Bike Tools

A repair stand can last forever and really come in handy when you need to fix anything on your bikes. It doesn't matter what size of the wheel, you can clamp it on the seat post or on the frame. You can clamp it to the stanchion of your dropper post, just make sure the clamp is not damaged. We have used the Feedback model for almost a decade and it is tied tested and true. Sometimes I do wish we had the quick-clamp model but it was a few more bucks and I now find it hard to justify upgrading when our regular one works fine.

MSRP: $290 USD | Where to buy: Jenson USA

There are some great all-in-one toolbox if you are starting out from fresh, but here are a few of our must-haves. Park, Pedro, and Feedback are all been around for a long time and brands you can trust.

$100 Feedback Small kit: Jenson USA

$169 Beginner Park Tools Tool Box: Amazon

$299 Advanced Park Tools Toolbox: Amazon

Having a dependable trailside or travel tool kit is essential and having a small kit that can live in your gear bag can really help when those last-minute repairs come up. We have been enjoying the compact nature and small size of the Wera Bicycle Set 3

MSRP: $126 | Amazon

Bikes predominantly work in metric, like the majority of the world. Allen keys from 2.5mm to 8mm and a T25 torque key if you are working on mountain bikes is becoming necessary when you need to work on your family bikes. While you can work on your bike with your riding multitool, and I certainly have been guilty of doing so when my workbench is messy and I can't find anything. These tools tend to not last as long as quality Allen wrenches and if you are like me and forget to put it back with your riding gear.... Spending the extra few bucks on quality allen keys will have less of a chance to strip your bolts and will not have to take out the drill to get out yet another stripped bolt and begin your search for your replacement.

$40 Wera Color Coded Metric Allen Keys | Amazon

$5 Torqkey key T25 | Amazon

$15 Inexpensive Wera key set | Amazon

Those gears make the world go round... Drive trains consist of cassette, chains, chainrings, derailleur, shifters, and cranks. Chains, Cassettes, and chainrings are all wear items, meaning you will need to replace them. However you can extend the life of your drivetrain with a few simple tools, this is especially true if you have an e-bike.

Chain Ware Checker- they all work the same, measuring the amount your chain has worn, but if you work on your bike a lot, I've really been enjoying the more specific Park Tool Model. I always replace my chains between 0.5 and 0.75 depending on how expensive the cassettes are. Chains are cheap, and most modern-day cassettes are not. The more you replace your chain the longer your cassette will last.

MSRP: $28 | Amazon

Cassette Remover and Chain whip- I've been using chain whips since middle school they have really chained much lol. They are a tool you use so that your cassette does not spin when using a cassette removing tool. Any chain-whip will work but the new Chain whip wrenches will save your knuckles and it is on my list of new tools to invest in.

MSRP: $40 | REI

MSRP: $49 | Jenson USA

Drivetrain Cleaning Tools: A dirty drivetrain will wear out faster. Grime, gunk, and dirt all wreak havoc on drivetrains. Keep them clean and you will have to replace them less often, we promise.

We love the cheap park tools brush, we have a couple so they are always handy, whether lubing our chains at homes or at the trailhead

MSRP: $26 | Amazon

Chain Cleaner: Every month or so when we are riding a lot we like to degrease and clean using a chain cleaner. The Park Tools one is a little more expensive but it has outlasted the cheaper ones I've had tenfold.

MSRP: $26 | Amazon

Chain Pin Tool Remover and Quicklink Pilers: ChainTools don't need to be fancy and I have the same one since the late 80's and it still works today. Modern drivetrains come with chainlinks that make our lives a whole lot easier. They are called quick links. You can more easily take your chain off with quicklinks and make trailside repair so much easier. Quicklink pliers are almost an absolute necessity if you have 11 or 12 speed drivetrain. The quick links have really tight chain tolerances and need pliers to remove them. Yet another tool I can say I a need not want lol

MSRP: $15.95  USD | Jenson USA

Changing flat tires is almost like a rite of passage as you or your kids become avid cyclists. Chaining flats or swapping tires is not that hard but it can be really frustrating at times. A few tools we love to help the process go a little smoother are:

Your eyes: Make sure you put the tire in the right rotational direction. Most tires are directional and rushing this process is frustrating, and embarrassing. Take the time to look for a little arrow...

