A hammer. (I used to drive my father mad, hammering at my bike. But that was in the days when cranks were fixed to the B/B spindle with cotter pins.) I did use a hammer recently to dislodge a stuck stem quill.
I always carry a couple of pair of latex gloves when I go out for a ride. Nothing worse than finishing a ride with dirty hands if you have a mechanical.
I live about 8 blocks away from one of the Park Tools facilities here in Minnesota and when I ride by I always daydream about all the wonderful tools as I peddle past.
Apologies for being a geek, but for 9 and 10-speed chains, replace chain just as the gauge fits the 0.75% side fits flat into the chain. For 11 and 12-speed chain, replace as the 0.5% side fits. Loving the channel, always inspiring.. ✌️
When I worked in the bike shop I thought it was the same as you described, embarrassingly a madison rep then put us right, if you go on park tool website and check out the chain checker description it tells you there.
Park tool chain keeper is a must for me. Great for through axle and rim brake version. Helps when giving chain and rear derailleur a good clean and still able to shift gears. Quality product.
New covid-19 cyclist here. Took up cycling on a whim at beginning of lockdown, now I can't get enough of it. Bought a CAAD13. Watching your videos to get me through the "technical" bits, cycling is not immediately straightforward for noobs. Hope to see more basic/explanatory videos from your channel!
Man... the cutters and crimpers are brilliant... you don't realise how much you need them until you have ruined a set of cables the keep catching your hand(s) on the frayed ends! Buuuut I don't think that Francis has much need of them given his fancy wireless bikes... 🤷🏼♂️
Don't forget to unwind your torque wrench after use if its not used regularly. Leaving it wound will cause the internal spring to weaken and over time resulting in incorrect torque. Also, be sure you use a CC-4 or equivilant chain checker if you have any SRAM 12 speed bikes as the chain rollers aren't standard size which will cause incorrect readings on a checker that doesn't account for this
Yes! The quick link tool! I originally used a quick link that was removable by hand. If the one I use now can be then it's bloody difficult. Finally caved and bought the tool and now it takes a second. So worth it. Now I'm eyeing up a few of these other tools but my wallet doesn't want to know.
Got the multi tool and stand. Stand was purchased to make washing the gravel bike easier. Need the things in the middle. Good tips! Watching from Washington DC suburbs, great content!
Amen to every single one of those .... and multi-tool aside, if I really had to choose 1 .... well, a 5nM fixed torque key with swappable heads .... or err ... the work stand or ... hang on, the chain link pliers .... 🤔 hmm 🤔 ....
Of the 5 you mentioned, I need the chain wear gauge, torque wrench and quick link pliers. I have all the others. Purely on your advice I'm ordering these soon. Thanks for the information. Keep it coming. Ride on.
With the number of punctures you lot get when bike packing I’m surprised tyre levers didn’t make the list! 😁 Love your content Francis! Keep it going!!!
I've also found the following super helpful for home maintenance - wera allen key set (its colour-coded which is helpful); knipex - side Knips (for zip ties).. wire cutters (for eh...wires) ... needle nose pliers (just handy); Vessel JIS screwdrivers for Shimano limit screws (though newer groupsets have moved over to hex); Set of small files - helps with cable housing installation. Optional horrifically over-priced for what it is but a much-coveted tool - Abbey Tools crank pre-load tool - doesn't round-out like the poorly made plastic ones and looks fantastic!
Thanks Francis! Side note on removing your chain for cleaning: I think KMC don’t recommend reusing a quick link more than 3 times. Dunno for Shimano and others, most likely similar.
Morgan blue degreaser is the best thing I ever got for maintenance. Along with the parktool chain cleaner. I see a pro team use Morgan blue when they had a big name sponsor thought oh must get some and see what this is all about. I have use it ever since.
Great list - I have all 5, although I'm needing a new multi-tool, as its corroded a bit. For the Hex keys, I recommend the Wrex Plus' like some other have commented. Another tool, just outside your top 5 would be the wee tool that you take your cassette off with (along with a chain whip) - and if you have centre-lock brakes, it also does those too.
