Difference between revisions of "Bike tools"

Latest revision as of 13:38, 14 July 2022

For how storing bikes works at the Hackspace, see Bike storage.

This page details the assortment of bike tools available in the space, including photos. They are kept in the Bike Area.

Tools owned by and loaned to the Hackspace

Sockets and Spanners

Note: The drawers won't open until you've lifted the lid.

Puncture Repair Kits

This contains the glue and patches that you may need to repair a flat tyre.

Some air will naturally escape from your tyre over time, so If your bike has not been used for a while it may not actually have a puncture. Try pumping up your tyre and leaving it for an hour to see if it maintains the same pressure.

After using the glue, please endure that the lid is replaced tightly as the glue quickly evaporates.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2sKMqB9QCg

Freewheel / Cassette Removal Tool and Chain Whip

These tools are for removing and refitting the rear sprockets from the rear wheel.

Freewheel vs Cassette

A freewheel will have the ratchet system (aka the clicky bit) built into it, whilst a cassette slides on to a separate ratchet system (the freehub). Most budget bicycles with 7 rear sprockets or less will be fitted with a freewheel, whilst other bikes will have a cassette.

The tool is compatible with the vast majority of cassettes and freewheels.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTeL6zIqYtY

Chain Breaker / Chain Pliers

These tools are for “breaking” the chain open, which will enable you to remove your chain.

These days many new bikes come with a split link fitted to the chain, which can quickly be detached and re-attached using the chain pliers. If your chain does not have a split link, you will need to use the chain breaker to press a pin out of your chain to release it.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1qBdtmXZFo

Chain Gauge

Use this tool to check how worn your chain is. As you ride your bike, the pins in the chain wear down, causing your chain to stretch. Riding with a worn chain can wear down your sprockets, which can be costly to repair, so it is worth checking your chain wear regularly.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXd-3UnqoaM

Wheel Truing Stand and Spoke Key

(Wheel Truing Stand on loan from Mike Haber)

This tool is to check and straighten your wheels. Straight wheels are important for bikes with rim brakes, as it prevents the wheel rubbing on your brakes as you ride. It also allows means you can set your brakes closer to your rims, allow for sharper braking.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YqpZg_-FIM

Crescent Wrench

Most budget bikes use a cup-and-cone ball bearing system on the bottom bracket (the axle between the peddles/front sprocket). As the bearings wear, or if the cones loosen, you will start to feel play in the bottom bracket. The crescent wrench can be used along with a spanner to access and service these bearings.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrkqf91H_Zk

Bottom Bracket Cartridge Extractor

Many mid range and older bikes will be fitted with a non-serviceable Bottom Bracket cartridge. When this is worn out, the whole unit will need replacing. This tool enables you to remove and re-fit this part.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBnYoYVTnlo

Chainset Extractor

The Chainset is the collection of sprockets and the peddle arm in the centre of the bike. Most bikes are fitted with a two piece chain set where each side is pressed onto a centre axle (the bottom bracket). This tool enables you to push the chainset off the bottom bracket.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B6LdZPa4M8

Pedal Wrench

This tool is for removing your bikes pedals. Please note that the right side pedal has a right-hand thread (ie. Turn anticlockwise to loosen). This can also be used as a cone wrench.

Cone Wrench

These wrenches are for removing and loosening the bearing cones on your wheel axles. You will need this tool when replacing your wheel bearings.

How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIB0tfz6ju4

Workstand

It's a bit wobbly, so make sure the quick releases are tight. It's not secure enough to work on pedals or bottom brackets, but it's great for using to set up your brakes and gears. Best to secure your bike by the seatpost, but if your cables aren't routed along the top tube you could turn the clamp and secure it there too.

This stand is fully adjustable and can hold your bike in various positions. By using this stand, you will be able to suspend your bike, enabling you to turn the peddles and wheels uninhibited. When using the stand whilst setting your gears and brakes, make sure the stand’s grip is not pressing against any of your bike’s cables.

