Tools tools tools

[Pedal power1972]

Hi I have just upgraded my front forks on my brand new Levo, 1st time ever doing this and tbh I really enjoyed it…
I also had a creek from a dry bolt on rear triangle so I decided to buy a torque wrench undone all bolts on rear triangle regressed and torqued all bolts up again, problem solved…
My question is what tools do you guys use for bike servicing? I take it with ebikes chain checker is a must and it got me thinking maybe I can change the chain as and when it’s needed and maybe change my cassette when it’s worn, apart from
These particular jobs what else do you guys do? What tools are required for such jobs and what tools are handy for other things like chain ring?? All I can think of is a chain checker and a chain whip but what else is needed…

 

[RustyIron]

There are only a few "bike specific" tools that I use. Most often I'm using general purpose metric Allen wrenches and Torx wrenches, both L-shaped. Maybe get Allen and Torx sockets that fit your torque wrench. You COULD get by with just a few sizes, but get a whole set.

Get a cassette lock ring tool, also. It's like a socket but fits the splined fastener. You can make a chain whip out of an old chain, but you'll eventually need one. Get some kind of grease, because just about everything on a bike is quieter when there's a film of grease before assembly. Also get some anti-seize and use it on all threaded fasteners.

Sometimes you'll need a small flat-blade or Phillips screwdriver. If you get a modestly sized general-purpose tool set, you'll be able to tackle unpredictable problems that arise. Don't get junky tools from that big country that makes junky products that we'd be racist if we mentioned. Buy tools made in England, Japan, Europe, or U.S.

Buying tools won't make you a craftsman any more than buying Nomex underwear will make you a Formula 1 driver. But just as you can't drive an F1 car without underwear, you can't work on a bike without tools. You gotta start somewhere. If you get lost, the interwebs is a good place to turn for advice.

 

[steve_sordy]

DO NOT buy cheap Allen keys from the local market. It is a quick way to get a set of tools, but you will regret the day you ever saw them when the end rounds out and you end up damaging a bolt.

 

[RickBullotta]

No need for a chain checker at all. Any ruler/tape measure will do.

Don't cheap out hex/allen wrenches and Torx wrenches. Splurge and get a set of Weras. You'll thank me later. A decent quality chain tool (the Park stuff is overpriced IMO) is a good thing to have. Also a good quality housing/cable cutter. And a spoke wrench.

Beyond that it depends how much DIY work you plan to do. Next level up would be a brake bleed kit (I actually did get the Park version of this because I needed to service lots of different brands of brakes).

 

[steve_sordy]

No need for a chain checker at all. Any ruler/tape measure will do.
........................
. Also a good quality housing/cable cutter.
....................

Very good advice.
Take the chain off and measure across 100 links (ie 50")
Nothing worse than a raggedy end to a brake hose or an outer gear cable, or inner wire.

 

[Pedal power1972]

I’m ok doing brake bleeds as I done a few of them on my previous bike which had Shimano brakes..
I understand sram uses a different set up, i shall order the specific kit..
Cassette lock ring! This specific tool I am after, ty for calling it by it’s specific name as now can match this up with my my bike….
Already have a chain he whip thing so this will be ideal for cassette….
Already brought a bike torque wrench for my bike as I already done a nut and bolt check.
Cable cutter seems like a good investment I never given this much thought but can see sense in this now as well as a good quality Allan key set that don’t damage the heads of bolts
Good ideas ty for reply’s

 

[Ou812]

I recommend Wera ball ends for your Allen/Torx wrenches, I’ve used a bunch of different sets and these have been the best. My go to bike tools have been from Wera, Abbey and Park. If you want to get spendy look at the Abbey Team Issue Box

 

[Pedal power1972]

I recommend Wera ball ends for your Allen/Torx wrenches, I’ve used a bunch of different sets and these have been the best. My go to bike tools have been from Wera, Abbey and Park. If you want to get spendy look at the Abbey Team Issue Box

Thank you very much for the recommendations

 

[kombos]

I recommend Wera ball ends for your Allen/Torx wrenches, I’ve used a bunch of different sets and these have been the best. My go to bike tools have been from Wera, Abbey and Park. If you want to get spendy look at the Abbey Team Issue Box

Agree....love my Wera T-handles....

