Bike Tools - The Tools I Use To Repair/Update/Restore Bikes

I often get asked about my bike tools. People want to see them. Where do I get them. Can I recommend a set of bike tools. These are a lot of the tools that I use to repair, update, and restore bikes. It includes general purpose tools, vintage bicycle tools, homemade tools, etc.
Here are links to a lot of my favorite tools on Amazon:
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@michaelkirwan177]

This video is a "must see" as an adjunct to setting up a shop equitably and has a no-nonsense honesty about the various tool's intrinsic value as to it's general utility. This is part of the legacy of R.J.'s generous contribution to the bike mechanics knowledge that promotes success time after time.

[@ofboriken]

I've been fixing and restoring a few bike lately and I really like it. i might open up a small shop once this covid19 shit blows over.

[@jimgray3346]

what are you his publicist or something? :)

[@ahuman4]

@@jimgray3346 um

[@magicbox9371]

@@jimgray3346very few bike mechanics know what they are doing. After all if they did the same tools can earn you better money working on something else. Your typical bike shop mechanic works in a bike store because he can’t be relied on for a 2000lb vehicle capable of 60mph. It is rare and should be acknowledged this channel and these videos are great for learning or guidance in proper service on what most people think is a very simple mechanism that in fact unless done properly is not simple. I do not let anyone fix my bike, car, home, home appliances, power tools or even do my taxes…..this guy can work on my bike(if I cut my arms off) ….I don’t know him-I recieve no compensation for this statement and this is not my normal comment. I am whats called a hater or flamer….. I point out and explain how you are wrong. So just for you I will say…..dental tools are not for bikes. The same tool with a proper handle is available through craftsman, snap on, harbor freight and is called a prick or a prick set. They come in several shapes and are stronger than dental tools with proper handles. (I said PRICK). =p

[@bruceb7222]

Excellent RJ! A guy can never have too many tools! 👍

[@vaux_manvv7520]

The wife will never get it lol

[@hunkydude322]

thanks for your tips, this is a million times better than taking courses at a vocational shool. great video.

[@Drago0900]

Well. Here I am with a pile of tools that I never thought I would buy, instead going to the 50 mile away shop to get it fixed. But they kept messing up installs, lied saying they would or wouldn’t do something. So I got sick of it. And just from the money spent on one junk bike shop visit (200$) I have a bunch of bike specific tools. Now I work on fixing others bikes occasionally. Interesting how your videos have guided me in times of throwing a wrench. Thank you.

[@mathias5171]

I like to think you are the bike mechanic bro of the lockpicking lawyer.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I like his vids!

[@timothycharlesorr]

Didn’t think I’d watch this whole thing, but it’s totally worth it. Learned about some new cool tool ideas. Thanks!!

[@margallanti7195]

What a collection of tools

[@mastersofharmonica6200]

I was a pro mechanic years ago...this is the most thorough presentation of tools i've ever seen, and I learned a few things. Wow...RJ The Bike Guy really has created a deep well of bike mechanic wisdom for us, thanks RJ.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Thanks! I love tools, and am always gathering more. :D

[@Grizzly907LA]

Park tools are nice but not everyone can afford them so we use what we can, along with some improvise, adapt and overcome...love some of the homemade tools btw. I've been watching of guys in third world countries, refurbishing, rebuilding (whatever,) bikes using simple tools, and not optimal conditions.

[@mastersofharmonica6200]

RJ is a treasure trove of info...and he kindly shares all...cool.....and THANKS RJ THE BIKE GUY

[@drmoynihan]

Thank you for sharing this. So helpful as I work on bikes and think - hmmmm - what do I need now to do this?????

[@Albanez39]

I can't find most of these tools in my country. The bike stores don't sell them because they want you to spend money every time you need something fixed, although you can borrow simple wrenches for a few minutes if you just have to tighten something in a hurry. Buying the tools online costs a fortune considering shipping and customs fees. I needed a cone wrench at all costs, so I bought a very thin wrench multi tool for $3 , I used a file and sandpaper to make it thin enough to fit the cones I had and it worked xD

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes, I have made a cone wrench by taking a regular box end wrench, and grinding it thinner. If you can't buy the tools, then try to make them.

[@curbme1]

best advice from video for me is buy the specific tool you need as and when..

