#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS HOW TO#
#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS FULL#
#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS PORTABLE#
#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS PROFESSIONAL#
#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS ZIP#

#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS PROFESSIONAL#

Professional team mechanics usually have more than one tool kit, including a smaller one that they’ll take on race days.

#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS HOW TO#

Also, check the manufacturer’s technical websites as they often have recommendations and sometimes video clips of how to fix problems and what tools to buy.

#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS ZIP#

If you’ve just bought a new bike, ask your dealer what tools are required, especially if your new bike uses components from a different manufacturer. For wrenching you are going to need the basics: a floor pump, shock pump, Allen keys, adjustable wrench, zip ties, and a couple of tire levers. For the enthusiast, buying a bottom bracket or headset tool is a bit of an extravagance, especially when most new bikes have press-fit systems. But it’s also worth bearing in mind how often you plan on carrying out those particular repairs.Ī professional mechanic will have to fix bikes from a variety of eras and so will invest in a wide range of tools. If you want to learn how to bleed disc brakes or fit electronic gears, for example, it’s unlikely that your off-the-peg kit will include tools that can do those jobs.

While a complete tool kit can provide value, it may also include some tools that you may never use, as well as lack ones you need, depending on your ambitions. When assembling a home workshop, though, buying a complete tool kit is a great idea, as long as you keep in mind the type of work you want to be doing.

Colour-coding tools for quick identification is now popular with toolmakers and many mechanics engrave their tools with their initials so they don’t get permanently ‘borrowed’.įor seasoned mechanics who have been plying their trade for a while, their tool collection charts their career with some bits kept more for sentimental than practical reasons. This will save space as well as help speed up repair time, as you won’t be rummaging in a toolbox, particularly if you make sure the tool has its own personal place. Shop for a bike imported from the idyllic streets of The Netherlands, buy yourself a new Dutch bike, treat your family to a powerhouse cargo bike or get your hands on just about any hard-to-get cycling accessory. Everything we sell is meant to help you move effortlessly around your city. If possible, mount your tools on the wall. We are the biggest source of new and used Dutch bikes in North America. That said, a sturdy workbench must be the foundation of your workshop planning – lightweight ones just won’t do, while a secure vice will make life much easier. Bear in mind, though, they can get heavy when filled with tools, so may not be the best option if you live in a top-floor flat.

#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS PORTABLE#

Fortunately, most bike maintenance requires fewer tools these days, so if you’re stuck for space, don’t despair.Ī portable workstation can be wheeled into a corner and should be stable and secure enough to mount a vice onto, saving space and solving tool storage problems in one go. Through the Bike Shop Program, FOA is able to advocate for safe cycling in and around campus.

#BIKE WORKSHOP BASICS FULL#

If you are going to tackle shifting issues on your machine, this tool is necessary.Go into any professional workshop and you’ll see a tidy space with a full tool board and all the essential items close to hand. Even a new frame has to be checked before mounting the rear mech. Proper indexing of the rear derailleur starts with an aligned rear hanger. You can get by with a Phillips but a JIS screwdriver will work and grip a lot better for Shimano parts. 2 (Japanese industrial standard) screwdriver for derailleur limit screws mostly. I like to have a good quality set of tire levers in my shop and a compact set for your jersey pocket. I use them mostly to hold cables taut while tightening them down to brakes or derailleurs. A set of metric Allen wrenches – ranging from 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8 – will suffice in most situations. Checking air pressure before every ride is a habit every cyclist should have. For the basics, you need a good floor pump. What bikes do you have? How often will you perform certain jobs?įirst, let’s look at the basics tools before we get to a list of five essentials. So what tools should enthusiasts have in their home garages? Well, that depends. It is overkill, however, for the hobbyist/home mechanic to mimic the pro. A professional who works on a variety of bikes every day will need a wide assortment. What are the most important tools a bike mechanic should own? The answer can vary greatly from one mechanic to the other.

Bike workshop basics