Tools for Maintaining a Cross Bike

It's not just cross bikes; all bicycles need to be maintained.

In particular, sports bikes like road bikes and cross bikes require more diligent maintenance than city cycles (mamachari).

This is because they go faster and are ridden for longer distances than city cycles.

Maintenance tasks

As we've mentioned in other articles, there are "daily checks" and "periodic inspections" when it comes to maintenance.

Daily checks are simple inspections you can perform every day before riding your bike.

Periodic inspections are professional maintenance services that you would get, for example, after a year.

What we'll be discussing here is self-inspection and maintenance, which could be called "weekend maintenance."

The main tasks involve cleaning the main body, wiping away a week's worth of dirt, checking for loose screws, and inspecting the frame for cracks or damage.

Tools needed for maintenance

Here are the tools you'll need for maintenance.

If we started listing all possible tools, it would be endless, so this time we'll focus on what's needed for "weekend maintenance."

1. Adjustable wrench

2. Wrench

3. Ratchet wrench

4. Screwdriver

5. Lubricant

6. Gloves

7. Rags

Now, let's go over each one.

About adjustable wrenches

Although we're introducing it, an adjustable wrench is rarely used in bicycle maintenance.

Unlike a regular wrench, it can turn hexagonal bolts of various sizes and is highly versatile. However, the red circled part in the image moves.

If it only slid, it would be fine, but it also moves slightly in the direction of rotation, which can damage the edges when you apply force to turn a bolt.

In simpler terms, an adjustable wrench can damage bolts if used repeatedly.

Of course, if used correctly, the chances are lower, but aligning it perfectly with the head of the bolt is surprisingly difficult.

As someone with experience adjusting machinery, I don't use adjustable wrenches for adjusting precision equipment.

It requires many of them, but I use open-end wrenches.

About open-end wrenches

You might think you'd need many open-end wrenches, but if you only buy the sizes you need, they aren't very expensive tools. (If we're talking about high-end tools, even a single open-end wrench can be expensive...)

At home centers, they are sold in sets of six for under 1000 yen.

Those aren't bad, but since there will be sizes you won't use, buying individual ones for about 500 yen or 1000 yen each will prevent damage to bolts.

Regarding tools, the more expensive they are, the higher the probability that they are good tools.

Choosing tools from well-known brands or popular products is also a good idea.

Popular products often have reasons for their popularity.

■ About ratchet wrenches

A ratchet wrench is used for tightening bolts, such as those that secure pedals.

It rarely appears in routine maintenance, but there are certain areas you can't access without one, so I recommend acquiring one when you can.

There are sets available for around 3000 yen.

While you can buy individual wrenches, a set is recommended for wrenches.

They come in a dedicated box, so you won't lose the bits.

Also, you'll quickly know which size goes where, making work easier.

If you have them individually, you'll surprisingly often lose them.

I bought a set including a toolbox for about 15,000 yen, and honestly, I haven't had any problems.

Frankly, it's not a very expensive tool, so I can't speak authoritatively, but this level of tool is perfectly adequate for "weekend maintenance."

■ About screwdrivers

A regular Phillips screwdriver is sufficient.

They come in sizes #1, #2, and #3, but buying a #2 should cover most bicycle maintenance needs.

The image shows an electric screwdriver, but there's absolutely no need for an electric one for bicycle maintenance.

■ About lubricants

CRC 5-56 is a well-known lubricant.

Some people call it CRC.

It's used on lubricating parts, but it has little effect when used on sprockets or chains.

This is because its viscosity is low, so it will scatter everywhere due to centrifugal force once you start riding.

In most cases, it will stain your pant cuffs or the bike frame, so we recommend using a specialized product for chain lubrication.

■ About gloves

I didn't think I needed them at first, but your hands always get dirty when you do maintenance.

Especially the black dirt that gets under your fingernails looks unclean and doesn't come off easily even after washing your hands a bit.

To avoid discontinuing your weekend maintenance due to this, please try using gloves.

They don't need to be expensive.

You can find them at 100-yen shops, and there are also packs of 50 or 100 thin disposable gloves.

They are useful not so much for their non-slip properties, but to keep your hands clean.

■ About rags

A rag means something like a "worn-out cloth."

You can think of it as a dust cloth, but since you'll be wiping your precious bicycle, anything too dirty is a no-go.

The best rags are those that can be thrown away once they get dirty, rather than washed.

If you think about washing them, you'll be too gentle when wiping.

When cleaning tight spaces where your fingers can't reach, you can hold a rag and spray CRC 5-56 to wash away dirt, so throw it away after use.

With just a few tools and supplies like these, preparing for and performing maintenance becomes enjoyable.

Also, a common experience after maintenance is wanting to ride your bike immediately.

Please give it a try.

External Writer: Koichi Okuno