Buying a tool kit

How often do you repair your cycle? If once in a while you need to tweak the brakes or fix a spoke, you should just get whichever tool you need at that moment. If you working on it every week, get a proper advanced set with a repair stand, it'll be worth it, even if it costs more than 50 pounds :D.

how much!!!
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Workshop++Tools/Workshop/Workstands/Bike+Tools+Workstand_BIKE-TOOLS-WORKSTAND-MASTER.htm

^ wow that is pretty good an ok deal.

One of the problems with buying the online tool kits is you can't take a proper look at them, so you have to go on others experience / faith regarding the quality of the tools.

EDIT: quick google says the stand is fairly decent too...but at over £100 for the lot it's abit over budget.

+1 on the workstand, i've got no experience with that particular one but mine made doing anything to the bike so much nicer, especially regular stuff like brakes and gears.

The other thing you can do is buy any old cheap kit and replace the tools you use most often with decent versions when they wear out / are on sale on the interweb / etc.

And get a decent box / bag. Those moulded plastic things where each tool has its own place where it snaps in for a couple of weeks until a stress fracture develops and then the whole thing is useless are useless.

best toolkit EVER!!!

Bikester has a toolbox on sale right now. 75 down to 45, but no sausages.
Smack

hi, anyone knows this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Bike-Hand-Shimano-Bike-Cycle-Maintenance-Repair-Tool-Kit-/160680604606?pt=UK_Spots_Leisure_Cycling_Tools_RepairKits&hash=item25694f73behttp://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=2&pub=5574889051&toolid=10001&campid=5336527178&customid=&item=160680604606&mpt=871024

Just to add an opinion contrary to the prevailing consensus... I went for a cheap large set from Wiggle on the basis that I didn't know what tools I'd need until I needed them, and anything that broke or failed to perform well I'd replace with better stuff hopefully in a position of having used a cheap version of the tool and having a better idea of what to look for in its replacement.

That way I'm slowly developing a decent tool kit of good quality staples and still have crappy esoteric tools for the odd jobs that require them.

when you replace cheap bike tools from wiggle, i am assuming you mean with park tools, i'm from the same school of thought as corny..

building up a proper tool collection and investing in better bike servicing at home as we (my family) all have road bikes now.

also good to carry in the van for the planned tours in europe.. my tools reside in a foam filled solid flight case..

how much!!!
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Workshop++Tools/Workshop/Workstands/Bike+Tools+Workstand_BIKE-TOOLS-WORKSTAND-MASTER.htm

this is now a very good deal

crazy good!

http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/UNTOON9TB/title/union-bike-tool-set

ive got one of these, and i very rarely cant manage.
the spanner sizes are all slightly to tight out of the box, but a quick file/tidy up and they've been fine since.

its a good starter set, and i have replaced a couple of things ( crank puller and trye levers )
and have wrapped the handles all in old handle bar tape so i know what's mine ( i lend them out quite a bit )

... my miscellaneous tools are from a year spent being a handyman, just picked them up here and there for nothing.
Ermm, isn't there a legal term for this?

Just reviving this thread to ask a tool kit related question.

I currently have no tools. Just moved to London, and I have a fixed gear bike. I need to perform the following tasks:

• Remove cog & lockring for cleaning/maintenance.
  
• Install new pedals
  
• Adjust brakes
  
• Adjust seat post
  
• Check crankset (feels ok/tight, but would prefer to be safe)
  
• Install new brake lever w/ new brake cable
  
• Change tyre/inner tube
  
  

I know I need the following tools:

• Chain whip (will 1/8 and 3/32 be interchangeable in the short term? Or do I need 1/8 (I think my components are all 1/8).
  
• Lockring tool (for rear hub)
  
• tyre levers
  
• Set of allen keys
  
• Spanners (15mm, 10mm AFAIK).
  
