Whether you are new to Peloton or an experienced spinner, I’m sure you’d have one or another question about Peloton bike pedals. There are literally hundreds of questions pertaining to the pedals on this famous indoor bike.
From simple queries like “Can you switch Peloton pedals” and “What type of pedals are on a Peloton bike” to complex probes into how to adjust your pedal tension and what to do if your Peloton pedals are recalled, the questions are unlimited.
We are all used to wearing our regular shoes even to spin classes, so it’s absolutely natural to feel intimidated by the Peloton pedals at first. However, once you get all the answers to the burning questions, the journey becomes easy and quite enjoyable.
So, from the difference between the pedals on the gym bike and those designed for home use to clipping in and out of the pedals, we are going to discuss everything in this post. If you want to learn more about this amazing bike and its pedals, keep reading on.
Answers to Questions about the Peloton Bike Pedals
So, here is a list of the most common questions that people ask about the Peloton bike pedals.
Is it possible to replace Peloton bike pedals?
Yes, it’s totally possible to replace the Peloton bike pedals. In fact, it is recommended to replace your pedals every 12 months or so as a maintenance step to make sure your bike keeps running without any problems.
Some people also want to replace their pedals because they want to wear different types of shoes to ride their bike. You can choose just about any brand or pedal designed for indoor spin bikes and install it on your Peloton bike.
When replacing the pedals, just make sure you buy the right size. The Peloton bike is designed to work with pedals that are 9/16” in size. You can buy any brand as long as the size is compatible.
Are Peloton pedals SPD compatible?
Non-commercial Peloton bikes are equipped with LOOK Delta pedals with a three-hole arrangement for clipping in. However, commercial or studio bikes come with SPD-SL system of pedals. You can always replace the standard pedals to make them compatible with either SPD or LOOK Delta cleats.
How do you unlock Peloton pedals?
Before replacing or tightening the Peloton pedals, it is recommended to lock them in their place by turning the resistance knob all the way to the right. When you are done tightening the screws, you can turn the knob again to unlock the pedals.
However, some people have also experienced locked-up pedals even when the resistance knob has not been turned. This might happen because of a loosened part (possibly the bottom bracket) that shifts to a position where the pulley cannot turn anymore.
There can be other explanations for this kind of a problem and it requires a thorough inspection and specialty tools to get it fixed. So, it’s best to report this type of an issue to Peloton support and let the experts troubleshoot and fix it.
Why can’t I clip into my Peloton pedals?
The most common reason for not being able to clip into your Peloton pedals is the pedal tension. When you find it difficult to clip in and out of the pedals, it is recommended to loosen the pedal tension with the help of the 3mm Allen key that comes with the bike or cleats for the shoes.
It is usually quite straightforward to clip into your bike pedals. But if it still seems difficult, try tightening the screws of the cleats or disassemble them completely and assemble them again.
How do you attach toe clips to a Peloton bike pedal?
Toe clips are designed to fit over any type of exercise or cycling shoes you might already be using. To attach the toe clip to the pedal, thread a strap through the bottom of the clip and make sure the buckle faces down. Now fold the strap over and thread it to the top of the clip.
You will need to thread it through both the holes. Pull all the way through so the buckle is placed near the bottom of the clip. Now pull the buckle apart and thread the other end of the strap through the tooth opening.
Make sure the buckle faces out when you repeat the process for the second toe clip. Now put on the clips on your regular athletic shoes or sneakers and pull up on the straps to tighten them. The clips should be snugly fit so that you feel comfortable while riding the bike.
Now ride on the bike and clip into the pedal just like the way you would with your cycling shoes with cleats. Push down exerting a little force on your heel till you hear a clicking sound. Now pull the strap again to tighten it and thread it through the other side of the buckle.
Clipping out is also similar to how you would clip out with your cycling shoes on. However, in this case, you can also leave the toe clips attached to the pedal and loosen the strap instead to get your shoes out of the clips.
Why does my Peloton pedal click?
Pedals usually cause a clicking noise when they are loose or not properly attached. Sometimes you may experience this sound when the pedals are worn out and need to be replaced.
However, the first thing to check when you hear a clicking sound while pedaling is the cleats on the back of your shoes. If they haven’t been attached properly, it could be the reason for the irritating sound.
The next thing to look at is the pedal itself, particularly the area where the cleats clip into it. You can fix this issue by tightening the pedals.
How much does it cost to replace a Peloton pedal?
Clipless pedals are available on the market starting from as low as $50 a pair. Non-recessed pedals are cheaper but still high quality and you can find them in the range of $50 to $100 depending on the brand and material.
However, there are other brands available out there that cost around $200 – $400 and they offer extremely lightweight and very durable pedals that last for years.
If you are replacing the standard Peloton pedals for pedals by the same company, it won’t cost more than $60 for this replacement. Peloton recommends buying a new pair of pedals every 12 months in order to avoid failure and breakdowns.
How often should you inspect your Peloton bike pedals?
Peloton recommends inspecting your bike’s pedals on a monthly basis to see if they turn smoothly and there are no damages or broken parts. The company also recommends replacing the pedals completely every 12 months and the cost of this replacement is around $60.