[@switchofftogettagrip1400]

Definitely NOT rushing out to buy all these tools, buy as needed Taking baby steps with cheap junk bikes first. Wife needs a bike, so got 2 for $50 see if I can save the 2nd one & earn my money back. Also got a kids bike for free, probably only rust and minor issues (priced similar bike in big retail shop $340 for similar bike - a child will need a bike sooner or later - whatever it costs me in parts of required.

[@roncooke2188]

Great set of tools interesting to see and very useful kit, some i have never seen before even in the past 40 years

[@KG-jr8lc]

46 min... gonna be good

[@LawrenceSeetoh]

it is good

[@justjordan8018]

Fun fact Wrench key 15 mm is found in almost no set. As if they know that is the one you needed the most in old bikes. It's the one for the pedals and bolt wheel axes.

[@dcorica79]

A Park tools addiction is as expensive as a snapon tools addiction

[@vaux_manvv7520]

I am addicted too lol

[@sturedman6920]

I use the Y Wrench from Pedro's (4-5-6mm) excellent tool

[@quoththeraven3985]

Snap-on is garbage now, they sold the name years ago,

[@johnwilson230]

Park bike tools are the best the rest just chew ect and snap on again brillant built to last and nice to work with. Just about all my bike tools I buy park tools😊

[@Deadbuck73]

Friggin Bite Me! That’s wicked awesome!

[@petersymons7817]

Thank u. Knipex 5 inch

[@loricrum9111]

Love my Park derailleur hangar alignment tool. Expensive, but cost less than a trip to and from the bike shop with the price of gas these days. My index shifting went from terrible autoshifting hell to perfect.

[@DABombeeck]

What kind of grease do you use in your grease gun? keep up the good work! love your videos.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Marine grease.

[@shadowfeetmatt5921]

Nice bike boss ingat palagis byahe

[@ibikehannover]

9:35 More power ... muahahahah!!! LMFAO ;-)

[@OjStudios]

Loved this video to the fullest! "What you get, more powah, muhahah!"

[@dylanewelch]

"well bite me" i lol'd. youtube quote of 2k16

[@mikeh6286]

well bite me! :-D

[@JW86SH]

This comment should get pinned at the top of the comments...lol. It needs more likes!

[@stem27hernandezkenmartinm.72]

Mopawer baby!

[@allanbuttery5297]

The Tioga 32mm Headset spanner which i still own was a free accessory that was found when i bought a sealed USA bottom bracket back in 1983. How this happened is still a mystery?

[@pitbull65taz]

Legend has it that the dude that packed that bottom bracket is still looking for his spanner...🤣

[@________2705]

RJ the Loves-Bike-Tools Guy )

[@zigzag8111]

I think tool obsession is a secondary hobby to loving bikes....I owns lots of bikes and lots tools 🤔 But when I buy a nice bike I spend a lot of time tweaking it, to my liking 😂 My favourites are the old 3 speeds

[@ovisinonescu3565]

Thanks to you i open my own bike service! I love your videos and tips! Awsome job

[@betruly7894]

Do you bring them all with you for ride every time? 😂 Honestly thank you for the video

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I pretty much only bring a multitool, tire levers, and nanoflate. A couple CO2 carts.

[@jjkullberg4924]

I followed RJ's instructions to make the frame spreader and dropout alignment tools with some threaded rods and a bunch of nuts and washers. Worked perfectly. Love these videos.

[@vancester1st]

I received those calipers today from Amazon. I like how the instructions say to wear safety goggles when using and to wash hands thoroughly after use... So far so good.

[@charredskeleton]

Given the lead contamination on Chinese goods I'd wash my hands before I touched my face.

[@willnonya]

thank you

[@MrRicardoax01]

Great video RJ...

[@isilber1]

Thanks for this video. I also love my Dulco grease gun, and digital calipers. I've had really good experiences with Pedro's tools in general, and specifically their cable cutters and tire levers. I really like that you go into a lot of detail!

[@okeke4811]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@rmirabelle]

Thanks for taking the time to do this. Informative!

[@trishalilly2924]

Dam that's a lot of tools. puts my basic kit to shame.

[@MP-zf7kg]

a lot of the tools you get as needed; I think folks get tired of the time, cost, and aggravation of going to the LBS for every repair.