 

[Sander23]

When I started on working on my bikes I bought this set TC-1 Professional Tool Box.
Quality is decent enough for my amateur bike mechanic skills
Includes most basic tools to get you started, ofc I expanded my tool kit with some pieces in time

 

[Ou812]

Agree....love my Wera T-handles....

I had the Park t-handles, my wife donated them to charity on accident. I replaced them with the Wera kit. I definitely prefer the Wera over Park, I think Park has some quality control issues. The fork sockets I got from them didn’t fit all the well, they had a bit of play so I sent them back.

 

[Dax]

This set:

Wera L-Keys Metric Multicolour Holding Function Long Arm Hex-Plus Set 9 Pieces - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Hex-plus L-key set with holding function and ‘Take it Easy’ tool finder and colour-coded system. The long arm of each L-Key features a ball-end design which allows angle screws to be accessed in confined spaces. In addition, the holding function element securely...

www.screwfix.com

Currently £21 on Amazon, but this site won’t let me link to Amazon

 

[Doomanic]

Orly?

www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Multicolour-BlackLaser-1-5-10mm-05073593001/dp/B009ODV0OE/

 

[Doomanic]

I know you said you had a chain whip, but this one is the best I’ve ever used…

www.amazon.co.uk/BBB-T-RexGrip-Freewheel-Turner-BTL-122/dp/B0781WMDXX/

 

[RickBullotta]

The Wera's have a unique shape that both helps hold bolts on and also allows them to adapt a slight bit when other tools have buggered up the shape of the hex hole. I freely admit to my German green tool brand addictions (Wera and Festool)

 

[Ou812]

The Wera's have a unique shape that both helps hold bolts on and also allows them to adapt a slight bit when other tools have buggered up the shape of the hex hole. I freely admit to my German green tool brand addictions (Wera and Festool)

I bought them for that reason alone. I have a ton of RC cars, the bolts used in those things are really soft, you have to remove them a lot and they eventually get torn up. The Wera Allen keys with the ball ends have no problem getting them out when regular allen keys just spin in the slot.

 

[Ou812]

Some things I’d recommend, pick up a hangar alignment gauge. I have the HAG from Abbey bike tools. I’d also pick up a socket for the air side of your fork, you’ll need it to do fork lowers and to add/subtract volume spacers. Again, I have one from Abbey tools, wasn’t too pleased with the sockets from Park tools. Wera has a bunch of Bike specific tool sets, I’d have a look at them as see what you think you might need.

 

[Dax]

Orly?

www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Multicolour-BlackLaser-1-5-10mm-05073593001/dp/B009ODV0OE/

Yup.


Whenever I post a link to Amazon (copied and pasted yours from above) it auto converts it to a media tag and has a big blank space like above. When you edit the post, it looks like this:

 

[Stihldog]

If your bike has rubber tires (Jk) some tire levers might come in handy. And a psi gauge, valve wrench, small trail side tool kit, torque wrench and other mentioned tools to eventually add to your collection.

 

[RickBullotta]

If your bike has rubber tires (Jk) some tire levers might come in handy. And a psi gauge, valve wrench, small trail side tool kit, torque wrench and other mentioned tools to eventually add to your collection.

View attachment 97020

What are the black pliers for? Crushing squirrel skulls?

 

[Stihldog]

What are the black pliers for? Crushing squirrel skulls?

Yes!… or a very handy chain whip that I use often. It’s designed to fit the cassette, frees up one hand, and helps remove stuck cogs from the spline.

 

[Doomanic]

Yup.


Whenever I post a link to Amazon (copied and pasted yours from above) it auto converts it to a media tag and has a big blank space like above. When you edit the post, it looks like this:
View attachment 97015

Take the https// off the link and it works. What do you do for a living again???

