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Core77 Guides/Home Bike Shop Essential Tools and Supplies
Home Bike Shop Essential Tools and Supplies
Bike riding is more popular than ever, and if you're riding it is only a matter of time before your bike will require some maintenance or repair. Fortunately the majority of bike maintenance can be performed at home by anyone with a minimum of effort and training. Truth be told, many fixes are completed by simply lubricating a stuck part, cleaning it and wiping it down. That said, there are a few particular tools and supplies that will help you set your home shop up properly, whether you're taking care of the family bike collection or just keeping your own in top shape.
In addition to the specific items below, some general tools and supplies are helpful. These include Philips head screwdrivers (#1 and #2), slotted (flat head) screwdrivers (3/16" and 1/4"), wire snips, adjustable wrench, larger Allen wrenches (10MM and 12mm), a small needle pick tool, single edge razor blades, degreaser solution and shop rags.
For more advanced maintenance and repair you'll need to amass a collection of specialty tools, for changing bottom brackets and crank sets, swapping chains, building wheels, etc. And a good repair stand will be essential. But for someone just starting out you can wait on getting all those items and just start with the list below.
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#1
Tire Levers
Submitted by: Stuart Constantine
Fixing flats and replacing tires is probably the most common repair on bikes. A good set of tire levers will be in use often. This set from Park Tools has all the essential features and are very affordable.
Fixing flats and replacing tires is probably the most common repair on bikes. A good set of tire levers will be in use often. This set from Park Tools has all the essential features and are very affordable.
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#2
Blackburn Piston Bike Floor Pump
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineAfter repairing a flat, or replacing a tire, you'll need to pump it up. I also check the pressure on my tires before riding and give them a quick top off frequently, so this tool in in constant use.
After repairing a flat, or replacing a tire, you'll need to pump it up. I also check the pressure on my tires before riding and give them a quick top off frequently, so this tool in in constant use.
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#3
Park Tool Hex Wrench - AWS-1
Submitted by: Stuart Constantine4mm, 5mm and 6mm Allen wrenches are the most common sizes. The Y shape gives you extra turning leverage, and the three-in-one configuration keeps the individual wrenches from disappearing.
4mm, 5mm and 6mm Allen wrenches are the most common sizes. The Y shape gives you extra turning leverage, and the three-in-one configuration keeps the individual wrenches from disappearing.
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#4
WD-40 Specialist Silicone Spray
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineUsed for lubricating sticky shifters, brake calipers, cables, derailleurs, bolts and so many other items, a can of silicone spray lubricant is essential. The attached straw allows you to focus the stream and get it into tight spots without coating the rest of the bike.
Used for lubricating sticky shifters, brake calipers, cables, derailleurs, bolts and so many other items, a can of silicone spray lubricant is essential. The attached straw allows you to focus the stream and get it into tight spots without coating the rest of the bike.
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#5
White Lightning Epic Ride - All conditions light synthetic bicycle chain lube
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineThis wet lube is fantastic for keeping your bike chain running smoothly. Best for bikes ridden on pavement, either wet or dry. For trail riding you should use a dry lube to minimize coating your chain with dirt and dust.
This wet lube is fantastic for keeping your bike chain running smoothly. Best for bikes ridden on pavement, either wet or dry. For trail riding you should use a dry lube to minimize coating your chain with dirt and dust.
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#6
Park Tool PW-5 15mm Pedal Wrench
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineInstalling and removing pedals is something I do on a regular basis. Storing and transporting bikes without pedals is much easier. Changing from clip-in to flats, or replacing old toe clip pedals for newer clipless versions is a constant task. The slim profile and vinyl-dipped handle of this wrench makes the job easy.
Installing and removing pedals is something I do on a regular basis. Storing and transporting bikes without pedals is much easier. Changing from clip-in to flats, or replacing old toe clip pedals for newer clipless versions is a constant task. The slim profile and vinyl-dipped handle of this wrench makes the job easy.
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#7
Phil Wood Waterproof Bearing Grease
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineEssential for bearings in headsets, wheel hubs, bottom brackets, and also helpful for greasing threads on pedals. I like to put some on a seatpost before installation to prevent it from corroding and getting stuck in the frame.
Essential for bearings in headsets, wheel hubs, bottom brackets, and also helpful for greasing threads on pedals. I like to put some on a seatpost before installation to prevent it from corroding and getting stuck in the frame.
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#8
Pedro's Brake Shift Cable and Housing Cutter
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineFor installing brake and shift cables and housing. Replacing these cables is something you do on a regular basis, and a good pair of clippers is essential. You can use a lot of wire snips to cut the thin shift cables, but you need a good cutter with a leveraged cutting edge to clip through the reinforced cable housing, especially on brake cables.
For installing brake and shift cables and housing. Replacing these cables is something you do on a regular basis, and a good pair of clippers is essential. You can use a lot of wire snips to cut the thin shift cables, but you need a good cutter with a leveraged cutting edge to clip through the reinforced cable housing, especially on brake cables.
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#9
Spoke wrench
Submitted by: Stuart ConstantineThis small wrench has gaps for multiple sized spoke nipples, making it a good choice for a home shop. I find myself truing wheels frequently, to keep them straight and prevent rubbing on the brake pads.
This small wrench has gaps for multiple sized spoke nipples, making it a good choice for a home shop. I find myself truing wheels frequently, to keep them straight and prevent rubbing on the brake pads.
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Core77 Guides/Home Bike Shop Essential Tools and Supplies
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