Maintenance tools

[lee1980sim]

Going on the basis that's there's no such thing as a stupid question only stupid answers then...
What basic maintenance tools do I need, as I'm sure when I was younger the only thing my dad ever used on the bike after I initial setup was an oil can
Yet now there's seems to be thousands of things including what to wash the bike with

I have a multi tool thing along with a spanner of varying sizes all in one

Just wondering what else is needed for the basics

 

[ianrauk]

There's a lot of tools you do need to do the job properly and it depends on what type of bike you ride and what make transmission.
I built a tool box up over time as the jobs came up. But you can buy full tool kit's these days for a reasonable cost.

As to washing the bike. All you need is bucket, washing up liquid, water and rags. And if not so dirty, Babywipes.
Forget all that Muc Off stuff. That's marketing rubbish.

Oh yes, I do all my bike servicing.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Apart from the multi-tool, which I use to adjust the brakes, one tool I seem to use frequently on my weekly bike cleaning sessions is a pair of pliers. I use these to release the brake cable on either brake so I can pull a wheel off when I'm giving one an extra-thorough clean. I also use the pliers when I'm re-clamping a brake cable. Apart from the multi-tool and pliers, there's no other tool I use regularly.

I did eventually invest in a Park Tools AK-37* tool kit, and have since then added a few tools to it. It's a very nice tool kit, and (in my opinion) worth the cost over the long term.

* No, it doesn't fire automatic rounds.

 

[slowmotion]

My guess is that if you only need tools for work on your own bike, a £40 (?) set from a cheap and cheerful outlet like Lidl is probably a good route. The quality may be pretty awful, but they will work. If you buy good tools individually, you can steam through hundreds of pounds really quickly. However, get a decent pair of brake/gear cable cutters. They really are worth the money.

 

[Cubist]

Most modern bikes are serviceable with a decent set of allen keys and a couple of decent screwdrivers. As you progress towards self-sufficiency you'll end up with tools to remove cranks (which depend on cranksets..... Hollowtech uses 5mm hex and a rubber mallet) tool to remove bottom bracket, socket based torx bits and a 1/2 inch drive ratchet, cable cutter, pliers, cone spanners if you have cup and cone bearings, bearing pullers and presses (or threaded bar and washers) if you have cartridge bearing hubs. Bottom bracket tool, chainwhip, cassette lockring remover, chainlink pliers, big flat screwdriver, small crosshead, chain checker, 7 and 8mm spanners for bleed nipples, grease gun, shock pump, loads of syringes, some tubing and an oil bath, 10mm socket for fork leg removal, 24mm socket for fork servicing, pump sprayer for IPA, rags, nylon brushes, an old washing up brush,old toothbrushes, a sponge, a cassette degunging plastic thing, a small seaside bucket with what looks like some degreaser in it, two chainsplitters, a pair of circlip pliers for fork servicing, hydraulic brake bleed blocks, a stanley knife, a brake hose cutter guide, two bike stands, a hosepipe with a spray attachment, a big soft brush for cleaning paintwork and wheels, a set of three different shaped picks for removing seals and O rings, a pipe cutter for cutting steerers, and a three pound lumphammer. Probably.

Just buy what you need as you need it. These proprietary kits always have something you'll never need, and often compromise on some quality bits and pieces.

 

[snorri]

I have taken the Slowmotion^^^ approach.
I find I have used most of the components in the relatively cheap kit, which includes a convenient case to keep the tools together when not in use, but have bought one or two more specialist bits in order to complete some tasks.
Some of us like to use a stand to hold the bike while working on it, but I have found a pulley device from Lidl has come in very handy for that purpose, it lifts the bike up to a convenient working height and cost very little.
Hey, that poll doesn't have an option for some jobs at home and some jobs at a shop

 

[lee1980sim]

As to washing the bike. All you need is bucket, washing up liquid, water and rags. And if not so dirty, Babywipes.
Forget all that Muc Off stuff. That's marketing rubbish.

I thought as much, I use the same stuff I use to wash the car with

* No, it doesn't fire automatic rounds

shame it would really help with the people who leave you 1inch when passing or try and pass you when theres central bollards

once again thanks everyone, looks like I can reduce my tool kit bill and alot of the household tools can double up the missus will be impressed (I've already gone through 3 sets of gloves (oops)

 

[HLaB]

I usually do all my servicing at home but for a trip to the Alps I ended up with a last minute switch to Campag and I never had the tools for the Campag BB and that I had no experience of them or time to learn, so I put it into a lbs. They done a great job (I particularly like that he took it for a quick test ride to ensure it was shifting right) but I was shocked by the costs and timeframes!

 

[Tanis8472]

There's a lot of tools you do need to do the job properly and it depends on what type of bike you ride and what make transmission.
I built a tool box up over time as the jobs came up. But you can buy full tool kit's these days for a reasonable cost.

As to washing the bike. All you need is bucket, washing up liquid, water and rags. And if not so dirty, Babywipes.
Forget all that Muc Off stuff. That's marketing rubbish.

Oh yes, I do all my bike servicing.

Not really the best, as it contains a lot of salt which does alloy no good

 

[ianrauk]

Not really the best, as it contains a lot of salt which does alloy no good

Rinse it off properly and it is fine.

 

[Davidc]

Agree with ianrauk's post about the tools.

Don't agree with him about Muc Off, it's cheap from online retailers and it works well. Washing up liquid corrodes aluminium and steel - though I do use it for really severe doses of cow dung mixed with clay in winter.