Maintenance is important to make sure your pedals are in good working order. One of the steps to prolong the lifespan of your pedals is to tighten them occasionally especially if you use the bike ferociously.
How to tighten the Peloton pedals?
The first step is to turn the resistance knob on the bike to the extreme right. Hold the right pedal so that it’s completely horizontal. Take a pedal wrench and tighten the pedal screw by turning the wrench in the clockwise direction. Repeat the same for the left pedal but make sure you turn the wrench in the anti-clockwise direction. Keep turning it till you can turn it no more.
How to change the pedals on a Peloton bike?
If you want to wear shoes that use the SPD cleats, you will have to fix your Peloton bike pedal, or in other words, change it. People usually replace their Peloton pedals because they want to use shoes that can be worn regularly as well. These SPD compatible cleats do not fit on the Peloton bike and therefore you have to replace the pedals.
There are pedals on the market that offer both types of cleats to be attached to them (one on either side). Schwinn Fitness Triple Link Pedal is one of the examples of such pedals. They have SPD on one side and LOOK Delta on the other side.
Now to replace the pedal, you need a pedal wrench or hex key to unscrew the pedals. You need to turn the wrench counter-clockwise in case of the right pedal and clockwise to loosen the left pedal.
Take the new pedals and screw them in using the same principle and by holding them at a 90 degrees angle with the crank arm. Screw in each pedal tightly and apply bike grease if there is a need to before using the bike.
Why did Peloton recall pedals on thousands of its bikes?
Peloton recalled its first-generation pedals (on bikes purchased between 2013 and 2016) after several reports of injuries were received from the customers. About a hundred Peloton users had suffered injuries because of these failed pedals and therefore Peloton offered free replacement to everyone who owned a Peloton bike released between July 2013 and May 2016.
How do I know if my Peloton pedals are recalled?
Peloton pedals known as PR70P Clip-in Pedals were found to break unexpectedly during exercise causing serious injuries. Peloton received complaints pertaining to these pedal types that included 16 leg injuries and more than 100 pedal breakage reports. This recall affected about 27,000 total bikes or 54,000 pedals.
What to do if you have recalled pedals?
There is a Pedal Request Form available online that you can fill out if you purchased your bike between 2013 and 2016 to get replacement parts free of cost. Peloton reserves the right to determine if you are eligible to receive replacement pedals. You will need the email address you used when you ordered your Peloton bike.
Remember, the replacement is available only for PR70P Clip-in Pedals, also known as first-generation Peloton pedals. The newer bikes are equipped with different pedals and they are also covered by their own warranty. The recall affects only customers who have the original pedals on the bikes sold during the above time period, which are now out-of-warranty.
Are Peloton pedals covered under warranty?
Peloton offers a warranty period of 12 months on all its bike parts and components if there are defects in workmanship or materials. These parts include the bike’s crank shaft, handlebars, pedals, brake resistance, and seatpost.
This warranty does not cover damages in case you used the pedals the wrong way or tried to replace them and ended up damaging them.
Peloton recommends maintaining your bike pedals to make sure you don’t experience any injuries and the parts don’t break down. If you see a pedal showing signs of wear, you should immediately replace it. The warranty is available only for the Peloton Bike and Bike+ designed for home use. It is also applicable to refurbished bikes sold by Peloton directly.
How to adjust the tension screw on your bike pedal?
The tension on the pedals can be adjusted for a more comfortable fit especially when you are trying to clip in for the first time. The screws are located on the rear side of the pedals and you can easily locate them by turning the pedal over. These are meant to hold the cleats in place so you feel secure while pedaling.
Different people have different preferences when it comes to the level of stiffness of the pedals and shoes. So, you can adjust the tension in the pedal screws to experience a more optimal fit.
To adjust the tension, you first have to turn the resistance knob all the way to the right. This step locks the flywheel and crank arms so they cannot move. For people who are having problems clipping in and out of their bike pedals, it is recommended to loosen the screws. You can use a 3mm Allen key that comes with the cleats. To loosen the screws, you have to turn the wrench in an anti-clockwise direction.
If you think you are being able to clip in too easily and the shoe feels loose in the pedal, you can tighten the pedal tension by using the same key and turning the screws in a clockwise direction.
It is recommended not to tighten or loosen the screws too much at a time. First try turning them one quarter of a turn and then get on the bike with your shoes. If you still think the tension is too loose or tight, you can repeat the above step until you are satisfied and comfortable.
What is the Peloton conversion kit?
A Peloton conversion kit essentially consists of new pedals useful for people who want to convert them from LOOK Delta to another system. However, conversion kits are not available for domestic bikes nowadays. They are offered to commercial bikes only so the owners can have toe cages as well as SPD pedals on their bikes.
Final Thoughts…
Also Read:
- The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Peloton Bike
- Does Peloton Work? An Owner’s Testimonial Guide!
- Best Peloton Bike Cleats Type for Fearless Stroking!
- Best Pedals for Peloton Bike: Everything you Need for Spinning!
- How to Put on Peloton Shoes and Clip Into the Pedal. Quick Easy Steps!
- Best Exercise bike with Screen: Peloton Alternatives for Home Exercise [+ Videos]