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 Replace Internally Routed Cables on a Bike
Do you have any tips on how to replace internally routed cables? I always dread changing mine.
Nearly every mechanic has cursed the widespread adoption of internally routed cables for the...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Replacing Bike Brake Cables How To
Most bicyclers are quite familiar with changing their brake pads as they're one of the first things that start to go after excessive riding. Over the course of a life though, having to swap out...
Company: Shimano
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Index Rear Bike Gears
Most cyclers are familiar with the sweet sound of a gear clicking into place when they make a flick of their shifter. In a perfect world this isn't accompanied by any quick jerking and with little...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Set Derailleur Limits
It's good to push things to the limit when you're rock climbing or running a 5K but the derailleur on your bike should stay well within it's set range. The upper and lower limits of your...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Fix a Bent Rear Derailleur
Peter wants to know: my bike fell over on the drive side and bent my derailleur hanger. Do you have any tips on how to straighten it back out?
Having a spare derailleur hanger on hand is...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Install a Bike Seat on 3 Different Seat Posts
I'm going to show you how to install and adjust a saddle on three of the most basic type of seat posts.
This is the first one, it requires 6 mm allen key. All you're going to...
Company: Bontrager
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Install Fenders on a Bike
I'm here to show you how to install fenders on your bike. It's actually a pretty easy process, you only need a couple tools: 15 mm wrench, 10 mm wrench, 5 mm allen wrench, and 3 mm allen wrench....
Type: Repair Tutorial
Install Campagnolo Over Torque (BB30) Bottom Bracket and Cranks
In this video, we're going to show you how to fit a Campagnolo over torque bottom bracket and change set. The over torque bottom bracket is a standard BB 30 press fit. To do this job, you'll need...
Company: Park Campagnolo
Type: Repair Tutorial
Fix Bike Crank Bolt Issues
For the most part bolts that creek or are loose are a pretty easy fix, either tighten them, lube them, or replace them. That's partly true with bicycle bolts as well but when dealing with the...
Company: Truvativ
Type: Repair Tutorial
Several Methods for How to Install a Rear Rack onto Bicycle
Let's install a rack on the back of your bike. It's surprisingly easy to do this, but first let's start by pre assembling our rack and making sure that the struts that attach the rack to the top...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Cut Bike Steer Tube and Tap Star Nut Down
I'm going to be trimming down my steer tube. I actually just thought this up on how to tap the star nut down without using an actual star nut tool. What I'm going to do is...
Company: Cane Creek Truvativ
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Remove a Bike Stem
I'm going to show you how to remove the stem from your bicycle. First thing you want to do is to make sure that your wheel has been removed so that when you disassemble the top cap...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Bicycle Wheel Cartridge Bearing Maintenance
Ian wants to know: the bearings in my Roval wheel feel rough when I spin them around. How do I replace the bearings or overhaul my hub?
The quick way to overhaul cartridge bearings is...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Change a Mountainbike Handlebar Stem
For many consumers, once they buy their new bike they'll never think twice about the handlebar stem as it generally doesn't cause the rider any problems. There are times though when a bad spill...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Fixing a Stuck Seat Post
As far as DIY bike replacements go, changing out a bike seat is pretty simple. You simply loosen up the nut keeping the seat on and pull it out for a more comfortable model. Unfortunately if it's...
Type: Repair Tutorial
How to Set Up and Adjust Cantilever Brakes
Hi, I'm Jonathan from Franklinton CycleWorks. Today I'm going show you how to adjust your cantilever brakes. Now, cantilever brakes are also known as cyclocross brakes because...
Type: Repair Tutorial
Replace a Road or Mountain Bike Chainring
Why would you want to replace your chainrings? Well, it might be that you’re upgrading them, changing the size, or you might want to experiment with some Osymetric or Rotor rings on the road. If...
Company: Park Campagnolo Shimano
Type: Repair Tutorial
Install a Baby Seat to the Back of Your Bike
Most parents have used the 'baby in the car' trick to go on a long ride and get their little one to sleep. Well with today's high gas prices and if your toddler is being stubborn it could cost you...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Shimano Rear Derailleur Adjustment
Rear derailleurs for the most part are relatively maintenance free except for lubing and cleaning regularly. One minor fix you may have to perform on a regular basis is an adjustment for when the...
Type: Repair Tutorial
DIY Hollowtech II Crank Installation
The crank is the powerhouse that keeps your bicycle moving and from time to time the unit needs to be replaced or you might just want an upgrade. One such improvement can be made to your cycling...
Company: Continental Shimano Dura Ace
Type: Repair Tutorial