Gravel Bike TLC: How to set up a home bike workshop.

James Ion
Oct 2
5 min read

Words and Photography by James Ion

PRO. Gravel Editor James Ion repairs his bike with Feedback Sports tools in his home workshop

The end of a long season of dust, grit, and gravel isn’t just hard on your legs — your trusty bike has borne the brunt of every washboard descent, muddy farm track, and midsummer downpour. However, even as PRO. Gravel’s editor, I am a confessed dunce when it comes to repairs! I can swap a tube, but the rest, I have no idea!

So, where does the gravel rider who isn’t blessed with mechanic’s hands even begin? To make sense of it all, I went straight to the source: three of the world’s most respected tool brands — Feedback Sports, Topeak, and Park Tool. I asked them what every rider should have in their home workshop, what to check after a season’s worth of adventures, and how to keep your steed humming happily year-round.

Think of this as a campfire chat with three wise wrench-wielding sages. There’s a lot of pragmatism, and more than a few lessons to keep your gravel bike rolling smoothly into another year of dusty joy.

What are the essential tools for every home bike workshop?

Every job is easier with the right foundation, and for home mechanics, that means a solid repair stand. Zack Vestal of Feedback Sports says it's the most important item:

“Some type of a bike repair stand… It’s really frustrating and difficult to work on a bike that’s simply leaned against a wall or propped upside down.”

It allows you to spin wheels, turn cranks, and access all parts of the bike without wrestling it into submission. Feedback’s tripod-style stands are lightweight, compact, and stable — perfect for home workshops where space is tight.

Next come Hex and Torx wrenches. Nearly every bolt on a modern gravel bike is some variation of these, and Vestal recommends full sets in multiple sizes and formats, whether L-shaped, T-handle, or 3-way.

Then there’s the torque wrench. As bikes have become lighter and more specialised, torque limits are critical. Too tight, and you risk crushing carbon; too loose, and your cockpit could slip on a fast descent.

Vestal also emphasises tyre levers for frequent wheel service, plus drivetrain tools: chain tools, cassette lockring and removal tools, and chain wear gauges. Add some basics like screwdrivers and needle-nosed pliers, and you’re covered for most common maintenance tasks.

PRO. Gravel Feedback Sports tools equipped home workshop

Jeff Kerkove of Topeak and also a professional racer with Topeak-Ergon Racing Team names his own essentials from the Topeak range: the PrepStand, JoeBlow floor pump, and Torq Stick Pro Digital. He also highlights bundle options like the “Essential Toolshop,” which combines torque, chain, and tyre tools.

Park Tool’s Calvin Jones distils it further: start with tools for chains, brakes, and bearings, then expand as needed. The message is clear — quality tools are worth the investment.

PRO.Gravel Tip: Investing in the right tools might seem daunting, but think of it as buying peace of mind — your bike will thank you.

After a long season of gravel racing and riding, what should you look out for?

Gravel takes its toll, and the wear shows. For Feedback Sports, the main suspects are tyres, brake pads, and chains. Vestal notes that if you are regularly riding and racing, you can go through multiple tyres, chains, and pads in a single season.

Vestal also highlights cassette cogs, chainrings, and disc brake rotors — wear that’s less obvious but equally important.

Season-end maintenance can go further: replacing hydraulic brake fluid, swapping shifter cables and housing for mechanical systems, and inspecting bearings in hubs, bottom brackets, and headsets. “They can last for years, but if you ride in harsh conditions, they might need service sooner,” he warns.

Kerkove adds a full once-over ritual: torque every bolt, check chain wear, replace brake pads, refresh bar tape, inspect tyres and sealant, and audit your saddle bag. Tubes, plugs, and spare links can degrade quietly, only revealing their mischief mid-ride.

Jones of Park Tool keeps a checklist of essentials: chain wear, 1x chainring wear, brake pads and rotors, spoke tension, and rim damage.

The goal is simple: catch the problems before they catch you.

PRO.Gravel Tip: Think of it as a season review for your bike — not flashy, but critical to ensure the next season starts with confidence.

What are your number one tips for regular maintenance?

Here, the philosophies slightly differ.

For Vestal, it’s about cleanliness.

“A clean bike not only looks better, but lasts longer because dirt and grime are abrasive on both moving parts and on the frame paint itself.”

He suggests washing the bike upright in a stand, scrubbing grime from the drivetrain, keeping greasy brushes away from brakes, and refreshing sealant in tubeless setups every few months. He also stresses checking wheels for true and spoke tension.

Kerkove’s advice is about confidence and resources. Manufacturer websites, YouTube tutorials, and shop classes are invaluable. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” he says. “A few hours and some hands-on experience will go a long way.”

Jones keeps it short and sharp: find a shop you can trust. Not everyone needs to master every skill.

PRO.Gravel Tip: Even the best riders don’t need to be full-time mechanics — but understanding your bike enough to spot wear will save you a lot of trouble on the trail.

The big jobs each year

Vestal’s checklist here is thorough:

Replace hydraulic brake fluid.
Swap cables and housing on mechanical systems.
Inspect and, if needed, service bearings in hubs, headsets, and bottom brackets.
Check spoke tension and true wheels.
Refresh handlebar tape or grips.

Kerkove lines up with this, adding his ritual of torquing every bolt and inspecting carbon components closely.

Jones highlights chainrings (especially on 1x drivetrains), piston cleaning, hub and bottom bracket service, and pedal inspection. Anything that spins, he reminds us, needs attention eventually

PRO.Gravel Tips: Annual maintenance isn’t glamorous, but it’s what separates a bike that surprises you with failure from one that just keeps delivering ride after ride.

Top 5 tips for keeping your bike running year-round

All three brands converge on prevention: clean and lube the drivetrain, inspect tyres and brakes, keep sealant fresh. Jones suggests logging parts and mileage, stocking consumables, and scheduling inspections like you would training rides.

Vestal adds: monitor gear shifting, check tyres for cuts, and ensure rims stay true. Kerkove underscores confidence — the more comfortable you are with routine maintenance, the more likely you are to catch wear early.

Maintaining a gravel bike doesn’t require wizardry. It’s about having a solid stand, the right tools, and the discipline to check what wears out. As Vestal reminds us,

“The bike chain in particular, plus eventually the cassette cogs and chainrings, wear over time and need replacement. The ability to remove and install a bike chain is important.”

Combine that with Kerkove’s encouragement to learn and Jones’ blunt insistence on annual checks, and the formula is simple: keep it clean, keep it consistent, and keep it rolling.

Essentials Checklist

Starter Kit