There are those who may desire that their local bike shop maintain their bicycles for them, so they may enjoy their free time. That is why we pay people to work on our cars and bicycles after all. A well trained bicycle mechanic can often correctly remedy a problem quicker than you or I can incorrectly diagnose the problem and make the situation worse. However, many of us "do-it-yourselfers" are as intrigued with the inner workings of a bicycle as we are addicted to their transportation abilities. For those of us thus afflicted, we must have the necessary tools to get the job done and hopefully done right. Aside from common everyday tools (screwdrivers, pliers, Vise Grips, scissors, etc.) it is important to wannabe mechanics to have a good assortment of bicycle tools handy if we are going to put some miles on those wheels. The following list is for this group of basement, garage and backyard bicycle mechanics. My personal must-have list grows as I learn more and as my stable grows. This assortment is a solid beginning for an at home, professional shop. Many tools I consider "everyday," but I have included for those who might not. There are also tools I use but have not included, as they are not necessary, but helpful (i.e., electric drill, Dremel tool and allen sockets, etc.)

The Professionally Equipped, At-Home Bicycle Shop

I. General Purpose Tools

1. Dial calipers
2. Metric combination wrench set (7mm - 17mm)
3. Allen wrenches ((2mm - 10mm)) keys and T-handles, especially those with ball shaped tips)
4. Adjustable wrenches (8" and 12")
5. Pliers (regular, locking Vise Grip type, needle nose and Channel-Lock types)
6. Ratchet set (1/4 and 3/8 drive w/sockets)
7. Hammers (ballpeen and plastic mallet)
8. Screwdrivers (complete set, S,M, and L, phillips and regular)
9. Measuring stick (metal)
10. Diagonal cutters
11. Bench vise (mine is a 5")
12. Awl
13. Utility knife
14. Round and flat files (medium and coarse)
15. Lubricants
16. Scissors
17. Goggles
18. Gloves
19. Zip-ties
20. Rags

II. Bicycle-specific Tools

1. Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair, by Jim Langley, Bicycling Magazine
2. Repair stand
3. Floor pump (with gauge)
4. Chain rivet extractor
5. Cable cutters (don't skimp here, buy quality, bicycle-specific for cutting cables & housings)
6. Pedal wrench
7. Headset wrenches
8. Cone wrench set (13mm - 18mm)
9. Spoke wrenches
10. Tire levers
11. Cassette lockring remover
12. Chain whips
13. Chainring peg spanner
14. Crankarm extractor
15. Crankarm bolt wrench
16. Bottom bracket cartridge tool
17. Bottom bracket spanner
18. Bottom bracket lockring tool
19. Fixed cup wrench (separate fixed cup wrench clamp is helpful to hold wrench in place)
20. Truing stand

Interested in checking out my workbench when it was nearing completion?
Pasted Graphic
click for larger image

For those interested in furthering their bicycle mechanic abilities, I highly recommend United Bicycle Institute in Ashland, Oregon. I have also heard great things about Broadway Bicycle School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.