Allen Keys

Set up to 10mm and 1x12mm (can remove some freehub assemblies)

Consumables

All purpose Grease

Oil

A limited number of chain split links

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The hackspace currently has a set of bicycle tools on loan from --[[User:Davidhayward|Davidhayward]], plus some other relevant tools that belong to the space. They're located in the members room, and secured with a combination lock. Ask David for the combination if you'd like to use them.
+{{Update|reason=Make sub-location and add more specific location details for each tool.|date=June 2019}}
+:''For how storing bikes works at the Hackspace, see [[Bike Area#Bike storage|Bike storage]].''
-If you are interested in how storing bikes works at the Hackspace, please see our [[Bike Storage]] page.
+This page details the assortment of '''bike tools''' available in the space, including photos. They are kept in the [[Bike Area]].
-Here are photos of all of the tools and explanations of what they are.
+==Tools owned by and loaned to the Hackspace==
-If in doubt of any aspects of bike maintenance, David can help.
+===Sockets and Spanners===
-===Bike Tools Owned by the Hackspace:===
+{{Note|The drawers won't open until you've lifted the lid.}}
+<gallery>
+File:IMAG0035.jpg
+File:IMAG0036.jpg
+</gallery>
-====Sockets and Spanners:====
-Note that the drawers won't open until you've lifted the lid.
-[[File:IMAG0035.jpg]][[File:IMAG0036.jpg]]
+===Puncture Repair Kits===
+This contains the glue and patches that you may need to repair a flat tyre.
+Some air will naturally escape from your tyre over time, so If your bike has not been used for a while it may not actually have a puncture.  Try pumping up your tyre and leaving it for an hour to see if it maintains the same pressure.
-====Track pumps:====
+After using the glue, please endure that the lid is replaced tightly as the glue quickly evaporates.
-The tripod-legged track pump needs repair.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2sKMqB9QCg
-[[File:IMAG0034.jpg]]
+===Freewheel / Cassette Removal Tool and Chain Whip===
+<gallery>
+File:Cassettetool.jpg
+File:Cainwhip.jpg
+</gallery>
-[[Category:Pages_for_Update]]
+These tools are for removing and refitting the rear sprockets from the rear wheel.
+====Freewheel vs Cassette====
+A freewheel will have the ratchet system (aka the clicky bit) built into it, whilst a cassette slides on to a separate ratchet system (the freehub).
+Most budget bicycles with 7 rear sprockets or less will be fitted with a freewheel, whilst other bikes will have a cassette.
-====Workstand:====
+The tool is compatible with the vast majority of cassettes and freewheels.
-It's a bit wobbly, so make sure the quick releases are tight. It's not secure enough to work on pedals or bottom brackets, but it's great for using to set up your brakes and gears. Best to secure your bike by the seatpost, but if your cables aren't routed along the top tube you could turn the clamp and secure it there too.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTeL6zIqYtY
-[[File:IMAG0033.jpg]]
+===Chain Breaker / Chain Pliers===
-====Brakes and Headset:====
+<gallery>
+File:Chain Pliers.jpg
+File:ChainBreaker.jpg
+</gallery>
+These tools are for “breaking” the chain open, which will enable you to remove your chain.
-[[File:IMAG0022.jpg]]
+These days many new bikes come with a split link fitted to the chain, which can quickly be detached and re-attached using the chain pliers. If your chain does not have a split link, you will need to use the chain breaker to press a pin out of your chain to release it.
-* 1. Headset cup remover. For sliding up into your head tube, then using a rubber mallet to knock bearing cups out of the frame.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1qBdtmXZFo
-* 2. Home made tool for bashing crown races flat onto new forks (PVC pipe).
-* 3. Home made headset cup press, for putting cups back into your frame.
