Some tools are decreasing in importance. Here's some tools to help when working on your brakes. A set of durable shop shears is the perfect thing for jobs like trimming handlebar tape, frame protector armor, excess helmet strap, or any of a hundred other uses. As well as being really useful for undoing lids, a strap wrench makes getting the air can off a shock much easier, without risking doing any damage to the can itself. The tire pressure gauge is important because it will allow you to pump your tires up to the same pressure every time you ride and experiment with pressures to dial in things like comfort and rolling resistance. Truing/building wheels is a fairly advanced skill, but if you can do it yourself, youll save lots of money and experience a level of zen that you can only achieve with a truing stand. It comes with a full set of tri allens, which I like a lot, but Id add a traditional L-shaped hex wrench set since there are situations where a tri allen just wont fit. If youre only going to buy two tools, make it a pump and hex wrenches. The clever swingarm gauge tells you just how much your chain has worn, which is essential because 11- and 12-speed drivetrains have a different wear life than 9- and 10-speed systems and need to be replaced sooner. Good tyre levers, a bottom bracket spanner/tool (if you have a threaded one) is very handy. What tools did I miss? [product-block handle="fox-high-pressure-shock-pump-350-psi"/]. It features full coverage in heavy duty poly-cotton twill to keep dirt and grime off you. Best Bike Tool Kits for Home Mechanics in 2023 By Rebecca Bland / Last updated - January 14, 2023 / Best-Of-Reviews, Guide, Maintenance Image source: REI.com It's no secret that owning a bike will require some maintenance from time to time. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Unless you're lucky enough to have a proper compressor or a perfect tubeless setup, some kind of inflator to help seat tubeless tyres is essential if you don't want to end up sweaty, pissed off and covered in latex sealant. Rubberised handles give great grip and enhance usability. These are rarely the only item in a category, and oftentimes the choices are broadly similar in quality. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. Bicycles are complex, but the maintenance they require is often quite simple. 12 Great Deals on Coolers, Grills, and Bags. - See 155 traveler reviews, 70 candid photos, and great deals for Helsinki, Finland, at Tripadvisor. It works worlds better than any grocery aisle hand soap. Theres nothing more annoying than a disc rotor constantly rubbing during a ride. Its always a good idea to at least have one T25 wrench handy just in case. Yet another twofer, this wrench features a lockring to fit common external bottom bracket cups on one end, and a cassette tool on the other with Shimanos almost-ubiquitous HG spline pattern, which is also used on many Centerlock disc brake rotor fasteners. You are currently on the Park Tool United States website, but you havent set a preferred region. Chain whip - Keeps the cassette in place while loosening the cassette lockring. If you want to work on your own bike at home, then you'll need a few tools to get started. Sometimes, wrenching on bikes can be as fun as actually riding them. 11 tools every home bike mechanic should own | off-road.cc The plastic carry case is durable and locks closed with metal clasps. There is a wide variety of BB tools available due to the numerous bottom bracket standards out there and the different ways of installing and removing a bottom bracket, so making sure you have the right tool for the bottom bracket on your bike is a must. There are several sources of tools. Okay, we cheated a bit here. Its the Age of Ozempic. Disc brakes offer superior stopping performance, but they can be fussy to maintain. Some, such as this pair from Super B, also allow you to seat a quick link correctly as well as undoing it, which makes fitting a new chain simple. Ad Choices. This is our favorite personalized tool gift. A Repair Bike Stand provides a stable way to hold nearly any bicycle for adjustments, cleaning, and repair. But if the shop is far away or busy with other jobs, it's probably easier to take care of the problem yourself. Many cyclists piece together their tool kits tool by tool over several years. It is also used to remove the cog from a fixed-wheel bike. [product-block handle="park-tool-ct-5-compact-chain-tool"/]. It might seem limiting or impractical to not just give the thing a full charge, but this practice will keep your bike on the road longer. $9998. I like the Lezyne Steel Floor Pump Drive ($70) because most of the inner bits aresurprise, surprisedurable steel and not flimsy plastic. The case is sturdy, with foam cut-outs for each tool and zipped covers. [product-block handle="park-tool-pfp-8-home-mechanic-floor-pump-blue-black"/]. Attempt to develop two sets of tools: one for inside a seat bag for on-the-trail/road use, and another set for home use. The Grunge Brush ($20) is what I use on my bicycles and motorcycles because its three-sided brush head cuts the time spent kneeling down with a bike in my face. Personally, I use a 3-sided chain brush. We would suggest that you study the instructions carefully and make sure you know what you're doing and go steady when using it, otherwise you can