Getting started: tools? Tips please!

Here's what I give to the people who come on my maintenance course (www.doctorbike.org)

Happy spannering and here's the promised list.

Rule #1: avoid cheap and nasty tools - they'll wear out and ruin your bike. Don't spend anything less than the amounts noted below.
Rule #2: second hand tools are fine, as long as they were good quality in the first place and they've been looked after
Rule #3: keep your tools in just one (or two) places, split into a) those that you taking on rides and b) ones for doing bigger jobs
Rule #4: don't let people take your tools away even if it's your best friend
Rule #5: if you need a specialist tool for a one-off job - don't buy it. Call me instead!

ESSENTIAL

• Multitools
  [INDENT]- nice quality - www.sjscycles.co.uk/blackburn-blackburn-heist-10-10-function-multi-tool-prod25356/ (£15)
  
• this one covers the 8, 9, 10 sockets too - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-B-Cycle-Bike-X-Tool-12-Function-Microtool-/400221295731 (£12)[/INDENT]
  
• chainbreaker - www.sjscycles.co.uk/topeak-topeak-chain-tool-super-prod16115/ (£12)
  
• Screwdriver - Phillips posidrive 2 (standard tool)
  
• Spoke key
  [INDENT]- this'll 4-way one will cover everything (Fat Spanner) - www.fredbakercycles.co.uk/180/FAT-SPANNER-Spoke-key-.html (£4.50)
  
• 3-way one is good too (X-tools) - http://tinyurl.com/6cmtdkp (£4)[/INDENT]
  
• Y-shaped three way socket set - 8, 9, 10 - http://tinyurl.com/5rq6mzn (£5) or there's one from Park Tool (higher quality) (£12)
  
• Track pump - www.sjscycles.co.uk/passport-resident-track-pump-prod18311/ (£10)
  
• Tyre levers - www.sjscycles.co.uk/park-tool-tyre-lever-set-tl-1-prod9930/ (£3)
  
• GT85 - spray on lube (not for chains, use after wet ride on moving parts, keep off wheel rims)
  
• Oil - get it from a bike shop, cheap stuff will do fine
  
  
  

VERY USEFUL

• 8, 9, 10, 15, 17mm spanners (14 for Andrew) (standard tools)
  
• Screwdriver - normal flat head, medium size (standard tool)
  
• Grease - get it from a bike shop, cheap stuff will do fine. (You won't need this unless you're doing advanced maintenance)
  
• 12" metal ruler - http://tinyurl.com/6gkrof3 (£3)
  
• adjustable spanner (standard tool)
  
• needlenose pliers (standard tool)
  
• puncture kit - old fashioned ones from the bike shop are best