don’t usually like them. Moreover, you must use a 3-bolt cleat (Look Delta or SPD-SL style) in order to use the pedals.

Sometimes, bikers don’t feel comfortable wearing 3-hole compatible Peloton shoes. They look for more flexible solutions where they can use 2-bolt cleats and can walk comfortably wearing the shoes. That is why it is crucial to change Peloton bike pedals for the ultimate cycling experience.

If you don’t have any experience of removing and installing new pedals on a Peloton bike, don’t worry! We are here to show you how to do that with a very simple procedure.

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How to Change Pedals On Peloton Bike and Replace With New One?

We will show you how to install new pedals on your Peloton bike in just three simple steps. In order to go with the process, you must ensure you have a 15 millimeter wrench that is relatively thinner than other types of wrenches.

You may get one when you purchase your Peloton bike. Alternatively, you can use a 6 or 8 millimeter hex key depending on the type of pedal that you are going to install.

Now, let’s get down with the process –

Step 1 -How To Remove Default Peloton Pedals?

First, you need to take off the preinstalled pedals from your Peloton bike. Use the 15 millimeter wrench to remove the left pedal first. The wrench should fit into the crank nut smoothly. Once the wrench is attached, you turn it clockwise to loosen it.

Although normal threading is applicable for the right crank arm, you don’t want to apply the same technique with the left one as you might end up damaging the threading. And if you find difficulty in turning the crank nut clockwise, use a hammer to put extra torque. Normally, you will be able to loosen it with your hand.

Once you are done removing the left pedal, try to loosen the right one. This time, rotate the wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the nut from the crank arm. This will be easier than before because you have a certain amount of skill this time and you are familiar with the process.

For a recap, just remember you have to turn –

Clockwise – for the left pedal
Counter-clockwise – for the right pedal

Step 2 – Determine Which Pedal Goes to Right and Which One Goes to the Left Crank Arm

Do you know?

-The right and left Peloton or any bike pedals have opposite threading

Yes, that’s right. The pedal manufacturers do this to handle a mechanical phenomenon that is known as ‘Precession’. For this phenomenon, even though the right pedal has the normal threading; the left one doesn’t screw like anything else. The left pedal features a left-hand thread.

The mechanism of the left pedal on a bicycle

But why do paddle makers do this? That is because – if the left pedal had a normal right-hand thread, it would come off the axle for the downward force of your foot. While you are pedaling, this force applies to the spindle making the axle spin in the opposite direction. As a result, the left pedal will become loose and it will eventually fall off the axle.

You will find labels with an ‘R’ and ‘L’ on the right and left pedal accordingly. Most pedal manufacturers put these labels so that you can install the correct pedal on the correct axle.

If the labels are faded off for some reason, there is a way to identify which one is the right pedal and which one is the left one. Simply, put both pedals side-by-side (like the image below) while keeping their spindles upwards. You will notice the thread on the right pedal slopes up to the right and it is the opposite for the left one.

If there were no labels on the pedals, you would mix them up and try to insert the left pedal to the right crank arm and the right pedal to the left crank arm. Because it may feel normal thinking the pedal has caught onto the thread. At that time, giving extra force will potentially damage the arm’s thread and spindle hole.

Step 3 – Install the New Pedals On Peloton Bike

Finally, it’s time to install the new pedals on your Peloton bike. But it is better to put some grease or lubricants on the new pedal spindles before installing them on the Peloton bike. According to the ‘R’ and ‘L’ labels, place the pedals on the correct side of the bike.

Place the left pedal on the axle at a 90-degree angle and start rotating the spindle with your wrench counter-clockwise to tighten it.

Consequently, turn the wrench clockwise to tighten the right pedal. Read the manufacturer’s instructions to apply the specified torque after feeling some resistance.

Initially, you can use your hands to secure the spindle on the axles and then use a wrench to fully insert each pedal into the pedal axles.

Start your cycling sessions once the pedals are perfectly tight. Just for a recap, to install pedals on your Peloton bike, you have to turn –

Counter-clockwise – to install the left pedals
Clockwise – to install the right pedals

We have found the following video very useful yet short. So, if you have any confusion on any of these steps described above, we recommend checking this video for step-by-step guidance –

Does the installation Process Depend on the pedal type?

Changing the pedals is always the same on all bikes. But depending on the pedal type, you may have to use either a 15 millimeter wrench or a 6/8 millimeter hex key. It’s just about the tools.

Usually, a Peloton bike arrives with Delta pedals. But you can use SPD-style pedals on a Peloton bike if you are more comfortable with them.

Cycling and walking with SPD shoes are more convenient than typical 3-bolt shoes. Because you can walk on SPD shoes much more easily than walking with shoes that have Delta cleats on the bottom.

In a nutshell, you use both Look Delta or SPD pedals on a Peloton bike as long as the spindle thread matches the crank arm. All you need to do is check if the pedals follow the 9/16″ connection as this is the standard connection for any Peloton bike pedal. Aside from the cleat type, there is no difference in installing any of these pedals.

The process is exactly the same as we have described above. However, you can still watch this video for a short briefing –

In fact, these can be some of the best SPD pedals for your Peloton bike –

SHIMANO M520 Clipless Pedals

SHIMANO PD-M530 Pedals
Schwinn Triple-Link Pedals
Wellgo WPD-E003 Spin Bike Pedals

Venzo Fitness Exercise Pedals (Compatible with SPD cleats)

F.A.Q

Often people are concerned about the following questions regarding the installation of pedals. We have tried to answer these questions as clearly as possible.

Can I use any pedals on a Peloton bike?

Ans: If you prefer to ride your bike with a different pedal system, you can connect your own pedals to the Peloton bike. A standard 9/16 “pedal connection is required for any Peloton bike.

So it doesn’t matter what type of pedal you are using as long as it follows this type of connection and suits the axle thread.

Are Delta pedals the same as SPD pedals?

Ans: Although you can use both Delta and SPD pedals on your Peloton bike, there are differences in their cleat systems. A Look Delta pedal is usually compatible with a 3-bolt cleat and has 3 holes under the sole. On the other hand, SPD pedals usually contain 2 holes under the soles to match the standard 2-bolt SPD cleats.

Delta cleats have a larger surface area than SPD cleats. This is an advantage because the large gripping surface provides more stability when pedaling. That is why Delta cleats are popular for road biking. However, it is hard to walk wearing them.

Do all pedals support all types of cycling shoes?

Ans: No, not all shoes can be used with any pedal. There are shoes that work with 2-bolt cleats while there are other types of shoes that work with 3-bolt cleats. And this goes the same for your pedals.

Not all pedals are compatible with any type of cleat mechanism. So, it is the cleat that decides whether a cycling shoe is going to work with a particular type of pedal or not.

Peloton bikes usually come with pedals that work with Look Delta cleats. These are 3-bolt cleats and the preinstalled pedals on a Peloton bike are designed to work that way.

Surprisingly, there are shoes that are suitable for both 2 and 3-bolt pedal systems. But shoes that are designed for absolute performance, are compatible with either one of these systems.

Conclusion

If you understand all the steps that we have described in this article, then you are ready to go! If you are still not sure if the pedals are installed properly or not, go to your nearest cycle repairing store and ask a mechanic to take a look.

Remember to check your pedal connections regularly to make sure they are completely safe for riding.

You can also ask for assistance by leaving a comment below. We promise to quench your inquiry. And if you find the information in this article correct and helpful, then please share it with others. As always, thanks for reading this.