Pedal wrench sizes?
#1
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416
Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4
Liked 51 Times
in
36 Posts
Pedal wrench sizes?
I'm looking to pickup a pedal wrench. I have bikes with 9/16" and 1/2" pedals. I'd like one wrench to do them all if I can. Will this work?
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-61749.../dp/B000AO7GXA
Thanks.
https://www.amazon.com/Sunlite-61749.../dp/B000AO7GXA
Thanks.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,663
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Liked 768 Times
in
471 Posts
Why would you buy a wrench with sizes in mm, when you show the sizes in inches on your pedals. Just buy the wrench in the sizes you list, such as: Capri Tools 1/2-in x 9/16-in 6-Point Standard (SAE) Standard Open End Wrench in the Combination Wrenches & Sets department at Lowes.com
Last edited by freeranger; 07-17-21 at 10:15 AM.
Likes For freeranger:
#3
Senior Member
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,663
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Liked 768 Times
in
471 Posts
1/2" = .5 and 15mm = .59 , so if you want to use a wrench nearly 1/10" larger than the 1/2" pedal, I guess you're ok. Personally, I want accuracy, when it comes to mechanics, "close enough" is not good enough.
#5
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,147
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Liked 5,404 Times
in
3,729 Posts
1/2" (.5000) is 12.7 mm. 9/16" (.5625") is 14.2875 mm
I've never had any issues substituting a 13 mm wrench for a 1/2" wrench or a 15 mm wrench for a 9/16" wrench. However if the flats are worn on the pedals or the wrench made to poor tolerances, then you might need to use the correct size if too much muscle is needed to loosen the pedals.
However my Shimano pedals are 15 mm across the flats and don't take a 9/16" wrench. You should check your pedals to be sure. And do you really have anything with 1/2" pedals still?
Don't confuse the thread diameter and pitch for wrench size.
I've never had any issues substituting a 13 mm wrench for a 1/2" wrench or a 15 mm wrench for a 9/16" wrench. However if the flats are worn on the pedals or the wrench made to poor tolerances, then you might need to use the correct size if too much muscle is needed to loosen the pedals.
However my Shimano pedals are 15 mm across the flats and don't take a 9/16" wrench. You should check your pedals to be sure. And do you really have anything with 1/2" pedals still?
Don't confuse the thread diameter and pitch for wrench size.
Last edited by Iride01; 07-17-21 at 11:47 AM.
Likes For Iride01:
#6
Senior Member
1/2" and 9/16" are the THREAD SIZES... not the flat sizes.
Typically 1/2" threaded pedals are used on kid's bikes and one-piece Ashtabula cranks.
9/16" is used on almost everything else except vintage French pedals.
Essentially all modern 9/16" pedals use a 15mm wrench (or an Allen Wrench)... Love the mixed units.
Personally I don't use "pedal wrenches". I just use a relatively narrow 15mm wrench.
Keep in mind, if you get one of the super long wrenches, you'll be more likely to tear something up.
Typically 1/2" threaded pedals are used on kid's bikes and one-piece Ashtabula cranks.
9/16" is used on almost everything else except vintage French pedals.
Essentially all modern 9/16" pedals use a 15mm wrench (or an Allen Wrench)... Love the mixed units.
Personally I don't use "pedal wrenches". I just use a relatively narrow 15mm wrench.
Keep in mind, if you get one of the super long wrenches, you'll be more likely to tear something up.
Likes For CliffordK:
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,663
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Liked 768 Times
in
471 Posts
Buy the wrench according to the size of the FLATS on the pedal spindle, not the thread size. I use a 15mm which is the size of the FLATS on the pedal spindle, all of my bikes are this size. Do you have pedals with different size flats, which is the way I read the original post? If you have a pedal which has 1/2" FLATS, you'll need 13mm.
#9
Senior Member
I don't use 1/2" pedals. Hmmm... perhaps I could dig around the scrapyard. What do you have on your bikes?
The reason for the smaller holes has to do with the one-piece crank design and snaking the crank through the bottom bracket.
Likes For CliffordK:
#10
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 16,147
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Liked 5,404 Times
in
3,729 Posts
No, a 15mm wrench is not going to turn a pedal or bolt that requires a 13 mm or 1/2" wrench.
