If you ride a bike, you should probably own a few tools. Whether you’re a beginner or just sick of your drivetrain sounding like a maraca, having the right tools at home can save you time, money and a lot of grief.
“On the really basic end of things, I think most riders would benefit from having a decent set of hex and torx wrenches, a pump, tire levers and cleaning supplies (brushes, soap, bucket, etc) at home,” says Andrew Doble, a seasoned mechanic at Ontario’s Horseshoe Bike Park. “Enough to get some basic maintenance done without getting into too much trouble.”
You don’t need a shop full of tools to keep your bike rolling effortlessly. That list is enough to handle everyday tune-ups and prevent bigger issues down the road.
Upgrade your kit for component swaps
If you’re ready to go beyond cleaning and tire changes, Doble says the next level of tools will let you start tackling component upgrades.
“A step up from there would be adding a cassette tool and chain whip, a spoke wrench, a chain breaker, quick-link pliers and a shock pump for the MTB riders,” he says. “This checks off the boxes to tighten a few more things and to start changing out components.”
This setup allows you to remove your cassette, fix a broken chain, tension spokes and service your suspension pressure. All from your garage or kitchen floor, depending on how dedicated you are.
Go pro with precision tools
Once you’re confident swapping parts and keeping things tight, you might want to add a few pro-level tools.
“Final stage would be adding a torque wrench (2-15 Nm range), tire sealant injector and a brake bleed kit,” he says. “Riders do not change their bike fluids as much as needed which would save them from a lot of issues down the road.”
Not checking torque specs or ignoring your brake fluid is a fast track to component failure. These tools help you work with confidence and avoid over-tightening delicate carbon parts or under-tightening bolts that matter.
Watch before you wrench
Of course, even the best tools are useless if you don’t know how to use them. Doble has seen both ends of the spectrum.
“Knowledge is power when it comes to using tools at any level so I would highly recommend riders check out the Park Tool how-to videos on YouTube,” he says. “We typically see both ends of the spectrum when it comes to bike maintenance; riders who do nothing and wonder why their bike falls apart…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…