11 Essential Tools For The Home Bike Mechanic

Gradually build up your home bike mechanic tool kit with this prioritized list of tools ranging from the most basic to the most specialized.

I've been working on bikes for over 20 years both professionally and personally, and I find that building, repairing, and maintaining bikes is hugely rewarding and satisfying. Drawing from my experiences, I've put together a list of essential bike specific tools, some of which you'll use everyday, and some of which you'll use only once in a while, but will be excited to do so.

Clearly, this is not an exhaustive list of all bike specific tools (there are hundreds), but rather my take on what would constitute a practical and very respectable home mechanic's toolkit.

Support the channel and pick up some stickers (and Future Shock spacers if you need them).
Thanks!!

Thanks for watching, and happy wrenching!

#BikeWrench

[leftyseel]

You should also do a vid about all the tools you need to build your own bike. That’s a dream for me, to build my own bike.

[littleBrownDwarf]

Another really useful tool not mentioned here is a chain wear gauge. Great for diagnosing whether or not a worn out chain is what's causing issues or if it's something else. Cheap too.

[Slanderbot]

This is an incredibly educational, understandable, and concise video. Exactly the kind of content I'm looking for, thanks for your time and contribution to the community.

[reynaldopellos]

Great list! I would add the BB tools to the intermediate/pro list. Crank puller and BB wrenches.

[littleBrownDwarf]

Bike stand was one of the last things I got :D I fully disassembled, rebuilt, overhauled numerous bikes without one. When I finally did get one, it was earth shattering. I'd argue a bench vice or even a truing stand is higher priority though.

[nmonye]

Crank and BB tools should be in this list. Great video!

[MrSandperson]

I would add next to the bottle opener - the Campy corkscrew. You know you're in the presence of a true bike nut when that thing comes out 😁

[youhone]

I love your clear instruction and mostly your recommendation is based on real needs and not because you get pay or free staff.
Keep the good work !!

[hunterurquhart]

I love how clear and simple your videos are, keep it up

[KosmicHRTRacingTeam]

Great list!! Only change is make is Large diameter pipe cutter is better than the dedicated cutting tool. Less filing, cheaper, multiple uses.

[rgefryer]

A good list. A few suggestions to add to the list - chainring bolt spanner, hanger alignment tool and quick-link removal tool. Oh, and a digital Vernier!

[daveg]

I'd add a simple set of cutters for the zip ties that seem everywhere. A nylon brush for help cleaning the chain. Something to hold the handlebars straight while on the stand. Lastly a cheap magnetic parts dish to keep you from losing that retaining nut.

[ShockBot]

As a novice bike builder I certaintly intend to obtain most of these items. Though I already have a head start, as I have previously purchased a number of these. Most notably the prized bottle opener 😂

[tomb-rider]

A couple of things I found essential along the way: Torx driver for your Sram brake levers. Long wrench/metal tube for extra leverage when removing cranks. The appropriate BB tool.
Cone spanners.
I still don't own a torque wrench, but its on my list.

[LloydGoldsteinMusic]

One of the most informative and useful videos I have seen. Thanks!

[ARTURONUNEZ-urqd]

Thank you very much, from Mexico. Sharing your knowledge and experience helps us a lot. Thanks.

[jescowan]

great video, I am setting up mine now, maybe an ultrasonic cleaner for restoring old parts to their former glory (weight freak level)

[angrokan]

do more! i like every video of you. got my diverge yesterday and will start my tubeless "expedition" soon :D

[sandy_knight]

That's a great video, thank you. My thoughts:

Hex wrenches, you'll need the sizes mentioned in the video but you'll probably also need a torx T25 for disc rotors and some other stuff, other sizes are commonly used on road bikes and if you want to overhaul things like brake calipers, levers, shifters they may require other torx sizes.

Torque wrench, Other than stem bolts I never use a torque wrench on stuff that bolts to my bars, even on carbon bars, because I always run them under-spec. I tighten only enough so they don't move in use but will move if I try and twist them. That way when you crash they will probably move instead of snapping (your lever or your bar). For most other stuff, especially when dealing with carbon parts, I always torque them to spec (the spec of the carbon part manufacturer). I have a Park Tool T-handle torque wrench (4-6Nm) for low torque stuff and a Hazet 60Nm (not cheap, a bit like the Chris King of torque wrenches) for higher torque stuff like cranks and cassette lockrings.

Tyre levers, if I need a tyre lever it means I need something stiff. You can get steel cored levers with plastic on the outside or some modern plastics are stiff enough. A lot of cheap plastic tyre levers are pretty useless though.

Wrenches, I mostly only need them for brake servicing/bleeds and I run Shimano brakes which are either hex/torx bolts or: I have an 8mm flared wrench for removing the hose at the lever end and a 7mm box-end for the caliper bleed valve. For everything else wrench related 150mm Knipex pliers wrench FTW.

Screwdrivers, for working on older Shimano derailleurs, ideally you want a JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) phillips which is blunter tipped and has squarer corners than a standard western phillips. Park Tool's higher end screwdrivers are built to JIS standards, Vessel are another brand to look for.

Non-locking grips, I don't have a compressor but my tip is to use hairspray, 'firm hold' ideally. To get the grips off just slide an old spoke or a very thin bladed screwdriver under the grip and spray some in, give them a twist and they'll come straight off. It also works for putting them on but when the solvent evaporates the hairspray will stick them in place, unlike using WD40 or some other solvent based products which leave the grip fairly dry and they will come lose more easily in my experience.

[johnk]

Really well done. Love the way you grouped the different levels. Subscribed!