Specialized tools for advanced bike jobs

In a chef’s personal kitchen, some cooking tools (like knives or bowls) are multipurpose and can be used for a variety of recipes; other tools (like pastry bags or pasta machines) are very specialized. Unless those more special­ized tools are in the kitchen of someone who makes pastries or pasta from scratch, they’re likely going to remain stored away most of the time.

The same is true of many specialized bike tools: They’re designed for specific procedures (such as extracting a crank or removing cogs), activities that you’ll either perform infrequently or leave to your local bike shop.

Companies like Park Tool sell hundreds of different types of these tools, many of which are designed to work with specific makes and models of bike com­ponents. When shopping for a particular tool, make sure you identify the one that’s designed to work with your bike component. If you aren’t sure, your local bike shop will be able to advise you.

Here’s a list of specialized tools you may have a need for if you want to take your repairs up a notch:

✓ Chain tool (see Figure 3-6): If you plan on replacing or repairing a chain, you’ll need this tool. It’s used to break or connect a chain by pushing a pin through the chain links. Some chains, such as SRAM Master Link, do not require a chain tool to be removed and reinstalled. A chain tool is still needed for installing a new chain in order to cut it to the proper length.

Figure 3-6: A chain tool.

✓ Crank puller (see Figure 3-7): Many bikes require this special tool, which threads into the crank to pull it off the bottom bracket. In these situations, you’ll also require a socket set or a dedicated crank bolt tool (usually 14mm or 15mm).

Figure 3-7: A crank puller.

✓ Cone wrench (see Figure 3-8): You use a cone wrench if you’re going to overhaul or make an adjustment to the bearings of your wheel hub. There are a number of standard sizes (usually 13mm for the front and 15mm for the rear), so be sure to check your wheel specifications. It’s good to have two of each size.

Figure 3-8: A cone wrench.

✓ Chain whip (see Figure 3-9): A chain whip is used to hold the cogs in place while removing a cassette. Two of these can be used together to remove individual cogs from a freewheel.

✓ Freewheel tool (see Figure 3-10): A freewheel tool is required for remov­ing the cassette from the rear hub. As always is the case with any spe­cialized tool, be sure to buy one that fits your bike’s particular make of freewheel or cassette.

Figure 3-10: A freewheel tool.

✓ Bottom bracket tools (see Figure 3-11): Depending on the type of

bottom bracket on your bike, you’ll need one or more tools. Review your owner’s manual or check with your local bike store to identify the manu­facturer and model — this’ll determine what tools you need.

Figure 3-11: The bottom bracket tools you need vary depending on the bike you have.

✓ Headset tool (see Figure 3-12): To work on the headset, you need two large, flat, open-ended wrenches. These come in different sizes, so be sure to check the owner’s manual and buy ones the fit your headset.

✓ Spoke wrench (see Figure 3-13): Also called a spoke key or nipple span­ner, this wrench is used to tighten, remove, or install a spoke. Although spokes may all appear the same to an untrained eye, they require the right-size spoke wrench to prevent damage to the nipples.

Figure 3-13: A spoke wrench.

Working on a bike doesn’t require a lot of space, but it is convenient to have a location set aside in your house where you can comfortably organize your tools, handle individual bike parts, and have enough space to move around without bumping into anything. If you’re planning on doing your own bike repair and maintenance, you may want to start thinking about where to do it.