Park Tool PW-5 Home Mechanic Pedal Wrench

I like Park Tools. I've been messing around and working on my own bikes since I was a kid, but I'm no expert. In my experience, Park Tools have been pretty good to me.I don't remove pedals that often, so I didn't feel a need to get their top of the line, multiple slotted pedal tool, so I saved a few bucks and ordered this one. Worked like a charm on a very stubborn pedal. You just have to make sure your angle is right so that you don't bust your knuckles on anything. Also, the long handle is much better than using a normal wrench. It has a nice grip and it is thin but strong.If you are going to change a pedal "once in a while", this is the tool for you.

I took a regular crescent wrench to upgrade my pedals, and while it fit, there just wasn't enough clearance for me to confidently use it without scratching up my crank. So I decided to make a small investment in a proper pedal wrench.There are so many different options in this price range, and I thought about saving a few bucks, but know that Park Tools seems to be reasonably trusted among enthusiasts. I probably would have spent a little more for the PW-3 or PW-4, but Amazon had this ready for next-day delivery, so the decision was made.This made removing my old pedals a breeze. I had clearance all day long, and the wrench didn't flex or dent, even though I needed to use a fair amount of force to get the old pedals off. Of course, I didn't forget to go with Polylube 1000 when putting my new pedals on.For the headache and heartache this saved me, it was well worth the price.

After reading the many negative reviews, I was unsure about purchasing the Park PW-5 pedal tool. However, since it costs so much less than the professional grade PW-3 & PW-4, I decided to give it a try.I removed a pair of Shimano PD-M747 pedals that would not budge using a long arm 6 mm Allen wrench. With the Park Tool PM-5, they came off without any strain.If you are trying to decide if this tool is for you, here are a few questions to ask yourself:Is a steel one piece crankset involved?Has the bike been stored outside?Do you ride the bike hard and put it away wet?Is there corrosion visible?Have the pedals been installed for 10 years or more?Did a gorilla install the pedals with a breaker bar and no concept of a torque spec?If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, consider investing in the more expensive PW-3 or PW-4 tool. Both are capable of providing superior leverage and grip. Both are made out of a higher grade of steel. However both cost more than twice as much+.If you greased the pedal threads before installation, and you maintain your bike, the PW-5 should be fine. Especially if your cranks are alloy and not left in the elements overnight on a regular basis.PM-5 is practically a Bic Lighter for <$11.00. It did the job and if it fails after the next use, it still has cost less than a trip to the LBS. I will throw it away (recycle) and get another. Besides, Shimano now uses a 8 mm hex (Allen) on the spindle, so why invest in an bike shop grade tool for dated technology?As for the tool finish? It is not as pretty as the others but again, it costs less than $11.00.Happy with this purchase, pedals replaced (2000 - PD-M747's, replaced with 2016 - XTR M9000's).In fairness to those who had a bad experience, I will admit to the following:I maintain my bikes myself.I always clean the bike after a wet or dirty ride.I lubricate everything.My bikes are garaged. (In California).It rains very infrequently here.I never cross-thread or force any threaded component connection.Thank you Park Tools for providing an inexpensive alternative to the LBS or the more expensive tools.

A pedal wrench does not lend itself to a lengthy product review, but for what it's worth, this is a great product. The gap fits perfectly over the wrenching surfaces of the pedal and provides a tight hold. The medal is solid and hard, showing no signs that it will ever break or bend. The handle is long enough to provide good leverage when removing pedals, a process that can be painful with a shorter wrench.I have removed pedals using a crescent wrench or some other tool less specific to the task, and it has always been frustrating. The jaws usually don't fit well on the pedal and the handle is often too short or too fat. For anyone working on their bike regularly, it really is worth the small cost of buying a pedal wrench like this one. The opening is the proper size to fit any standard pedal, and the thin profile of the tool allows it to get a good grip while remaining maneuverable in the gap between the bicycle frame and the crank arm.

This was a decent tool, but I am going to return it. I found another product that has multiple sizes, the Shimano specific star for pedals, and also multiple hex sizes built into the wrench. It is also thicker, and stays on the pedal easier, and it was about 1/3 the price.