When you buy from Amazon, you are at the mercy of the poor descriptions provided by many of the sellers on Amazon. Not because they are trying to hide anything, but probably English isn't their first language and more so that they have no idea about what the product they are selling is really used for.
I might consider the length of the handle too short, even at eleven inches, to get a good pull on a hard to remove pedal. As well, it only lets you get one position on the flats. And if you need a cheater bar to get a really really stuck pedal loose, then you'll have a time finding something to fit over it.
I'd get something like this... but it cost more. It's only for pedals with 15mm flats, which is most pedals.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...ls.php?id=1148
There is also this for a lot less, but shorter handle and only one position....
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...1&category=214
But I just use a plain ole open end wrench that just happens to be thin enough for the pedals I have. I don't usually like having what Alton Brown calls a "uni-tasker"
When you buy from Amazon, you are at the mercy of the poor descriptions provided by many of the sellers on Amazon. Not because they are trying to hide anything, but probably English isn't their first language and more so that they have no idea about what the product they are selling is really used for.
I might consider the length of the handle too short, even at eleven inches, to get a good pull on a hard to remove pedal. As well, it only lets you get one position on the flats. And if you need a cheater bar to get a really really stuck pedal loose, then you'll have a time finding something to fit over it.
I'd get something like this... but it cost more. It's only for pedals with 15mm flats, which is most pedals.
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...ls.php?id=1148
There is also this for a lot less, but shorter handle and only one position....
https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...1&category=214
But I just use a plain ole open end wrench that just happens to be thin enough for the pedals I have. I don't usually like having what Alton Brown calls a "uni-tasker"
Last edited by Iride01; 07-17-21 at 01:43 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Ok, digging around the boneyard, I have a couple of pedals that I believe were 1/2", with 0.585 or 0.59 flats, so about 15mm.
Ok, grabbed the 15mm... and yep, popped them right off.
Found a Trek 15mm/36mm wrench. Now I just have to remember why I would need a 36mm wrench. Is that for a threaded 1 1/8" headset.... which one doesn't need until one actually needs it?
Ok, grabbed the 15mm... and yep, popped them right off.
Found a Trek 15mm/36mm wrench. Now I just have to remember why I would need a 36mm wrench. Is that for a threaded 1 1/8" headset.... which one doesn't need until one actually needs it?
#12
Senior Member
Buy the wrench according to the size of the FLATS on the pedal spindle, not the thread size. I use a 15mm which is the size of the FLATS on the pedal spindle, all of my bikes are this size. Do you have pedals with different size flats, which is the way I read the original post? If you have a pedal which has 1/2" FLATS, you'll need 13mm.
#13
Senior Member
Likes For CliffordK:
#14
Super Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ffld Cnty Connecticut
Posts: 21,889
Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales
Liked 1,013 Times
in
648 Posts
Thus, pedal specific 15 mm pedal wrenches.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.
FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
#15
Full Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Lutz, FL
Posts: 416
Bikes: 2014 Fuji Traverse 1.3, 2020 Electra Cruiser 1, 1995 Giant CFM-4
Liked 51 Times
in
36 Posts
Thanks again for the input everyone,
Sorry about the confusion on the thread size and flats size. I had a pedal wrench when I was younger, 35+ years ago and remember that it was more narrow than a normal off the shelf wrench and it had a better grip and length for leverage. I went ahead and bought this Sunlite one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...8ELY2BCA&psc=1
For $12.50 and from the reviews I should be good. It will also give me 4 sizes basically so I can use it for other stuff (axle nuts?).
Sorry about the confusion on the thread size and flats size. I had a pedal wrench when I was younger, 35+ years ago and remember that it was more narrow than a normal off the shelf wrench and it had a better grip and length for leverage. I went ahead and bought this Sunlite one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...8ELY2BCA&psc=1
For $12.50 and from the reviews I should be good. It will also give me 4 sizes basically so I can use it for other stuff (axle nuts?).
#16
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 25,043
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Liked 3,675 Times
in
2,077 Posts
Buy the wrench according to the size of the FLATS on the pedal spindle, not the thread size. I use a 15mm which is the size of the FLATS on the pedal spindle, all of my bikes are this size. Do you have pedals with different size flats, which is the way I read the original post? If you have a pedal which has 1/2" FLATS, you'll need 13mm.
Curiously, my Zeus pedal wrench is marked 15mm on one end and 14mm on the other.