For the better part of my life, I have had the fortune of having access to a pretty good collection of hand tools at all times. This benefit comes from having both my father and step-father being mechanics themselves.
I was taught at an early age to value a good set of tools because they will last you a lifetime. Even longer if you buy right and treat them well.
So when I began mountain biking, there wasn’t much of a need for me to run out and buy every tool I could possibly imagine I might ever use.
Now, there were a fair amount of specialty items that I did eventually have to add to my set, most I just purchased on a ‘buy-as-needed’ basis. And now, I have a toolset that will get me through just about every job I personally will ever encounter.
But this got me to thinking, Which tool kit would I buy If I were just getting into mountain biking?
Best Kit Under $175
Pedro’s Apprentice Tool Kit ($164)
This is a great starter kit with a great selection of useful tools. Pedro’s builds decent quality tools that carry a lifetime warranty.
Though it may be a while before you need to bust out the bottom bracket socket (you can hear my musings on pedal wrenches later in this article), the rest of the tools in this kit will most likely see use regularly.
Includes:
- 7pc L Hex Set w/ Holder: 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm hex sizes.
- 8mm L Hex
- Y-Torx, T10, T25, T30
- Tire Lever Pair – Yellow
- Splined Bottom Bracket Socket
- Cassette Lockring Socket
- Bottom Bracket Wrench
- Phillips #2 Screwdriver
- Flat 5.5mm Screwdriver
- Universal Crank Puller
- Equalizer Pedal Wrench w/ 24mm Socket
- Six-Pack Chain Tool with Spoke Wrenches (3.2, 3.3 and 3.5mm)
- Cable Cutter
- Cog Wrench
Toothbrush
Best Kit Under $350
Park-Tool AK-3 ($306)
The Park-Tool AK-# Advanced Mechanics Tool kit will have just about all the tools a budding mountain biker will need. With the popularity of removable end caps on wheel hubs increasing, the cone wrenches may not in this kit not see much use, other than on the kid’s bike perhaps.
Also included with each specialty tool, is a set of instructions on how to use the tool.
Includes:
- BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Tool for 16-Notch External Bearing Cups
- BBT-32 Bottom Bracket Tool for 20-Notch Shimano® and ISIS® Drive
- BO-2 Bottle Opener
- CC-3.2 Chain Checker
- CM-5.2 Cyclone™ Chain Scrubber CN-10 Professional Cable and Housing Cutter
- CNW-2 Chainring Nut Wrench
- CT-3.2 Chain Tool
- CWP-7 Compact Crank Puller
- DCW-1 Double-Ended Cone Wrench: 13/14mm
- DCW-2 Double-Ended Cone Wrench: 15/16mm
- DCW-3 Double-Ended Cone Wrench: 17/18mm
- FR-5.2 Cassette Lockring Tool
- GP-2 Pre-Glued Super Patch Kit
- GSC-1 GearClean™ Brush
- HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Wrench Set
- MLP-1.2 Master Link Pliers
- PAW-12 12″ Adjustable Wrench
- PW-5 Home Mechanic Pedal Wrench
- RR-12 Tape Measure
- SD-2 #2 Phillips Screwdriver
- SD-3 3mm Flat Blade Screwdriver
- SR-12 Sprocket Remover / Chain Whip: 5 to 12-speed compatible
- SW-0 Precision Spoke Wrench: .127″
- SW-2 Precision Spoke Wrench: .136″
- TB-2 Emergency Tire Boots
- TL-1.2 Tire Lever Set
- TWS-3 Torx® Compatible 3-Way Wrench Soft Bristle Soaping Brush
Best Kit Under $800
Park-Tool PK-3 Professional Tool Kit ($770)
This tool kit is every new mountain bikers dream kit. It will be a rare occasion that you find yourself without the right tool for the job. Just like the all Park-Tool kits, you will receive the instruction manuals for all specialty tools.
With just about every tool you might need, this kit should keep you wrenching for days to come. It even comes with a cool parts tray to help keep track of all those pesky little screws that are so easy to lose track of.
