Tools for assembling a bicycle

Most good quality bicycles are usually supplied with “Bicycle Owner’s Manual”. If it is not supplied with the bicycle you purchased, you can easily find one if you google “bicycle owner’s manual”.

I googled “bmx bicycle assembly tools .pdf” and found a link to this image of tools:

These are the tools you require:
1. Standard Phillips Head Screwdriver
2. Adjustable Wrench
3. 4,5,6,8mm Allen Wrenches
4. Pedal wrench or 15mm Open End Wrench
5. Standard Slip Joint Pliers
6. Standard Flat Head Screwdriver

This information is extracted from Dynacraft Owner’s Manual. It provides very clear instruction for assembling a 12” to 24” wheelsize BMX which is the standard procedure for assembling most single speed bicycles. Since the manual is for a BMX, it includes information about gyro brake system which you can ignore if your bicycle is not installed with one..

However, if you assembling a bicycle with gear components installed, check out “Dynacraft Owner’s Manual for MTB”. The tools required for assembling it are the same.

What are the best tips to maintain a bike in the proper way?

When you buy an equipment, a manual will be provided with it. A good manual will provide instructions on how to install the equipment correctly. It will provide information on how to use it safely and maintain it so that it will run efficiently.

Even though not all brands/retailers for bicycles will provide such a manual, if you google “owner's manual for bicycle” you should not have any problem in finding one online. From it, you can even learn if you are getting the right frame size for your height.

Though you get your bicycle fully assembled from your bike shop, in the manual you will learn how it is assembled and the type of tools and the sizes you need to do the job. That way if any of the parts are loosen, you will know how to fix it back correctly and with the right tools.

You will learn the name of the parts on the bicycle which will enable you to tell the mechanic clearly what needs to be fixed if professional help is required. This image is from link to “Owner's Manual for Marin Mountain Bikes”.


It provides a schedule on what and when you should clean, service and lubricate on your bicycle and what you should not do. Eg, here is a tip on how to set your gears so that you will not wear out your chain earlier than it should.

I like the instruction manual provided by Green Line for its Single-speed and Multi speed Beach Cruisers, it provides very clear information with lots of images.



The “Owner's Manual Single Speed and Multi-Speed Bicycles” from Dynacraft Bikes that I found online is also very good.

If you take the time to read the manual, you should not have any problem maintaining your bicycle in a proper way.

What is bike servicing?

Did you keep the “Owner’s manual and Technical Handbook” that came with the bicycle you purchased? Some brands do supply that.



You should try to service your bicycle by referring to the schedules noted in the manual. Eg, some parts like your chain, derailleurs, brake levers and brake calipers need to be lubricated on a weekly basis, while other components on a monthly or yearly basis. However, if you enjoy cycling in the rain, you will have to lubricate moving parts more often. These are servicing that you can easily do on your own if you are able to buy the correct lubricants for the components.




The more you ride, the more frequent maintenance for moving parts or components that are not running as efficiently will be required. It is best that you send your bicycle to a professional bicycle shop if you have doubts about your experience or ability to properly disassemble to repair or maintain your bicycle. Moreover, some components, such as, the suspension fork and parts on drivetrain or wheels are difficult to disassemble to fix or replace parts as special tools are required.

If you are planning a long ride or you are participating in an event, sending your bicycle to the shop will enable the mechanic to check if any parts are loose or missing or need to be replaced. They will also inform you if your gears need to be set if they are not shifting efficiently. A good bike shop will also lubricate moving parts on your bicycle and clean it up for you on your request.

You can also check with your bike shop what they will do for you if you send your bicycle in for full servicing. Then decide if it is time for your bicycle to go through these services. You may have to leave the bicycle at the shop for more than a day.

Regular maintenance services and adjustments that you can carry out on your own or with the help of a mechanic from a bike shop will keep the bicycle in good operating condition.