Workshop

- With Tom (touring/commuting) and Mia (sporty riders), SKS Germany is launching two multitool series manufactured in Germany.  
- Tom models (8, 11, 14, 22 tools, € 19.99-35.99) are flat, versatile and designed for jersey or saddle bags.  
- Mia models (8 and 12 tools, €29.99/€44.99) are smaller, lighter, focussed on the essentials and aimed at the weight-conscious.

Slim and flat tools for travelling: the MIA and TOM multi-tools from SKS Germany

- The hexagon socket was patented by William G. Allen in 1910 to enable flush, secure screw connections.
- "Inbus" is a brand name and stands for "Innensechskant Bauer und Schaurte"; the correct name for the tool is Allen key.
- The Allen key is central to bicycle construction: a few spanner sizes are sufficient, recessed screws save weight and space and make maintenance easier.

Tool history: Why is it actually called an "Allen key"?

- Electric air pumps are technically superfluous, but offer a noticeable gain in comfort, especially with several discs on long tours.  
- Torque spanners are useful for carbon bikes on bikepacking tours, but are usually unnecessary for aluminium bikes and short tours.  
- Hydration waistcoats are useful for ultra-long, low-supply gravel races, but tend to be superfluous accessories for normal after-work use.

Totally superfluous: 3 things you don't need when gravel riding - or do you?

- Step-by-step instructions for changing tubeless tyres: Deflate, loosen tyre bead, remove tyre from rim with jacks
- Fitting new tyres: Clean the rim, check the running direction, fit one side of the tyre, fill with sealant, fit the second side, pop in the tyre
- Common problems and solutions: tyres that are difficult to fit, lack of "plop", air loss due to valve, bead, rim tape or dried-out sealant

Tubeless step by step: Changing tyres on a gravel bike

- Hydraulic disc brakes adjust automatically, so pad wear often goes unnoticed and can cause expensive disc damage.  
- Check the pads regularly by visual inspection and measurement, replace them when there is approx. 1 mm of residual friction material and stop riding if there is metallic scratching.  
- Check brake discs for minimum thickness using calipers, replace if there are grooves, discolouration or warping and replace pads together with worn discs.

Disc brakes: detecting wear on the brake disc and brake pad

- Regular inspection and lubrication of the seat post prevents seizure and possible total damage to the road bike frame.  
- Tighten all safety-relevant clamps on the cockpit and seat post with a correctly adjusted torque spanner.  
- Replace the handlebar tape and refresh the paintwork with sealant after washing to improve appearance, protection and cleaning.

Spring check safety and appearance: making your bike look like new

Screwdriver tips

- Torque spanner with 2-24 Nm range, adjustable in 0.1 Nm increments, 1 Nm change per revolution, 1/4 inch connection.
- Scope of delivery: Hexagonal bits 3-10 mm, Torx T10-T30, extension and long 4 mm bit for brake callipers that are difficult to access.
- ISO 6789 certification and fine adjustability should enable precise assembly, especially of carbon parts, on the bike.

Z Torque Wrench: New torque spanner ideal for the bicycle workshop from Zéfal

- Minimum equipment: inner tube/flick kit, tyre levers, mini pump, multitool, ID/health insurance and cash, from 90 minutes also food and drink.  
- Light, soft items belong in the jersey pocket; hard, heavy or sharp-edged items should be stored away or placed in the side pockets.  
- Depending on your riding style, there is a trend towards minimally packed jerseys or a combination of jersey bags and frame bags for self-sufficient rides lasting several hours.

Packing list for a road bike tour: What belongs in your jersey pocket? (and what not to pack)

- Discounter locks from Aldi and Lidl are very easy to pick and only offer minimal, short-term theft protection in the visible area.
- The Crivit toolbox from Lidl contains outdated, sometimes weak tools and is only suitable for occasional, simple repairs at best.
- Aldi's mini pump works well as a puncture repair tool, but the holder supplied is impractical and can lead to a foot collision when riding.

Discounter bike products in the test: We advise against these products

Tool

Workshop tips, tricks and instructions for screwing on a road bike and the right tools for repairs

Workshop:Tools

Workshop:Wrenching tips

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        All relevant referral links are marked with <icon></icon>.
    

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Workshop

Slim and flat tools for travelling
The MIA and TOM multi-tools from SKS Germany

Tool history
Why is it actually called an "Allen key"?

Totally superfluous
3 things you don't need when gravel riding - or do you?

Screwdriver tips

Tubeless step by step
Changing tyres on a gravel bike

Disc brakes
Detecting wear on the brake disc and brake pad

Spring check safety and appearance
Making your bike look like new

Tool

Z Torque Wrench
New torque spanner ideal for the bicycle workshop from Zéfal

Packing list for a road bike tour
What belongs in your jersey pocket? (and what not to pack)

Discounter bike products in the test
We advise against these products

Workshop

Slim and flat tools for travellingThe MIA and TOM multi-tools from SKS Germany

Tool historyWhy is it actually called an "Allen key"?

Totally superfluous3 things you don't need when gravel riding - or do you?

Screwdriver tips

Tubeless step by stepChanging tyres on a gravel bike

Disc brakesDetecting wear on the brake disc and brake pad

Spring check safety and appearanceMaking your bike look like new

Tool

Z Torque WrenchNew torque spanner ideal for the bicycle workshop from Zéfal

Packing list for a road bike tourWhat belongs in your jersey pocket? (and what not to pack)

Discounter bike products in the testWe advise against these products

Slim and flat tools for travelling
The MIA and TOM multi-tools from SKS Germany

Tool history
Why is it actually called an "Allen key"?

Totally superfluous
3 things you don't need when gravel riding - or do you?

Tubeless step by step
Changing tyres on a gravel bike

Disc brakes
Detecting wear on the brake disc and brake pad

Spring check safety and appearance
Making your bike look like new

Z Torque Wrench
New torque spanner ideal for the bicycle workshop from Zéfal

Packing list for a road bike tour
What belongs in your jersey pocket? (and what not to pack)

Discounter bike products in the test
We advise against these products