TOOLS AND TIPS: Your DIY masterclass

At the heart of it the bicycle is a simple, efficient machine. So looking after your bike doesn’t need to be a minefield of highly specialised skills and professional tools. For some people, the building and maintenance of their bikes is as much fun as riding them.

While a professional mechanic can make your bike run like a dream, there is no reason that basic maintenance and adjustments – and a little bit more – can’t be done at home with the right tools, practice and patience. Here’s a look at set ups to get you started, and tips from some of the best mechanics we know. – words and photos Mike Blewitt

THE BASICS

One of the best things you can do to look after your bike is keep it clean and lubricated. So a bucket, degreaser, bike cleaner, brushes, and a chain cleaner are essential. You’ll also need some rags, and chain lubricant. Ask your local shop what works best on your trails if you don’t already have a favourite. A small syringe is excellent for getting a bit of lube on derailleur pivots.

As for the basic tools you’ll need, it depends on your bike. A range of hex keys from 2-10mm, a flat and Phillips head screwdriver, plus T20, T25 and T30 torx tools will cover basic adjustments. Park Tool have a hex set that can be mounted on a wall or laid on a workbench. The long end is ball-headed and the short end is flat, so it sits flush into bolts.

Italian company Silca not only make amazing pumps but also tools. If you’re after a high-end set of hex and torx keys, their HX ONE kit is $199.95 but has all the hex key sizes you need, plus screwdriver and torx head fittings. Made from high-grade tool steel and with a thin-dense chrome finish, this set is not just for the aesthete but for someone who only wants to buy the tools they need once.

GET TORQUEING
You should think about investing in a torque wrench early on. Most come with hex and torx attachments, and will likely save you money in the long run if you have lightweight parts. This Super-B model is $199 and has just about every hex and torx fitting you’ll need.

The Silca Tool Folio T-Handle pack is a popular option amongst mechanics. The combination of length, and the sliding T-handle makes tough jobs easy. And the high quality tool steel, finish, and storage pack should make the $329.95 price easier to swallow. This one is for the purist.

Companies like Park Tool and Super B have 3-way tools that fall at hand easily. I’ve had my Park Tool AWS-1 since I was a teen. The Super B torx headed tool is especially useful when working on SRAM equipped bikes.

Most cycling tool brands will also have screwdrivers, but a reasonable selection from your local hardware store will do nicely. This is also a good place to pick up some basics like scissors, a tape measure, cutting knife and some electrical tape.

At your local bike shop consider purchasing items like a chain whip and cassette lock ring tool, and some cable cutters. I’ve had my Park Tool items for almost 20 years. Don’t neglect pressure gauges – for your tyres and suspension. I find digital options to be the most precise.

 

Cycling tech writer and tool aficionado David Rome says that a tool kit at a minimum needs a set of decent length hex keys spreading from 1.5 to 10mm, a Phillips #2 screwdriver and a set of torx keys that includes at least T25 and T30. His advice is to prioritise quality in these most regularly used items as they’ll outlast cheap options, while also often preventing stripped screws. “I believe the American-made hex and torx keys from Bondhus offer the best value for money. For screwdrivers, typically the German or Japanese brands have a superior fit with most derailleur limit screws.”

For mountain bikers, adding a shock pump and cleaning tools (brushes, chain cleaner, etc) is money well spent and will allow you to prevent unnecessary wear and tear. Once you’ve got those basics down, the recommendation is to invest in a quality workstand. “It’s hard to look past Park Tool or Feedback Sports for a good workstand”, says Rome. A workstand will transform how you can work on a bike, from adjusting gears and brakes, to even just lubing a chain without having to balance the bike.

