hex wrench
Also referred to as allen wrench (or misspelled as alan) and it is a necessity for your toolbox. A good set of metric allen wrenches is likely the most essential tool for modern bicycles. They are hexagonal rods of varying width (1mm – 10mm) designed to fit the many bolts on modern bikes from water bottle cage, to headset, to crank bolts. If you find yourself working on bikes for a significant portion of your week, a nice set of allen keys is a must. I like the L shaped ones with a nice rubber or plastic molded grip at the bend. For many a compact multi-tool that includes the most common allen key sizes will be all that is required. Alternatives to allen wrenches include hexagonal rods of varying width by mm or even a good set of metric hex wrenches will do the trick. Just buy a set.
hex wrench Tutorials
How to Check and Adjust a Front Derailleur
How to adjust a front derailleur:
Before you adjust your front derailleur, make sure that the rear one is working properly. For this job, all you will need is a 5mm allen wrench, a phillips...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Check and Adjust a Rear Derailleur
How to adjust your rear derailleur:
What does your rear derailleur actually do? It is responsible for moving your chain from one cog to the next. It does this by pushing or pulling the...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Check Road Brake Equipment and Make Adjustments
How to adjust your brakes:
For this job, you’ll only need a 4,5, and 6mm allen wrench, and a phillips screwdriver.
Before you get into adjustments, it is a good idea to make sure...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Great Introductory Tutorial: Parts of a Bike Headset and How to Adjust
Let’s talk about adjusting your headset.
You might not even know what your headset is, and if you do, you might not know if it’s loose or not. But, if it is, chances are you had heard that...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Adjust Shimano Dura Ace 9000 Hubs & Typical Cone or Cup Bicycle Hubs
Adjust Shimano Dura Ace 9000 Hubs:
Before getting specifically into Shimano Dura Ace Hubs, it is important to understand how to adjust a typical cup or cone hub. With this hub, you have a...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Rebuild RaceFace Atlas Bike Pedals
Not only are RaceFace Atlas pedals incredibly easy to rebuild, but also really tough and light.
The first step is to use a 3mm allen to remove the spare pin form the end of the axle. Then,...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Install a RaceFace Narrow/Wide Single Chainring
RaceFace’s new chainring has a narrow/wide narrow tooth profile. It retains the chain without the need of a guide or a keeper, and it’s reducing some weight.
Look at...
Company: Race Face
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Route Brake Cable Hose on RockShox RS-1 Fork
RS-1 Brake Hose Routing:
Proper brake hose routing on the RS-1 is important to make sure your hose is not rubbing on your wheel or tire, and to make sure the brake hose is not damaging the...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Assemble a Ritchey Break-Away Bike
A lot of engineering has gone into making the Ritchey Break-Away Bike easy for you to assemble and ride.
The first couple times you assemble yours, make sure you take your time and get it...
Company: Ritchey
Type: Repair Tutorial
Install Cane Creek Double Barrel Shock
How to install the double barrel onto your frame:If you are installing the shock on a nice frame it can be a good idea to protect it. This can be done with a piece of foam or something similar...
Company: Cane Creek
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Install FSA Handlebar and Stem
FSA Stem & Handlebar Installation:For this you will need a 4mm allen key and a torque wrench. Slide the FSA stem on to the fork steerer tube. Ensure that both threads have a light layer...
Company: FSA
Type: Repair Tutorial
Install and Maintain FSA MegaExo Crankset
FSA Road Alloy MegaExo Crankset installation:
You will need the following tools: FSA MegaExo BB Cup Tool, torque wrench, FSA MegaExo Socket Tool, grease, and a 4mm & 5mm allen key....
Company: FSA
Type: Repair Tutorial
Install and Adjust SRAM Road Derailleurs
Required told: 5 mm hex, torque wrench, phillips head screwdriver, flat head screwdriver, derailleur alignment tool, cable cutters, and needle nose pliers.
It is important to note that Sram...
Company: SRAM
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Bleed SRAM Hydraulic Disc Brakes
This video will show you how to properly bleed your SRAM Hydraulic disc brakes.
You will need the following tools and supplies: Avid Bleed Kit, T10 Torx Wrench, 2.5 mm Hex wrench, torque...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Stop External Bottom Bracket Creaks and Remove Cranks
Taking off crank and eliminating creaks:
This video will deal with external bottom bracket styles. You will need a chain breaker, bottom bracket puller, 8mm allen, 4-5-6 mm allen, a...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Installing and Adjusting Sram Red DoubleTap Shifters
This video will show you how to install and adjust Sram DoubleTap Shifters.
You will need the following tools and supplies: a 2.5 & 5 mm hex wrenches, a torque wrench, a pair of cable...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Mounting of CeramicSpeed with BB30 Bottom Brackets and Tool
CeramicSpeed bearings are hand made in Denmark from the finest quality components and special CeramicSpeed balls. Each part is designed to have the lowest friction possible and the longest...
Company: CeramicSpeed Park
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY How to Quickly Repair Rapid Fire Trigger Bike Shifters
If you’re rapid fire trigger shifter is having trouble catching or shifting properly, there is an easy way to get the shifter working properly again.
There first thing to do is rotate the...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Pack Your Bicycle in a Bike Box for Travel
The Bike Tube Hint: Don’t rush off and buy a professional bike box or bike bag. First head over to your local bike shop and ask if they have any leftover boxes from when bikes were shipped to...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY How to Tighten Loose Water Bottle Bosses/Rive-nuts
“I have an old CAAD 6 road frame and the lower water bottle boss on the down tube has come loose. Do you have any tips to fix it?”
Water bottle bosses are also known as rive-nuts, and they...
Type: Repair Tutorial