goRide’s Quick and Easy Guide to Bike Tools to Carry. Let’s gain some knowledge about the Allen Key. Learn what it is, why you would use it and how to use it.
What is a Allen Key
A small, light and versatile L-shaped or Z-shaped spanner that is designed to fit into and turn an allen screw/hex bolt (6-sided bolt). They come in a range of sizes.
These days most bikes are built with allen screws holding them together so the allen key is an essential tool for maintenance and repairs. You should always carry allen keys with you. The sizes you need will be dependent on the size of the allen screws on your bike…often you will have a variety of sizes. Do a bit of investigation and understand what different sizes you need for your bike The Often the most common size is the 5 or 6mm long handled allen key.
A good way to carry allen keys is in a multi-tool which will have a number of different allen key sizes.
An allen key as part of a multi tool and an L shaped allen key
Why you would use it.
To tighten/loosen or remove parts of the bike or accessories like seatpost clamps, handlebar stem, brake callipers, pedals, water bottle cages…
How do you use it.
- Repeat after me “Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey”. To tighten or loosen an allen screw you have to find the matching size allen key. A word here about unleashing your she beast. If a screw is not moving don’t force it. Check you’re turning it the correct way. Turning the handle to the right (clockwise) will tighten the screw, to the left (anticlockwise) will loosen it. Spray a little lubricant on the screw, let it soak in and try again. The opposite also applies don’t over tighten a screw so that next time you want to deal with it, you can’t move it.
That’s the basics of allen keys covered. I hope it helped you gain a little more understanding about how to use the tools you should carry.
Adjusting seatpost clamp to alter the height of a bike seat.
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