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Paying a local bike shop to complete routine bike service and maintenance remains one of the best ways we can support them. Repairs like rebuilding a suspension damper or replacing a rim can be tricky, and handing that work over to a seasoned professional often saves hours and cash alike. However, many of the bits on our bikes are simple, and every new rider eventually wonders which repairs can be sorted out at home, and which tools they need for those rudimentary tasks.
Tool collecting typically happens in three stages, starting with the necessities and instruments we already own from other home repair attempts. It would benefit every excited newer rider to own a sharp set of hex keys or Allen wrenches, with measurements from 2 to 10mm. These tools, like favorite novels, will be around for a long while, and it’s worth picking up the highest-quality set possible. There are loads of bike-specific hex sets that have one ball end to allow for bolt tightening in tight spaces, but a universal set will almost always accomplish the same jobs. The best hex keys have very tight tolerances when paired with the bolt heads, reducing the chances that they will round-out or strip the bolt head under twisting forces. Magnetized tool heads can help stabilize the lightweight bolts used on bikes, though we won’t call this a necessary feature.
Alongside these five-sided keys, a Torx T25 and T10 will round out the lion’s share of wrench needs for a modern mountain bike.
A handful of DIY bike repairs are easy to learn and perform. Here are the basic tools every new mountain bike rider will need to get started.
| Tools | Uses |
| Hex keys from 2 -10mm | Tightening, loosening, and adjusting bolts |
| Torx T10 and T25 | Same |
| Chain breaker | Cutting a new chain to the proper length |
| Chain whip and lockring socket | Removing and cleaning or replacing the cassette |
| Dedicated cable and housing cutter | Replacing shift or dropper cables and housing |
| Needle nose pliers | Countless tasks |
| Flat and Philips screwdrivers in a few sizes | Tightening, loosening, and adjusting bolts |
| Adjustable crescent wrench | Holding lockring socket and other tasks |
| Tire levers x ∞ | Mounting and removing tubeless tire beads |
| Dentist style picks | Guiding cable housing and other delicate repairs |
| Utility knife | Countless tasks |
| Grease and electrical tape | Countless tasks |
From here, the list of bike-specific tools can grow until you have a full-on service center in your basement. Some are massive devices that do very small jobs, like a crown race puller, while others are more universal like a hammer and hack saw. There are also more race-focused utensils, like tire lug cutting pliers. Some tools are only useful for certain frames, like bottom-bracket and headset presses.
You’ll know when you have enough tools for the repairs you’re comfortable conducting. Maybe call it complete before you’re fixing friends’ bikes more than riding your own?
Your turn! What are some of essential tools every new mechanic needs to own?
2 Comments
Feb 14, 2021
Feb 14, 2021