A quality tool has always been a subject that greatly facilitates the work. Indeed, you must admit that it is often simply impossible to do even primitive operations without a good, reliable tool. It is especially important that the tool does not fail if it is not used at home, where you can put everything aside for later, but on the road. And if a large number of various wrenches and screwdrivers can be folded into a car, then on a long trip by bicycle you have to choose what is most important and what you can take with you.
In order not to be in a difficult situation during an unexpected breakdown on the way, you can pre-purchase a universal bicycle key. Why is it so convenient, what functions can it perform, what is it like? We will consider these and other questions in this article.
A little bit about the universal tool
People have been trying for a long time to create a tool that could help out in various areas of life and at the same time did not take up much space. Some of these inventions become really useful things, while others are frankly uncomfortable, and they are forgotten.
An example of an absolutely successful universal tool is a camp multitool. It combines a large number of various elements, from the knife to the specific screwdrivers and even pliers. And at the same time it takes up very little space. It would also be useful for every cyclist to have such a thing, but this is not about multitool. So what is a family key?
What is a universal bicycle key
This type of keys was invented for a long time, because with its small size it contains all the keys that can be useful when disassembling / assembling the "iron horse". Since all bicycles are different, we advise you to look at what nuts are specifically on your model before purchasing such a tool. Often in such wrenches it is possible to unscrew the nuts and bolts with diameters of 8, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 24 millimeters. It is these sizes that are most often found both in old bicycles, and in modern mountain or road bikes.
Such a key is a metal plate in which holes are made corresponding to certain diameters of the heads of bolts or nuts. Sometimes the edge of the plate is sharpened in such a way that you also have a flat screwdriver at your disposal, which can also come in handy. In general, the tool is quite compact and lightweight. Whether the bicycle key was made by the USSR, China or modern Russia, its weight rarely exceeds 100 grams, which allows you to always carry it in a small tool bag.
What keys should be in the set of a cyclist
If we take the maintenance of the bicycle as a whole at home, then for this we need a slightly larger range of specific tools. In addition to the universal key, it is advisable for a cycling lover to purchase the following sets:
- Bicycle keys for the carriage. In modern bicycles, the carriage is often made maintenance free, and in order to disassemble it, one has to resort to the help of a rather complicated tool.
- A set of hex keys. Hexagons in a modern bike attach more elements than with the usual nuts. It can be both the steering and the seatpost. Yes, however, even the cables are clamped with hexagon bolts, so without them it is simply impossible to make a full service.
- Keys for the steering. Some steering gears require a specific tool. Sometimes you can do without it. But you have to sweat in the process of disassembly / assembly.
- Keys for pedals. Here, too, has its own element, and with the help of a special tool you can greatly facilitate your work.
- The key for knitting needles. It does not differ much in appearance, but it can really help out on the road.
Let's look at each of these tools individually to determine if you personally need them and what they are.
Carriage keys
If the bicycle carriage is made in an unattended or non-separable form, you can still get to it. The bicycle key for the carriage looks like a gear and allows you to unwind it completely to replace failed elements or to update the lubricant. If such a key was not at hand, you can use the usual two-arm key. In extreme cases, a pipe wrench or gas may be suitable, but it is worth remembering that this tool is not intended for such work and they can damage the frame during inaccurate movement.
If the manufacturer provides a collapsible carriage, then in this case you can do with the usual family key, it contains the possibility of disassembling it.
Hexagon set
It can be made in the form of individual keys, simply folded into a case, or in the form of a penknife with the ability to use the required size by sliding it out of the handle. Some cheap options can be made as key rings worn on a ring.
When choosing a set of such keys, it should be remembered that they belong to the tool, which, like the family bicycle key, should always be with you, especially on long journeys. The scope of hexagons is growing every year. With their help, the cables are regulated, the connecting rods and steering rods are tightened, and on some models of bicycles even the axles of the wheels are fixed. It turns out that a six-sided set of keys for a bicycle is one of the most necessary and sought-after tools.
Keys for steering and pedals
Often, when repairing or replacing these parts, hex keys are also used. However, in some cases, bikes have specific mounts for these parts. Therefore, before purchasing, you should look at exactly which keys are required in your case.
A special bicycle key for the steering wheel can be two-pronged and is designed to remove the steering mechanism. The steering wheel itself is often fastened either with ordinary bolts and nuts, or hex.
The pedals can be fastened with a regular nut, which can not be reached with an open end wrench. In this case, the key for bicycle pedals is a cap head, a handle to which is purchased separately.
Spoke key
Perhaps it can be called the smallest and easiest among all bicycle keys. It is a ring, on the sides of which recesses of different sizes are made for all types of clamps of needles. Thanks to this, a bicycle key for knitting needles is universal, and buying it, you definitely will not miss. It is also advisable to carry it with you, since a bursting needle in the way can greatly affect the strength of the remaining needles and should be replaced immediately so as not to unbalance the rim tension.
How not to make a mistake when buying bicycle keys
First of all, one should not immediately react to value and judge only by it. Frankly cheap keys are almost certainly made of metal alloys that are unlikely to be suitable for similar tasks. As a result, the keys will quickly wear out and you will have to purchase new ones.
But high cost can not always serve as a guarantee of quality. However, it is still worth paying attention to certain firms that have already earned a good reputation for several years. It will be useful to read reviews about this or that manufacturer of tools.
Why is it important? First of all, such precautions will save money without buying obviously low-quality goods. But that is not all. A spinning key when scrolling can damage the nut or bolt, making it much harder to unscrew. Such problems are unlikely to suit you. This is especially true for hex wrenches, since they often tighten recessed bolts with them, and if the edges of the recess for the key on the bolt “slip off”, then a long and complicated operation is required to drill this bolt, and even so that it does not damage the other parts.
In conclusion, I would like to wish that any bicycle key was used only for scheduled maintenance, and there should be a minimum of force majeure situations on the road.