Airline
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Winter conditions increase the need for regular cleaning and maintenance
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Workstands come in various designs. The column and seat clamp style is among the most popular
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A chain scrubber and cleaning products are as important as workshop tools
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Road bikes have Allen bolts in abundance. A full set of Allen keys is required
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Smaller, "traditional" L-shaped Allen keys can offer easier access to certain bolts, like that in the brake bridge
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A good quality track pump with an accurate gauge, metal body, and reversible 'head' needn't cost the earth
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Chain checker tools are relatively inexpensive and can bring savings of hundreds of pounds in the cost of replacing prematurely worn drivetrain components
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Not strictly an essential, but an airline can be a relatively low cost investment that can save significant amounts of time in drying your steed
Airline
We promised to identify five essential tools for the home mechanic, and Jon has recommended describing this, the airline, as 5.1 – not an essential, perhaps, but a relatively low cost investment that could save significant amounts of time.
Jon argues that the frequency with which a bike should be cleaned (after every ride) and so dried, makes a budget compressor of the type sold at stores like Halfords a worthwhile investment. Blowing off the water left on the frame after washing, and, crucially, from components like the chain and cassette, as well as any number of Allen bolts, can be done in a matter of seconds.
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