{"id":20217,"date":"2021-03-25T03:33:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T03:33:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/?p=20217"},"modified":"2021-04-01T05:27:34","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T04:27:34","slug":"top-10-tools-for-bike-riders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/top-10-tools-for-bike-riders\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 Tools for Bike Riders"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In these days of penny-pinching cutbacks, learning to keep on top of your own bike maintenance is a sure-fire way to reduce ongoing costs of being a bike rider. Taking on your own bike maintenance also reduces down time waiting for a service \/ mechanic.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s ten essential tools which will help keep your machine running sweetly and keep your bike out on the road or trails. The &#8216;go-to&#8217; website for those needing guidance, Youtube, is always on hand to see the various tools in action. Tool manufacturers such as Park and Icetoolz as well as GCN (Global Cycling Network) have very good instructional videos.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20238 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_5878-768x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_5878-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/IMG_5878.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/512;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Allen Keys<\/h2>\n<p>A staple essential for most bike related jobs, a good set of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/workshop-tools-75443\/?tool_type=hex-allen-wrenches\">allen-keys<\/a> will give years of service. Allen keys which feature a &#8216;ball-end&#8217; (stop sniggering) make it easier to reach bolts at slightly awkward angles. Invented by William Allen way back in 1910, they are also known as Hex Keys.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/workshop-tools-75443\/?tool_type=hex-allen-wrenches\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20266 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/29438_icetoolz_allen_key_set-1-768x434.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"634\" height=\"358\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/29438_icetoolz_allen_key_set-1-768x434.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/29438_icetoolz_allen_key_set-1.jpg 1018w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 634px) 100vw, 634px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 634px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 634\/358;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Chain Tool<\/h2>\n<p>Essential for adjusting the length of a chain and also for removing, rejoining chains and fixing stiff links. A good quality <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=chain%20tool\">chain tool <\/a>will last, giving years of reliable service.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/workshop-tools-75443\/?tool_type=chain-tools\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20260 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12341_bbb_btl_05_nautilus_ii_chain_rivet_tool-768x478.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"643\" height=\"400\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12341_bbb_btl_05_nautilus_ii_chain_rivet_tool-768x478.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12341_bbb_btl_05_nautilus_ii_chain_rivet_tool.jpg 863w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 643px) 100vw, 643px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 643px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 643\/400;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Chain Whip<\/h2>\n<p>The chain whip makes life a whole lot easier when removing a cassette. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=chain%20whip\">chain whip<\/a>&#8216;s main job is to hold the cassette and allow the lockring tool to do its job.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=whip+chain+tool\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20262 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12486_bbb_btl_11_turntable_freewheel_chain_whip_7_11_speed-768x423.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"586\" height=\"323\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12486_bbb_btl_11_turntable_freewheel_chain_whip_7_11_speed-768x423.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12486_bbb_btl_11_turntable_freewheel_chain_whip_7_11_speed.jpg 909w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 586px) 100vw, 586px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 586px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 586\/323;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Lockring Tool<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=cassette%20tool\">Lockring<\/a> tools are another vital tool for removing and replacing cassettes. They should be used in conjunction with a chain whip. Lockring tools with a longer handle allow more leverage to remove even the most stubborn of lockrings.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=lockring+tool\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20261 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12484_bbb_btl_12_lockout_cassette_lockring_tool-1-768x467.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"548\" height=\"333\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12484_bbb_btl_12_lockout_cassette_lockring_tool-1-768x467.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/12484_bbb_btl_12_lockout_cassette_lockring_tool-1.jpg 868w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 548px) 100vw, 548px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 548px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 548\/333;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Bottom Bracket Tool<\/h2>\n<p>Riding regularly and often inevitably leads to bottom brackets wearing out. When they need to be replaced they often start to make odd noises. The bottom bracket <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=bottom%20tool\">removal tool<\/a> is the only way to do remove and refit the bottom bracket.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/workshop-tools-75443\/?tool_type=bottom-bracket-tools\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20258 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/4129_shimano_tlfc32_hollowtech_2_bottom_bracket_spanner-1-768x468.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"576\" height=\"351\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/4129_shimano_tlfc32_hollowtech_2_bottom_bracket_spanner-1-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/4129_shimano_tlfc32_hollowtech_2_bottom_bracket_spanner-1.jpg 900w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 576px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 576\/351;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Pedal Spanner<\/h2>\n<p>Possibly the simplest tool in a home mechanics tool box, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=pedal%20wrench\">pedal spanner<\/a> is another essential. While some pedals can be removed with an allen key, most need a pedal spanner to remove them. Apply a little grease to pedal threads when fitting to avoid them &#8216;getting permanent&#8217; with your cranks.