Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2009-06-29 12:52 PM

User image

Expert
878
500100100100252525
Tallahassee, FL
Subject: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
So I've got a gift card to REI that I've had since December, and can't believe it's lasted me this long.  I've decided to use what I have left on it so get a couple bicycle maintence tools.  I've got everything I would need to change a flat tire and a multi-tool to adjust things like seat height.  My goal is to eventually have enough stuff to be able to make smaller repairs and adjustments myself.

So what's in your bicycle tool box that you would consider 'must have'?

2009-06-29 12:55 PM
in reply to: #2250552

User image

Champion
10020
50005000
, Minnesota
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools

A pedal wrench

Drive-train cleaner tool

2009-06-29 12:57 PM
in reply to: #2250552

User image

Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
Chain whip
Cassette cog remover
Pedal wrench
good set of hex tools (swiss army knife looking thing)
good set of individual hex drivers
chain cleaner machine
spare skewers
trainer wheel
2009-06-29 1:00 PM
in reply to: #2250566

User image

Champion
5117
5000100
Brandon, MS
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools

DanielG - 2009-06-29 12:57 PM Chain whip Cassette cog remover Pedal wrench good set of hex tools (swiss army knife looking thing) good set of individual hex drivers chain cleaner machine spare skewers trainer wheel

Spoke wrench

Toothbrush

Wire/Cable Clippers

Zinn & the Art of Triathlon (or Road) Bikes

 



Edited by sesh 2009-06-29 1:01 PM
2009-06-29 1:49 PM
in reply to: #2250552

User image

Modesto, California
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
2009-06-29 2:09 PM
in reply to: #2250780

User image

Extreme Veteran
565
5002525
Jenison , MI
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
nevergivin - 2009-06-29 1:49 PM

Bike maintenance stand.


+10000000.... I built one but if I was to do it again (will someday) I would just buy it. I spent as much building it as buy one and it's not even as good.



2009-06-29 2:17 PM
in reply to: #2250566

User image

Extreme Veteran
3177
20001000100252525
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
DanielG - 2009-06-29 10:57 AM Chain whip Cassette cog remover Pedal wrench good set of hex tools (swiss army knife looking thing) good set of individual hex drivers chain cleaner machine spare skewers trainer wheel


For pure maintenance tools this is a great list, I would also add a crank puller, bike stand (like someone else mentioned) and if you want to get really fancy, a wheel trueing stand.
2009-06-29 2:18 PM
in reply to: #2250850

User image

Champion
4835
2000200050010010010025
Eat Cheese or Die
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
A big hammer and a pair of vice grips are all you need :P

I will say that chain cleaner things are pretty worthless. I have yet to work with a mechanic that finds them useful. That doesn't mean there is not a bike mechanic who will disagree with me, but I've worked in 4 shops with upwards of 35 different mechanics.

Remove your chain (buy a chain with a link, or learn how to use a chain tool). A cheap parts cleaner is to use a 32oz Gatorade bottle (nice large mouth) throw the chain in there with some undiluted simple green or other potent degreaser/cleaner shake for a bit then let it sit while you clean some more of the bike, then take the chain out, wipe dry and let it sit to air dry for a bit. Reinstall and lube and you are good to go. All the chain cleaning tools do is make a mess of your bike.

2009-06-29 2:24 PM
in reply to: #2250780

User image

Pro
6767
500010005001001002525
the Alabama part of Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
nevergivin - 2009-06-29 2:49 PM Bike maintenance stand.


I love this stand!  Don't forget to get the tool tray as well.  I might also think about a basic tool kit, that has most of the tools you would need to get started.  If I was prioritizing, I would get Zinn's book first, then the tool kit, then the stand.  Because without the book (or a good hands on instructor), you won't know what you are doing; without the tools, you can't do what you need.  But in a pinch, you can do the repair work on a hitch mount, or trainer.
2009-06-29 2:54 PM
in reply to: #2250892