do some serious, incurable damage to a frame by pushing in headset cups at an angle. Reviews, buying advice and news. Things I would say are absoloutely critical to own are. Buy Now. Stan works on everything from content strategy and breaking news to evergreen updates and long-form features on environmental and social issues in cycling. That's a job for the bike shop. Basic Equipment for the Home and Community Bike Mechanic The things I wish I had known before I started mountain biking, 1. This is the skill Im most excited about honing this year. Also, you can familiarize yourself with your new toolkit by giving your bike the tune-up it probably needs. A small set . Photograph: Amazon. I'd like to see an article called "homemade alternatives to expensive shop tools" featuring lengths of threaded bar, large diameterwashers, steel tube and copper pipe. Air vs. Frequently bought together. These are just the essentials to just to keep you on the bike keeping up the air pressure in the tires, fixing the occasional flat tire, and cleaning and lubricating the chain. Just wipe it down with a rag or hose it off when it gets dirty. Brake pads wear out gradually as you use your bike and are easily replaced. Usually, cable tension can be changed by twisting the barrel adjuster found at the point where the cable meets the hand lever. 3. Some, such as this one from Airshot, are charged using a separate track pump, while others, such as the Topeak Joe Blow Booster, are integrated into a track pump and you simply flick a switch to move from using it as a normal pump to using the inflator. They're really rather expensive Jon was previously the editor here at off.road.cc. Drawing from my experiences, I've put together a list of essential bike specific tools, some of which you'll use everyday, and some of which you'll use only once in a while, but will be excited to do so.Clearly, this is not an exhaustive list of all bike specific tools (there are hundreds), but rather my take on what would constitute a practical and very respectable home mechanic's toolkit. We dont know if these high-quality cable cutters are actually made by the well-regarded Swiss brand Felco. The Topeak Prepbox has 36 tools and is fairly comprehensive. Set up a Dev Drive on Windows 11 | Microsoft Learn We particularly like the Allen keys, which fitted nice and tightly in every bolt we tried. Tools from large, general-purpose tool companies can fit the bill in some instances, and weve included several of them here. It also works with any multispeed chain, even the new Campagnolo 13-speed system. They all make quality tools that will serve you well for years, or even decades, to come. For removal, youll need to use it in conjunction with a chain whip to keep the freehub from spinning. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day. But if you want a complete set-up right out of the gate, you can also buy a complete tool kit that will cover all the essentials and more. These are the two most common valve types; chances are your bike has one or the other. They're really cheap as well, with this one from Machine Mart costing under seven quid. The chuck fits Presta and Schrader valves automatically, and the long hose reaches tire valves even when the bike is on a repair stand. ALWAYS know where your 5mm hex-head / allen key is! Theres a wide range of Allen and Torx wrenches, and the inclusion of traditional and glueless patch kits is a nice touch. Highly satisfying and precise to use on limit screws too. You don't need to oil it, and you don't need to use any chemical cleaner on it. Duct tape and Insulation tape. Can you believe that the earliest bicycles had no brakes? In general, I always recommend Feedback stands because their stands are super lightweight and easy to move around, and I think they have the best/easiest-to-use bike clamping system in the business. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Screwdrivers. But modern hubs often use cartridge bearings without adjustable preload, so increasingly these sit on the pegboard unused. Its marked in both imperial and metric dimensions, and the sturdy one-inch wide tape holds its shape when extended, so its ideal for measuring things like reach to the handlebar. If youve ever tried (and probably failed) to cut bike cables or housing with regular wire cutters, then youll know why you need cutters designed specifically for tackling steel bike cables and housing. Those can be useful, but bike-specific tools exist for a good reason: many parts on bikes today require specialized tools to properly service. At this price, wed expect common bike tools such as a T25 Torx wrench and bottom bracket tool to be included. If you're really brave, it's possible to create a homemade version using a pop bottle reinforced with tape, but at the pressures involved, it's worth laying out a bit of cash if you value your safety. Maintaining your braking system is very important and regular check ups on your pads and levers are recommended. During transportation, the tools all remained in place, helped by the central foam separator, but they did rattle around. This allows you to do a few things: I use mine almost monthly and I actually have several because theyre small and I tend to lose them. Check that the chain whip is compatible with the width of the chain that you run on your bike. It's an absolute