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/workshop-tools-75443\/?tool_type=pedal-spanners\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20267 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/26806_icetoolz_pedal_wrench_15mm-768x313.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"579\" height=\"236\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/26806_icetoolz_pedal_wrench_15mm-768x313.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/26806_icetoolz_pedal_wrench_15mm-1024x417.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/26806_icetoolz_pedal_wrench_15mm.jpg 1080w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 579px) 100vw, 579px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 579px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 579\/236;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Chain Wear Gauge<\/h2>\n<p>A good quality <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=chain%20wear\">chain wear tool<\/a> can save you money over the years. Knowing when your chain needs replacing means that your cassette and chainrings won&#8217;t get unnecessarily worn. Since chains are the cheapest drivetrain component to replace &#8211; this will save money in the long run.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=chain+wear+tool\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20264 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/23708_pedro_s_chain_checker_plus_chain_wear_tool.6460700-chain_checker_plus_temp-768x252.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"555\" height=\"182\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/23708_pedro_s_chain_checker_plus_chain_wear_tool.6460700-chain_checker_plus_temp-768x252.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/23708_pedro_s_chain_checker_plus_chain_wear_tool.6460700-chain_checker_plus_temp.jpg 945w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 555px) 100vw, 555px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 555px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 555\/182;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Torque Wrench<\/h2>\n<p>Avoid damaging your bike&#8217;s components by fitting them with the correct amount of torque. Using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/workshop-tools-75443\/?tool_type=torque-wrenches\">torque wrench<\/a> makes it easier to avoid over tightening (potentially destroying threads or cracking components) or under tightening (which can lead to the component becoming loose).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=torq+tool\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20263 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/22006_topeak_combo_torq_wrench_set_3_12_nm-623x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"334\" height=\"412\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/22006_topeak_combo_torq_wrench_set_3_12_nm-623x768.jpg 623w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/22006_topeak_combo_torq_wrench_set_3_12_nm.jpg 682w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 334px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 334\/412;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Spoke Key<\/h2>\n<p>Wheels take a lot of abuse. To keep your bike working efficiently, learn how to keep wheels true &#8211; this is a skill worth having for all riders. You will need a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=spoke%20key\">spoke key<\/a>. If you regularly have wheel issues, learning to keep them spinning straight at home will make life easier. For occasional wheel benders, use the brake blocks as a guide to true the wheels. For those who constantly give their wheels hell &#8211; invest in a wheel truing stand &#8211; this makes fixing wheels much easier.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=spoke+tool\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20259 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/5833_icetoolz_multi_spoke_key-1-768x621.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"561\" height=\"454\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/5833_icetoolz_multi_spoke_key-1-768x621.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/5833_icetoolz_multi_spoke_key-1.jpg 1022w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 561px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 561\/454;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Tool Kit<\/h2>\n<p>If you don&#8217;t have any tools at all, a cost-effective way to acquire everything you will need is with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=tool%20kit\">tool kit<\/a> such as the Icetools Essence or a Bike Hand full tool kit. These tool kits include all the main tools needed to keep your bike running the way it should.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=tool+kit\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20265 aligncenter lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/25181_icetoolz_essence_tool_kit-1-599x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"477\" height=\"612\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/25181_icetoolz_essence_tool_kit-1-599x768.jpg 599w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/25181_icetoolz_essence_tool_kit-1.jpg 690w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 477px) 100vw, 477px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 477px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 477\/612;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In these days of penny-pinching cutbacks, learning to keep on top of your own bike maintenance is a sure-fire way to reduce ongoing costs of being a bike rider. Taking on your own bike maintenance also reduces down time waiting for a service \/ mechanic. Here&#8217;s ten essential tools which will help keep your machine [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":20238,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[69],"tags":[2248,2479,2509,2480,2477,2478,1928,2481,1929,2482,2476,2335,2483],"ppma_author":[4632],"class_list":["post-20217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycling-how-to-guides","tag-bicycle-maintenance","tag-bicycle-repair","tag-bike-fix","tag-bike-fixer","tag-bike-fixing","tag-cycle-fixing","tag-cycle-maintenance","tag-cycle-repair","tag-cycle-tools","tag-essential-cycle-tools","tag-home-mechanic","tag-squeaky-bike","tag-top-cycle-tools","author-rick-robson"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - 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