Hot answers tagged tools
15
Minimally, you want to be able to tighten all of the bolts on your bike (likely a few hex keys will do this) and an appropriate screwdriver for adjusting derailer & brake pulls. Separate from a multi-tool, a pair of tire levers are the other tool you should carry with you.
I would add a chain tool to the above list after being left in a state where I ...
12
For use at home, there's no question that separate keys are more useful and more economical.
A multi-tool has limitations that make it cumbersome to use in tight spots because all the keys are attached to the tool. Separate keys suffer no such limitation.
Separate keys can be bought and replaced individually and very inexpensively -- not so with a ...
6
The bottom ring is used to provide tension against the bearings to stop the headset from wobbling around. It only needs to be hand tight, hence no spanner/tool attachments.
The middle and top ring are tightened against each other, as a lock ring to prevent the bottom ring from loosening.
The top ring can be tightened with any spanner of the right size.
...
3
If its just one spoke, and you are after functional, not perfection, all you would need it a spoke wrench. If its the right hand side of the rear wheel, you will need to remove the cluster so need tools for that. Tourers often/usually carry spare spokes and can replace them on the side of the road if needed, so you don't need all the gear the LBS has ...
3
As others have indicated, it depends on both your bike and the type of riding you're doing.
If you're just tooling around town (get it, "tooling"?) with no particular destination or schedule, you can probably get away with not much more than a set of tire levers. A pump is handy too so that you don't have to walk your bike to a gas station if you get a ...
2
the individual keys give you more flexibility than the multitool, but if you're anything like me it won't take long before you lose one of the common ones such as a 5 or 6. Personally I've evolved over the years to own a couple of multitools and a couple more key sets - that way I can generally find something when I need it. That's at home - on a ride the ...
2
A spoke wrench is required, the stand and tension meter are optional but can make your job easier. You can use the frame of your bike and the brakes if you have rim brakes as your truing stand. If you have disc brakes you can use wire/zip ties wrapped around your frame tubes and poking toward the rim then trimmed to measure true (assuming the wheel is ...
1
If the broken spoke is not behind the rear cassette, replacement requires only a spoke wrench.
However, 3/4ths of broken spokes occur on the rear wheel and on the drive side, so you need the appropriate tools for removing your cassette.
Truing a wheel after replacing a single spoke is usually relatively easy, and does not demand fancy tools. (Though of ...
1
You should always have a multi-tool. There are few cases where I really need separate Allen keys on the road. However, I tend to keep a long 5mm Allen key for tightening Drop bar lever clamps, which can't be accessed easily by a stubby multi tool.
Ball ends can help when you can't got a straight shot at a bolt and have to try to mate the wrench at a ...
Only top voted, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible
