Fully loaded clip.
August 23, 2010 3:12 PM Subscribe
How to remove toeclips from my pedals?
So, my pedals have toeclips I'd like to remove. As far as I can tell, the reflector holds the toeclip to the pedal, using what looks like a plastic screw (close-up). But turning the "screw-head" just bends the plastic.
The rectangle between the screw-heads looks like it should be bent downwards to release the toeclip and reflector, but it's actually part of the pedal.
Is there some trick to removing these toeclips? Do all four "petals" of the plastic screw need to be squeezed inward at once? (And if so, how?!).
So, my pedals have toeclips I'd like to remove. As far as I can tell, the reflector holds the toeclip to the pedal, using what looks like a plastic screw (close-up). But turning the "screw-head" just bends the plastic.
The rectangle between the screw-heads looks like it should be bent downwards to release the toeclip and reflector, but it's actually part of the pedal.
Is there some trick to removing these toeclips? Do all four "petals" of the plastic screw need to be squeezed inward at once? (And if so, how?!).
Best answer: Yes, squeeze them inwards. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers. You could also just try breaking the toe clips if you don't want them.
posted by beerbajay at 3:22 PM on August 23, 2010
posted by beerbajay at 3:22 PM on August 23, 2010
Best answer: Those look like expansion style clips, not screw heads to me. Basically when you push them all in together they will form a post small enough to pass back through the hole they came in. Usually I remove these by pulling and pushing them one at a time together, as the tension of pulling can usually give enough hold to keep them in the center. If not you might try a pair of needl nose to pinch them together.
posted by msbutah at 3:24 PM on August 23, 2010
posted by msbutah at 3:24 PM on August 23, 2010
Best answer: Do all four "petals" of the plastic screw need to be squeezed inward at once?
Yes. Apply, as mentioned, a slight pulling load while you poke them into the middle with your fingers or a flat screwdriver one at a time and it will pull through when you get them into the middle enough to fit through the hole. The pulling pressure should stop them springing back after you have pried/pushed them into the middle of the hole.
posted by Brockles at 3:36 PM on August 23, 2010
Yes. Apply, as mentioned, a slight pulling load while you poke them into the middle with your fingers or a flat screwdriver one at a time and it will pull through when you get them into the middle enough to fit through the hole. The pulling pressure should stop them springing back after you have pried/pushed them into the middle of the hole.
posted by Brockles at 3:36 PM on August 23, 2010
Can you pry it apart with a knife blade/screwdriver inserted between the pedal body and the reflector? That is a strange design that is probably really cheap to make and assemble.
This is a pretty standard design, and doing that will smash the clip.
posted by Brockles at 3:37 PM on August 23, 2010
This is a pretty standard design, and doing that will smash the clip.
posted by Brockles at 3:37 PM on August 23, 2010
Response by poster: Drat, I was hoping the answer wouldn't be squeezing the four fiddly segments. Thanks anyway, all!
posted by matthewr at 4:18 PM on August 23, 2010
posted by matthewr at 4:18 PM on August 23, 2010
For what it's worth, you can get a perfectly good set of non-clip pedals for $10 or so, and 10 minutes with a crescent wrench is all it takes to swap them.
posted by mmoncur at 11:55 PM on August 24, 2010
posted by mmoncur at 11:55 PM on August 24, 2010
« Older How do I reconnect with my mom? | Immediate Decision: Sarah Lawrence or CUNY Baruch... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ChrisHartley at 3:22 PM on August 23, 2010