Includes:
- ATD-1.2 Adjustable Torque Driver
- AWS-1 Three-Way Hex Wrench Set: 4, 5, 6mm
- AWS-3 Three-Way Hex Wrench Set: 2, 2.5, 3mm
- BBT-5/FR-11 Bottom Bracket/Cassette Lockring Tool for Campagnolo® (12-tooth)
- BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Tool for 16-Notch External Bearing Cups
- BBT-32 Bottom Bracket Tool for 20 Notch Shimano® and ISIS® Drive
- BCB-4.2 Bike Cleaning Brush Set
- BO-2 Bottle Opener
- CBW-1 Open End Wrench: 8/10mm
- CBW-4 Open End Wrench: 9/11mm
- CC-3.2 Chain Checker
- CCP-22 Crank Puller for Square Taper Cranks
- CCP-44 Crank Puller for Splined Cranks
- CM-5.2 Cyclone™ Chain Scrubber
- CN-10 Professional Cable and Housing Cutter
- CNW-2 Chainring Nut Wrench
- CP-1 Chain Whip Pliers
- CT-3.2 Chain Tool
- DAG-2.2 Derailleur Hanger Alignment Gauge
- DCW-1 Double-Ended Cone Wrench: 13/14mm
- DCW-2 Double-Ended Cone Wrench: 15/16mm
- DCW-3 Double-Ended Cone Wrench: 17/18mm
- DH-1 Dummy Hub
- DP-2 Threaded Dummy Pedal
- FR-5.2 Cassette Lockring Tool: Shimano®, SRAM®, Sun Race®
- GP-2 Pre-Glued Super Patch Kit
- HCW-15 36mm/32mm Headset Wrench
- HMR-8 Shop Hammer
- HT-8 8mm Hex Tool
- MLP-1.2 Master Link Pliers
- NP-6 Needle Nose Pliers
- OBW-4 Offset Brake Wrench
- OM-1 Overhaul Mat
- PAW-12 12″ Adjustable Wrench
- PH-1.2 P-Handle Hex Wrench Set
- PW-4 Professional Pedal Wrench
- RR-12 Tape Measure
- SBC-1 Spoke, Bearing and Cotter Gauge
- SCW-13 13mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SCW-14 14mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SCW-15 15mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SCW-16 16mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SCW-17 17mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SCW-18 18mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SCW-19 19mm Shop Cone Wrench
- SD-SET Shop Screwdrivers (Set of 4)
- SP-7 Side Cutter Pliers
- SW-0 Precision Spoke Wrench: .127″
- SW-1 Precision Spoke Wrench: .130″
- SW-2 Precision Spoke Wrench: .136″
- SZR-1 Shop Scissors
- TB-2 Emergency Tire Boots
- TL-1.2 Tire Lever Set
- TL-4.2 Tire Lever Set
- TWS-1 Torx® Compatible Wrench Set
Which Tools Should You Buy First
So you’ve picked up that new mountain bike you’ve been dreaming about, and are ready to hit your first trail. This is an exciting time and can be a real blast.
Bear in mind, as a new rider, you’re going to go through the typical growth curve that all mountain bikers do. During this time you will most definitely have some learning moments that are going to require you to perform some repairs.
But many times, dropping down the cash for a new ride might leave you with very little left in the wallet for a complete tool kit. In this case, you might just need to buy one tool at a time and build your own set as you grow.
The nice thing about building your own toolset, is you run much less risk of purchasing a tool you will never or rarely use. Although tool manufacturers have done an excellent job of curating their tool kits to be most useful, we have more tools than I can count that came from tool kits we’ve picked up throughout the years, that have never been used.
Whether the tool is not applicable to your particular bike, or you already have a similar tool in your household tool kit, it can be a bummer knowing that that cash could have been spent on something more useful.
Here is a list of tools you’ll most likely need first, as you dive into the world of mountain biking.
Tire Pump & Air Gauge ($25-$60) – if you’ve bought a pre-assembled bike, this is no doubt going to be the first tool you’re going to need. Bike tires, regardless of whether they are tubeless or tube type, bleed air naturally. It won’t be a week or two at most before you will need to top off your tires.
With the advent of wide rims and wider tires, mountain bikers are finding that running lower air pressure in their tires is offering them more traction and cushioning. Gone are the days of adding air until they feel hard.
I’ve played around with my air pressures for a while now, and have found that when I get down the lower pressures, a difference of just a 1-2psi can make a noticeable difference in the feel of the bike.