[@ahuman4]

4 years

[@chrisdauber8656]

At 6:19 in the video, those are hemostatic pliers. Used for clamping off blood vessels during surgery. Also super handy for getting into tight areas!

[@MrBose-kz6mi]

We call it a "Kocher"

[@Toots-yf7fb]

Could u possibly show us how u store your tools. As most of my tools live in a small tool box.

[@alonzomartii]

5:38 RJ says!

[@brutus1808]

For a home mechanic who is just starting out they should not buy expensive tools to start of with but I'm a in depth home machanic which tools from the following brands Cyclo tools,bike hut,Topeak, park tool ,Birzman they all have life time Warrenty because they are very expensive brands and I like to have quility tools to work on my bikes but they do cost a lot of money but I have a cheap chain whip too which is brilliant I don't wanna spend 50 pound on a tool I use once in a while and it's great for 6 pounds from amazon don't just go buying tools which the pros use sometimes cheap is just as good for a home mechanic not for a pro which uses them everyday who needs expensive tools to earn a living a home mechanic wants to save some money by not going to shop every time they need a bike repair or service but the best investment in your tool collection will be a pair of quility cable cutters that's a big money saving tool can't live without my ones

[@osceolahansen2644]

One of your most informative vids! 👍🏾 very thorough!!

[@chungalunga18]

I have already 90% tools from this video.And the video is really good. Thanks for that.

[@spinachbitc5474]

GREAT!

[@AbuGrabIt]

Hahahah 5:39 "Bite me." Great line RJ; sometimes ppl need to say Bite me.

[@madgav935]

The park tool pk 5 can save you about 200 dollars if you don’t buy them separately

[@craiggreenwood1859]

Hi... Great videos very informative and I've learned a lot from them, but wondered if you could do a video on how you go about researching and sourcing all the small parts that go into your bike builds especially the vintage bikes. Cheers.

[@disgruntledtoons]

Phillips screws = ugh. Any engineer who directs their use in a situation requiring any torque whatsoever should be fired.

[@Albanez39]

Agreed. They are great if used to close plastic enclosures (TV, toys and other electronics), but they have no place whatsoever in the world of metallic appliances, bikes, cars, machinery and so on...

[@brokemanfishing6413]

Mr the Bike Guy, what's a good beginner tool set? I've seen multiple out there but don't want to get burned. Thank you

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't recommend buying a tool set. Most of them are made up of cheap tools. And depending on the kit and your bike, half the tools may not even work for your bike. Buy the tools as you need them, and buy quality tools.

[@charredskeleton]

Eklind makes some of the best allen wrenches out there. I've used them in an industrial setting for 10 years.

[@dennisberry2699]

ajustable wrench have to be used in the right direction

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Nashbar essentials tool kit $50 dollars great quality and you will use everything in the set.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I haven't seen this specific tool set. The kits I have seen have generally been low quality tools.

[@mannyortiz5533]

nice tools!

[@TJuice1986]

I went on amazon and added quite a few tools on my wish list. Thank you for the tips, your channel is a huge help!!

[@RenegadeThrifter]

This is awesome 😎. My grandfather use to be in the Tour de France 🇫🇷 back in the older days. Have the right tools when you need them is a smart way to be prepared in case you run into a problem on the road or back roads

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

These tools pretty much just stay at home. On the road, I carry a multitool, a couple tire levers, and a microflate with a couple co2 carts.

[@TofinoRider]

Great video sir. I felt like I was watching an episode of the Friendly Giant there for a minute. The big hands pointing at important stuff.

[@maxwell8tre]

Love your vids RJ, you’re a very helpful guy! One thing to point out about the Park Tool obw3 is that the little adjuster paddles fit to the back side of kids’ horseshoe caliper brakes to adjust the loading spring position from the rear without any marring to the spring or calliper paint. Those brakes have flummoxed many a frustrated adult on Christmas Eve, haha! Well, that’s the tool you need to adjust them and pull them in line any potential suffering parents of small cyclists out there!

[@anthonymelendy4612]

I've been a woodworker for over 40 years and collected tools for my trade and working on my motorcycle pretty much the same way . A lot were bought new but then a lot came from garage sales, estate sales and flea markets . Some of them I got just because somebody died and the family knew I liked tools .

