Basic Bike Repair Tools
An overview of the tools needed to perform basic maintenance and minor repairs at home.
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- 00:30 - You can also use a car bike rack to hold up your bike!
Today we’ll learn about some tools that every home repair shop should have in order to perform basic adjustment and maintenance procedures. I’ll cover more advanced tools in a future tutorial.
Repair Stand
The most important tool in any home shop is a repair stand. Park Tools makes an economy stand called the PCS-9 that will do the job, but if you’re going to be working on bikes regularly I’d recommend the PCS-4 because of the superior clamping system. If you’re not ready to invest you can always hang your bike from the ceiling, and for minor adjustments you can also use a bike display stand to keep your rear wheel off the ground. If you’re adventurous you can always build your own stand… beside this video you’ll find a link to a BikeHacks article showcasing some DIY repair stands.
Cleaning Supplies
For basic cleaning you should have some cleaning solvent and a supply of rags. I find the Park gear cleaning brush extra handy for cleaning grime out of your sprockets and chain.
Lubricants
You should have 3 basic types of lubrication: chain oil, light oil and waterproof grease. See the video on choosing the right lubricants.
Screwdrivers
Both flathead and phillips (+) screwdrivers are essential.
Pliers
For pliers you should have a good set of wire cutters for trimming inner cable ends. The 4th hand tool is also invaluable for adjusting brake and derailleur tension and attaching zip-ties. If you plan on replacing cable housings, a proper cable cutter makes a clean cut every time.
Hex Wrenches
Most of the components on modern bikes are fastened using 4mm, 5mm or 6mm allen bolts. One of my favorite tools is the Park triple hex wrench, which includes all three basic sizes. I also find it useful to have a set of long allen keys on hand, as they include some extra sizes like an 8mm for crank bolts, and a ball-end that makes it easy to quickly spin long bolts.
Wrenches
For wrenches, most components are between the sizes of 8mm to 17mm, so having a good set of open-end wrenches is a must. It’s also a good idea to have a couple of adjustable wrenches on hand for odd jobs, but I recommend using the proper size whenever possible as adjustable wrenches often slip and can damage your bolts.
Wrenches for Pedals, Headsets & Hubs
A 15mm pedal wrench is necessary for tightening or replacing pedals. They come with a long handle which helps loosen pedals that are often very tight. If you have an older threaded headset you should have either a 32mm or 36mm headset wrench for making adjustments. A set of 13&15mm cone wrenches are also often needed to adjust your front and rear hubs.
Tire & Tube Tools
For tire repairs you’ll need a set of plastic tire levers. Never use a screwdriver or metal tool to pry off your tires as you’ll run the risk of pinching your tube or damaging your rim. For installing very tight tires I recommend the Kool Stop tire jack, which makes it really easy to pull them on. Of course every home mechanic should also have an air pump, tire guage and if you have presta valves, a presta valve adapter.
Wheel Tools
The last thing you should have are some basic wheel truing tools. Spoke wrenches come in 3 common sizes which you can get individually, or as a combination tool like the one from Park. You can usually make minor wheel adjustments on your bike using your brake pads as a guide, but if you want to be more precise you’ll need a truing stand. Park makes a great economy stand called the TS-8, but if you’re looking for a shop-quality stand that will last a lifetime, it’s worth investing in the TS-2. If you want to build your own, BikeHacks.com has another great article showcasing some DIY truing stands. Once you’ve invested in these tools, you’ll be ready to tune up your bike and take care of minor repairs yourself!
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Comments & Questions - Help Forums
13 Responses to “Basic Bike Repair Tools”
Comments are temporarily closed. If you have bicycle repair questions please visit the forums
Yay! More tutorials. When I don’t have the tool for a job I sometimes try to make it, like I made a chainwhip and it did the trick perfectly, another great tutorial.
PS: How are the sponsors coming along?
Thanks bedbugg… good to hear you’ve made your own tools!
No sponsors yet
It ain’t the best ‘in the world’ but works in a pinch. The bike rack on the back of your car is a fine bike stand if it provides pedal clearance. It is also a ‘green’ use of the auto. No emmisions.
How about a thingamajig for removing chains? Do you have a recommended one?
I was debating whether or not to include chain tools in the ‘advanced tools’ video, but since you’ve asked my favorite is the Park CT-3 because of its long handles and durability. On the road I take the smaller Park CT-5. There are also some other less expensive options here.
Thank you!
Excellent!
Just the tutorial I was looking forward to!
Thanks and cheers!
cdc
ParkTool are great, but are there no alternative? Or are you working for them?
No, I’m not working for Park, but they are the industry standard as far as bike tools… for some things you can get alternatives, but I much prefer the quality and durability of Park. Highly recommended!
Park tools are the industry standard. Any time I see the old Park Blue on a tool, I know it will work, and I paid a decent price for it. I do prefer to fabricate my own tools but sometimes that just won’t cut it.
As far as degreaser, I buy a can of odorless mineral spirits. A rag and a selection of brushes should be kept handy.
I love to BMX a lot and i want to have my bike at top notch when i go for a spin so i always go to this site, i love it!
Thank you so much for your videos. I have learned so much.
Great videos, I wish on some of the category it was little more detail and just little longer than 30 seconds. Great job
Wish you the best.