If you’re keen for some more in-depth home mechanics, Rome’s tips for starting out are to not buy the cheapest tool kit you can find. Instead, invest in a small but good quality tool kit, or piece together the items you need, as you need them. “There are lots of great options for cycling tools these days, and home mechanics can hardly go wrong with brands such as Park Tool, Pedros, Feedback Sports, PRO, Lezyne and Birzman,” he says. “A good book, such as Leonard Zinn’s Art of Bike Maintenance or Park Tool’s Blue Tool Book can be invaluable too, and are certainly more helpful than a lot of the information provided on forums and Youtube.” Rome himself learnt the ropes reading Zinn’s books (there’s one for the road, one for the dirt).

GET THE BOX SET

Just about every tool company has a set of tools to sell. We reviewed the Pro Essential Tool Roll ($169, shown opposite) earlier this year, which is a great starter pack. Tool sets are ideal for throwing in the car when driving to the trail or going on holiday, but also they are very easy to store if you don’t have a whole lot of room.

The Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit has 19 tools and comes in a fold out carry case that sits perfectly on their workstand. At $409.95 it’s not cheap, but it should let you strip down a bike and build it back up again, if you don’t need to bleed brakes. Best of all, the tools aren’t the basic options. Items like the cassette pliers are sought after tools by many mechanics as they make the job easier.

Super B have a great value 21-piece set that will provide you with the majority of tools you will need, from hex keys to torx keys, chain tools, bottom bracket tools, tyre levers and the rest. The tools are more basic than those in the Feedback Sports kit, but the kit comes in at a friendly $129.

There are other options from Super B and Feedback Sports, as well as from Pro and Park Tool if you feel buying a whole set is the best way to get started.

LET'S GET SPECIFIC

If you’re comfortable pulling most of your bike apart and putting it back together again, you’re going to need to add to the tools you have.

A few small items make frequent work easier. A collection of ‘spikey things’ like the Park Tool Pick Set Up is great for popping seals, opening the ends of cable outer, and all sorts of odd jobs. Similarly, the Feedback Sports Valve Tool at $13.95 pays for itself if you’re often trying to unclog tubeless valves, or change cores. If you are servicing hubs or other bearings a lot, a grease gun like the Park Tool GG-1 makes everything a lot simpler.

If you are moving onto bigger jobs, many tools become more specific. A bottom bracket and headset press is fantastic, and Park Tool’s HHP-03 home mechanic version is affordable and highly functional. But if your frame uses a drop in head set and threaded bottom bracket, you don’t need them.

A pipe cutter, or cutting guide, and crown race setter and star-fangled nut setter are very useful. But only if you’re frequently buying new suspension forks.

A very useful tool is the Park Tool Derailleur Hanger Alignment Tool – or DAG2.2. All it does is make sure your hanger is straight. But sometimes that’s exactly what you need to do. If you have one, your friends will come around to use it. Charge in beers.

If you’re a little pedantic, really like boutique builds, or just want to trim some weight from your race rig – some scales are a must. Use a small worktop scale for parts, and a larger type for bikes and wheels. My two models from Park Tool have been super reliable.

GETTING MORE INTO IT- YOUR WORKSHOP

If you have the space, a workbench and workstand will be next on your wishlist. Having a dedicated flat area where you can pull apart hubs, brakes and more is endlessly useful. You might choose to use a tool wall, or a tool box. Either way, getting a stable workstand completes the picture. The Feedback Sports Por Elite workstand with carry bag is close to $490. You can get a more basic model for under $250, and the height, stability, and compact size when packed up makes them a favourite. Park Tool and Pro have similar offerings.

If you build a workbench, and plan your tool storage, think about what you need frequent access to – and what you don’t need so often. I have some of my most used tools out on a wall, with a combination of hooks, and the Super B magnetic rack, which keeps the most essential tools close to hand.

Working on your suspension is a more complicated job and therefore needs specific tools. Aiden Lefmann, head mechanic at Cyclinic Suspension, says simple, high quality tools make the difference. He believes Knipex wrenches are one of the most commonly used tools in his shop. While they look like a multi-grip, they are anything but. With flat surfaces that don’t mark, and a secure fit, they are one of the most versatile tools they use – along with a selection of tiny hex keys.