I didn't have any bike specific tools when I purchased my two Radrovers back in Sept/2016. I didn't have a lot of bike knowledge since getting back to biking just two years earlier after a +25 year break. My Transeo GT XL 700X40c bike was pretty much trouble free for +2 years and the most I did was check the tire pressure or clean the chain every couple of months.
I found the best tools to have is a cell phone with a plan to get back home after two years and +5500 miles on my Rover. I then added tools and materials to my rack bag that didn't leave me stranded on the side of the road.
- Topeak air pump
- Stan's tire sealant
- tire patch kit
- valve core remover
- air gauge
- spare tube
- screw driver and 18mm wrench
- zip ties
- wire cutters for zip ties
- Y design Hex wrench (4mm, 5mm, 6mm)
- velcro straps (26X4 120tpi Vee8 tire is almost impossible to hand pump without using straps to help set the tire in the rim)
- rubber gloves, shop towels, hand cleaner packets, small tarp for the seat when flipping the bike upside down on the trails to fix flats
I added stuff like a light attached to my helmet because I also like to night ride the single track trails and work commute at 5:30am. Street lights are not enough to see what I'm doing that early in the morning.
One of the best thing I purchased for my ebike was the
Xpower A-2 Airrow Pro Air Pump Blower. I use this after de-greasing the chain to blow out excess cleaner, air dry my bike after a wash, and dry out my bike if I run into rain from work commute. I was really surprised the first time I used this on how much water hides within the chain, derailleur, brakes, spoke connections near the rim, and pedals, or any small crack/seam.
I add tools as needed as things break, wear out, or if I do upgrades. The last tools I added was the Brite Mark medium tip paint markers in black and white to cover up all my years of nicks from wrecks and trail riding.