-* 4. Star nut installation tool.
-* 5. Brake cable housing cutters. These have parrot beak shaped jaws, so you can chop brake and gear cable housings without squashing them; important for keeping the cables running smoothly. Please look after these, they're not a cheap tool. Also have a deburring awl under the rubber cap for opening out the housing ends.
-* 6. Cables ends, and headset spacers (for 1 1/8 headsets).
-====Wheels:====
+===Chain Gauge===
+<gallery>
+File:ChainGauge.jpg
+</gallery>
+Use this tool to check how worn your chain is.  As you ride your bike, the pins in the chain wear down, causing your chain to stretch.  Riding with a worn chain can wear down your sprockets, which can be costly to repair, so it is worth checking your chain wear regularly.
-[[File:IMAG0024.jpg]]
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXd-3UnqoaM
-* 1. Cone spanners, for adjusting hubs.
+===Wheel Truing Stand and Spoke Key===
-* 2. Tyre levers. Metal and ABS.
+(Wheel Truing Stand on loan from Mike Haber)
-* 3. Box of brass spoke nipples. <span style="color:#FFFFFF">Heh. Nipples.</span>
+<gallery>
-* 4. Valve caps
+File:Truingstand.jpg
-* 5. Spoke keys. Yellow = 3.4 mm Japanese spokes, Red = 3.25 mm American spokes. The other two are very old and I'm not sure about them.
+File:Spokekey.png
-* 6. Pump. This is additional to the two track pumps that belong to the hackspace.
+</gallery>
+This tool is to check and straighten your wheels.
+Straight wheels are important for bikes with rim brakes, as it prevents the wheel rubbing on your brakes as you ride.  It also allows means you can set your brakes closer to your rims, allow for sharper braking.
-Spoke nipples, cable ends, and valve caps are consumables, feel free to use them if you need them.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YqpZg_-FIM
+===Crescent Wrench===
+<gallery>
+File:Crescentwrench.jpg
+</gallery>
+Most budget bikes use a cup-and-cone ball bearing system on the bottom bracket (the axle between the peddles/front sprocket).  As the bearings wear, or if the cones loosen, you will start to feel play in the bottom bracket.
+The crescent wrench can be used along with a spanner to access and service these bearings.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrkqf91H_Zk
+===Bottom Bracket Cartridge Extractor===
+<gallery>
+File:Bbextractor.jpg
+</gallery>
+Many mid range and older bikes will be fitted with a non-serviceable Bottom Bracket cartridge.  When this is worn out, the whole unit will need replacing.
+This tool enables you to remove and re-fit this part.
-====Chainset:====
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBnYoYVTnlo
-[[File:IMAG0020.jpg]]
+===Chainset Extractor===
+<gallery>
+File:Crankextractor.jpg
+</gallery>
+The Chainset is the collection of sprockets and the peddle arm in the centre of the bike.  Most bikes are fitted with a two piece chain set where each side is pressed onto a centre axle (the bottom bracket).  This tool enables you to push the chainset off the bottom bracket.
-* 1. Crank extractor for splined cranks. Octalink, ISIS, etc.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B6LdZPa4M8
-* 2. Chain link breaker. Used for shortening new chains to the correct length for your chainset, also removing chains that don't have a quick/missing link.
-* 3. Chain wear indicator. Place rounded section against roller. If the tooth at the opposite end slips into the chain easily, it indicates the level of wear corresponding to the side you use, 0.75% or 1% wear. Depending on your chain manufacturer, both can indicate the need for chain replacement. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q40ygZ4E65g Video of one in use]].
-* 4. Crank extractor for square taper cranks.
-* 5. 24mm socket, for use with cassette lock ring tool.
-* 6. Cassette lockring tool. For removing and replacing the sprockets on the back wheel of your bike.