Tire levers: A set of Pedro levers can be found in a large majority of a rider's toolbox, the reason being they are cheap, light, and don't break as often as others. For mountain bikers, I'd also add the new Cush Core tire lever tool. Even if you don't run inserts, it's not too expensive and works awesome.

MSRP: $7-12 | Amazon

MSRP: $20 | Jenson USA

Saving weight and improving ride quality is a brainless upgrade to almost all the family bikes in your fleet. Setting up your tires tubeless is not that hard but I know I felt intimated the first few times I did it. Here is a video to make the process a little easier. VIDEO HERE

Presta Valve Stem Core Remover: This little tool is awesome, just buy two as you can never seem to find it when you need it. I even taped it to my tubeless pump and I managed to lose it. Better yet check out these cool new values that come with an integrated tubeless valve core remover.

MSRP: $10.50 | Amazon | Jenson USA

Gorilla Tape: Removing your rims strip to make your rims more airtight to make wheels tubeless (we've even gone down to 14" tires). Yes, there is specific bike-specific tubeless rim tape, but the fact that there are a few big rim manufacturers sell rebranded gorilla tape makes up feel much better about being cheap. We've cut down the super-wide stuff, but most of the time we use the 1'width and trim as needed.

MSRP: $8 US | Amazon

Psi Gauges: If your bikes are set up tubeless make sure you grab one of these. They are awesome. Remember to check at least every other ride. It is natural for tires to leak a small amount of air. Remember the PSI recommendations on the side of tires are for legal reasons. Our Adult bike tires, rarely go over 25 psi and regularly around 18-22 psi. For kids' bikes, we usually run from 10-15psi.

MSRP: $32 US | Amazon

Derailleur Hanger Straightener- If your kid's gears are skipping it is the best place to start. Kids are hard on bikes and Derailleur hangers are notoriously out of alignment. I was surprised how often I actually use it especially for my own bike.

MSRP: $80 | Jenson USA

Park Tool Disc Brake Piston Spreader: I love this tool and it makes adjusting brakes so much easier pre and post bleed. Just be gentle with it if you can the newer Shimano brakes as the blow-off value is more finicky than it used to be.

MSRP: $20 | Jenson USA

Knipex Plier Wrench: We have found endless uses for it and I feel like a World Cup Bike Mechanic when I use it. The 7" model works awesome for bikes.

MSRP: $57 | Amazon

Cable Cutters: A quality sharp-set that work for cables and derailleur housing.

MSRP: $39 | Jenson USA

Birzman Disc Brake Calliper Alignment Tool: I just love this little cheap tool to make adjusting your disc brakes way less finicky and painless.

MSRP: $23 | Amazon

Bike Weight Scale- Getting those bikes into reasonable weights does come at a price, but it comes in handy and definitely helps my inner bike nerd. For individual parts I use a kitchen scale, just don't tell my wife....

MSRP: $66 | Jenson USA

Flush Cutters- How many different tools do you reach for when you are cutting zip ties? After a quick trip for some stitches last summer after using an Exacto knife, I needed something different. I'll blame being a tired dad... These Klein Flush Cutters are incredible, perfect cut every time.

MSRP: $14 |Amazon

Wheel Truing Stand: I go to a buddy's house to use his when I need it but I need to stop procrastinating and learn how to build wheels, right? This one is on my list

MSRP: $320 | REI

Treating your bike to fresh cables is easy and cost-effective when you buy in bulk. 4mm housing and normal, not telfon or coded, stainless steel cables. On top of that 4mm, housing plastic end caps are what some of the best swear by and we do too. Fricton makes shifters harder to shift bot for adult and kid bikes so reducing it can really help the kids learn to shift. Kids also love colored cable ends, they are super cheap and add a bit of bling...

MSRP: $70 | Jenson USA

Stainless non coated Cables are best

MSRP: $9 | Amazon

Housing ends- Plastic is best:

MSRP: $30 (100/pck) | Amazon

Multicolored Cable Ends: Add a bit of bling to your bike and I've taught my three year old how to install them

MSRP: $7 | Amazon