[HandsomeRyan]

This is a multifaceted question:

• What tools do you think are most important for a cyclist/home bike mechanic to have in their toolbox at home?

• What tools/supplies do you carry with you on your bike?

• What tools do you not own that you think would help your wrenching?

I'll start:

1) These are most of my "bike specific" tools I use at home. I have various screw drivers, allen wrenches, sockets, and whatnot too but since they are not bike specific I didn't bother to picture them.

2) This is what I like to carry with me when I ride. Overkill I know. The "Trixie Tool is because I ride fixed gear or nutted axles.

3) I'd love to have a wheel truing stand, a spoke tensionometer, and some pin spanners.

 

[Skidmark]

Great post! Very informative to a nube rider for sure. Thanks.

 

[hophead]

What tools do you think are most important for a cyclist/home bike mechanic to have in their toolbox at home?

That depends on what you work on or feel comfortable working on. It also depends on what bikes you have and/or work on.

This is a basic list of tools that I'd recommend. Some tools will vary with what you're working on. For instance, a crank puller will depend on the type of interface (e.g. square taper, ISIS, etc.)

-Chain breaker
-Crank puller (if required)
-Cone wrenches
-Allen wrenches (I like P-wrenches the best)
-Crainring nut wrench
-Bottom bracket wrench
-freewheel or cassette tool
-chain whip
-pedal wrench
-cable cutter
-set of screwdrivers
-tire levers
-spoke wrenches
-Drivetrain cleaning tools
-Grease gun
-Patch kit
-Repair stand
-Headset wrench if you work on bikes with threaded headsets

What tools/supplies do you carry with you on your bike?

Minimal:
-spare tube
-patch kit
-C02 inflator and/or mini pump
-Multitool (preferably stainless steel)
-tire levers if not included on your multitool
-Any other bike specific tools that may be needed for your particular bike to make on the trail/road repairs (e.g. 15 mm wrench for singlespeeds with track nuts)
-Water

For long rides or rides in remote areas, in addition to the above:
-Food
-Additional water or carbon filtration pump
-First aid, kit including any special need medications like emergency inhaler for asthmatics
-space blanket
-Endurolytes or other electrolyte supplement
-Second spare tube
-Source of fire (lighter, matches, magnesium fire starter)
-Flashlight or other artificial source of light
-Bike lights if night riding
-GPS
-Compass
-Map
-Knife
-Duct tape
-Zip ties

Some of the items from the second list may need to be added to the first list in certain circumstances.

What tools do you not own that you think would help your wrenching?

You can never have too many tools. I have a fairly extensive collection, but there are a few that I have yet to accuire...
-Chris King hub service tool
-Crown race setter (I've been using a piece of PVC pipe)
-Santa Cruz VPP bearing press
-White Ind. ENO crank lockring tool
Hmmmmmm, I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of for now.