When it comes to making repairs to your bike, you don’t need many bike tools, but you do need the right ones.
To be honest, I like to go to my trusted bicycle shop to catch up, hear the latest adventures of other cyclists, exchange doubts and other experiences that average cyclists love to share.
And if it is the season of one of the great rounds of cycling: Tour de France; the turn; The Tour, and many others, I enjoy it even more, but in reality I do not go for maintenance or small repairs, I like that kind of issues to put them in order. However, I am aware that in more complex problems of mechanics and repair, there is nothing better than to leave it to professionals.
Now, before we get to the tools to put together your workshop, you must know how to make the repairs. And if you do not have the necessary time to take specialized classes in bicycle repair , you can also do it either through books, that there are many and very complete, or if you like video tutorials, it seems to me that those of Dave Delgado And your DIY Bike Repair are good.
The importance of using the right bike tools
While you don’t need a wide range of tools to perform the most basic repairs and adjustments, there are certain cases where specialized parts and components are involved in your bike, where you will need a handful of specialized tool to do the job.
The right tools work better, last longer and in terms of certain parts and components that require specialized tools, it is better to have them, as it is less likely that you will damage the parts you are working on, they will lengthen their life and take care of your Bike as it deserves. Think of them as an investment, and not as a cost.
Because in relation to certain components of your bicycle it is better to do the job with the right tool for that part, for example: the chainsaw; the extractor of cranks, Torx keys and others that we will know during the text.
General purpose bicycle tools
In the beginning it would be good to think about purchasing a bicycle repair support.
Although it is not essential, this will make things much easier for you while you work, and have you ever tried to make major repairs without a bike rack? It is death for the back; you have less support and maneuverability when working, and it is not the best way to treat a bicycle.
Now, what you can not miss to perform these simpler tasks is:
- Allen wrench set: 2 to 12 mm in size. These will serve to screw and unscrew, many of the parts of your bike that have hexagonal head screws. Also recommended are those hexagonal wrenches with extension, which are very similar to Allen, but are longer and allow you to work on screws with less accessibility.
- English or open keys, with measurements that are around 6 to 17mm. That will serve you for those Turks that your bike has. There are some of these keys where some of its end is closed or as we say in striated Mexico, these are good and more precise, in addition to not damaging the nuts.
- Pedal wrenches, these have a slim profile that allows you to access the pedal nut, between it and the connecting rod. There are different sizes, but the most common is 15mm.
- Screwdrivers: flat and cross. At least two different measures for each type that will be very useful, as several pieces have flat head and cross head screws or Phillips as they are known in other countries.
- Cable cutter, which you will use for the whip or cable and covers the whip or cable.
- Tip tweezers, to work on details.
- Mechanical tweezers, personally I do not like to use them but for their adjustable size they always work.
- Adjustable wrench or parakeet, another key that I avoid using because it marks the nuts, but that its versatility of use makes it indispensable in every workshop.
- Chain brush, they are brighter bristles and allow you to brush the chain very well to remove dirt from it.
- Levers or spatulas for tires, which serve to disassemble the cover of your tires.
- Heavy-duty scissors, which will be necessary in many tasks.
- Camera or tube patch kit (glue, sandpaper, patches).
- Foot or ground air pump with pressure gauge, so you can know exactly the pressure at which to inflate the tires. In addition, as its air chamber is larger it makes the job easier and allows you to work with higher pressures with ease.
Specialized bicycle tools
As already mentioned, when working on the most specialized components of your bicycle it is better to have the right tool for the job.
These are the most necessary:
- Torque wrench, which is recommended that you use to work on elements such as carbon fiber or other lightweight materials, as it serves to apply a certain tension in nuts and bolts, there are cases for sale, specialized for bicycle that include the tips or bits with the most necessary measures to use bicycles.
