Craig Gator, a world tour mechanic who's worked on bikes at the highest level of professional cycling, reveals the tools, products, and components he genuinely swears by — and the ones that make his blood boil. From drivetrain maintenance hacks to the nightmare of internal cable routing, you'll get honest, unfiltered insights into what actually works in the real world versus what's just marketing hype.
Key Takeaways
- Allen keys and a torque wrench can build over 75% of a bike — invest in quality tools like Abby Tools rather than cheap alternatives that'll break after one use
- For drivetrain maintenance, use biodegradable degreasers (not diesel), then apply either wax-based drip lube for dry conditions or heavier wet-weather lube — skip the aggressive cleaning that strips away protective oils
- When power washing your bike, avoid spraying directly into bottom brackets and wheel hubs; add a thin layer of grease around bearing dust caps to protect seals from water damage
- For tubeless tire changes, you only need tire levers, sealant, and spare rim tape — difficult tire-to-rim combos can be eased by keeping the tire centered on the rim and using a pinch-grip technique
- Internal cable routing and modern headset designs (with brake cables running through the center) have made basic maintenance exponentially harder; this is a genuine step backward from simpler external cable systems
- Pro-level aerodynamic gains from oversized jockey wheels and ceramic speed components only benefit elite racers chasing marginal gains — they won't make Sunday riders faster
Expert Quotes
"You can almost get away with just about that [Allen keys, screwdrivers, and chain tool pliers] — more than 3/4 build a bike with a set of Allen keys."
"There's love and care gone into the construction of it. You can tell it was made by somebody who like loves cycling. — Craig, on Abby Tools"
"I think if I was to put the same sort of specialist stuff on my bike, it wouldn't improve my cycling at all. Um, but for the the top racing guy, probably it it could help. — Craig, on premium components like oversized jockey wheels"