Deluxe Home Mechanic Repair Stand
Folding home workstand with a cam-action clamp that rotates 360°.
On an old bike: Holds the bike at working height for any job.
The workshop
Tools for old bikes
The right tool for cottered cranks, cup-and-cone bearings, old freewheels and fixed sprockets. We list Park Tool part numbers because they make it easy to get the right fit. Each entry says what the tool does and where the details come from.
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Workshop basics
The basics: something to hold the bike, something to get tyres off, and grease for the bearings.
Tyre Lever Set (3 levers)
Lifts tyres off and back onto the rim; spoke hooks hold the levers in place.
On an old bike: Old steel rims and tight tyres.
PolyLube 1000 Lubricant, 454g tub
All-purpose grease for bearings and threads.
On an old bike: Repacking cup-and-cone hubs, headsets and bottom brackets.
Cranks and bottom brackets
Cottered cranks are held on by a tapered pin; cotterless cranks need a crank puller to come off. Cup-and-cone bottom brackets are adjusted with a pin spanner and a lockring spanner.
Crank Puller
Removes three-piece cranks with an M8 crank bolt, including square taper.
On an old bike: Cotterless cranks on 1970s–90s lightweights and mountain bikes.
Pin Spanner
Fits pin holes on the adjusting cup of cup-and-cone bottom brackets (pin about 2.9mm).
On an old bike: Adjusting the bottom bracket on most pre-1990s bikes.
Bottom bracket lockring hook spanner (double-sided)
Loosens and tightens the lockring on adjustable-cup bottom brackets.
On an old bike: Pairs with the SPA-1 for bottom bracket adjustment.
Replacement cotter pins (9.5mm)
Hold cottered cranks to the axle.
On an old bike: Sheldon Brown gives about 9.5mm for British cotters, advises replacing them in pairs and says the flats often need filing to fit. He says Park's cotter press is discontinued.
Freewheels and sprockets
Each freewheel remover fits one maker's notches or splines. Check yours before ordering.
Freewheel Remover – Shimano, etc.
Removes Shimano and other splined freewheels.
On an old bike: Removing the freewheel to replace spokes or service the hub.
Freewheel Remover – SunTour Two-Notch
SunTour two-notch freewheels.
On an old bike: Older SunTour freewheels.
Freewheel Remover – SunTour Four-Notch
SunTour four-notch freewheels.
On an old bike: Older SunTour freewheels.
Freewheel Remover – Atom, etc.
Atom and other freewheels.
On an old bike: Atom freewheels on 1950s–70s lightweights.
Freewheel Remover – Falcon
Falcon freewheels.
On an old bike: Falcon-fitted bikes.
Fixed-Gear Lockring Wrench
Fixed-gear lockrings.
On an old bike: Fixed-wheel and track bikes.
Sprocket Remover / Chain Whip
Holds the sprocket while removing a lockring or freewheel cog.
On an old bike: Cassette and fixed-sprocket work.
Hubs and wheels
Cup-and-cone hubs need thin cone spanners. Spoke wrenches come in sizes, so check your nipples first.
Shop Cone Wrench Set (13–28mm)
Thin wrenches for hub cones and locknuts.
On an old bike: Servicing cup-and-cone hub bearings.
Spoke wrenches
SW-0 3.23mm, SW-1 3.30mm, SW-2 3.45mm, SW-3 3.96mm nipples.
On an old bike: Truing wheels; check your nipple size first.
Professional Wheel Truing Stand
Workshop truing stand; takes wheels up to 29in with or without a tyre.
On an old bike: Truing old wheels. A big outlay for home use; the TS-8 home stand is listed as discontinued.
Chains and pedals
The CT-3.3 handles 5- to 12-speed derailleur chains and 1/8in and 3/16in single-speed chain. The PW-5 is a narrow 15mm spanner for pedal flats.
Home Mechanic Pedal Wrench (15mm)
Narrow 15mm wrench for pedal flats.
On an old bike: Removing old pedals.
Professional Chain Tool
5–12 speed derailleur chains and 1/8in and 3/16in single-speed chains.
On an old bike: Shortening, joining and replacing chains.
Stuck on a job?
Ask in the Vintage Bicycles UK group. Someone will have done it before.