Crank Racing : : Cycling

Working on your bike. For some of us, this is the best part of riding. For others, it's a good reason to sell the bike and take up running. But whether you like it or not, bike mechanics is a big part of our sport. Knowing how to fix things, and having the right tools to do it can save you time and money.
Before you prop your bike up and start tinkering, you want to have the proper tools for the job. Yeah, we've all fudged things and done the "vice-grips and channel-locks" routine. They're not pretty, but they get the job done. Heck, our whole sport was started thanks to some jury-rigged bike modifications. But now, we've got all kinds of special tools to do things the right way.

I can tell you that I've worked on bikes with generic tools for 10 years, but now that I've got "bike" tools and a work stand, I'll never go back.

I know that it can be hard to have the space you need to work on your bike, but with three simple things, you can do just about anything you need, anywhere - If you have a good work stand that folds out of the way, a way to keep your area clean and a well stocked tool box, then you've got it made.

You might not think that you need a work stand, and they are usually one of the last things that people buy when thinking about bike repairs. But if you ever want to adjust your gears or brakes or do any repairs or maintenance, bike stands are worth their weight in gold. You don't have worry about trying to lean the bike against the wall and knocking it over, breaking your back by bending over or trying to hold the back wheel up with one hand while pedaling with another hand and shifting with yet another hand.

If you've got the room, a bike stand can also be a cool way to store your bike.
There are many consumer bike stands, but one of my favorites is the Ultimate Bicycle Support Pro Stand (SRP $199). Many stands offer adjustable clamping arms and 360 degree positioning, and many set up and then fold up quickly, but I think that the Ultimate stand does a better job on all accounts. It folds up small enough to tuck away virtually anywhere, and when it is set up, it provides strong, stable support. Ultimate's Consumer Stand ($139) is great too. I do need to add though, that Pedro's has a work stand out now and it looks like it kicks some serious ass. Once I get my hands on one of those, it may take over as my favorite.

If you rent where you live, or you just want to keep your place free of oils and grease, you have to use something to protect your floor and work area. You can use a tarp or an old carpet, but neither one works as well as Finish Line's Easy-Pro Work Mat (SRP$29). The mat, which also comes in a smaller size, fits perfectly under your bike or work stand and it absorbs up to 10 times its weight in oil and other liquids. I wish that I had had a mat like this while living in my L.A. apartment. It would have been cheaper than the portion of my security deposit that I had to forfeit.

To further contain oils and grime, Finish Line also makes the Easy-Pro Parts Washer Kit (SRP $39). This self contained unit combines degreaser and a sprayer to let you professionally clean derailleurs, cogs or even carburetors. This is MUCH better than using your shower, not that I know anyone that would do that…

Regardless of where you work on your bike, you are going to need some tools, and local company, Pedros (Wilimington, MA) makes a just about everything a mechanic needs. At a minimum, you should have a good set of hex wrenches (2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm), a decent floor pump, some tire levers, a couple of small screwdrivers (Philips and flathead) and a good set of cable cutters (some cable housing will break regular wire cutters). Throw in some lube and grease and you can perform virtually any basic repairs and maintenance that your bike may need, and you should be able to get it all for around a hundred bucks.

Click here for some beginner maintenance tips - now I've got to get this grease residue out of the shower before my Jean gets home.

The tools listed here are available in many shops, or you can try their Web sites: