Jynx

Besides regular sockets and wrenches what bike specific tools are a must have for maintenance? I want to get some tools as I dont have any now for maintenance. I am looking to get...

- cassette lockring tool
- chain whip and a
- pedal wrench

any other bike specific tools you cant live without?

bhchdh 

spoke wrench
chain break tool

mike_khad1

Cone Wrenches, Crank Puller, Cable Housing Cutter

rodri9o

all of the above, plus:
-metric allen key set with ball ends (bondhus)

-4,5,6mm allen drivers with handles

-Bottom removal bracket tool

-crankarm dust cap/self extracting retainer removal tool (if your crnaks require one) which can also be used as a chainring bolt holder on the side opposite the 5mm side.

-screwdrivers flat and phillips, one small and one large of each

-4' section of pipe ( sometimes the bottom brackets are tough)

-some sort of stand so you can work on your bike and not have it leaning/hanging/etc.

-headset adjustment wrenches if your headset is on a threaded steerer tube.

-grease and tri-flow


how far are you looking to take the maintenance?

AndrewP

Repair stand, bench vise and spoke tensiometer - none essential but all make maintenance tasks a lot easier.

PhilThee

Fridge to cool the beer or beverage of your choice

rodri9o

edzo

all of the above

but a repair stand is not required


you can get by fine without one.

z415

Not really a tool, but someone said grease, so you'd probably need degreaser.

BigBlueToe

Oh man, I LOVE having a repair stand. Before I had it I didn't know how handy it would be. If you work on bikes much, you should have one, although edzo is right, you can get by without one.

As to the original question, I think the essential tools are a multi tool, tire irons, Loctite, and a pressure gauge (and a pump, of course.) If you have any hex head bolts on your bike, you'll need either a crescent wrench or individual wrenches to fit. However, I'd recommend replacing any hex head or Phillips head bolts with ones that fit Allen wrenches, so your multitool will handle them. I usually only see hex head bolts on cheap department store bikes, or kids' bikes.

Also, check to see that all your multitool will fit all your bolts. I had a rack that had bolts with smaller holes than the smallest Allen wrench on my multitool. I went to the hardware store and found the same size bolts but with larger holes.

I also make sure all my bolts are stainless.

After that, I suggest buying tools as you need them. Whenever I have a job that needs doing, my first choice is to buy the necessary tools, even if they're double the cost of taking the bike to a shop and having them do it. To me, tools are a good investment (and I LIKE them.)

Not indispensable, but very likely to be used:

• a workstand
• a chain tool
• a pedal wrench
• a cable cutter
• a cassette lockring tool
• a chain whip

More esoteric but also good to have:

• a crank puller
• a bottom bracket wrench (you may need a couple or three if you have different style/age bikes)
• a wheel truing stand
• a spoke tension meter
• a spoke wrench (duh)
• a dishing tool

I've got some other tools I bought for old bikes, and I don't know the names of them (or sometimes even remember what they were for.)

Okay, I know I've left out some important ones. Help, anyone?

iqaro

Well I donīt know how indispensable are, but I have:
- Monkey wrench
- 6" adjustable wrench
- 8" adjustable wrencj
- Spoke wrench
- Allen wrenches
- Philips screwdriver
- Crank puller
- BB extractor
- Cassette xtractor
- Chain tool

mike

Knowledge of bicycle maintanance and repair. I have seen some of the best wrenches do incredible things with the crudest of tools. I remember my favorite bicycle mechanic of all time 80 year old Johnny B fixed a tacoed rim perfectly with a wooden mallet and an old bentwood chair. I think he did it in three whacks. I seem to remember him telling me that if it took more than four whacks, the rim would be ruined. With his three magic bangs of that mallet, however, you would never know that the rim was tacoed.

caloso

I've found this to be a very useful tool. It's a Park Tool HCW-5 bottom bracket and crank wrench. It also works for fixed gear lockrings.