Welcome back to Threaded, the column for pro mechanics, enthusiast DIYers, and the tool-obsessed. In this edition, I’ll share a handful of unexpected tools that have nothing to do with bikes that I’ve found rather handy on bikes. I’ll also share a few new tools that have just hit the market, and a second-hand tool with some real cycling history that's up for sale.
Unexpected finds
From pliers to hex wrenches, to screwdrivers and measurement tools, so much of a well-equipped bicycle workshop doesn’t need to be sourced from within the cycling world. In fact, I commonly recommend that you look beyond cycling brands for such general tools (such as with hex keys and screwdrivers).
Then we get to the tools that you simply wouldn’t think to think about. These may be found in the hardware store for an entirely different purpose, or perhaps are hidden in the depths of the internet.
While not intended to be an exhaustive list of non-cycling things useful for bicycle servicing, this is a short list of tools I simply wouldn’t want to do without that you may not have considered or even know exist. And if you see cycling tool brands offering these in future, you’ll know why.
Vikan bottle brush
A nice quality bottle brush and a spritz of Isopropyl Alcohol make the perfect combo for quickly cleaning out those dirty disc brake calipers before pushing the pistons back in. Meanwhile, an ever-bigger bottle brush quickly cleans out suspension fork lowers or bottom bracket shells (best to keep dedicated brushes for both tasks to avoid bringing greasy grit into the fork).
Did we do a good job with this story?