bargain at the price, https://www.decathlon.co.uk/chain-whip-cassette-remover-id_8309913.html. Brake pads are largely universal, though their mounting systems vary. First, a foot lever switches inflation modes between high-volume (ideal for quickly inflating larger mountain bike tires) and high pressure so you dont have to muscle the pump to get road tires to optimal pressure. Torx and Hex key set. Because these lists are for average bikes, your particular bike may need more, less, or slightly different tools than what is listed here. If that happens near a local bike shop on a day you have time to spare, it's often worth having someone else do the work. Must Have Motorcycle Tools For Productive Wrenching Floor pump Tire levers Patch kit Allen wrenches Screwdrivers Degreaser Chain lube Rags Continue reading for more details on each item. This list is written for a "full service" bicycle retailer, who will offer service to any potential customer, includ-ing complete overhauls of bicycle brands they do not carry. The case feels fairly low-quality and the contents rattle in it when its carried. We picked one item in each category, based on which types of tools we end up reaching for the most often. You'll need to get a kit to work with your specific brake setup, as they all differ slightly. This kit includes everything you need for basic and more advanced mountain bike maintenance and repairs from replacing chains to swapping out cassettes. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. The 25 tools slot, neatly, into a hard-shell plastic case, which boasts a protective foam inlay. 5 More Advanced / Nice-to-have Bike Tools, Park Tool AK-5 Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit, The Best Commuter E-bikes: Buyer's Guide & Our Top-5 Picks, Benno E-Bike Buyer's Guide: Our Favorite Commuter E-bikes, Sell Your Bike: What We're Looking For & How It Works, What Bike Should I Buy: An International Bikepacking Rig, E-Bike Rebate and Voucher Programs Across the US, Specialized Saddles Explained: How to Pick the Right Bike Saddle, Best-Selling Bike Gear & Accessories: March, 2023, Save On Specialized Apparel and Equipment, Over 65% Off New Serotta Duetti Framesets. A bike tool kit is a great choice if youre just getting into cycling or youre looking for a more comprehensive set of tools for the car or garage. Durable aluminum construction and a long-wearing Delrin running surface promise years of service, and its compatible with both conventional quick-release and 12mm through-axle dropouts. 3. Wrenches (6-12mm) Allen Keys (2-5mm) Gloves / Rubbing Alcohol / Clean Rags. There are some cases where there may be more than one Park Tool that will workin these cases, we will recommend either the most common or the simplest tool. 1. Planet Cyclery Amazon The Park Tool AK-5 Advanced Tool Kit is a comprehensive mountain bike tool kit that can be delivered straight to your door. Always apply anti-seize compound to the pedal thread before installation to avoid wrestling with your pedals in the future. Strap wrench: Machine Mart Baby Boa Constrictor, 7, 9. Modern gearing systems are hugely sensitive to alignment and a bent mech hanger is often the root cause of poor shifting. On the flip side, if only the slightest pressure on the levers causes your brakes to clamp downor if your brake pads rub when you spin the bike's wheel without squeezing the brake lever at allthen you need to decrease your cable tension. The other benefit of a kit you assemble yourself is you can buy it piecemeal, over time. The chain and pedal wrenches are long enough to unstick seized parts. The custom-cut foam inlay keeps the tools firmly in place, while the metal clasps on the carry case are robust and secure. Take a look at the best bike tool kits that we have tried and tested below, and our guide to some of the essential tools a kit should include. Companies are constantly coming out with new tools, both to improve existing designs and to adapt to new technologies emerging in the sport. Feedbacks entry-level Recreational Repair Stand 2.0 is less than $200 and will do everything you need. Meta Announces a New Quest Headset, Because Apple. Under- or overfilled tires can make your bike handle like junk and cause the tires to wear out more quickly. They will also need periodic adjustments to keep them working properly. Thirteen pieces are provided (20+ tools), covering most of whats required to build a bike. In both cases, you should readjust your cable tension after putting new pads on. When your hands get thoroughly filthy from handling the chain (because they will), use a bit of Fast Orange ($2) to clean up. Stan started working in the bike industry in 2018, writing content for some of the sport's biggest brands, including Chris King, ENVE and Castelli. The lint-free cotton works for everything from getting the gunk off that chain to final wipe-down and detailing of frames and parts. Bike Tools & Maintenance | ProBikeKit USA You dont need to go crazy. [product-block handle="feedback-sports-range-torque-ratchet"/]. The only extra thing to learn is how to properly charge your battery. Just the job for car park maintenance and garage tinkering. Park Tool PCS-10.3 Deluxe Home Mechanic Repair Stand $280 at Amazon BEST VALUE BIKE HAND Bike Repair Stand $110 at Amazon BEST CLAMPING MECHANISM Feedback Sports Pro Mechanic HD.