Carbon parts sometimes slip, even with the proper torque. So mentioning some fiber grip is never wrong! Really nice rundown on tools btw. I thjink the longer you ride, the more you will buy. My friends often say "I don't want to get a bike specific tools, cause I will hardly use it" But if you NEED it, you are happy to have it!
I was going to say "track pump" but you put that in "honourable mentions" so I'll go with home chain tool - like the one you placed on the table at the end of the video ;-). Not all chain issues can be delt with just the quick link - for example sizing a new chain to the right length - and a good quality chain tool is then really useful.
Must have Multi tool - Topeak Hexus ii - this is one of the most comprehensive small multi tools out there, including common hex and torx keys, screw drivers, a chain tool, Tyre leavers and spoke keys. The crank brothers F15 is a close second. Must have hex keys - Wera Hex Plus, similar price to the Park ones and hands down the best hex keys I've ever used. Not sure it classes as a tool but the Park self adhesive patches are brilliant. Track pump with a decent gauge Decent shock pump for those with bikes with squishy bits.
Great video, however I must admit after riding almost daily for the last 3 years, the only tools I have are the multi tool and extra tubes, that’s all I’ve needed
Nice change of intro theme music, just a hint of Inspector Gadget type vibes coming through, just the ticket for a tool based vid hey? Yes the 5 tools recommended make the base of a good tool kit and the multitool is the absolute of the must haves and the very first thing to buy with your bike when starting out along with spare tubes ( remember them - yeah get the right ones - the ones that fit 😂) and puncture repair and spare quick link and a mini pump. Without these your ride could turnout to be a time of frustration. 👍
Quality tyre levers. Not necessarily have to cost a fortune as the decathlon btwin ones are affordable but very strong. Nothing worse than the made-of-cheese levers you get in some tube repair kits. Worth having 3 on long tours etc in case one snaps (yet to happen to me but you really don't want to be left with just one lever). I also ride with a general multi tool. The pliers, knife and scissors applications have been very important especially when using tubeless because over time the valve lockring can get very tightly stuck onto the rim and need help removing if you need to put a tube in or whatever. The knife/scissor kit is useful for trimming off a tubeless worm/plug too so it isn't thwacking around off your bike after you stick one in.
Brilliant list. I think #6 could be a valve core remover. Whether you use tubeless tires or not, it is super helpful. I replace bad valve cores in tubes and stems all the time.
I've not previously heard of quick link pliers. And I had no idea that modern chains had an inbuilt flaw. No wonder I hear of riders breaking chains nowadays; it never used to happen in the old days. (I suspected that was because 5-speed sprockets enabled the chain to run almost straight, whereas with the much wider modern cassettes, the chain can run at an angle. But no, there's a flaw built right in to the chain.) Francis, would you like to do a demo on how to use these labour-causing gagets? :-/
Will always go for Park Tools when buying tools, it is just really nice to be able to trust that they will work and I have had my PT allen keys for almost 20 years... still going strong if a little sorry looking. Added to that is the fact that they all look pretty damn cool hanging on the peg board; in a wall of blue! The only other stuff that I would say is worth a look are Fix It Sticks who do a really nice torque limiter field kit... but I don't think that they sell them in the UK and they are NOT cheap ($200+). But I would, highly, recommend for your bike-packing adventures. Great video, as always! I think that you, already, need a bigger room.........
My multi-tool got stolen so I just started carrying individual Allen keys. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that they were not weather proof so they started rusting. So always carry tools that can handle a bit of moisture.
Interesting perspective. As you say, everyone can have a different list. I'm usually in furious agreement with you, but not this time :-) Mine starts with the tools carried on every ride: tyre levers, patch kit, pump, multi tool. Yes, the chain tool is a life saver. That's four already. At home: track pump, adjustable torque wrench, allen key set, torx wrenches. Beyond that you are getting into home mechanic territory: cable cutter for inner and outer, proper chain tool, workstand. So thats twelve and no chain measurement tool yet. Although a ruler works quite well the chain wear tool would be next plus any frequently needed manufacturer specific tool, eg the Shimano crank cover tool. And then there's spares. I often lead rides so I carry at least two tubes, two 11 sp quick links, a short bit of chain, a tyre boot, a few emergency glucose snakes. Do we call a spare rain jacket (cape?) a tool? Re tyre levers: I carry four. One always flies off into the bushes when you are in the most dire situation!
