10 Essential Bike Tools That Every Cyclist Must Have
Imagine you just reached your office and you realise you left your phone charger at home. Or you went to meet someone, and your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, and you have no tools to fix it. It is not necessary to learn car repairing, but not being able to fix a broken bicycle is frustrating.
Bikes are the easiest machine you can repair, and it requires the right bike tools to fix them. Meanwhile, it is frustrating when you don’t have the right tools to fix something.
If you are a cyclist or are planning to buy a bike and ride for fun, you have come to the right place to learn about bike fixing tools. This article discusses the essential tools that cyclists must have in their garage and some to carry with them while going for a ride.
These are the ten essential tools to repair your bike:
1. Floor Pump/Mini Pump
A dedicated cycling pump always comes in handy, especially if you are going too far from public places. Hence, ensure that you have a mini-pump while going for a long ride because running on a low psi (pound per square inch) slows you down.
2. Tyre Levers
Changing the inner tube of the bike is one of the primary maintenance tasks you must learn. You can practice repairing a flat tyre at home before you hit the roads. Also, you can fix a punctured cycle with the right tools.
3. Hex Keys
Hex or Allen keys are needed for about all bike repairs. The basic 4, 5, and 6-millimetre hex keys are important for repairing bikes, so you can buy a set that provides all the required keys.
4. Multi-Tool
This is one of the essential bike tools for cyclists. The multi-tool includes Torx key, chain key, hex key, spoke wrench, screwdriver, etc., which are a few of the tools you need as a cyclist. Moreover, almost all the keys you ever need will be in this box.
5. Torque Wrench
Nowadays, most bikes are made of carbon fibre, and a torque wrench is necessary for repairs as it helps tighten the bolts. Meanwhile, never over-tighten a bolt, or it will crack other parts attached to it. It would help if you tightened the bolts to their perfect fit; hence, the whole body will be strong and rigid. This is important since a tight and stiff structure prevents wear and tear during bumpy rides.
6. Torx Keys
If yours is a new bicycle with disc brakes, you must be in need of Torx keys instead of hex keys. New bikes have Torx bolts instead of standard bolts for parts like stem clamps and chainrings. So, it would help if you had a Torx key, as the traditional keys may not work.
7. Chain Tools
It helps in repairing the broken chains, and it is important since chains could disarrange themselves sometimes, and these tools will help you rearrange the chain. Moreover, if you ride the bike on bumpy roads and harsh conditions, it can lead to chain breakage, and here, the chain tools come in handy.
8. Cassette Lockring Tool and Chain Whip
If you are changing the wheels or are planning to use the cassette with more teeth for mountain climbing, you need a chain whip and cassette lockring. This is because the chain whip holds the cassette in place while you use a cassette lockring tool to loosen it.
These are the essential tips for cyclists to buy the essential bike tools. So, always buy the devices which are of good brand and quality. Your retailer can also help you find the right tool for you.
