bike wrench

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A place to ask bicycle repair questions, and for bike shop monkeys to share advanced non commercial wrenching resources (no YouTube self promotion). This is only for repair related topics.

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Minimal Tools and Spare Parts List? (lemmy.world)

submitted 3 months ago by CoriolisSTORM88@lemmy.world to c/bikewrench@lemmy.world

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I am trying to get back on my bike after about 6 or so years of neglect in my shed. It’s a Schwinn GTX1. I Am decent with working on things, but I know nothing about tools specific for bikes or things that are recommended to keep with you on longer rides. I have some new tires and tubes to put on due to dry rot on the existing tires. I realized I don’t have any idea how to put a bike tire/tube on either. What is the right process? What tools should be kept in a kit with the bike? What parts? (A tube or patches, etc?) What maintenance should I look into? I also have some degreaser to clean the chain and Muk-off chain lube to go on it. The brakes seem ok and most rubber appears to be in good condition, except the tires. Sorry, I know it’s a lot, but I am wanting to get back onto this bike for weight and health reasons.

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[–] calamitycastle@lemmy.world 4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Agree on park tool videos, they're amazing. Get comfortable with removing and replacing wheels, tyres and tubes first as it's what you'll most likely need to do the most.

Keep going until you get it!

On rides I have:

mini-pump
tire levers
patch kit
multitool with hex bits, spoke wrench, Phillips head bit etc
spare tube/s

Then the extra stuff I have at home, in rough order of importance:

track pump with reversible head for Schrader and Presta valves (way faster than handheld)
bike stand (doesn't need to be super nice as long as it holds your bike up)
cleaning stuff (brushes, degreaser, chain lube)
full set of hex wrenches (5mm the most commonly used by far, but also 4mm and 6mm quite frequently)
multi size cone wrenches for wheel nuts
cable/housing cutter with cable end crimper
brake cables and housing
gear cables and housing
grease
needle nose pliers
chain whip
cassette tool
bottom bracket tool
torx wrench set
headset cup remover
headset cup press

[–] limelight79@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Spoke wrench with you? I haven't needed one of those yet. Chain breaker, on the other hand...

[–] calamitycastle@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

Yeah my multi tool has the chain breaker and spoke wrenches built in to it.

I do have dedicated spoke wrenches too but if you're just getting a starting set of tools then the multitool makes sense.

I used the multi tool spoke wrenches for ages before buying a standalone one. I still use the multi tool for the chain breaker...

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I dont have much to add to your reply other than that if you dont have room for a bike stand, you can get tabletop stands that you can either screw into a workbench, or just clamp onto a kitchen table temporarily.

Also, check libraries for tools. Getting a niche tool from Park Tool at the library once every few years is a lot better than buying some unbranded crappy tool that doesn't quite work right.

[–] calamitycastle@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Being able to get the bike into a comfortable working position honestly makes such a huge difference. I got mine from lidl but you do need space, that's a great tip for alternatives!

[–] evasive_chimpanzee@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

I didn't buy one for the longest time cause you never really need one, but if you dont have one, tasks take 3 times as long with a lot of swearing.