-* 7. Bottom bracket tool. Fits Shimano sealed cartridge bottom brackets. It takes a 1/2 inch drive, and the torque wrenches are 1/4, but there's an adapter in the red box with the Sealey torque wrench (see below).
-* 8. Chain whip. For removing cassettes.
-Additionally, these master link pliers have been added to the toolkit:
+===Pedal Wrench===
+<gallery>
+File:Pedalwrench.jpg
+</gallery>
+This tool is for removing your bikes pedals.  Please note that the right side pedal has a right-hand thread (ie. Turn anticlockwise to loosen).
+This can also be used as a cone wrench.
-[[File:Master-link-pliers.jpg‎]]
+===Cone Wrench===
+<gallery>
+File:Conespanners.jpg
+</gallery>
+These wrenches are for removing and loosening the bearing cones on your wheel axles.  You will need this tool when replacing your wheel bearings.
-Because the handles are already blue, they have white tape on them.
+How to use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIB0tfz6ju4
-====General Tools:====
+===Workstand===
+<gallery>
-[[File:IMAG0019.jpg]]
+File:MaintenanceStand.jpg
+</gallery>
-* 1. Ball end allen keys. Please keep these in the bike toolkit and not with the other hackspace tools.
+It's a bit wobbly, so make sure the quick releases are tight. It's not secure enough to work on pedals or bottom brackets, but it's great for using to set up your brakes and gears. Best to secure your bike by the seatpost, but if your cables aren't routed along the top tube you could turn the clamp and secure it there too.
-* 2. Small allen keys. Useful for the odd bolt on something, e.g. locking grips.
-* 3. Scissors. Rubbish ones, sometimes useful to have around, ok for chopping zip ties, etc.
-* 4. Adjustable spanners. If theres a correctly sized spanner in the box for sockets and spanners, you'd be much better off using that than these, as adjustable spanners can damage nuts more easily. Nonetheless, they're useful for truing brake rotors and much, much cheaper than rotor truing forks.
-* 5. Thread locking compound. Very useful for making sure things stay tightened up.
-====Torque Wrenches and Sockets:====
-Torque wrenches live in the bottom of the toolbox along with a printed torque reference, and the magnetic parts tray plus sockets and allen+star bits live in a blue case nearby.
+This stand is fully adjustable and can hold your bike in various positions.  By using this stand, you will be able to suspend your bike, enabling you to turn the peddles and wheels uninhibited.
+When using the stand whilst setting your gears and brakes, make sure the stand’s grip is not pressing against any of your bike’s cables.
-WARNING: Do not drop torque wrenches. They'll need calibrating afterward, and that costs about £30 a wrench.
-[[File:IMAG0030.jpg]][[File:IMAG0026.jpg]]
+===Allen Keys===
+<gallery>
+File:AllenKeys.jpg
+</gallery>
+Set up to 10mm and 1x12mm (can remove some freehub assemblies)
-List of them:
+===Consumables===
+All purpose Grease
-[[File:IMAG0021.jpg]]
+Oil
-* 1. 10 - 70 N.m. Torque wrench. Good for things like pedals and bottom brackets.
+A limited number of chain split links
-* 2. Fork plug. Usually used for posting forks, but useful for putting on them when you're working on the bike without a front wheel, changing forks, etc.
-* 3. Anti-seize. Copper grease.
-* 4. Sealey 4 - 24 N.m. Torque wrench. Good for most bolts.
-* 5. Drive adapters. These live in the bottom of the red box with the Sealey torque wrench, and allow 1/4" to interface with sockets that take different size drives. Again, please keep in the red box with the torque wrench when you're not using them.
-Here are the torque markings on the wrenches:
-[[File:IMAG0027.jpg]]
-Again, any questions about bike maintenance, ask [[User:Davidhayward|Davidhayward]].
+==See also==
+* [[/Missing|Missing tools]]
+* [[Suppliers#Bicycle_tools_and_parts|Suppliers - Bicycle tools and parts]]
+[[Category:Bicycles]]
 [[Category:Tools and Equipment]]
-[[Category:Featured]]