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The Cyclist's Training Bible

Previous:
Parts of a Typical Bike

Next:
How to Check and Inflate Bike Tires

Bike Maintenance Tools

The following list includes all the tools and supplies you’ll need to keep your bike in top shape during a year’s worth of regular riding and maintenance.

Tools You’ll Need Frequently

These tools are crucial for everyday bike maintenance and roadside situations. All of them are sold at local bike shops. These tools are so essential that some cyclists store them on their bikes in a little storage pouch below their seat. At the very least, you should bring a pump and patch kit (or extra tube) along on every long ride you take.

Bike Pump

Used to inflate the tubes within bike tires. There are two main types of bike pumps available:

Hand pumps: These pumps are small and portable but often require more effort than floor pumps to use because you have to hold them in your hands as you operate them.
Floor pumps: Larger and nonportable, floor pumps rest on the floor and are generally faster and take less effort to use than hand pumps.

Always carry a hand pump with you on long rides. Though you can use a hand pump to inflate tires on the road, not all hand pumps have the leverage you’ll need to inflate the tire to capacity, so having a floor pump for use at home is essential. Be sure the pump you buy includes a psi (pounds-per-square-inch) meter, which indicates the tire pressure as you inflate the tire. Buy pumps that are compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves, which work as follows.

Presta and Schrader Valves

All bike tubes have either Presta valves or Schrader valves. These valves differ in shape (Prestas are longer and thinner than Schraders), so not all bike pumps work with both types. The main difference between Presta and Schrader valves is the way you open them to deflate the tube:

Presta valves: Push down directly on the top of the valve’s tip.
Schrader valves: Push down on the metal pin inside the valve.

Lubricant (Bike Lube)

A multipurpose oil lubricant used to lubricate all of a bicycle’s moving metal parts. White Lightning® and Finish Line® are specially formulated for bikes.

Bike Grease

A pasty form of bike lube used to lubricate nonmoving metal bike parts, such as seat posts. Always use grease formulated especially for bikes.

Citrus Solvent

A degreasing cleaner useful for cleaning the chain and other areas of the bike that collect grease and dirt. It’s less caustic than other solvents but removes grease effectively. Buy it at hardware stores.

Patch Kit

A small, portable kit for repairing flat tires on the road. A good patch kit will come in a water-resistant container and include at least two tire patches, patching glue, and a small piece of sandpaper.

Tire Iron

A tool for removing a deflated bike tube from between the rim and tire. Tire irons can be made of plastic or metal and usually come in pairs.

Extra Tubes

Replacement tubes for flats that patch kits are unable to fix. For long rides, always carry at least one spare tire tube. Make sure the tube is sized properly for your bike’s tires (tire and tube size info is printed on the tire’s outer sidewall).

Multi-Tool

An all-purpose tool used to tighten and loosen the various bolts and fasteners on a typical bike. A good multi-tool should include a variety of hex-head wrenches, a Phillips and flat-head screwdriver, and a chain-breaking tool.

Tools You’ll Need Occasionally

You’ll need these tools to resolve minor problems that may arise after a few weeks of intense use or a few months of regular use. All of these should be available at your local hardware store.

Wooden mallet: When you need a little extra oomph to separate two bike parts, a wooden mallet will do the trick and won’t damage bendable metal parts.
Screwdrivers: You’ll need several sizes of Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers.
Pliers: Great for adjusting brakes and derailleurs. Both standard and needle-nose pliers are helpful.
Allen wrenches: Used to adjust parts of the bike that use hexagonal-shaped Allen screws, such as brake pads and non–quick-release saddles. Look for a tool that houses several sizes of Allen wrenches in one unit.