Nothing ruins a track session quite like a mechanical failure. Things get even worse when you don’t have the proper tools to fix the issue. This is where building a small emergency tool kit can really come in handy.
Let’s go over some essential items every racer should pack into their mobile tool kit.
Allen Keys
Modern race bikes are practically assembled entirely with allen keys. This makes them a top priority for every emergency tool kit. Want to make a small adjustment to your bars, need to tighten your headset, have a loose bolt? These are all things that can only be fixed with the proper allen key and that’s just to name a few.
Allen keys are the swiss army knife of bmx as they can truly do it all. We suggest getting a full-size ‘L’ shaped set as they’ll be the most effective/comfortable to use. But if space is limited, folding multi-tools serve the same purpose. These foldable sets are more compact and easier to transport, but in exchange, offer less leverage and aren’t as easy to use. But if you’re just using these for emergency repairs, then folding tools are more than enough to save your track session.
You’ll see allen keys in either a ‘metric’ (mm) or ‘standard’ (inches) configuration. When it comes to bike, most parts use metric units of measurement so you’ll have your bases covered picking up a metric set of keys.
Tire Pump
You can equate air pressure for a bike, like gas for a car; without it you aren’t going anywhere. For proper management over your tire pressures you’ll need a good pump, preferably one with a pressure gauge as well. We recommend you check your tire pressure before every session anyways as psi you run can have a significant impact on the feel/performance of your bike.
Floor pumps are usually the way to go as you’ll be able to reach the higher pressures needed for bmx racing easier than with a hand pump. But either way, having a hand pump is better than not having one at all.
Tire Levers
Still on the subject of flat tires, keeping some tire levers will dramatically speed up the tire changing process. Yes, it’s entirely possible to change a tire without them. But in an effort to save your sanity, tires levers make the process a lot more manageable (especially for less experienced tire changers) They’re inexpensive, light, and don’t take up much space.
Just about any plastic set of levers will do the job. We usually recommend the plastic levers over the metal levers as the plastic is less likely scratch or even crack your rims. With the tolerances of bmx tires, the plastic levers should more than enough to get the job done. But if you demand the stiffer metal tire levers, be sure to get one that’s wrapped in some type of polymer to again avoid scratches.
Crescent Wrench
A set of open ended wrenches is usually required in some fashion for chain adjustment. This will vary depending on your frame’s tensioning system, but most will either need a 10mm or 8mm wrench for tensioning. So you may not need an entire set, but at least keep the sizes you need for your bike on hand.
While not entirely necessary, we really like park tool's line of ratcheting wrenches. The rear ratchet wheel makes for quicker adjustments without having to remove the wrench from the bolt. It's a small plus, but makes the bike working process a bit more fluid and enjoyable.
Chain Breaker
Used for installing and removing chain pins, the chain breaker is another great addition to your kit. While you may not always need one, should you ever snap a chain or have a drivetrain issue, you won’t get very far without a breaker.
A quality shop grade chain breaker like the one from park tool is really worth the investment. Smaller/cheaper chain breaks won’t last nearly as long and will likely break after a few uses. We get years of use out of a singular park tool chain break and we’re usually replacing 100s of chains within that time frame.
Grease & Chain Lube
Grease and lube are crucial for maintaining the long-term performance of your ride. A little dab of grease can eliminate annoying squeaks while chain lube keeps the drivetrain running smooth. When it comes to lubricants, you really only need a tiny bit at a time. So a tube of grease and 8oz. of chain lube will last you for an extremely long time when applied in the proper amounts.
When applying lubricants, be sure to use bicycle specific products. The formulas used in these products is specifically designed to work with common bicycle materials, providing increased performance and protection.
For assembly grease, we always keep a tube of Park Tool Polylube 1000. Everything from bolts to headsets get a small dab to keep them turning smooth and rust free.
For chain lube, we really like Finish Line's dry formula. Goes on wet and leaves behind a light waxy coating, lubricating the drivetrain. It's a great summer time lubricant and works best in the well maintained environments that we typically race bmx in.
Emergency Track Side Kit:
Now that we have the necessities covered, let’s go over some additional things you could bring to ensure a great track session.
Tubes
The most common failure seen at the track is a flat tire. So ensuring you have a few spare tubes at all times is about as important as carrying a pump with you. Tubes are cheap and plentiful making it easy to keep one with you everywhere you go.
Tires
Along with tubes, you may want a spare tire as well. While in most cases, a flat tire can be repaired with just a tube. Some situations may call for a new tire if the puncture hole is big enough. If there’s no shop around and you don’t have a spare on you, that could be the end to your session.
We usually recommend picking up folding bead tires as your spare whenever possible. Folding tires are lighter and easier to store, but you can read more about them in our article wire vs. folding tire
Torque Wrench
If you’re running various carbon fiber parts, then picking up a torque wrench can be very handy. Over tightening carbon will crush components and cause failures. Torque wrenches eliminate the chances of this happening as they limit the amount of force you can apply to the bolts.
Even if you don’t have carbon steer tubes or handlebars, a torque wrench could still be a worth while investment for checking the bolts on your bike. Similar to tire pressure, it’s usually a good idea to check your bolts on the bike before riding. With a torque wrench, you can ensure that not only is everything tight but that it’s also set to spec as well.
Chainrings
The factory dad’s know this tip all too well. Over the course of your bmx journey, you’ll start acquire a collection of chainrings. While you may have a certain size you really like, it’s still a good idea to bring some other tooth count rings with you incase the racing conditions call for a quick gear swap.
We really like Rennen chainrings as they’re available in various sizes (decimal counts too) and some even come threaded eliminating the need for those annoying backer chainring bolts.
Chains
If you’ve got multiple chainrings then you’ll want to have some chains on you too. Extra chains can serve as an emergency replacement should anything happen to your current chain. But the back chains can also be used if you decide to change your gear mid-session and your current chain won’t fit.
Screwdrivers
Screwdrivers are great for the V-brake users out there. A screw driver is used to adjust the tension screws on your braking system. This lets you shift the brake arms in either direction for proper rim clearance without impacting the length of pull of your brake system.
Honorable Mentions
- Tubes
- Tires
- Torque Wrench
- Chainrings
- Chains
- Screwdrivers
Putting It All Together
We could really go on all day as we love our tools. But our needs as a bike shop differ vastly from you as an individual.
Do keep in mind that this is meant to serve as a mobile kit, something you keep in your car or travel with. The Garage/at-home tool kit should be a bit more robust to handle larger projects. But depending on your mechanic skill level or desire to work on the bike, you may not even need a at-home set up. However, regaurdless of where you stand, we believe ever racer needs a mobile tool kit to help in emergencies. Even if you don't know how to fix a certain problem, at least you'll have the tools there should someone else be able to help. As a mobile bike shop, we see far too many race days ruined by being ill prepared. You wouldn't show up to a race physically unprepared, so take the extra step to ensure your equipment is prepared as well.
About Us
Full Tilt Bike Co. is a specialty race shop based out of Minnesota. We’re rider owned and operated, sourcing many of the latest bmx racing products. You can catch us at the USA BMX nationals supplying racers nationwide.
For more help or to ask further questions, be sure to reach out here