A good floor pump that has a built-in gauge is a great start. I personally prefer to have a separate digital gauge that measures in ½ psi increments, as they tend to be more accurate than the ones on the pump itself. I get the pressure close with the gauge on the pump, then fine tune it in with the digital gauge.
Hex Set ($10-$14) – Today’s mountain bikes are vastly held together by hex head fasteners of some sort; Torx-head and many of the high-end parts. A set of hex wrenches is a must, so unless you’ve got a set laying around the house, you’re going to want to get a set of these.
I prefer to use the T-handle style over the foldable set as they are much more intuitive to use and are much more user-friendly. That being said, I’ve had my eye on those 3-way hex wrenches for a while now and if I had to choose just one style, I’d definitely go with those over the other two.
Tire/Tube Repair Kit ($3-$10)- Mountain biking is hard on tires and it’s not going to be long before you experience your first flat. There are a number of different repair kits out there. The more basic having just a few patches and a piece of sandpaper, to rough up the surface before installing the patch. Many companies offer them with a set of tire levers as well. I like to have a kit in the shop as well as in my riding gear.
Even if you’re running your tires tubeless, there’s still a possibility that you’re going to need a patch kit or boot to get it to hold air, so don’t take chance on thinking you can get by without one.
If you are running a tubeless set up, you’ll want to pick up a set of tire plugs, or ‘bacon stips’ as they are also known. These make a much faster repair than having to partially remove the tire to install a patch. This of course assuming that the sealant hasn’t already done it’s job.
Cleaning Kit ($13-$25)- Whether you splurge for a prepackaged bike cleaning kit, or you put together your own, your bike will benefit from being kept clean.
Several brands off them as ready to go kits that include a bucket, bike soap, and an assortment of brushes to get into all those little nooks and crannies.
I’ve pretty much put together my own cleaning kit with brushes and mitts from the shop and have had pretty good results, but a set of those from Park-Tool sure do look handy.
Chain Cleaner & Lube ($25) – Chains get grodie. Especially if you keep them well lubed. Though most chain lube companies do add agents to their oils to help minimize the amount of grime that attracts to the chain, your chain is going to require frequents cleaning and lubrication if you want to get the most life out of your drivetrain.
I frequently run my chain through a cleaner device during riding season; about as often as every week or so in many cases. Not only does this keep the chain running smooth and quiet, but it also has a drastic effect on how well the bike shifts.
Screw Drivers ($15-$20) – Though there are not a huge amount of Phillips or Flat Head style screws on today’s mountain bikes, there are enough of them that vitally important to your bikes performance, that you’re going to need a set if you plan on learning to DIY your bikes maintenance.
If you already have a good set of screwdrivers (Phillips & Flat Head) at home, those should work just fine and there’s no need to pony up for a set specifically for working on your bike. Unless of course, your going for the color matched look with your tools as well.
Which Tools to Buy Next
Needle-Nose Pliers ($20-$30) – Needle nose pliers should be a staple in every mountain bikers toolbox as they are just so versatile. They can be used for crimping cable ends, cutting zip ties, getting into tight areas or many other endless amounts of tasks that.
Many of the better needle-nose pliers with a good set of cutting blades as well as multiple crimping/griping areas within the plier’s jaws.
Needle-nose pliers are not one of those tools you will want to skimp on. Less expensive brands use softer metal in their pliers that many times is just not strong enough to cut or crimping anything without putting dents into the tool.
Derailleur Alignment Tool ($55-$80) – If you’re running a multi-speed mountain bike with a rear derailleur, it won’t be long before you tweak your rear derailleur hanger when you drop your bike on its drivetrain side or smash it into some kind of trail obstacle.
Your bikes derailleur hanger is intended to get bent during these mishaps. Being made of a softer, more malleable metal allows it to take the brunt of the force, rather than the derailleur itself, or worse, the frame.
A derailleur hanger alignment tool will allow you to manipulate the hanger back into true, without having to replace it. This will get your bike back shifting nice and smooth.
Don’t bend the hanger around too much though. They are only meant to be tweaked around a small amount, do this too much and it may just snap in half during your next crash.
Chain Checker ($10-$30) – This one can be a money saver; if used regularly, you can catch a worn out chain long before it begins to cause excessive wear to the drivetrain, starts shifting poorly or just plain snaps during a hard climb.
