My Hive wallet took a plunge lately, all for a good reason. I've been using some of my Hive savings to slowly build a bicycle worshop at home. Readers might imagine that costs to maintain a bicycle in a professional mechanic is quite prohibitive for those who pedal everyday (even worse for racers).
So, after doing le wild math, it becomes evident: buying tools is cheaper over time than paying for the services. Also, as a mechanical engineer, it should be fairly easy to repair any bicycle at home. So, why not?
In this post we'll discuss bicycle maintenance. Let's compare DIY vs. paid services and discuss what tools are worth purchasing. I'll also share some tips for those who want to acquire professional/specific tools without spending tons of money.
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As bicycles get more and more advanced with fancy parts and bits, depending on a proper bicycle workshop becomes a costly consequence. Most of the repairs, however, we can do at home using basic tools, such as a set of Allen keys. On the other hand, those seeking to dig in deeper into the bicycle's entrails will need specific tools. Like a linear curve: the fancier the bike, the fancier the tools.
Comparing DIY repairs vs pro workshop is highly variable. It depends on the level of expertise of the workshops around you, the type of bicycle you have, your accessibility to tools, the frequency of your maintenance, etc.
Here are some of my numbers, considering my use case.
Bike: 2019 12-speed Sonder Frontier MTB hardtail that's both used for training/competition. It's a simple bike to maintain, though requires some modern bicycle tools.
Estimated Maintenance:
What if we bought the tools?
Starting with 200 USD we can buy most of the main tools straightaway if searching on the right place. Only remember that bicycle tools can get VERY expensive depending on the brands (Partk Tools, for example, is known for their top-notch quality and high prices.)
Example of what you can get for 200 USD, from the most basic to the more advanced.
It's possible to fully service a bicycle with the above tools, except for the suspension and hydraulic brakes (fluid bleeding). I didn't include in the list some general purpose tools such as screwdrivers, socket wrenches, etc. Again, that's based on my use case; for you, it might vary greatly depending on your bicycle and its requirements. See the list as a mere example that most likely serves for the majority of us.
Basic tools
The above tools will allow you to to work on pretty much everything on a bicycle. You could, for example, swap a worn-out chain; change cables; adjust seat height, stem position/alignment; change pedals; align brake calipers; adjust gears and much more. Also, a good multi-tool is perfect to take on longer rides away from home.
If you wanna go deeper into a bike maintenance, more specific tools are required.
Specific tools
Here we have (top) a rear derailleur alignment tool. That's is not often used by everyone, but is surely important to properly set the gears on a full service or whenever we bash the bicycle onto something. It's a super useful tool.
The next tools are used to remove BSA bottom-brakets and HG cassettes. These are tools to work on specific parts, which means they might change from bicycle to bicycle. If you wanna get into more in-depth maintenance, you gotta find the tools to attend your bicycle. Nothing that a web search won't solve.
Very specific tools
Lastly, we have a set of bearing press inserts and bearing puller. These are very specific tools to install/remove BB and hub bearings. Such tools see no use throughout the year for the normal commuter. How many times do you blow a bearing on your bicycle? Never. However, those into racing (especially mountain-biking) might consider having those tools at home to give the bearings that deep clean after a muddy race.
Alright, now you are excited to buy a bunch of tools. Aren't you? But where the heck can we find them? The internet is the answer.
If you really want to blow the biscuit, search for Park Tools. Keep in mind though: they are a hella expensive for most of us. The normal folk can start in a regular hardware store. The secret for great bargains is to avoid bicycle stores, since they generally offer over-priced tools.
Everything else that is not on hardware stores' shelves, you will find on Chinese marketplaces (aka Aliexpress). Most big brands from China offer quality stuff that'll last forever in the hands of a hobbyist mechanic. Pay attention to reviews and you should be fine.
Buying any kind of tool is a never-ending process; there's always something we need. At least the positive part of being a hobbyist mechanic is that stuff will last a century if taken care of. Plus, we can always dilute the expenses with tools over time as we diminish costs with a mechanic — the scale balances itself.
In that sense, deciding to service the bicycle at home goes beyond the cost-benefit: it touches our curiosity. The chance of acquiring a different knowledge while developing new skills is immeasurable.
I hope that this post inspires you to get the hands dirty and never forget to keep on pedaling.
Peace.
Disclaimer: The author of this post is a convict broke backpacker, who has travelled more than 10.000 km hitchhiking and more than 5.000 km cycling. Following him may cause severe problems of wanderlust and inquietud. You've been warned.
