A beginner’s guide to building your first bike tool set — the essentials you need to start your journey towards becoming a home cycling mechanic

If you're just getting started on your journey to become a home cycling mechanic, you'll be relieved to know that you don't actually need a vast array of specialist bike tools. Most essential jobs can be done with a few good quality standard tools and a handful of bike-specific ones. Here's our guide to the must-have tools for your toolkit if you're looking to become more self-sufficient, with links to tool-specific buyers guides so you can find the right tool for the job and your budget.

Building up your own bike tool kit can help you keep your bike running better by fixing those niggles that we all come across regularly, and in the long run you will almost always save money over paying for servicing.

With the right tools, there are loads of jobs you can tackle from your own home, though the specific tools you'll need depend on the types of things you're prepared to do. Each bike’s different, but there are many tools common to almost all bikes. Bear in mind also that the adage ‘buy quality, buy once’ really does apply when it comes to bike tools. Good tools work better, last longer and are less likely to damage the parts you’re working on. Think of them as an investment, not a cost.

Having a tool kit doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself, and we're by no means here to discourage you from taking your bike to an experienced mechanic at your local bike shop when the situation calls for it. Attempting a 'big job' by yourself with little experience could end up costing you more than paying a professional, so choose you battles wisely. Plenty of us here at road.cc still use our bike shops regularly, as investing in specialist tools you're only going to use once or twice a year sometimes isn't economical. On the other hand, buying some good Allen keys to tighten things, or a decent pump and tyre levers to fix a puncture, will start to pay off very quickly.  

> How to keep your bike running smoothly

It's worth noting that this guide isn't for experienced home mechanics with a pro mechanic-level bike toolkit, and the tools listed here will not handle every mechanical emergency. Instead, it's designed for those who are just starting out or are ready to move beyond relying on their local bike shop, and begin tackling some basic maintenance tasks on their own. Still, if you fit into the former category and are still reading this, feel free to pop any advice in the comments.

Without further ado, here are some of the essential tools to invest in for those more straightforward jobs to help get you started... 

Workstand 

> Best bike repair stands

First and foremost, if you're going to do any work on your bike, whether it's a simple adjustment or a bigger repair, a workstand is an essential piece of equipment. The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good one either.

Being able to hold your bike steady and clear of the floor makes any job easier and your back will thank you for not leaning over a bike for hours on end too. 

Ball-end Allen keys 

> 13 easy pre-ride bike checks (plus 6 vital ones) to ensure your ride is problem-free

A good set of Allen keys are simple to use, and will allow you to carry out a wide range of adjustments, since many components on bikes rely on hex bolts. 

Unlike standard Allen keys, which only work when inserted straight into a bolt, ball-end Allen keys have a rounded tip that allows you to turn a bolt from an angle, making it easier to reach awkward bolts, like mudguard mounts on the inside of fork legs, speeding up many jobs. 

Don't skimp on Allen keys, as you'll be using them a lot. As well as being harder and more accurately made, and therefore less likely to mash the bolts you tighten with them, high-quality keys have a narrower neck for the ball, and therefore work at steeper angles, making them more versatile.

Torx keys

It may well be that not all bolts on your bike are compatible with Allen keys, especially if you ride a newer bike, so you may need a set of Torx keys as well. Torx fittings are becoming increasingly common on bikes, and like Allen keys, they come with both plain or ball-end versions.

Torx keys have a six-pointed, star-shaped tip that often provides better torque transfer than Allen keys, reducing the risk of slippage and minimising the chance of rounding off your bolts.

Torque wrench 

Like Allen keys, a torque wrench is a vital tool for handling most bike maintenance tasks. Most bolts on bikes, particularly carbon bikes, have a stated torque tolerance. A torque wrench helps prevent the risks of over-tightening, which can be costly and dangerous. With a torque wrench, you can get the bolts on your bike as tight as they need to be and — importantly — no tighter.

Over-tightening can strip threads, damage components, or even cause them to fail, while under-tightening can lead to parts coming loose, which can also be dangerous. By following the manufacturer's recommended torque settings, you can avoid these issues. 

Torque wrenches don't have to be expensive either. For example, Ritchey offers a torque key with 4 or 5Nm settings, ideal for tasks such as adjusting stem and seat post bolts. 

Pedal spanner

> Best clipless pedals

Depending on what pedals you have, it may also be worthwhile adding a 15mm pedal spanner to your growing collection of tools. If you look at your pedals from the inside of the cranks and there's a hexagonal socket on the end of the spindle, you will likely need an 8mm Allen key. 

Pedals can be notoriously stubborn, and it's worth remembering that one of them has a reverse thread so that it doesn't undo when you're riding along. A proper pedal spanner will give you a better chance of leveraging off pedals, and is usually thinner than a regular spanner to fit between the pedal and crank arm. A standard 15mm spanner will fit some pedals, but others need the thinner jaws of a specific pedal spanner.

Cable cutters

> How to replace a gear cable

If your bike's got brake and gear cables, it's worth getting a proper set of cable cutters with blades shaped to keep the cable strands together. 

Do not try and cut cables with pliers, scissors, sidecutters or any other vaguely sharp snippety-chop tool you have kicking around, as you'll just make a mess of them. 

Chain wear gauge and chain tool 

> How to clean your bike chain

You can keep an eye on the wear of your chain by measuring its length over 12 full links with a good quality ruler (or 10 if yoiu prefer metric measurements). If it’s stretched by 0.5% on an 11- or 12-speed chain it's time to replace it, and on 10-speed or below you can get away with 0.75%. A wear gauge makes this easier by telling you when your chain needs ditching. You don't need a specific tool for this job, but at a few quid you might as well. 

If you want to then replace your own chain, you'll need a chain tool to remove excess links to get the right length for your bike. Most new chains come longer than needed, so you'll need to shorten it by pushing out the pins with the chain tool. You'll need to check that the chain tool is compatible with your chain though. 

A chain tool can also be used to install a quick link. Adding a quick link to your chain can be incredibly handy, because it allows you to easily remove and reattach your chain without needing a chain tool. Once your chain is set to the correct length, a quick link simplifies maintenance tasks like deep cleaning or replacing a broken link. 

It's also useful to carry a spare quick link with you on rides in case your chain snaps. You can then make a quick roadside repair with the quick link and complete the ride. For some more tips on what to tools to take with you on your rides, check out our cycling essentials guide. 

Cassette tool and chain whip

As you gain more experience with bike maintenance, adding a cassette tool (also known as a lockring tool), and a chain whip to your toolkit can be quite beneficial. Although you might not need to replace your cassette frequently, these tools are essential for removing and installing it.

The chain whip helps hold the sprockets in place while you use the cassette tool to remove the lockring that keeps the sprockets together on your bike's freehhub. 

Insulation tape 

We are unsure if this is strictly a tool, but for securing little bits, stopping any annoying rattles coming from your inner tube valves and finishing off the application of bar tape, get some decent insulation/electrical tape anyway... preferably in black! 

What's your must-have tool? Let us know in the comments section below.