[@mathguy829]

Hi RJ, who makes your beam style torque wrench? Thanks, -J

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Lots of companies. Mine is Craftsman.

[@3Repete]

Extension Bar. It's not cheating, it's using leverage to gain mechanical advantage!

[@garryveitch714]

Thank you so much for uploading this video, I searched your videos just like two days ago looking for something like this.

[@forestfirestarter]

Excellent videlo thank you . My favourite tool here is a lenght of steel pipe over a spanner with WD40 for freeing seized pedals .just rockng your spanner back and fort untill the rust releases You also cant beat files: round,flat,half round and triangular in large and very small for the day you dont have that drill bit or just want to make an opening slightly larger. Ifind them the only way for making axels fit in small drop outs ie file two sides.Youl also dont heat or distort the steel as you would with a grinder its easier to be more accuate too

[@magicbox9371]

I got a rule….if you show me a tool and don’t know what it’s for you should just give it to me (after all, you can’t properly use it). Thats how I got my thread file. I honestly can’t recall what my friend thought it was but most people have never heard of it. I make lots of tools but this I can not make. I have a large collection of taps I have made from bolts and axels with a precise narrow cut cross thread. When I made attachments for Caterpillar I could cut a combo wrench out of white paper and hand it to a guy running a steel cutting machine with an electric eye and he could toss a sheet of steel on it and lay the paper wrench on the black reader surface and the eye would follow the edge and guide the cutting head and in minutes you have a 1-1/2” (or a 3-1/2”) combo wrench.

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Just remember that cheap and inexpensive are not the same thing. You don't have to buy overpriced parktool tools to get quality, you can get tool of the same or better quality for far less money.

[@kovie9162]

The one tool that I wish I had but don't know of is something that would hold a cable tight while tightening the lock nut but without flattening the cable the way that vice grips do. Yeah you can accomplish much the same with a third hand tool, but only for rim brakes, not derailleurs. ...Oops, looks like such a tool exists, I hadn't seen the video all the way through when I posted this. But I basically have all the other tools here, at least the ones I'd need for my bike. Some are crossovers from my fairly extensive car tool collection, e.g. torque wrenches, ratchets, sockets, spanners, punches, picks, hammers, tap & die set, even an impact wrench for the occasional really stuck crank arm or cassette lock ring.

[@switchofftogettagrip1400]

Sweet as, searched something about bicycle restoration tools required, your channel came up down the page a bit (Brave browser). Saved about 6 playlists. Then went looking for this video! Yet to watch it !!! I'm sure you tube has loads of channels about bike restoration but your playlists have loads of videos in them I am sure would have taken me ages to find! Will be watching this video with pen and paper or copy & paste transcript then edit it at the end or do that and screen shot tools (you got a tool making playlist very cool - no idea what's in it yet).

[@gordonjones4705]

Hi can you help Ive got a rear freewheel MF-TZ500-7 I’m looking to buy a removable tool can you tell me which one I need or any equivalent thank

[@patherman6309]

Check the Super T Handle Metric set, a compact new design that solves the rotational problem when torque is not needed (at Amazon).

[@Carlos-the-cyclist]

Always to have a basic tools sets for some simple repairs

[@lineartechbd1600]

Where can I buy that thread file? Also, what is the brand name of that thread file?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000K1GAH6/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@derekhobbs1102]

I used impact driver to get my bottom bracket out the first time.

[@mtbboy1993]

Very informative video.well made and informative. tool sets, are pointless, for me, because many of them have tools I don't need, or don't have the once I need. So I pick the best tools i can get. Some of the tools I have never heard of.

[@ardvarkkkkk1]

Johannes Nilsen I second that about tool sets. There are always things in there that you don't need and missing things you do need.

[@regibson23]

The opinions about the quality of Craftsman and Harbor Freight tools hasn't aged well. ;) It's reversed. HF is solid now and Craftsman is how HF used to be.

[@Dangling_Carrot]

I could buy park tools. I just rather buy cheaper 85 piece sets 5 times over and still cheaper that 8 piece park tool set.

[@taperecorder3]

the vice grips you are showing is not american made dewalt nebraska vintage vice grips, but chineese trash

[@erolon28]

Thank you RJ, you always have the best and most informative videos.

