Hey folks, I have a toolbox dedicated to bike tools. It is currently a mess (as shown) and I intend to make some inserts in the drawers to organize things.
I'd like to avoid a "how did I forget a 10mm wrench?" moment so I'm trying to fill out a complete list of must have tools.
What size wrenches do you keep handy? 8 – 10, 12, 14, 15mm… Don't think I've seen bigger needed much. Ditch the 10mm Allen key? What about torx? I forget what sizes they are but one is quite common on bleed ports, one is used for caliper mounts on some SRAM stuff I think…
Adjustable wrench, quick link pliers, chain tool, cassette tool, crank puller, cutters, phillips and flathead drivers…
by Monolithx64
23 Comments
Better chain lube than that.
You are missing quite a few essential items, and it seems like you might not have a specific bike yet to gauge which proprietary tools you’ll need. Keep in mind that brands like SRAM and Shimano often require their own specialized tools for specific service tasks. I’d recommend holding off on buying a full set until you know exactly what components you are working on.
A chain whip for cassette work, BB tool, cable cutter. Cable cutter is money 💴
A torque wrench is something that I have added just for peace of mind. It’s nice not having to wonder if something is over or under torqued. Spoke wrenches are also a cheap addition that I’m going to be adding next
I think I’d buy 30 #4 , 5, and 6 Allen keys. The 10mm sockets of the bike world.
Where do they all go? Who knows, maybe when I move I’ll strike the motherload under my work bench.
Until then I’ll keep assuming they phase in an out of existence based on how much I need them at any given moment.
What I don’t see is a torque wrench. Necessary in my book.
Freewheel tool and chain whip. Also nice if your disc rotor lock rings use the same tool.
Allen keys 2-10mm
Torx T10-T30 (by 5s)
7mm and 8mm open end wrench if you do brake stuff.
15mm spanner for pedals.
Chain breaker and quick link tool.
Presta valve core remover. Tires levers.
I’m sure I’m missing some but that is a good starter kit.
Knipex Plier Wrench, basically a crescent wrench that is a lot more usable and less likely to damage stuff, I also use it to press in linkage bearings. It’s my most used tool by a long shot. Otherwise, a set of torx bits and a set of metric hex bits, then a screwdriver, torque wrench, and socket wrench that work with them, so you can swap them between all your different wrenches depending what you’re doing. Also a good set of allen keys with a ball end on one side which it looks like you already have.
Cable cutter, maybe flush cutter, and zip ties. Also a set or torx set in case of sram brakes (I think it was T25 and T10?) and a tube of grease
Lil bit of a broke spoke bent in to a shape that can hold chain links in place while you re-fit chains
good quality hex wrenches, torque wrench & proper bits, myriad chain tools (checker, breaker, master link pliers), something to level the saddle (iphone, for example)
Old toothbrush to clean jockey wheels
Duct tape and a hammer
Hex wrench
In addition to everything already stated:
– Headset press (a £15 one from AliExpress will be fine for anything not seriously out of round),
– A headset remover or brass punch/drift,
– Helicoil set (including drills and taps) & tap wrench,
– Disk brake truing tool,
– Bottle of Loctite (blue),
– Shock Pump,
– BB Spanner or Socket (to suit your bike/bikes),
– Cassette Tool or Socket (to suit as above),
– Pipe Cutter or Hacksaw & Guide,
– Star Nut Installation Punch,
– Bleed Kit(s) (to suit your bikes again),
– 21mm thin-wall socket (as a punch for re-installing end caps on most common hubs)
– Soft Faced Hammer (Thor Leather- Rawhide Size 2 is ideal)
– Breaker Bar in the same size square drive as your Torque Wrench,
– Roll of medium (180 or 220 grit) Emory paper tape and a wooden dowel with a slot cut in it for removing corrosion from inside tubes.
I started 30 years ago with a park set, I think I paid $180 USD for it. Paid for itself over and over, had to get cassette tools and freewheel tools. But all the tools do nothing till you know how to use them, and I still am learning.
A torque wrench is important when dealing with carbon fiber and more delicate things.
Park poly lube is mandatory, though it will take years to use up a tube for most.
Good cable cutters. I suffered for YEARS just using hardware store, crap wire cutters to cube shifter and brake cables. A good set of cable cutters is a cheap investment in your cable game.
The floor.
If it wasn’t there all of my hex wrenches would have fallen into the earth’s core.
ratchet wrench (hex and torx bits) and torque wrench (2-20Nm) gets most of the work done
It’s giving me anxiety not to see a torque wrench. About the only thing on my bike I’m willing to tighten without a torque wrench are the pedals. Everything else is to a torque spec.
T-handle allen set. They’re cheap and will make a lot of stuff easier. Pedal wrench, these often are multi purpose. They’re skinnier than standard wrenches. The one I have also has cut outs to slip allen keys into to make it a breaker bar and a 10mm box.
Do you have a chain wear gauge? That’s an essential piece of equipment. I also think having a small torque wrench is pretty useful on higher end bikes.
Knipex, chain breaker, torq and Allen bits.
Allen keys and air compressor with retractable hose and Jaco presta chuck.