Bicycle Mechanics - Bike tools that a beginner should get?

I have wrenches, vice grips, and a Pedros ICM.

"ICM includes tire levers and a chain tool
2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 mm hex wrenches, two traditional spoke wrenches (3.2 and 3.5 mm)
bottle opener, flat blade and Phillips head screwdrivers, and a T25 Torx tool"

What other tools should I get? What is a chain whip used for?

A decent repair stand if don't already have one.

What make a repair stand worth it vs putting the bike upside down?

What make a repair stand worth it vs putting the bike upside down?

Back pain.

To add to that, a bigger maintenance job, like replacing cables and cable housing, is much, much easier in a repair stand. before I got mine, I tended to fix problems as they occurred, and prolonged bending over and crouching to get at nuts and bolts that are designed to be got at the right way up did give me back issues.

Now if I put the bike in the stand, I tend to do all-round maintenance at the same time, as it's easy and my back doesn't set a time limit. Easier and more regular maintenance means I actually rarely get issues while on the bike.

What make a repair stand worth it vs putting the bike upside down?

How are you going to work on your levers/shifters, stem, bars, brake adjustments, etc, with your bike is upside down?

I can click my shifters when the bike is upside down. It would help when replacing some stuff though.

Is this a good one? http://www.pedros.com/product.aspx?productID=6450700
How much is it?

Also, any other tools that are like hand tools? Do I need a pedal wrench? Where/how should I hold all my tools separate from my dads car tools?

How about a decent repair manual -- or at least a bookmark for sites like Park Tool or Sheldon Brown.

chain whip (http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=4&item=SR-1)

you probably have most of the tools needed for a beginner. Mostly you will be adjusting brake cables and derailleurs and few other things that allen wrenches will work for. A chain whip is used to hold the cassette stationary when you are removing it. You will need a cassette wrench also.

I'm thinking pedal wrench and a chain tool for my next tool purchases.

I can click my shifters when the bike is upside down. It would help when replacing some stuff though.

At least rig something up that'll hold your bike upright and steady. It'll make working on your bike so much more pleasant.

I'm thinking pedal wrench and a chain tool for my next tool purchases.
What do you think your next repair will be? Buy those tools first.

What is a repair that is common?

Besides changing a tire?

Cleaning chain, adjusting front and/or read derailleur, adjusting brakes, truing wheels, etc.

I'll need a chain cleaner then. Do I need a chain cleaner?

What tools would I use for truing wheels?

I'll need a chain cleaner then. Do I need a chain cleaner?

What tools would I use for truing wheels?

No, you don't need a chain cleaner.

A spoke wrench is all you need for wheel truing.

No, you don't need a chain cleaner.

A spoke wrench is all you need for wheel truing.

A spoke wrench is the minimum, a truing stand is nice

A decent repair stand if don't already have one.

+1 FOR SURE. The best tool in my whole kit is the bike stand - hands down. Man, for how long I struggled without one until my wife blessed me with a bicycle repair stand for Christmas - perhaps the best and most used gift I have ever received.

In addition to the other tools you have already mentioned on your OP:

Chain break tool
Cone wrenches for your hubs.

Whats a cone wrench used for? Chain break tool I have on my Pedros ICM.

I have wrenches, vice grips, and a Pedros ICM.

"ICM includes tire levers and a chain tool
2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 mm hex wrenches, two traditional spoke wrenches (3.2 and 3.5 mm)
bottle opener, flat blade and Phillips head screwdrivers, and a T25 Torx tool"

What other tools should I get? What is a chain whip used for?


your ICM should be perfectly fine for minor adjustments which you should be doing anyway as a beginner. Over time or when you realize you don't want to take your bike to the LBS anymore, you'll soon start to learn which tools you will need.

+1 on a good bicycle maintenance book. Get this above all other tools. I used Zinn & The Art of Road Bike Maintenance, read it from cover to cover and now I do all my repairs and maintenance. I've amassed quite a few tools over the past few years, but they are all the tools I will ever need.

+2 on a good bike stand as well. You don't need a fancy one either. Whichever keeps your bike a decent work height and allows you to spin the cranks to make adjustments.

Whats a cone wrench used for? Chain break tool I have on my Pedros ICM.


A cone wrench is used for your wheel hubs. You can buy one tool with four sizes and they are not expensive. You will need two cone wrenches, however, so plan accordingly.

The reason you a cone wrentch is because greasing your bearings is a necessity - at least once per year for a weekly rider. You need the cone wrenches to get at your bearings to grease them and then get the hub bearing cones back on and locked into place.

With all of my bikes I never took apart the hubs to grease them. Nothing bad ever happened. I don't ride through lots of mud or dusty areas.

Just pop for the Park Roll-Up Tool Kit and you're set for the next decade!

I once had a (gasp!) Huffy that I rode for 3-1/2 years, no lube- or grease-related maintenance (didn't know any better then), and also had no problems. Retired it when the frame cracked.

Since then, I re-grease hub bearings annually...wheels roll like -- like -- sweeeeeetnessssss!!

Whats a cone wrench used for?

If you do not have sealed bearings its to tighten the cones that are screwed into the hub on the axle,If you have sealed bearings you probably will not need to use it.