Haha glucose snakes. I think I've patched one tube, a tubolito in Vietnam, ever. Also don't own tyre levers, I think with correct technique most tyre wheel combos can be done by hand and people do more harm than good with them, pinching tubes etc!
@@Cade_Media Ah, thats why they are not on your list. Tyre levers I mean. Glucose snakes are a great emergency tool. Things always look at their worst when you're tired, cold, low blood sugar ... one snake changes everything! Cheers.
In the bit of the video where you mention the Quick Link Pliers and suggest removing the quick link and chain in order to clean it,, all of the 10 or 11 speed quick links I've used in the last few years, state that they are single use only. It wouldn't be advisable to re use the same link when re fitting the chain. Considering how much stress you put through a bicycle chain and how badly it can go wrong if it fails, I personally would not be taking any chances with that. The price of new quick links also make it uneconomical to replace it every time you want to clean your chain so I would suggest a chain bath tool would be a much safer way to properly clean the chain. I've seen this suggested on other you tube videos to clean a chain and it makes me wonder how many people have had chains fail on them because they keep re using the same quick link.
Strangely enough I asked a mechanic friend about this after filming. He said keep using them until they don't click the same. Obviously, it's your own risk, cleaning a chain is easy enough still on the bike with some good degreaser/gt85 on a rag. Personally, I have always re-used them lots of times and never snapped a chain. This could also depend on which link you use too, because there's lots of different ones.
@@Cade_Media I've read on the installation instructions both SRAM and Shimano links, 10 and 11 speed, it says they should only be used once. I've re used them only in emergency situations and to be honest, they do feel looser when you connect them back together than when they were first used. I'd be cautious as I'm sure you know, it's not worth taking a risk with a snapped chain.
Solid recommendations. I got a multitool, but it was cheap and had all the wrong bits on it somehow, plus my mom borrowed it once and somehow managed to make it loose so all the tools flop about super easy when you try to pick it up to use -_-" Got the hex/allen keys, full size with ball ends and just ride with those in my bag instead. Planning to get a work stand for when I plan to service my bikes myself. for now it's a trip back to Halfords to do it for me using the cover that came with the bike. Not taken great care of it, so wouldn't be surprised if various small parts need replacing after just 2200km... :P Oh well, Live and Learn. I'll be ready for my gravel bike at least xD
Hi Francis, I had a quick question. Which of the 2 options is more rational? 1. Get the most comprehensive portable tool for both riding/home use. 2. Get the lightest/most portable tool (like you seem to do) for riding usage and get other normal sized tools for home usage.
I think it depends on how many maintenance jobs you intend to tackle yourself & what type of riding you do. It's annoying working with a little fiddley multi tool, but it's also annoying riding 300km away from home and being stranded because you don't have a chain tool 😁
Good base tools, while the following may not be considered a tool, worth a mention, carbon paste and grease. Get some cheap small paint brushes, one for each, that way you can apply it to all bolts and carbon contact points with it the need for gloves.
Good quality hex and torx are essential to avoid rounding off bolts. Saying that though, I have decent tools and the shitty heads on the bolts holding my SRAM disc brake calipers rounded off regardless. I now have no way of realigning if I need to other than buying that special drill bit that can rip them out.
I recently purchased a KMC missing link lever tool. It not only helps remove and fit the quick link, but it is also a set of tyre levers when pulled apart, and fits easily in a saddle bag: www.kmcchain.com/onepage/missinglinklever-18mar/en/index.html
Generally 10, 11 and 12 speed quick links are supposed to be single use. 9 and below are fine to use again as long as you don’t take your chain off every week! On 9 speed I use a new quick link when I change the chain.
I remeber that when i buy new pedal I discovered that I need 17 spanner for it and forget to buy it witch pedal so next day i was at shop again to buy it