There are a couple of different styles available and both work well in our experience. Use this often and you’ll get the most life out of your drivetrain components.
Cable Cutters ($25-$35) – Before you know it, your going to need to replace a cable or housing. Whether they begin to fray, get gummed up or break off in a crash, shifter cables, and housings need to be cut with the proper tool in order to work correctly.
Regular old side cutters won’t do the job properly. They will crush housing in half before actually cutting through it and they will cause the cable to become unwound and fray when cut.
A proper pair of cable cutter will surround the housing or cable, and slice it off clean without causing damage. You’ll want to make sure to a good pair from a quality manufacturer, as lesser built brands tend to use a very soft metal that can deform easily.
Grease ($10-$15) – Ok, so this is technically not a tool, but mountain bikes take grease; not a lot of it, but there are loads of parts on your trusty steed that are going to require regular greasing in order to maintain it’s the best performance.
Suspension links, headsets, bottom brackets, axles, hubs, the list goes on and on for components that require some either frequent re-packing to stay smooth and quiet, or even just a light coating to resist corrosion and rust.
The typical standard waterproof grease from most manufactures works just perfectly for most types of riders. You won’t need any of the ultra-high performance greases that are available. Save those for the ultra-high performance road racers.
My Most Used Tools
Tire Pump & Gauge – I’m a stickler for proper air pressure. Over/under-inflated tires have a drastic effect on mountain bike performance, so I check my tire pressure before EVERY ride.
Bike Cleaning Kit – My cleaning kit sees a lot of use, I wash my bike about once a week when I am riding frequently, more if the conditions are wetter.
Shock Pump – Not quite as often used as my tire pump, however, I do like to check in on my suspension pressures frequent. I have discovered a leaky shock much sooner as a result.
Chain Cleaner – Just like my Cleaning Kit, my chain cleaner gets used as often as once a week during the riding season.
Torque Wrench – I learned the value of a torque wrench at a young age, I torque every bolt on my bike, even the lock-rings on my grips.
Hex Sockets – These are what gets used with the torque wrench.
T-Handle Hex – These are my goto for making quick work of jobs. I loosen and snug my fasteners with a t-handle hex, then switch to the socket and torque wrench for the final tightening sequence.
Screwdrivers – These see a lot of use for derailleur adjustment, and the way I ride, my derailleur needs a lot of adjustment.
Picks – There are literally billions of different uses for a good set of picks.
Tools To Wait On
Taking a look through the Park-Tool catalog can sure spark that inner child daydreaming about a new toy. Every tool in there is without a doubt useful and makes it’s intended job easier, but many of those are infrequent or little jobs that can be performed by other tools that may already be in your set.
Here is a list of tools that, while highly useful, can be purchased down the road, if you’re just dying to own one.
Pedal Wrench – Pedal wrenches to me are more of a luxury tool than a necessity. I’m been working on bikes since I was in Elementary school and have yet to use one. I’ve always been just fine with either an open-end wrench or hex socket.
This is not to say they are not a nice tool to have on the wall, because it is nice to not have to hunt down the proper sized wrench or socket. And they do have a narrower profile so they can fit some pedals that a regular wrench might not.
Now, if I’m building my dream set of bike tools, It would surely include a top quality pedal wrench, just for the ease of use, but there are other tools that have a much more pressing demand.
Chain Pliers – These are another that fall in that category of ‘nice to have, but not a high priority’. Most of today’s chains have a master link that can be unlatched with a standard set of needle nose pliers and some forearm strength.
Though they work beautifully, do make removing your chain a bit easier, and will have a home in almost every professional mechanic’s toolbox, you’ll be able to get but with the tools you have and put that money towards something else instead.
Spanner Wrenches – Spanner wrenches are pretty much required if your plan to be working on and cup & cone style wheel hubs, but many of today’s mt. bikes come with cartridge style bearings that can be serviced with out them.
Check your hubs first to see if you’ll be needing a set of these.
Frame Prep Tools – There are a number of tools out there that work to true up and remove any unwanted machining flaws in areas such as the headtube and bb tube.
Unless you’re hand-building frames at home, it will be rare that you ever need these, as most frames manufacture perform this at the factory or your LBS will do it before assembling a bike.