Training Guide

Maintaining and repairing a road or mountain bike can be intimidating to some, but learning how to be your own mechanic starts with the proper tools. These 10 must-have items are a good starting point for any home shop.

Allen keys

A three-pronged 4-5-6 mm allen key wrench, as well as smaller sizes and a separate 8 mm allen key are essential in every shop. A folding set will also do the trick and is compact enough to fit into a jersey pocket or saddlebag when riding. Even a total novice will find the allen keys helpful for simple seat height or handlebar angle adjustments.

Floor pump

Invest in a good quality floor pump with a gauge that’s easy to read from a distance. Though mini-pumps are useful on the road, higher-pressure floor pumps require much less work to inflate a tire to the proper pressure. The recommended tire pressure range can be found on the sidewall of almost all tires. Remember that tires loose pressure every day - even if the bike isn’t being ridden, so it’s a good idea to check them before every ride.

Tire levers

Flat tires are virtually a guarantee. A set of two or three tire levers with a steel core and plastic coating is best. All-plastic levers are effective, but more likely to snap. Improvising with anything purely metal can puncture the tube or damage the rim before you even finish the flat repair.

15 mm box wrench

An absolute necessity to fix flats or do wheel and tire replacements on a bike with an axle nut instead of a quick release (more common on commuter bikes).

Pedal wrench

Some pedals require a pedal wrench and others an 8 mm hex depending on their design. A loose pedal can be both dangerous and can cause serious damage to the crankarm threads. Add checking pedal tightness to your pre-ride checklist. When installing pedals, always remember to check the threads as reversing left and right can damage your cranks. It should be easy to thread your pedals in. Never force it and always put some grease on the threads.

Hammer

It’s never fun having to hit your bike with a hammer, but some times it’s necessary. Parts seize or sometimes just require a bit of extra encouragement.

Spoke wrench

There are several sizes, so make sure you’re buying the right type for your wheel. There are also universal keys that include the most common sizes. Spoke tension is a fine balance in order to not throw the wheel out of true. If you’ve never worked on wheels before, or if your attempted repair made a wobbly-wheel worse, take your bike into your local mechanic.

Chain breaker/checker

Keeping your chain in good condition is important in extending the life of your cassette. A worn chain will eventually also wear out your cassette, causing a costly drivetrain replacement. A chain checker helps to measure the wear on the chain, letting you know when it’s time for a replacement. Also important is a chain breaker. Most chains come with a quick link for installation, but occasionally you have to remove a broken link or shorten the chain to ensure proper tension.

Lube, grease, degreaser

While not a tool strictly speaking, keeping your bike lubed, greased and clean is necessary in order to ensure good ride quality. Make sure you choose a lube right for your riding conditions (CCM April/May 2010) and a bit of grease goes a long way in avoiding seized parts. Finally, keeping your bike clean will extend the life of your drivetrain significantly and save you money over time.

Torque wrench

If you’re riding a carbon bike or using carbon components, a torque wrench should always be close by. Carbon is more susceptible to fractures due to compression or over-tightening than steel or aluminum. Just as dangerous is the fear that you will crack your frame or components, so you leave the bolts too loose. Get yourself a torque wrench so you don’t have to rely on feel alone.

Bottle Opener

Last, but certainly not least. A cold drink always makes fixing your bike instead of riding it go down a little easier.