 

[Pedal power1972]

Wow so
Many good recommendations ans links for good deals for such tools, honestly this is such a big help ty for all your input

 

[Swiss Roll]

Regarding cable housing cutters, I was youtubing whats the best brand of cutter, and stumbled across a video recommending using a dremel with a disc cutter for this purpose, the logic being the cutters always crush the housing, and you inevitably need to shove a pick in the end to get it round again. There is a MBN video, saying get a good pair of cutters, and a pick to rectify the cutters crushing action. Call me crazy, but this doesn't sound like a good tool to me.
The dremel with a bunch of bits was twice the cost of a good cutter, but you can use it on lots of things. I only had to cut one housing so far, but it did a lovely job, sliced through cleanly in a few secs, give it a quick grind to remove sharp edges. Top tip, put a spare bit of cable down the housing, to hold it stable.

 

[Manc44]

Good Allen keys (Wera/Bondhus/Snap-On).

Ritchey Torque Key (5Nm) is one I use a lot, the Phillips bit has been swapped out for a 6mm Allen.

 

[2WheelsNot4]

A big Plano tool bag chock full of specialist tools.

The right tool for the right job, and most are reasonably inexpensive for the job at hand on expensive kit. I'd rather have the correct thing than try and bodge it and damage the bike/part. It's just not worth taking the risk .

Effetto torque wrench. Worth the extra bucks i feel.

Just buy a bit at a time, Xmas/Birthdays gifts and slowly build up the more specialist kit. Before you know it you've have about everything.

All I can think of is a chain checker and a chain whip but what else is needed…

Chainring bolt spanner. - Ultra cheap(about £3) very very handy.

 

[Stihldog]

A big Plano tool bag chock full of specialist tools.

The right tool for the right job, and most are reasonably inexpensive for the job at hand on expensive kit. I'd rather have the correct thing than try and bodge it and damage the bike/part. It's just not worth taking the risk .

Effetto torque wrench. Worth the extra bucks i feel.

Just buy a bit at a time, Xmas/Birthdays gifts and slowly build up the more specialist kit. Before you know it you've have about everything.



Chainring bolt spanner.
View attachment 97341

There’s never enough holiday gift ideas when it comes to tools!.

I agree. The right tool for the job and knowing my mechanical ability/ level helps. This isn’t rocket surgery though …but sometimes I like to think it is.

 

[John Beedham]

Hi I have just upgraded my front forks on my brand new Levo, 1st time ever doing this and tbh I really enjoyed it…
I also had a creek from a dry bolt on rear triangle so I decided to buy a torque wrench undone all bolts on rear triangle regressed and torqued all bolts up again, problem solved…
My question is what tools do you guys use for bike servicing? I take it with ebikes chain checker is a must and it got me thinking maybe I can change the chain as and when it’s needed and maybe change my cassette when it’s worn, apart from
These particular jobs what else do you guys do? What tools are required for such jobs and what tools are handy for other things like chain ring?? All I can think of is a chain checker and a chain whip but what else is needed…

So many tools ...it's addictive ... rear derailleur alignment gauge ... tension meter for spokes ... large and small torque wrenchs, torx keys, bottom brackets tools, chainring tools, knipex pliers, headsets press, frame bearing press, brake bleeding kits, internal routing kit, hydraulic hose fitting press etc, etc, etc .... I've always come from the point of view that if you buy the tool it has paid for itself after one or two uses .... it helps being mechanically minded and curious too ...

 

[Ark]

probably be a more useful thread if it were "Tools you still need to buy at some point"

I'm missing a lot of stuff like chain whips for removing cassetes, bearing presses, Bleed kits etc

You can do most stuff with just 2 torque wrenches, a double headed mallet, chain wear tool , digital callipers for checking disc rotor thickness on the breaking surface, cable puller and cable cutters.

I just buy things as I need them