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Being able to perform some basic maintenance on your bike is a good time saver, and is important for being able to make sure you have a safe bike to ride. See some of the options below!
Last Updated: March 18, 2024
Like every machine, your bicycle will require ongoing maintenance and upkeep to ensure it continues to work well. Having a small toolkit on hand will help keep your bike in good working order. See our recommended tools to start with below.
Tools for tightening and loosening
If you're only going to have one tool, go with the good 'ol Y wrench (or 3-way as some call them), these are three-sided and have 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm Allen. This tool is small so it doesn't take up a ton of space, and still works for most stems, handlebars, seatpost clamp, and a lot of other little things on your bike. If you want a more in-depth set of Allen wrenches that will handle just about any bolt on a bike, consider THIS kit, which has everything from 2mm up to 10mm. Most bikes also have a few Torx head bolts as well these days, and usually, these are T10, T25, or T30. Thankfully, Park Tool has THIS handy tool that has all three of those sizes in one.
Pumps
A pump for your tires is essential to have at home. It helps with checking pressure and pumping your tires to your preferred pressure before you go for a ride, as well as re-inflating when you're fixing a flat! The two main things to look for in a pump are as follows: one that will work on either a Schrader or Presta valve without needing to buy any adapters, and the choice between plastic versus aluminum construction. Plastic pumps will wear out faster but are cheaper, while aluminum is more expensive but lasts longer.
- Good: Bikesmart Powerflate 2, mostly plastic construction, inexpensive and will get the job done.
- Better: Bikesmart Turboflate 2, which features aluminum construction for better durability.
- Best: Giant Control Tower Boost, constructed entirely out of aluminum, with a large gauge for easy reading, and an integrated air chamber that can be pressurized and released to help seat tubeless tires.
Want to see more? See all our pumps HERE
Don't forget tire levers to go with your pump either! See those HERE.
Cleaners and Chain Lubes
A clean bike is a happy bike, and keeping it clean when it gets dirty, and keeping the chain lubed will help keep the bike and its components running smoothly and prevent premature wear. There are plenty of cleaners out there that can be used, but it’s important to ensure they won’t corrode aluminum (as basic Simple Green can). Avoid using a pressure washer and spraying cleaners on brake rotors or pads. After washing your bike, allow it to dry before lubricating the chain to prevent rusting. See below for some of our favorite cleaners and lubes, and see HERE for everything we carry.
Muc-Off Nano Tech Bike Cleaner: This cleaner is biodegradable, free from acids, CFCs, and solvents, and it’s alkaline based so you can clean away with a guilt-free conscience, and it even smells good!
For chain lubrication, one go-to chain lube has been the Dumonde Tech Pro X Chain lube. It goes on a little on the thick side, lasts a decent amount of time, and makes for a very quiet drivetrain.
We don't recommend using your toothbrush for bike cleaning, so we have a selection of brushes! See them HERE.
These basic tools will help ensure you have some essentials at home to fix a flat, a wheel, and other basics.
Want to know how to use the basic tools that are local to us?
Check out our free tech clinics on Tuesday evenings HERE!
Still Need Help?
If you have any other questions, feel free to email us at info@mikesbikes.com or call us at 866-600-2453. We’re always here to help!