Because many members, especially new MTB bike owners, have asked us what tools they need, how to maintain their bikes, and avoid major problems, we are back with a series of articles to guide you to the tools you need, especially since recently, the product portfolio on Bikeverse Shop has expanded with a lot of parts and accessories that we really need.
In most cases, we have included those that you can order today (until 1:00 PM) and receive tomorrow when you can't find anything nearby, when the mechanic doesn't have time for you, and you want to take care of it yourself. Maybe you want to get more tools, accessories, components in installments.
We all know that when we urgently need something, we take a trip to the nearby stores, search online, order from Romania or from retailers in the EU.
Recent Personal Experience
I was looking for a more durable rim, couldn't find it in stock in Romania, and it only arrived after 3 weeks, of course with enticing promises that it was in stock and would arrive in a few days, just to take my order...
I'll start with the tools needed at home, where we can ensure some workspace, then with what to take with us to have in the car when we go to the mountains, and then with what to have on us when we are biking in the mountains.
You know how it is to get a flat about a third of the way up Postăvaru and think, should I push it to the gondola or ride down with it? Both options are horror.
Or you call a friend to come bring you what you need, or a riding buddy.
For a wrench, a patch, levers, I find more and more often people willing to help.
Anyway, it's much better to have them with you than to depend on others.
So let's start with what's necessary for home.
Your Home Workshop - The Tool List Needed for Maintenance and Minor Repairs
First of all, to avoid back pain, to work ergonomically, to easily reach the component you are working on without the bike falling on you, without getting dirty, you need a work stand. We actually take it with us on longer trips.
This model is good because you can take it with you on longer trips, it's not very heavy, and when folded, it doesn't take up much space in the car.
If you have heavier bikes, downhill, electric, it's good to choose a sturdier one:
Universal Folding Work Stand Top Assist 2 Max 50 kg
Before doing anything to the bike, except inflating tires and suspensions, we put it on the stand.
From this moment on, everything is easy, within reach, at the right height.
Regarding tools, we can either take them one by one or get a set of tools like this:
VENTURA All in one Hobby Tool Kit 37 in 1
which contains a lot of wrenches, Allen keys, spike wrench, Torx T10, T25 (necessary for six bolt brake discs, extractor, chain tool, pinion extractor, chain wrench to remove the pinions.
With the options from Super B, according to your budget.
With this kit, you can solve about 90% of what you need.
For a high-end bike, made of Carbon or Aluminum, where you need to respect the torque specifications, and I recommend this religiously, I would add a torque wrench:
MIGHTY Torque Wrench (2-24 Nm)
It also includes Allen bits of 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 / 10 mm, Torx T25, T30
Over time, you will add various extensions or specific bits, adapters for larger bits, as needed.
For the regular tightening of stem, handlebar, boxxer fork, derailleur screw, and other routine checks where you need productivity, it's good to have a portable tool with interchangeable bits and included torque limitation:
TB-TW50 Torque Wrench 4-5-6 Nm
If you will also move on to other larger jobs that require higher torques, you will need a torque wrench with a wider range than this one, they are longer, they do not exclude each other, they complement each other.
For adjusting the fork and shock pressure, a suspension pump is essential:
Suspension Pump 400 psi / 28 bar
Even though it's called a fork pump in the store, it's also good for rear air suspensions.
For tires, a good floor pump is more than necessary in the workshop but also in the car when you head out with your bikes. It's a nightmare to inflate a 29-inch wheel with a 2.6 balloon using a small frame pump. You can manage it, but it's a struggle.
Air Jet Floor Pump 160 psi / 11 bar
If you frequently change tubeless tires, choose one with quick pressure accumulation and release:
Tubeless Floor Pump 160PSI
Grease should be a staple. You need it when disassembling, cleaning, and re-lubricating various components, including the protective layer to be applied to bearings:
Blue Grease (PTFE) EG01+ 150 grams
The tube is much easier to use and carry.
The essential chain oil:
CHAIN GUARD ULTRA Chain Oil 50 ml
I would say weekly cleaning and lubrication while in the city and after every mountain ride.
There are several methods, you can find them on YouTube, there are multiple schools of thought...
There are also cleaning and lubrication systems with wax, maybe we will revisit them in another episode.
There is also a method for cleaning and lubricating without removing the chain:
I prefer removing the chain, submerging it in a 500g jar full of solvent, shaking it occasionally, letting it sit overnight to decant the dirt, removing it, and further cleaning with a brush in a bath of clean solvent.
There is also an ultrasonic option, I have used it but it doesn't seem as effective for the chain as the jar method.
Since we are talking about chain cleaning, we should also consider the chain link opening and closing pliers:
That's about it for the list of essential tools for home. Next comes the list of those you should have with you, to be able to tighten a derailleur screw, a headset, a handlebar, the wheel axle, to be able to fix a flat quickly, to have something to inflate.
There could also be a longer list if you venture into changing headsets, bottom brackets, frame bearings, wheel truing.
