WORKSHOP TOOLS

The equipment you need to fettle away in the increasingly complex world of road bike tech.

Drop-bar bikes have changed massively in recent years, but those changes are not reflected in most off-the-shelf tool boxes. So what tools do you really need to service and maintain the latest tubeless-tyred, hydraulically braked machines?

All-in-one tool kits with their collections of colour-coordinated, neatly arranged equipment are a wonderful thing. But while they may be nice to look at (and cheaper than buying all the necessary bits and pieces individually), few of these sets contain the right combination of tools to contend with all the latest components that are being bolted on to bikes. As such, gradually building up a toolkit based on what you actually need is a smarter route towards home-workshop heaven. But just what are the tools you need to repair and service today’s bikes? And what workshop equipment is it worth investing in if you want to bypass the bike shop entirely?