Maintenance Toolkit - What do I need?

supermurph09

Let me begin with saying that I am not mechanically minded and in all fairness the thought of getting a mechanical failure or punc**** out on the road fills me dread but I've decided to meet this fear head on.

Having read some other threads about bike books I've just ordered the Zinn Guide to Road Bike maintenance as this along with the Park Tool book seemed to get a number of recommendations. I'm also on the lookout for a decent stand. Its my intention to get to know my bike (Cube Agree GTC Race) a little more intimately so that as I cycle further and further from home I have confidence that if something should go wrong, I can at least attempt some repairs. The cleaning side is also important to me as I want to keep the bike in fine fettle so that it lasts and parts don't wear out due to poor basic maintenance etc.

As you can tell I won't be stripping the bike down just yet but I'd like to be able to handle the basics. So as a novice, I wondered what my home toolkit (inc cleaning tools) should comprise of?

Thanks

danlikesbikes

Cleaning;
Bucket, soap (either washing up or manufactured), chain degreaser (either home made via white sprits or manufactured) GT85/WD40 and lube.

Tools;
A small multi tool the sort you should carry on a ride with you is a good start place. Tyre levers, spare inner tube, repair patch (either pre glued or you can use the old fashioned patch and glue) pump/Co2

Once you have read the book you bought which is a good start point have a look at youtube for some instructional videos & then you can look to expand your tool kit. The book does give you a good idea of the kind of things you will need though from basic jobs to more complex work.

g00se

To do proper work on the stand (not tools to take out on the road with you) - best thing is to get some basic bits and then add to as you need. You can get simple toolkits from the usual suspects that will contain some essentials at varying levels of quality. this sort of thing: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=40997

But there may be issues depending on what bike you have. Eg. say I have a campag groupset with external bottom bracket bearings - I wouldn't need the square taper crank pullers or the shimano cassette and BB tools. If you're just going to be working on your bike, there's no need to by tools you don't need.

Similarly, you may want to leave the more esoteric tools to when you need them - as it may turn out it's cheaper to get the LBS to do it. For example, in a couple of years, you may need to change the headset, is it worth buying the headset presses etc for £100 if your LBS will do it for £50?

So for me it'll be:

1/4" drive set with sockets, hex head and torq heads - should cover all the fixings: http://www.diy.com/search/socket%20set/ ... t-11377934
(you may want some standard allen keys too just for convenience).

If you're going carbon, then a basic torque-wrench for about 2-25Nm would be an option - make sure it's 1/4" like so you can use the above sockets etc: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=11142

A chain whip and appropriate cassette remover tool (campag, shimano etc) for your rear wheel:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=10184
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=60748

chain breaker: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=60747

Pliers, screwdrivers etc.

Spoke key. Tyre levers.

Less important first off:

Decent cable cutter (bike specific - this is IMPORTANT or you'll start crushing the outers): http://www.tweekscycles.com/bike-access ... ing-cutter

Pedal spanner: http://www.tweekscycles.com/bike-access ... dal-wrench

Cone spanners if needed (get to suit the wheel hubs you have).

That should do to start - bottom brackets and headsets can wait until you need the tools.

zx6man

the 2 books I have also have tool lists of what you need, so that will help too. But when i got the cycling bug, I just ended up gettign a "tool a week" to keep it under the wifes radar :-)

g00se

zx6man wrote:

the 2 books I have also have tool lists of what you need, so that will help too. But when i got the cycling bug, I just ended up gettign a "tool a week" to keep it under the wifes radar :-)

Yes - get a BIG toolbox so bits can just be added:

http://www.rapidonline.com/tools-equipm ... re-14-2056

And you can pop in the extra saddle, stems, mechs, carbon odds and sods without being noticed

supermurph09

Appreciate the detailed responses! I do now have a Carbon Cube Agree but I also have a Specialized Allez. I thought I could use this to have a bit of practice on, build up my skills and then at least I'd approach the Cube with more confidence!

danlikesbikes

You can always get yourself booked on a course if your not that confident.

My LBS and Evans do a basic one or you should find a few more in-depth ones that are approved.

g00se

Check locally for bike donation/refurbishing charities - they often are looking for volunteers to help with bikes - and it's a good place to learn (though it'll probably be full of ropey Halfords' mountain bikes from the 90s).

supermurph09

Danlikesbikes wrote:

You can always get yourself booked on a course if your not that confident.

My LBS and Evans do a basic one or you should find a few more in-depth ones that are approved.

I'll ask the LBS's, I had looked on the British Cycling website but they were all a considerable distance away.

danlikesbikes

Nearest Evans is that does them is Nottingham - http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/t ... gham-store

But ask in your LBS and even if they don't they should know who does. I admit I'm not the most technically minded but I did have a "lesson" in my LBS but that was unplanned and on the basis that I made the staff tea.

If you find you like it and want a more formal setting that you could always look at something like the Cytech courses do cost more but seem to be more comprehensive.

supermurph09

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Nearest Evans is that does them is Nottingham - http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/t ... gham-store .

Great link, that's close to me and maybe just what I'm after. For £15 you cant really go wrong! Cheers!

danlikesbikes

I know someone who works in our local Evans & someone who went to one of the courses and they were quite impressed with it.

Let us know how you get on.

supermurph09

Will do, thanks again.