CyclistsHub is supported by its readers. We may receive a commission if you buy products using our links (learn more).
This is a selection of the best bike tool kits and other essential tools that you need to maintain your bike.
The best bike tool kit is the Park Tool Starter Kit (also available at jensonusa.com). It contains the most important tools like a hex wrench set to adjust bolts, a chain checker to find out when to replace a chain, and many more, in a practical box. It also does come with a handy book full of tips on bike maintenance.
In this article, you will also learn what other tools are essential for the regular maintenance of your bike.
What Are The Best Bike Tool Kits?
The following bike tool kits are the “all-in-one” solution because they include multiple tools. You can use them to repair most defects on your bike.
If you only want a specific tool (like a floor pump, tire levers, etc.), click here to browse the essential tools.
1. Crankbrothers Multi-Tool in Case (Best Bike Multi-Tool)
Pros
- Better quality compared to the WOTOW repair tool kit
- Very portable (good for bike trips)
- Case included
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Difficult to use (low to any leverage)
- It may rust when leaving in a wet environment
This tool kit by Crankbrothers is the same type of tool kit as the WOTOW Bike Tool Kit. However, this one is much better quality and you can rely on it any time.
It comes in 5 different colors and with a storage case. The kit includes 19 different tools (hex wrenches, spoke wrench, chain tool, open wrench, screwdrivers, Torx screwdrivers) in a small form factor. You can use them for fixing the most defects on your bike.
Crankborthers tool kit is portable, so you can store it inside your jersey pocket, into a handlebar bag, saddle bag, or any other bag you have to carry.
The main disadvantage is that it may rust if you leave it in a wet environment. If it gets wet, make sure to dry it.
2. WOTOW Repair Tool Kit (Best Budget)
Pros
- Good price/value ratio
- Comes with a saddle bag
- Portable (good for bike trips)
- Lightweight
Cons
- Questionable quality
If you have a limited budget, this tool is the best bike tool kit for the money. It is super portable so that you can put it inside your saddlebag and use it when needed.
The variety of tools it offers is wide. It contains hex keys (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm), a slotted screwdriver, a solid wrench (8, 9, 10 mm), 3 pcs of tire levers, and an extra 3 mm hex key, and more.
You can use these tools for tightening bolts & nuts, replacing tires, adjusting shifting, and much more. From my experience, this type of tool kit can save you on a bike trip.
The only issue with this tool is its questionable quality. It will do its job but it is not suitable for regular maintenance.
If you can afford more money to spend, check out the Crankbrothers Multi-Tool which is much better quality.
3. Park Tool Advanced Tool Kit (Best for Pros)
Pros
- A large variety of high-quality tools
- A book on how to maintain and repair your bike included
- Durable toolbox with tray insert included
Cons
- More expensive than other tool kits in this selection
Park Tool is a renowned manufacturer of bicycle maintenance tools. Their Advanced tool kit is probably exactly what you imagine when talking about pro tool kits. It contains 36 most used bike tools, so you will be able to fix almost everything on your bike.
The possible use cases include: adjusting saddle, seat post, stem, handlebars, removing and installing pedals, replacing tires and tubes, diagnosing, cleaning and replacing a chain, and much more.
This tool kit is perfect for cyclists that want to take care of their bikes by themselves at home.
The bonus is the box comes with a book explaining the procedures and techniques on how to maintain your bike.
You will get the tools and step-by-step instructions on how to fix the defects on your bike. If you are a maintenance newbie, I am sure you appreciate it.
The biggest disadvantage of this bike tool kit is its price. If it is too expensive for you, make sure to check out the Park Tool Starter Kit which doesn’t include as many tools but is much cheaper.
4. XCH Robots Repair Bag
Pros
- Excellent price/value ratio
- Durable toolbox with tray insert included
- A large variety of tools
Cons
- Worse quality compared to the Park Tool kit
The XCH Robots repair bag tool kit comes in a durable box where you can spare all 37 tools this kit includes.
This kit also contains tools for replacing the bottom bracket, so if you are experienced enough, you can take advantage of this tool too.
Additionally, this kit contains sets of wrenches, a chain checker, chain cleaner, Torx wrenches, and other most used tools.
The main downside of this kit is its quality. The flat wrenches may bend if the bolts and nuts are too rusty.
If you want a set that contains a lot of the most used tools and you have a tight budget, go for it. Otherwise, I recommend paying more for the Park Tool Advanced kit.
