I don’t own one yet but these things look huge. Unfortunately my pedals do not take an Allen wrench so it looks like I’m stuck with either lugging this club around all tour or buying new pedals that take a smaller hex wrench.
I think I want to go the new pedal route but I can’t seem to find any that take a hex key. Any product suggestions on a basic, non clip-in pedal that takes a hex key? Or should I just bring the wrench with my existing setup?
by MrMcSparklePants
13 Comments
No. I pack a normal multitool that allows me to fix any bolt or my chain.
It might allow me to fix my pedals too since they have a hex in the end, but I’m not sure if it has a large enough hex bit.
Anyway, there are a number of things you just can’t fix yourself on tour, like your crank set or headset. But fortunately problems with those tend to slowly get worse over time, so you have time to get to a bike shop
Why do you expect to need to take your pedals off?
An option: Cone wrench is 50% smaller and fits. Don’t over crank it.
https://www.performancebike.com/park-tool-scw-cone-wrenches-blue-15mm-scw-15/p1464507?
Can a small adjustable get in there? Some of those are quite small.
My pedals come with both (not sure what they are called in English, the German translates to “bear claws”, pretty standard but retro stuff), but I still carry a (much smaller) pedal and headset wrench.
I always did pack a wrench on tour for boxing/unboxing. Then I learned my friends just tightened them with a Allen wrench and removed them with it as well… I though it really needs to be tight but so far so good.
I don’t know, what “people” do, but I never would pack one of those with me on tour. The only reason for its use is to change a pedal. Do you pack a spare pedal with you, too? I do bicycle tours for 25 years now and I never ever was in need for a new pedal during one. And even if: At the next bike shop is that tool, too together with new pedals.
For a wrench I carry the Knipex 86-04-100 parallel pliers . It fits everywhere I need a wrench on my bike. Don’t mistake the name pliers and think they are only good for stripping nut and bolts. These things grab on to every nut or bolt and will not let go until you take it off. One of the best multi-size tools I have purchased to date.
[https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches/jaw-protectors-pliers-wrench/8604100](https://www.knipex-tools.com/products/pipe-wrenches-and-water-pump-pliers/pliers-wrenches/jaw-protectors-pliers-wrench/8604100)
I have a 6 inch crescent which can handle pedals. Very low probability of failure however.
Nope. Hasn’t ever crossed my mind. But then again, most of my pedals take a hex wrench too. Now that it has crossed my mind, I would just make sure I’m using a pedal that can be tightened with a hex wrench.
I pack it along side my Park Tool shop repair stand with electric lift. It really doesn’t add much to the weight.
I pack a 15mm cone wrench. It’s thin and lightweight.
I do when I fly with the bike (kind of have to). Some are small and not that heavy
I do, because I need to pack my pedals. But you don’t need a big one. a small one will suffice. You get the leverage/torque (not sure if it’s really torque if you are using just a great deal of force) by placing it just so and then stepping down on it (gently!) to release the pedal. then you just crouch down and spin the tool around until the pedal comes off, easy peasy. Remeber that on the non-drive side, its righty-loose-y. Let me know if this isnt clear.
I am too cheap to buy another set of shimano clipless pedals so i switch them from my road bike to touring bike regularly. I always use the small tool.
[https://www.condorcycles.com/products/condor-mini-pedal-wrench?variant=2624755859466](https://www.condorcycles.com/products/condor-mini-pedal-wrench?variant=2624755859466) it’s kind like this, even less fancy
Edit – there’s no need to make sure the pedals are on super tight, so don’t super tighten em. The way the thread is, you will not ‘unravel’ them by pedaling.
No, but some people don’t have unlimited storage capacity for bike tools.