User image

Extreme Veteran
3177
20001000100252525
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
graceful_dave - 2009-06-29 12:18 PM A big hammer and a pair of vice grips are all you need :P I will say that chain cleaner things are pretty worthless. I have yet to work with a mechanic that finds them useful. That doesn't mean there is not a bike mechanic who will disagree with me, but I've worked in 4 shops with upwards of 35 different mechanics. Remove your chain (buy a chain with a link, or learn how to use a chain tool). A cheap parts cleaner is to use a 32oz Gatorade bottle (nice large mouth) throw the chain in there with some undiluted simple green or other potent degreaser/cleaner shake for a bit then let it sit while you clean some more of the bike, then take the chain out, wipe dry and let it sit to air dry for a bit. Reinstall and lube and you are good to go. All the chain cleaning tools do is make a mess of your bike.


I would agree that the chain cleaners do not work super well. your way is good but I prefer to use a series of cleaners starting with really hot water to get the large stuff off, rinse the bottle of the crude, the hot water and soap, the degreeser, then a clean rinse in nice hot water again and then I put it on my special baking sheet and stick it is a warm to slightly hot oven to driy quickly and make sure that when I lube it up there is no water getting trapper in the pieces (trick I learned from a local mechanic) finally I lube it with your favorite lube and wipe off all excess and reinstall. So far that method works well for me though it is a bit more labor intensive.
2009-06-29 3:10 PM
in reply to: #2251044

User image

Champion
4835
2000200050010010010025
Eat Cheese or Die
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
bel83 - 2009-06-29 2:54 PM

graceful_dave - 2009-06-29 12:18 PM A big hammer and a pair of vice grips are all you need :P I will say that chain cleaner things are pretty worthless. I have yet to work with a mechanic that finds them useful. That doesn't mean there is not a bike mechanic who will disagree with me, but I've worked in 4 shops with upwards of 35 different mechanics. Remove your chain (buy a chain with a link, or learn how to use a chain tool). A cheap parts cleaner is to use a 32oz Gatorade bottle (nice large mouth) throw the chain in there with some undiluted simple green or other potent degreaser/cleaner shake for a bit then let it sit while you clean some more of the bike, then take the chain out, wipe dry and let it sit to air dry for a bit. Reinstall and lube and you are good to go. All the chain cleaning tools do is make a mess of your bike.


I would agree that the chain cleaners do not work super well. your way is good but I prefer to use a series of cleaners starting with really hot water to get the large stuff off, rinse the bottle of the crude, the hot water and soap, the degreeser, then a clean rinse in nice hot water again and then I put it on my special baking sheet and stick it is a warm to slightly hot oven to driy quickly and make sure that when I lube it up there is no water getting trapper in the pieces (trick I learned from a local mechanic) finally I lube it with your favorite lube and wipe off all excess and reinstall. So far that method works well for me though it is a bit more labor intensive.


If you're going to go that far, you might as well do it right
http://sheldonbrown.com/chainclean.html

2009-06-29 3:13 PM
in reply to: #2251044

User image

Champion
11989
500050001000500100100100100252525
Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
bel83 - 2009-06-29 3:54 PM 
I lube it with your favorite lube


Who told you?
2009-06-29 3:21 PM
in reply to: #2250552

Master
1963
10005001001001001002525
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
I think a bike stand is a GREAT investment. Nothing more frustrating than knocking your bike over every time you try and work on it or clean it.
2009-06-29 3:39 PM
in reply to: #2250850

User image

Elite
3658
200010005001002525
Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools

fsr402 - 2009-06-29 3:09 PM
nevergivin - 2009-06-29 1:49 PM Bike maintenance stand.
+10000000.... I built one but if I was to do it again (will someday) I would just buy it. I spent as much building it as buy one and it's not even as good.

I use the bike rack on the back of my car. 

Works like a charm....

2009-06-29 3:41 PM
in reply to: #2251145

Veteran
110
100
Subject: RE: Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools
I hang my bikes in the garage from those pulley systems.  For work, I pull the bike up to whatever level is correct.  I cannot get any leverage for force in this situation, but works fine for routing maintenance/cleaning.  Plus, I also have them.  Solves two problems with one answer.

Gordon
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Bicycle Maintenance: Must Have Tools Rss Feed