When bike riding becomes a hobby, knowing how to perform some basic bike repairs is something you learn whether you like it or not. Of course, you can always rely on the tool and the experience of a good bike mechanic, but what happens when your bike collapses while you're on the road? With no help in sight, you pull over, get off your bike seat...and what next? If only you had the tools to fix a flat tire. What happens when your brakes need fixing? Or when your chain's dry? The solution starts with the same thing: a bike repair kit.
Table Of Contents
Best Bicycle Repair Kit Comparisons
Brand | Details |
---|---|
WOTOW Bicycle Mechanic Repair Tool Kit | |
DAWAY A32 Bike Repair Tool | |
Bikehand Bicycle Repair Tool Kit | |
Sahoo Bike Repair Kit | |
YOUYOUTE Bike Repair Kit |
Most Common Bike Problems
Have you ever wondered what are the most common problems that bike owners face?
- Snapped components are a very common problem with bikes. By regularly greasing the components with the correct agent, you can avoid such a problem.
- Wheels and tires can lead to all sorts of problems. For instance, tire pressure can leave you stranded if you don't inflate them regularly to their required pressure.
- Lack of maintenance can lead to problems that can easily be avoided by taking measures such as lubricating and cleaning the components.
- Loose bolts may seem like a laughable problem, but you should check and tighten them once a month. If a bolt ever comes loose, you could end up having an accident.
- Lubricated chains are a must. When the chain runs dry, it will end up being damaged, but it could also damage the cassette. You may also consider investing in a bike chain cleaner to extend the lifetime of your chain.
Many of these problems can be avoided with a little knowledge, a handful of tools, and regular maintenance. That being said, it is important to always have a repair kit at hand, or at least at home. There's no shame in taking your little companion to a bike repair shop, but if it's something that you could easily fix yourself, why bother? Sometimes, all it takes is tightening a couple of bolts, cleaning the bike, lubricating it and spraying it, inflating some bike tires, and that's about it. A good bike tool kit comes in handy. You know what they say: it's better to be safe than sorry.
Essential Bike Repair Items
- Screwdrivers are essential in any repair kit. Your kit should have a couple of flat screwdrivers, along with #1 and #2 Phillips ones.
- Allen keys are found in every decent bike repair tool kit. If they have a ball end, they are useful in turning a bolt from an angle, allowing you to finish some jobs faster. High-quality ball end Allen keys have a narrower neck for the ball, being more versatile.
- Combination spanners are ideal if your bike bolts have spanner flats. As a general rule of thumb, the 8, 9, and 10 mm are the only sizes you'll need for bike fixing.
- Tire levers will make it easier to remove tires from the rim.
- Pumps, preferably floor ones, are an important asset for bike owners who always want to make sure the tire's pressure is at an optimal level.
- Chain tools are good if you want to replace your own bike chain.
The Top 5 Best Bicycle Repair Kit Reviews
WOTOW Bicycle Mechanic Repair Tool Kit
The first tool kit on today's list is a 16-in-1 multi-tool created by WOTOW that promises to aid you whenever you're experiencing bike problems. The 2 included tire pry tools are made of plastic, while the kit itself is made of metal. While the metal seems sturdy enough, the Allen keys are very thin and will surely collapse under heavy pressure. The additional Allen key that comes together with the multi-tool is tightening and loosening the screw that holds the tools together, making it easier for users to unfold the kit. We do like the intention behind this idea, but unfortunately, there is no place to store that additional Allen key. That means that you'll have to carry it around in your pocket, bag or whatever.
While this is a customer favorite, the WOTOW 16-in-1 multi-tool is good only for some basic repairs. The multi-tool contains the following: Allen keys (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm), a spoke wrench, a socket hex wrench (8, 9, 10 mm), a hex key wrench (2, 2.5m 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm), a solid wrench (8, 10 and 15 mm), a Phillips plus a slotted screwdriver and 3 tire pry rods. The kit is incomplete to cover all sorts of problems, like fixing a flat tire, for instance. It's good for whenever some bolts or screws may come loose, but that's about it. The fact that it comes with 3 tire pry tools is pretty confusing. The set includes duplicates for pry tools but doesn't have a hand pump or an emergency patch kit to fix tire punctures.
Pros
Cons
DAWAY A32 Bike Repair Tool
The DAWAY A32 multi-tool packs seem to be a little more complete than the WOTOW we previously described. When you order the A32, you will receive a pretty cool black tool bag to hold the multi-tool and other accessories. The multi-tool contains a Phillips and a slot-style screwdriver, a spoke wrench, a sleeve extension rod, a flat wrench (8, 10, and 15 mm), a socket spanner (8, 9, and 10 mm) and the forever-present Allen wrenches (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm). The tools are mainly made of carbon steel and ABS, and they can also be used whenever you have household repairs to make.
Aside from the multi-tool and the black bag we already mentioned, there are other goodies that come with the A32. You will also get 2 tire levers, 5 different cold patches for tire fixing (1 big, 2 medium oval ones and 2 round ones), as well as some rubber glue and a metal rasp.
Quite a wide variety of bike tools!
The black bag is definitely an upgrade, as it comes with a vertical strap sewn on its bag. It seems like it goes on the biker's belt and can't be attached to the bike's seat in any way. That could be quite inconvenient when cycling, as the bag might get in the way and cause discomfort. Plus, you might sometimes forget to take it with you altogether.