5. Bikehand Tool Kit
Pros
- Pump and tube repair kit included
- Very portable (good for bike trips)
- Can be attached to a bike thanks to Velcro straps
Cons
- Worse quality compared to the other tool kits
- Difficult to use (low to any leverage)
The Bikehand tool kit is ideal for bike trips. You can attach it to your bike frame using Velcro straps.
The set includes a complete kit for replacing tires:
- A mini bike pump that can inflate up to 120 PSI.
- Tire levers for easier dismounting and mounting tires.
- Glueless patches to fix the puncture.
Bikehand tool kit is suitable for beginners. It is not a professional set for routine bike maintenance. The quality of the materials is low, so the tools may break if you apply too much force.
6. Park Tool Starter Kit (Best Starter Bike Tool Kit)
Pros
- A good variety of high-quality tools
- A book on how to maintain and repair your bike included
- Durable box included
Cons
- Price
This Park Tool Starter Kit is a little brother of the Park Tool Advanced Kit. It contains fewer tools like a hex wrench set, chain checker, chain tool, cable cutter, screwdriver, etc.
It is the best bike tool kit overall because it combines excellent quality and the most useful tools for bike maintenance. You will be able to repair the vast majority of bike defects.
It also does include the bike maintenance book as the Park Tool Advanced Kit. I am sure beginners would appreciate it.
The only shortcoming of this kit is the price that may be too high for people looking for a cheap tool kit.
Also available at jensonusa.com
The 10 Most Important Bike Tools You Should Have
Below, you can find a selection of the most important tools for maintaining and repairing your bike.
1. Slime Tube Patch Kit
Yes, I can hear you. A patch kit is not a tool! Well, you are right. But, what are you going to do when you get a puncture?
Having a patch kit with you on a bike trip is a lifesaver. With the kit, you can patch the hole in your tube, pump it with a mini pump, and continue riding.
This patch kit contains glue, a metal scuffer, and 5 rubber patches for different sizes of holes.
2. Pedro’s Bicycle Tire Lever
If you get a puncture, you will need tire levers to take the tire off.
I have a friend that is experienced enough to take the tire off without any tools. But, it takes a lot of effort.
Pedro’s tire levers will make your work much easier, and they will also save you a lot of time (and nerves). Trust me.
3. BV Bike Floor Pump
A bike floor pump is a must-have if you have a bike. It allows you to inflate tires of your bike, eventually, other inflatable things like pools, swim rings, river tubes, etc (the needle is included).
The BV Bike floor pump features a pressure indicator and can pump pressures of up to 160 PSI. This is enough for all bike types.
This pump is compatible with ‘Schrader,’ ‘Presta,’ and ‘Dunlop’ valves. This means you can use it for inflating any bike.
TIP: Browse the best bike floor pumps for MTB, road, and hybrid bikes to see more examples of high-quality floor pumps.
4. Park Tool 3-Way Hex Wrench
Phillips screwdrivers, more commonly known as hex screws, are the most useful screwdrivers for maintaining your bike.
The most common sizes used on bike screws are 4, 5, and 6 mm. And guess what? This Park Toll 3-Way offers exactly that.
So, if you need to tighten/loosen any screws, for example, for adjusting your handlebar, saddle, seat height, etc. this tool is everything you need.
5. Pro Bike Tool Torque Wrench Set
Torque wrenches are very useful for the precise tightening of bike parts. Especially if you have carbon bike parts, you will need a torque wrench because if you tighten them too hard, you may break them.
With this Park Tool torque wrench, you can tighten screws from 2 to 20-newton meters (nm).
This set also includes Hex and Torx sockets, and also an extension bar for better accessibility.
6. Park Tool Cone Wrench Set
Having a wrench set is important, especially if you need to service your brakes or hubs.
You can also install/remove pedals with it, but you won’t get as big leverage as with a dedicated pedal wrench.
This Park Tool Cone set consists of 14 different wrenches, so you won’t be surprised by any size.
7. Oumers Cassette Removal Tool
You should replace your cassette once it wears off. But it can be a pain without the right tools.
With the Oumers cassette removal tool, it is going to be super easy. You can use it for all cassette types (e.g. Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo).
This set contains the cassette lock ring that you need when removing the cassette, the chain whip, and the auxiliary wrench.
