If you are going to regularly and effectively maintain and repair your bicycle, you will need to equip yourself with a decent took kit -- this may be pre-packaged kit or one that you have put together yourself. The tools shown on this page will let you make all essential repairs and maintain your bicycle in top performance. Add other tools as necessary when specific parts of your bicycle require maintenance or replacement. But, try to follow a few general principles when using tools. When using tools on a bicycle, especially light-weight bikes (such as road bikes), you need to be gentle. If you're used to working on your car or home, you must re-train yourself to use less force -- e.g. not over-torquing (over-tightening) nuts and bolts. If you do over-torque, they will shear. If you are not confident in you abilities to "feel" what the right application force is, purchase a torque gauge (or a torque wrench). Read the component manufacturer's instructions for recommended torque settings. As a general rule, keep all instructions that come with your bike (or bike parts) for future reference. Purchase the highest-quality, precision-made tools you can afford. They will last for years if you properly take care of them. Cheap tools will often bend or become chipped, making it hard to properly perform certain types of maintenance. They may even damage the components that you work on or be unsafe. When you're working on your bike, be sure to give yourself plenty of room and always work in a neat, clean and well-lit environment. |
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