bicycle repair Tip What's in Seth's Toolbox? > Bicycle Repair Tips

 

Today we're going to have a look at what's
in my toolbox, and I'll be damned if I don't
find someplace with a breeze to do it.
Now that it’s officially summer, my backyard
is totally inhospitable.
Although big tools like repair stands, large
allen key sets, truing stands, and presses
always live right at home, 3/4 of my stuff
fits in a portable toolbox.
As a city dweller with limited space, it’s
perfect.
Here you’ll find the usual tools that everyone
needs, like allen keys, screwdrivers, and
adjustable wrenches just in case.
I also keep a few spare multi tools on hand.
For BMX repairs I always have two ratchets
with a 15mm, 17mm, and extension ready to
go.
These sockets fill in the voids when I need
other sizes.
Here’s something that most of you should
have, actual Torx bits!
I know it’s tempting to jam an Allen key
in, but these are much easier.
Since I do bring this box with me on certain
occasions, I keep a hand pump in here for
emergencies.
There’s always a floor pump in my car so
I rarely need this.
I also have some very useful tools in here
which most riders are missing.
For instance, a utility scissor, which is
great for unpacking new bikes, installing
grip tape, and cutting valve stems out of
inner tubes—you know, for ghetto tubeless
installations.
Somehow I end up using the scissor a lot.
This rag is also really nice to have, and
works much better than a paper towel.
As you’ve seen, I have this scale which
is actually designed for weighing fish.
Until I started this channel I didn’t have
a need to weigh anything, but I use it all
the time now to compare the weight of bikes
and components.
Best $13 I ever spent.
Here’s a pipe cutter, which can be used
on steel and aluminum tubes.
It seems like the last thing we want to do
these days is cut down our bars, but I have
an obsessive compulsive tendency to cut fork
and seat tubes.
This is way smaller and easier than a hack
saw.
Some tools are only useful on older bikes,
or Walmart bikes.
I keep stuff like headset wrenches, spanners,
and other such oddities on hand since I do
end up using them more often than you’d
think.
Although most pedals these days can be fastened
with allen keys, a pedal wrench is a must
have for BMX, kids bikes, and older mountain
bikes.
Usually a standard wrench will not be narrow
enough for pedals.
I also like the fact that it can turn a 15mm
bolt in a pinch.
Here’s something I rarely use anymore, a
set of tire levers.
In my opinion, these Pedro’s levers are
some of the best you can get.
For stubborn road tires they’re a lifesaver,
but all my mountain bikes can be serviced
by hand now.
Speaking of Pedro’s, this is the best crank
puller I’ve ever owned.
I bought this one when I got fed up with my
cheap crank puller, and I’ve been quite
satisfied with it.
Another company I really like is Park Tool.
Besides the fact that they make every bike
tool in existence, they have a Tech Tuesday
series starring Calvin Jones.
[Show clip] For anyone who wants to learn
about bike repair, this the most informative
and entertaining way to do it.
This suspension pump is a must have for anyone
with air suspension.
A floor or hand pump will rarely, if ever,
fit the valve on a shock, nor will it be capable
or accurate enough to be used effectively.
These pumps usually go well above 200psi,
in tiny increments.
This cutter will help you avoid fraying your
cables and mashing your housings.
When I was a kid, I was quite guilty of using
random tools for cutting brake and gear cables,
but this makes life so much easier.
While performing these repairs, a cable puller,
or third hand, will let you adjust the tension
with one hand, leaving you free to operate
a wrench with the other.
Although this is common in bike shops, I haven’t
met many home mechanics who keep this around.
When working at a shop as a teenager, I grew
to really like this tool.
If you ever need to replace or service a cassette,
good luck getting it off without these.
A whip helps you keep things in place, while
this cassette tool makes turning the cap possible.
I’ve seen hacks for this on the Internet,
but these don’t cost enough to justify the
risk in my opinion.
I have other tools in here like spoke wrenches,
a brush, chain tool, master link tool, and
even a cup remover, but let’s stop for a
second and pay homage to my absolute favorite
tool in the world; The 3-way hex wrench.
Anyone who owns one of these knows how ergonomic
and awesome it is.
Park Tool introduced this design before I
was even born, and since then it has become
a staple tool in every bike shop.
So that’s my little toolbox.
I left a link below to a list of everything
in the video.
When you consider how huge an auto mechanic’s
work area is, it’s pretty awesome that a
home bike mechanic can fit almost everything
they need under their kitchen sink.
What’s in your toolbox?
Anything unique?
Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for riding with me today, and I’ll
see you next time.