8. Park Tool Chain Checker
A bike chain life cycle varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. A quality bike chain should last around 3000 miles (around 4800 km).
To check the condition of your chain, use this simple tool. It is called a chain checker, and it will show you how much your chain extended.
If the chain is worn for about 0.5% (11 & 12 speed systems) or 0.75% (5 to 10 speed systems), you should replace it. Otherwise, you risk damaging the cassette and chainrings.
9. Oumers Chain Breaker
Once you find out with the chain checker tool that it is time to replace your bike chain, you will need a chain breaker (or pliers).
It helps you split the chain, so you can replace it with a new one. It is easy to do it at home, so you don’t have to go to a bike shop and spend money there.
The chain breaker is universal so that you can use it for any bike chain, including 7 to 11-speed chains from Shimano, Campagnolo, SRAM, and other manufacturers.
10. Park Tool Chain Cleaner Set
To increase the lifespan of your bike chain, you should clean (and lube) it properly. It can be a hassle when you don’t have the right tools.
I didn’t want to buy the chain cleaner for a long time. I thought it is not worth it. How wrong I was!
This Park Tool chain cleaner set will save you a lot of time when cleaning the chain. And don’t stop there – clean your cassette too. The cassette clean brush is included.
My Verdict
The best bike tool kit overall is the Park Tool Starter Kit (also available at jensonusa.com). Yes, it is slightly more expensive than the other kits in this selection, but it includes high-quality tools for most types of defects.
It comes with a durable box where you spare all tools. It also includes a compartment for better organization.
This tool kit includes tools like hex wrenches, a chain checker, a chain breaker, a screwdriver, and many more.
If you don’t want to buy a whole kit, you can choose from the selection of essential bike tools.
What Are the Most Important Bike Tools?
Do you know the Pareto principle? It is also called the 80/20 rule. It says that 80% of the consequences come from 20% of the causes. You may ask, why do I even talk about this? Let me explain.
The Pareto principle does not apply to business, management, investing, and similar fields only. It also applies to everyday activities, including bicycle maintenance.
This means you only need just a few tools to fix most of the defects you have with your bike.
Do you find the engineering flowchart as funny as I do? It is so true. However, you will need more than two tools for your bicycle maintenance.
You will fix the most common defects on your bike with the tools below.
| Tool | Application |
|---|---|
| Patch Kit | Fixing punctures |
| Tire Levers | Replacing tire |
| Floor pump | Inflating tires |
| 3-way Hex (Allen) wrench | Tightening/loosening screws |
| Torque wrench | Tightening screws, bolts with a specific torque |
| Wrench set | Tightening/loosening nuts, bolts, and pedals |
| Cassette removal tool | Replacing a cassette |
| Chain checker | Measuring chain condition |
| Chain breaker | Removing and replacing a chain |
| Chain cleaner | Cleaning bike chain |
If you are a beginner with a lack of bike maintenance experience, feel free to watch the following bicycle maintenance routine. It will help you to properly take care of your bike.
Go for the Quality, Not the Quantity
If there is a saying that quality is better than quantity, it is with tools. There are several reasons for this. Cheap tools wear out more easily. They will only last you a few years, and if you use them daily, maybe even less.
Cheap tools can also damage bolts and nuts. And you want to avoid that. Especially if you own a more expensive bike. I highly recommend paying more for high-quality tools. It is worth it because these tools will last.
I’m not rich enough to buy cheap things. – Old English saying
Should You Buy Bike Kit or Individual Tools?
Before you buy a bike tool kit, you should think about its pros and cons. I summarized them in the following table.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Tool Kits | • All in one solution (bike tools contain most of the tools you will need to maintain your bike). • Less time-consuming purchase compared to buying individual tools separately. | • You probably won't use all tools from the kit. • Tools in bike tool kits are often lower quality. • Bike tool kits may not contain all tools you need. |
| Individual Bike Tools | • You only buy the tools that you need. • The individual tools usually have higher quality than tools in bike tool kits. | They take up more space. They may become unstable on a rough surface. |
So, what is the conclusion here? If you are a beginner and need to tighten a few screws only, I recommend picking the individual tools. It will be cheaper than buying a whole bike tool kit that contains tools you will never use.
But, as you get more and more experienced and serious about cycling, you may also start using the ‘more advanced tools.’ At this point, go for a bike tool kit that does not contain too many tools you have at home already.
Best Bike Tool Kits FAQ
This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please, contact me.