[@SuperOlds88]

The cheater-bar or the pipe wrench come in handy when someone makes a stupid comment about your choice of tools.

[@moehuh]

So many tools! Wow. Thanks, this is really helpful

[@arnebrat]

Hi ! Call from Norway! Thanks for great videos! But I need your help. I have torn apart a Shimano Nexus 7 internal gears hub, due to it was stuck since water had come into it. I also took apart the "inner " axel with the springs ( Numbered 14 on the exploited view drawing(for hub SG-7C18) from Shimano) Can you or do you know anybody who can help me with how it shall be put together again?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Sorry, I have not worked on one of those yet. I have videos of overhauling some old 3 speed hubs. Some bits might be similar.

[@callumjackson100]

Apart from park tool is there any good quaility tool makes that you reccomend?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Pedros, VAR, Hozan are a few.

[@OjStudios]

Icetoolz is nice too. It's Taiwan company and quality/price ratio is good.

[@Thecrazyvaclav]

Unior,Slovenian made,make park tools look like overpriced junk(which a lot of their tools are)

[@mathisbourcier1126]

Did you say "sometimes I've boughten" hahaha that's a first for me. Google says it exists in some dialects of english.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Probably.

[@curierfromxibalba1155]

9:35 you went full Jeremy Clarkson there. lol!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

More like Tim Taylor.

[@peterjv8748]

Hope your back is healing well.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Getting better slowly. I still have not broken one of those.

[@ZeroColdx911]

Btw you can make a grease dispenser with a ziplock bag, works really well

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I like my mini grease gun.

[@dara_1989]

dental , surgical , plumbing , elec , car garage , carpenter, etc ... all incl 😂👍

[@percaine]

I've been wanting to try wheel truing for a while but the tools are too expensive(I'm in Canada and most things are too expensive here). I took a chance and made my own truing stand and bought some more reasonably priced spoke wrenches and so far they are working great and the quality of the spoke wrenches is really good unlike my truing skills..lol I guess that will come with a lot of practice.

[@tomasperezalvarado4133]

Videos en español por Favor

[@travistownsend509]

first full minute . i work on bikes and i have aquired tools

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Great video on "Must have tools" & "Not Must have tools".

[@DaemonCross]

Hi, Are their alternatives for 11mm hexes. As I can't seem to find those to open up my freehub. All I ever see are 10mm's.

[@lucianonarno1408]

Simon Kendrick So I had a hard time finding a 12mm hex to remove a freehub from some shimano hubs. From what Ive experienced working on bikes, free hub bodies come in even numbers (8mm, 10mm and 12mm).

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

If you really need an 11mm, I searched on ebay for "11mm hex" and found some. Park tool has both 11mm and 12mm in their P handle wrenches: www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000NU0SK4/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@DaemonCross]

Ah, Well... Was kinda hoping for an alternative of sorts. As Shipping to where I live (Philippines) is more expensive than the product, haha. Any plans on a video on howto make your own HEX keys? Haha.

[@ChristianGenz]

Great video, I've been looking forward to something like this. For some odd reason I've been put in charge of purchasing tools for the student driven bike shop I'm volunteering at and this was very helpful.

[@thewinnipegtransitfan1014]

you can make your own dishing tool

[@jasondaniels8725]

Hey rj I just wanted to let u no probably u no this but anyways I use a dentist tool to open the cable housing went putting the cable in to the housing cable as well that very good tool to have and the screwdriver with the point you have on it as well it good I work on a lot of Raleigh road bike that u have to feed the cable in to the frame to put the cable housing to the back brake of the bike and that dentist tool really help with problem like that to catch it and feed it through the frame

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I use an awl.

[@Justmyopinionlol]

you should do an update on this video. I think I need mainly specialized cassette and crankset and bottom bracket tools now.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't have that many more tools since the video.

[@tubularrr1]

nice set of tools!

[@CngBng]

Bought a cheap set of cable cutters awhile back and they didn't even make it through a single cut.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yeah, good quality cable cutters are worth it.

[@bikinbeyondboundaries4716]

Is Boughton a word or a name brand?

[@aussietrail-rider1492]

Bikin' Beyond Boundaries hahahahah