• Cable/wire cutters (maybe... I could do a scruffy job based on the leatherman I have at home)
  
  

Based on the above, I've been looking at toolkits, namely these ones:
1) http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Bike-Hand-Bicycle-Maintenance-Tool-Kit-Shimano_41164.htm
2) http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Ice-Toolz-Essence-Tool-Kit_60194.htm

Which one would suit my needs better, or should I buy the items individually? If neither, is there a better starter tool kit?

Do you guys see me needing anything else if I've neglected from the above?

Thanks.

1/8" is wider than 3/32", so if you have any 1/8" components you'll need a 1/8" whip; it will also do for 3/32".

I'd bet both those toolkits are road biased, so the whips will be 3/32" for a start.

Different types of bottom brackets require different tools: do the tools in the kit match your BB?

I'd think the generic tools (Allen keys, screwdrivers, spanners etc) are cheap and cheerful to offset the cost of the bike specific tools.

Personally I think it's a much better idea to buy tools as and when you need to do the job. That way you only have the tools you actually need and spreading the cost allows you to buy better quality tools: cheap tools wreck components, making them a doubly wasteful purchase.

Have a read of this, for some good advice on workshop basics.

Is it possible to convert a 3/32 chain whip to 1/8, just by breaking the chain, and putting on a 1/8 one? Or is the metal piece itself actually different?

What about chain breaking tools, can they be used for 1/8 and 3/32? Or are they specific as well?

That link didnt' quite work for me...

Any tips on where to go to buy cheap (but decent) spanners and allen keys?

As I'm new to the country, I'm not sure what the good value brand names are, nor where to go shop for them.

I don't see why swapping chains wouldn't work; the handle is no different, it's only the chain that does the work.

Not entirely sure about breakers: I don't have any 1/8" chains to check mine.

Try this: http://www.cyclorama.net/viewArticle.php?id=5

Draper and Snap-On are too brands that spring to mind, although they probably make a range of tools at different quality/price points.

If you have a look on Ebay, you'll get a feel for what is cheap/value for money/premium.

Once you have an idea, then you can Google those brands and see what comes up: I'd think that on-line will give you the best prices, but you could try independent hardware shops, car accessories suppliers etc; they might be a good source of advice too.

I'd steer clear of Halfords, but bike shops would be a good bet: ask them what their mechanics use.

http://www.webbline.co.uk/

Give Alf a ring, ask him to spec you what he would sell to people on the course.

I got one of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/x-tools-bike-tool-kit-18-piece/rp-prod40997 I haven't handled many tools in my time, but the ones in the tool kit seem good quality to me.

The CRC one is the same as the Planet X Jobsworth kit, and the Jobsworth is a fiver cheaper at 34.99.

try rotafix instead of a chainwhip, I know its been posted many times before
How to remove/install a fixie cog without a chainwhip (rotafix) - YouTube

Halfords professional quality tools are pretty well made, reasonably priced and they have a no quibble replacement policy. I don't think they do much bike specific stuff in that range but I have a 1/4 drive socket set with hex bits that I use for most bike jobs.

If you have a bench vice and length of old chain you don't need a chain whip. Put one end of the chain in the vice, put the wheel against the vice and wrap the free end of the chain round the cog, so that the cog / cassette doesn't turn when you put the tool on to undo it. Best done with a tyre on the rim to protect the rim and make the wheel less likely to skid out.

I would really recommend http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0038XQRY4 , I think Hex keys are something that it's worth investing in as I use them on basically every single job I do on a bike. These are really nice to work with and the ball ends do make awkward angles easier and you can get some decent torque, especially on the larger sizes.

I've also got one of those generic lifeline/jobsworth etc. kits which is an economic way of getting all the basics and have bought good quality (Park) Tools for specific stuff (Campag BB Tool etc.).

Definitely want to work on some homemade tools now though, headset press looks obvious and a wheel truing stand with a dial indicator would be sick. Good luck building up your set!