Pros
Cons
Bikehand Bicycle Repair Tool Kit
The Bikehand repair kit isn't exactly your most portable option. But for how little it costs, it bring quite a wide array of tools to the table. considering it isn't that expensive. It's not as cheap as a multi-tool, but most large stay-at-home repair kits aren't. So what's inside the carrying case that includes a convenient handle, for better maneuvering? There is a total of 18 tools, as follows: a hex wrench key (2 to 6 mm), a patch kit, a T25 Torx, a flat screwdriver (3 mm), a cartridge BB tool, a spoke wrench, a crank puller, a lockring remover, 2 hub core spanners (13, 14, 15, and 16 mm), a bottom bracket wrench and a pedal wrench, a freewheel turner, one hex key wrench (8 mm), a tire lever, a chainring nut wrench, a dust cap wrench, a Phillips screwdriver, a flat screwdriver (5 mm) and a chain rivet extractor.
The tools seem to be pretty sturdy and should be able to resist torque successfully. Overall, you are getting quite some decent tools, considering the price of the kit. However, keep in mind that this is a starter kit, so you will have to look for another product if you're into more complex bike repairs.
Pros
Cons
Sahoo Bike Repair Kit
Straight out of the bag, it seems that this kit is most useful for repairing flat or punctured bike tires. So, if you ever find yourself stranded on the side of the road and need help in fixing a tire, the Sahoo should have just about every tool in the book to keep you covered. The weight doesn't make it the most compact and lightweight kit out there, but once we get to what's inside, you'll begin to understand where the weight comes from. All the tools and accessories are packed inside a black bag. The very first item that stands out is the 14-in-1 multi-tool that features the following: Allen wrenches (from 2 to 8 mm), 3 screwdrivers (one straight, one Phillips, and one T25), a socket wrench, and a chain rivet extractor.
Aside from the multi-tool, the package also contains a mini bike pump, which is an additional tool that we'd love to see in every portable bike repair kit. The pump features a T-handle, for better grip, has a maximum pressure of 100 PSI, it's suitable only for Schrader valves, it's made of ABS plastic and, when collapsed, measures about 20 cm in length. It's not the most powerful mini bike pump out there, but when you have to fix a flat tire fast, it won't matter that much as long as it gets the job done and helps you get to your destination. Since this is a tire repair kit mostly, there are also 9 cold patches included (3 of them measure 25 mm and are round, another 3 measure 34 mm and they are also round, while the last 3 measure 33 x 50 mm and they are oval). Sadly, the kit lacks glue, so you will have to purchase that separately, since the patches are not glueless.
Pros
Cons
YOUYOUTE Bike Repair Kit
There's something about the YOUYOUTE bike repair kit that inspires confidence and makes us want to recommend it to everyone. Maybe it's because it's the most complete tire repair kit we've seen so far. But you don't have to take our word for it, let's just examine the components and see if it all checks out. First of all, the tools are all conveniently encased in a slim and portable bike bag. The bag hangs on your bike frame so it won't bother you while cycling. Second, the 16-in-1 multi-tool contains the following: 6 Allen wrenches (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm), a spoke wrench and a flat wrench (8, 10, and 15 mm), an inner hex spanner (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mm), a Phillips and a slot type screwdriver and a socket wrench (8, 9 and 10 mm).
The mini bike pump is an item that we need on all portable bike repair kits. Since it's compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves, it's already better compared to the one from the Sahoo kit. It can reach a maximum pressure of 120 PSI, which is another improvement compared to the max 100 PSI on the Sahoo. Its super lightweight of only 2.89 ounces makes it easy to handle the pump. When folded, the pump is as short as 7.3 inches, making it one of the most compact items of its kind. When expanded, the pump reaches a total length of 11 inches. The pump is made from a combination of alloy steel and ABS plastic, which is expected from a bike mini pump.
The pack also contains a metal rasp and 3 tire levers that are durable and rigid enough to make tire removal easier. The non-slip pattern should make it easy to handle the levers, but it also helps attach the 3 pieces together, for easier carrying. The glueless puncture repair kit is a definite winner, as it eliminates the need to purchase a tube of glue. All you have to do is patch the tire and then inflate it, and you should be good to go!
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best bike repair kit really depends on the type of repairs you're planning to make and how much of a handy-person you are. We have to be completely honest and tell you that none of the repair kits we've reviewed today are suitable for absolutely every type of bike-related problem. In fact, the more complete a bike repair kit is, the more hundreds of dollars it's going to cost. No matter which of the kits above you decide to purchase, there are high chances of you buying some additional tools to cover all your needs. However, if we were to judge how a kit can completely help you solve one specific tire problem, the YOUYUTE is our winner.
The multi-tool could be a useful mate when you need to perform other types of repairs, but it has pretty much everything you need for flat tires. You have the tools, the glueless patches, the tire levers, and the bike pump which is pretty surprising for the kit's low price. It can reach a maximum pressure of 120 PSI, which is the standard expectation for a pump of its kind. The compatibility with both Presta and Schrader valves was a feature that we underestimated until today. We just assumed that all mini pumps are decent enough to be compatible with these most common types of valves. After noticing that the Sahoo pump only works for Schrader bikes, we began to appreciate the YOUYOUTE pump even more.