Six Basic Bike Tools

Bicycles need to be properly maintained and well taken cared of to be always in good shape whenever we want to use them. Bike equipment is necessary to fix our bikes everytime it is in bad shape. There are various kinds of bike equipment and tools available in the stores. Just make sure that you avoid purchasing the worthless and useless items.

Here are some of the basic bike tools that one must have.

1. Bike pump

High quality bike pumps are important for any cyclist. Those that are made from metal and which contains a gauge are preferable. Make certain that your frame pump perfectly suits your bicycle. The frame pump must fit your bike's tubes and have a metal pump head.

2. Patch kit

Patch kits are important especially when you get flats. These are of two kinds. First is the glue patch kit and the other is the glueless patch kit. The latter works for a shorter period and is easy to stick to the bike tube. Glue patch kits however take a longer time to bond but works better compared to the glueless kit. Before you apply the patch, be sure that the glue is entirely dry.

3. Tire levers

Tire levers, also known as tire irons, are used to remove and return tires on their rims. Some are made from plastic while others are from metal. The plastic levers are less sharp and are commonly used nowadays. Tire levers do not have sharp edges. These are usually smooth and round. This is to prevent the inner tube from being punctured.

4. Wrenches

Wrenches are essential tools to use when fixing your bicycle. Some must-haves are adjustable wrenches, pedal wrenches, Allen wrenches, spoke wrenches, torque wrenches and open end or box end wrenches that comes in metric sizes.

5. Bike Lubes

If you have a road bike, purchase bike lubes that are lighter. For mountain bikes, heavier lubes are appropriate. It is vital to correctly lube your bicycle chain. This will make your chain durable and long lasting.

When you lubricate your chain, apply the lube to every link. Use the right amount of lube and make sure that it settles properly in the links. Using some rugs, wipe off the excess lube from the chain. It is good to use thin oil rather than the thick ones. Thinner ones settle and penetrate better on the bicycle chains. Three-in-one oils are not advisable to use for these do not last very long. These types of lubes will evaporate faster; hence, not giving your chains the required protection.

6. Repair Stand

Some use repair stands mostly when having complicated bicycle repairs. This is necessary to hold your bike without tipping over. It is necessary to ascertain that the repair stand comes with a sturdy and durable clamp to prevent the bike from falling over. This makes you feel more comfortable when you do the repair. Apart from that, it will make your repair easier and faster.