So I’ll be attempting my first DIY service soon. What sorta stuff do I need? Chain lube, degreaser, tooth brush, condoms, etc..

Any tips and tricks also? Im a noobie serviceman so Im sure there will be some threads from me shortly asking how to fix various things…

Thanks!

I assume you’ve got Chain Whip, Cassette Tool, BB Spanner, Torx Keys etc?

I would also suggest a 4 pack of beer and fcking great rubber hammer. (though this depends entirely on the distance you go between strip downs)

extra hands.
The right tools for the job (all of them)
Lube
Oil
Degreaser
Cloth
Grease
Bench
Vice
Hammer
Locktite
Anti Seize
Instructions

Depends how far you plan on taking it. You could spend hundreds on tools!

you don’t need to take the cassette off unless it needs changing.

Removing the cranks is good to check the BB but, again you don’t need to take the BB out the frame unless it needs changing.

otherwise it’s a good set of allen keys etc.

I’d really recommend buying the PArk Tool Blue Book too – it’s much the same as their website stuff but far easier to access when you’re up to your elbows in mucky bike parts.

Main thing is to know what you have to inspect on the bike and what indicates that it is worn/needs adjusting.

what are you servicing…..

You can’t go far wrong by investing in a tool-kit: http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/workshop-tools/tools/tools-workshop/icetoolz-essence-tool-kit.html
Tools there to cover most DIY jobs.
A box of latex gloves can also come in handy when doing really greasy jobs.

The drivetrain and brakes, sorry shouldve put that in.

Adjustable hammer

A bike stand is an asset but not essential ,so for future services wait till LIDL have them on offer again ,best £40.00 i spent in long time (think that was the cost).

Coffee or tea to ply mates with for help or beer.

Understanding partner as kitchen is best place,warm ,dry, food n drink to hand.

Rags! Old T-shirts are ideal.

What do you mean by “service”? A clean, lube and readjustment, or are you replacing parts? The latter is more likely to need more tools.

A condom? Are you this man?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1567410/Man-who-had-sex-with-bike-in-court.html

As mentioned a bike stand makes things easier but no essential

Good quality chain splitter, cable cutters make servicing so much easier than trying to botch things

Good quality Tea or Beer also helps 😉

might need to take cassette off to service rear hub.

For just occasional servicing I’d get a cheap bike specific toolkit for £20-40 and then build up from there with some longer ball ended allen keys etc.

This was the ultimate tool kit back in the day.

to add to my list Park Tool Cutters, invaluable over the years and the gripper chain whip things

and maybe this lot

A good relationship with your LBS so they don’t take the p!ss too much when you turn up with the inevitable cardboard box full of bike parts.

A selection of hammers and a colourful vocabulary.

All I’m doing is cleaning relubing and readjustments…

You can never have too many tools
I find the giant hand wipes very good for cleaning stuff as well as Useing on hands

All I’m doing is cleaning relubing and readjustments…

Set of decent allen keys
Cross-head screwdriver
rag
chain lube

and then whatever you usually clean your bike with. If anything specialist needs taking apart after a clean and inspection, buy tools as and when.

you don’t need to take the cassette off unless it needs changing.

Disagree. Always better to before it seizes, and also learn how to.

how else are you going to get it in the dishwasher? 😀

First things first:

1. Beer
2. Kitchen table
3. Kitchen sink
4. Parts washing kit stolen from partners baking / cooking collection
5. White Spirit
6. Swarfega

Lube, Grease Gun, Ball Pein hammer, Mallet (plastic one end / alu or copper the other), decent set ball ended Allen keys, 1/4″ drive socket set up to 13mm with Torx and hex bits, Needle nosed Mole Grips, Combo set of open ended / ratchet spanners up to 13mm, Set of Pliers, Set of Screwdrivers, Circlip Pliers, Shifting Spanner (Bahco), Set of Mini /Precision Screwdrivers, Junior Hacksaw, Craft knife, Stanley knife, Chainwip, Cass Lockring and BB tools, Cheapo digital vernier, Bikestand of some decsription.

Not essential but a bench and vice are very useful esp if you are going to change DU bushes (add the Du bushing tool) and or B&D Workmate.

Depends on how much DIY you do around the house (little by the sounds of it or you would have most of these tools anyway 😉

CHRIST, I have a multitool, philips, pedal spanner, grease and chainlube when i service my bike.

if i strip it i only need extra: a chain whip, cassette tool, bb tool, spanner to fit and perhaps a chain tool if i feel like taking the chain off…

+1 for the park tool book

Decent cable cutters. Cutting outer with anything sub standard is a woeful experience! I’d have decent cutters over expensive allen keys frankly!

There is no point going crazy with tools If you are just cleaning and re-lubing:

*Good set of Allen keys (bondhaus or something similiar – they have a lifetime warranty and a good set of tools are definitely worth spending the extra tenner or so on)
*Old rags
*Couple of toothbrushes – I find they work so much better on gears and cassettes than overpriced bike specific brushes
*General purpose grease – I use Castrol LM grease, much cheaper than the shimano stuff and does the job perfectly
*Decent chain lube – as it is winter go for wet lube over dry lube

*If you are planning on redoing the gear cables then get a good set of cable cutters too, saves you mashing up gear ends and going through thousands of inner cables. An absolute must when it comes to shortening brake hoses too.

*It is not essential for what you are planning on doing, but a bike stand makes the world of difference. You can pick up a good one on eBay for circa £50 and it helps so much when setting up gears etc. I highly recommend this one, identical to many branded ones, happily holds my downhill bike whilst servicing forks etc and folds away very tidily:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bike-Tools-Aluminium-Home-Workstand-/290853694424?pt=UK_Spots_Leisure_Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item43b83b2bd8

Advice wise, don’t force anything (if it doesn’t feel like it is budging take it to your LBS, it is a giant pain in the hoop trying to drill out rounded Allen bolts etc). Also, when re assembling the bike take the time to thoroughly clean and grease every bolt, it will save you hours down the line when they seize up.