- Torx keys, are very similar to Allen, but its head is star-shaped. Torx keys are quickly becoming an essential for the bicycle shop, as more and more parts on bicycles have this type of bolts or screws to hold their parts, in addition to providing a wider area of grip which avoids any unexpected disassembly of the tool. The most commonly needed sizes are T10, T20, T25 and T30.
- Keys for pedals, the 15mm is the most common measure but always make sure the size you need the bike you are working on, for example children’s bikes use a smaller size.
- Short or trunk chain, this tool will make it much easier to change or shorten a chain, for example to convert the chain of a road bike to a single speed or single-speed bike.
- Derailleur alignment gauge, used to straighten the derailleur hangers.
- Cassette lock tool and chain whip, you will need both to remove a cassette, try to have the right measure for your bike. The Shimano HG type will cover at least 95% of bicycles, but other brands will require some less common.
- Dice or key for center axis (Bottom Bracket Tool). With so many standards in this piece, it can be difficult to know which one you need. What you need to know first, is what type of center box you have, stable, octagonal pressure adjustment system (BB30, PF30, BB386, PF86, etc.), once you find out what type it is, you can acquire the tool in almost Any specialized cycling shop.
- Key for cones, you can adjust and remove the cones from the wheel masses. A cone wrench is an ultra-thin profile wrench that fits into the confined grooves. The common sizes are 13, 15, 17 and 19 mm, although they may vary depending on the brand and type of shaft.
- Lightning wrench, with it you can adjust the nipples of the rays of the ring or rim.
- Bolt wrench or Shimano Chainring Peg Spanner, it is to adjust the screws that hold the plate or star with the connecting rod, they are of a very thin profile and also allows you to do against the bolt to be able to adjust it precisely.
Bicycle wheel and tire tools
The following tools are specific to the wheels and have little intersection with other areas of the bicycle, however, they are important, as a properly adjusted and tuned wheelset is extremely important to achieve maximum efficiency when rolling.
- Alignment support (like a bicycle repair support, the alignment support will make your life much easier).
- Cones keys (13, 15 and 17 mm the most common averages).
- Lightning wrench (these come in different sizes, make sure you use the correct one for the measurement you are working with).
- Lightning tension meter, a specialized tool used to be completely sure of lightning stress, but you could ignore it.
- Dish tool or dish tool, is used to center the dough on the wheel, when the line is precise (a lot of practice is required), you can also ignore it.
Bicycle transmission tools
Working on the transmission of a bicycle may include adjusting the derailleurs, changing the cables or whips of changes or brakes, or replacing a worn chain. Removing a cassette, replacing its lower support (hanger) or removing the pedals, are also common tasks in the adjustment or adjustment of the powertrain.
Again, the following list is a good starting point for your transmission tool.
- Screwdrivers (various sizes of flat head and cross or Phillips)
- Allen wrench set (2 to 12 mm in size)
- Torx key set (the T25 being the most important)
- Tip tweezers
- Cable cutter
- Chain Pin Extraction Tool
- Chain cutter
- Cassette Lock Ring Remover
- Chain whip
- Adjustable wrench or 12 inch parakeet
- Connecting rod extractor (make sure you have the right one for the job, there are many different types and styles)
- Dice or center shaft wrench (Bottom Bracket Tool), make sure you have the right one for the job, there are many different types and styles.
- Pedal wrench, don’t forget that there are different sizes here too, but the 15mm one is the most common.
Bicycle brake tools
Working on the brakes can be as simple as replacing your pads or tires, or as complex as purging hydraulic disc brakes.
The following tools are useful for performing brake tasks:
- Allen wrench set (2 to 5 mm in size).
- Wrenches (6-12mm).
- Tip Tweezers
- Purge and oil kit, be sure to check the brake system manual for the type of fluid and brake accessories suitable for your model.
- Rotor adjustment tool (disc brakes).
- Torx key, remember the T25, is the most necessary.
- Clean rags.
- If you think it is necessary: latex gloves.
- Denatured alcohol (or some type of cleanser).