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You can count on Topeak products because the company listens carefully to
riders and continually invents great new gear. In fact, if you've said, "if only
they made a watchamacallit," chances are that Topeak does, or will soon! Come
see our great Topeak accessories and tools today!
Topeak's HighLite Combo is a lightweight set with plenty of power. The WhiteLite
headlight boasts 3 super-bright white LEDs with blinking and steady modes sure
to catch the attention of drivers and other riders. And the RedLite taillight
provides 4 LEDs worth of lighting power with steady and flashing modes. Best of
all, neither light requires hardware to mount. Batteries are included, too.
Topeak's MTX Trunk Bag DX boasts an expandable main compartment featuring rigid
foam-insulated walls so it's capable of carrying plenty of gear. The padded
shoulder strap makes it easy to carry this sweet bag, and Topeak's mounts make
it a snap to attach the DX to beam and traditional racks. Best of all, unlike
other super-sized items, adding the DX to your bicycling diet will actually
lower your cholesterol!
Topeak's Pocket Shock lets you fine-tune your suspension shocks at home and on
the trail. It's compact to easily fit in tool boxes, jersey pockets, hydration
packs and seat bags. The durable aluminum barrel and gauge make it easy to
inflate shocks up to 300 psi. Great features include a pressure-release button,
a locking handle, 2 valve fittings and a pull-out hose that reaches
hard-to-access shocks.
The DeFender RX rear fender offers durable mud protection on wet and sloppy
rides. It's incredibly light and easy-to-use, too. The quick-release seatpost
attachment allows the DeFender to be installed and removed in seconds.
When a mechanical problem has you feeling lost in space, the Alien II is the
extraterrestrial that will ensure you don't have to phone home. Its
molded-plastic body provides an excellent gripping surface and splits in two
with a press of a button. Tools include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm Allen
wrenches; 8, 9, 10mm box wrenches; Phillips and regular screwdrivers; a
universal chain tool; 14- and 15-gauge spoke wrenches; a stainless-steel knife;
a T25 Torx wrench for disc brakes; and a compartment for 2 chain pins. There's
even a handy bottle opener for after the ride!
Welcome to the broadest line of bicycle tools in the world. All Park Tools
are manufactured to exacting standards and backed by a limited lifetime
warranty. These are the same tools that are preferred by professional bicycle
mechanics around the world. Come to 111 NE Washington Bartlesville, OKlahoma and
talk to the friendly people by Adventure Bicycle Center. 918 333-9222
Basic Bicycle Tools
One of the great things about bicycles is that they're relatively easy to
maintain and repair. In most cases you can solve problems with the kit you carry
on your bike, which should include a spare tube, tire levers, all-in-one tool
and pump. This allows replacing the tube and handling minor issues, such as
fine-tuning parts that loosen or go out of adjustment.
As you master simple fixes, you may get interested in doing more involved
repairs, such as replacing worn cables, cleaning the drivetrain, upgrading
certain parts or even straightening wheel wobbles. These tasks and more are well
within your capabilities if you have the right tools and a little know-how.
This article outlines a tool list and supplies to equip you for these basic
repairs. Some tools you may already own. Others are bicycle-specific instruments
that we carry. There's no need to rush out and buy all these tools right away.
Instead, assemble your selection as you need them. This approach ensures that
you get tools that you really need for your brand and model of bicycle (tools
required vary accordingly).
How do you know which tools you need and how to use them? We recommend picking
up a book about bicycle maintenance and visiting the Park Tool website, which
includes informative explanations of their many bicycle tools and a complete
repair section. And don't forget that we're always happy to advise, too!
A good stand makes repairs easier.
Equipment and Supplies
Repair stand (photo, above, right): While it's possible to work on bicycles when
they're propped on the floor or hung from a rafter or beam, once you've used a
repair stand you'll wonder how you lived without one. It elevates the bike so
you're able to inspect the parts up close and without throwing your back out in
the process. It makes it easy to spin the wheels, and brake and shift to check
adjustments. And, some stands are portable so you can easily take them with you
to double-check your bike before the start of the ride. Tip: Most bumper/hitch
car bicycle racks will work as repair stands in a pinch.
Workbench or counter: A place to lay out your tools and that part you're working
on.
Vise (photo, right): To hold things so that you can use both hands to work on
it. Tip: A vise is most useful if it's firmly attached to the bench so you can
pound or pull without the vise losing its grip or moving.
Apron: The main purpose of an apron is protecting your clothes. Plus, most
include pockets, allowing you to stash commonly used tools within easy reach for
more efficient wrenching. Tip: When you're hunting for that "lost" tool, check
your apron pockets first.
Rubber gloves: While bicycle repair isn't as grimy as automobile work, it's
still smart to protect your hands from lubricants, solvents, scrapes and other
abuse.
Goggles: Eye protection is a must in any workshop.
Lubricants: Keep drip or spray lube and grease handy for easy access.
Thread adhesives: Secures parts so they cannot loosen.
Anti-Seize: Prevents parts from rusting together.
Solvents: For degreasing/cleaning parts. Tip: Consider biodegradable ones, such
as Simple Green.
Alcohol: For cleaning rims and brake pads. Also great for installing handlebar
grips.
Rags: You can't have too many.
Hand cleaner: This cuts grease faster than soap and may even contain lanolin to
save your skin.
Zip-ties: Handy for attaching things.
Chain-cleaning kit (photo, right): This is comprised of a plastic case with
stiff brushes inside. You fill this with solvent and install it on the chain.
Then by pedaling, you cause the brushes to scrub the chain clean. Tip: Some
people prefer to remove chains for cleaning or to simply clean them with a rag
dipped in solvent.
Regular Hand Tools
Tip: You may already have many of these tools, which are useful around the
home/garage. If not, they're widely available in hardware stores or home
centers.
Small and medium regular (photo, right) screwdrivers
Small and medium Phillips screwdrivers
Combination wrench set including 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17mm
wrenches
Regular pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Small and medium Vise-Grip pliers
Plumbers' (also called "waterpump") pliers
Diagonal cutters
6-inch adjustable wrench
12-inch adjustable wrench
Ballpeen hammer (8-ounce size is about right)
Plastic or rubber mallet
Hacksaw (photo, right)
Course and fine file (flat and half-round)
Metal punches and chisels
Outside/inside caliper
Awl
Knife
Scissors
Special Bicycle Tools
Tip: Which specialty tools you need depends on the type(s) of bicycles you're
working on. For example, you won't need the tools required for repairing
adjustable bottom brackets if the bike you maintain is equipped with a cartridge
bottom bracket. If you have any questions about which tools are required for
your bicycle, ride it in and we'll take a look and show you what you need.
8, 9, 10mm "Y" tool
Allen wrench set comprised of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10mm wrenches
4, 5, 6mm combination Allen wrench (photo, right) or folding Allen wrench set
Metric/English tape measure
Floor pump with gauge
Chain tool (compatible with your chain)
Spoke wrench (to fit your spoke nipples)
3 tire levers
Pedal wrench (photo, middle)
2 each: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18mm cone wrenches
Axle vise
Cassette lockring remover
Chain whip
Cable cutter (photo, bottom)
Crankarm removal tools
Chainring bolt wrench
Adjustable bottom-bracket tools
Cartridge bottom-bracket tools
Threaded-headset wrenches
Torx hex wrenches
Torque wrench
Truing stand Tip: alternatively, you can true wheels in the frame and fork.
Dishing tool
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