Bicycle tools

[signcrafter]

I've seen a few threads on here talking about bicycle tools but still have a few questions. The family has a bunch of bikes ranging from trek and specialized mountain bikes to a couple trek road bikes. We don't ride a ton but we do put some miles on each year and I've been pretty lacking in upkeep. I just bought a bike repair stand, not a park tools one but got pretty good reviews on amazon and should work good, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KOKFR4/?tag=atomicindus08-20. I also picked up a couple books from the library to read in my free time to hopefully learn a thing or two about fixing bikes. Hopefully it will just be routine maintenance but will be doing most repairs that come up also.

So what are some of the common tools for mostly maintenance or smaller more common repairs? Basically just want to be able to give the bikes a good tune up each year and deal with any common problems. I'm thinking about getting a set like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WRWEJU/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Seems like a pretty decent kit of "specialty" bike tools and made in Taiwan and a good price. I would think it would be good enough for a DIYer like myself? My other option is just to buy park or other quality tools as I need them since they are a lot more expensive. So what are you thoughts on one of these "kits" for under a 100 bucks? What are the common maintenance and tune up jobs on a bike? And what tools do I need to do them?

Thanks

 

[CWP1616L]

So what are your thoughts on one of these "kits" for under a 100 bucks?

Not for me are my thoughts.

All my bicycles tools are Park, Shimano, and Eklind.

 

[Ad13]

The most important tool you can have is a good metric allan/hex key set. You will need a thin profile 15mm wrench for pedals and bearings (cone wrench) and if you want a crank arm remover tool. Other things include a phillilps screwdriver for derailleur, 13 mm wrench and a good bike pump/compressor. Park tool is a great brand.

 

[signcrafter]

Not for me are my thoughts.

All my bicycles tools are Park, Shimano, and Eklind.

I usually buy the best quality I can afford when it comes to tools also. My only thought on the kit was it would give me what looks to be the majority of special bike tools for a decent price. Then I can see which tools I use the most and upgrade the ones I need with park or similar. Also thinking that the majority of these tools won't ever get used. I can't afford a park tools kit right now so I can either get a cheaper kit that includes a lot of specialty tools or just get a couple of better quality park tools. Which tools are the most used?

 

[signcrafter]

The most important tool you can have is a good metric allan/hex key set. You will need a thin profile 15mm wrench for pedals and bearings (cone wrench) and if you want a crank arm remover tool. Other things include a phillilps screwdriver for derailleur, 13 mm wrench and a good bike pump/compressor. Park tool is a great brand.

Thanks for the list. I have the basic hand tools, allen keys and wrenches and screwdrivers and also a good bike pump. A 15mm pedal wrench would probably be a good idea.

 

[96snma]

For maintenance you won't need any specialty tools really. Get a cable puller for adjusting the derailer, chain break tool, and a chain brush for cleaning and that's about all you need. I'm sure the rest you have. If you break a crank then buy the crank puller then. That goes for any other tool.

 

[six206]

You can't go wrong with park tools. They make basic maintenance kits all the way to pro kits that have everything you need to work on any bike. Check out pricepoint.com and you should be able to find a good deal. IF you just want basic you need a set of tire levers and a good pump for fixing flats. Don't use an air compressor to inflate bicycle tires.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Why not determine if you already have the need for the items in the kit.

Looking over it, I can see some items I've bought in Park & other brands over the years, some items that I already had, some I never use on a bicycle.

I have a spoke wrench, the tools to change out a old style crank (pin spanner) or the XTR set w/ new external bearings,) a cassette chain wrench, the socket for the cassette nut.

Pedals? Never needed a different wrench for MTB stuff. Small screwdriver? Already got it. 3 steel tire levers? Crank Bros. sliding extending lever is pretty awesome. Or plastic levers; 1 or 2 will suffice. Tire repair kit? It's called new tubes and a pump on board. Screwdriver? Duplicate of stuff I have. Freewheel remover (Shimano compatible) Already got it. 8x10mm forged steel open-ended wrench? Already got it. Freewheel turner (chain whip) Already got it.
30x32x36x40 mm 4-in1 headset wrench? Never needed it.
2 steel hub-cone wrenches (13x14x15x16mm) Never needed it.
Cotter less crank arm extractor (fits all axles) Never needed it.
Forged /-groove spoke adjuster Already have it.
2/2.5/3/4/5/6 mm hex key wrench set (4/5/6 mm ball-end) Already have it.
Adjustable bottom bracket cup tool Already have it.
15/16 & 15/17 mm pedal wrench. Already had it.
Cartridge bottom bracket too (Shimano type) Yeah, got it.
6" adjustable forged steel wrench
Already had one.

Adjustable chain rivet extractor & assembler (Shimano compatible)
I've never done my own chains.

8 mm hex key wrench (for crank arm removal) & 1/2" adaptor (for socket tools)
Already have it.

come to think of it, it's starting to sound like a handy kit for the $65.

 

[6-Speed]

A few torque wrenches calibrated in lb-in and lb-ft are essential, as are metric hex keys in 1/4" and 3/8" drive. Most of my bicycle tools are made by Park.

 

[CWP1616L]

I can't afford a park tools kit right now so I can either get a cheaper kit that includes a lot of specialty tools or just get a couple of better quality park tools. Which tools are the most used?

When I bought my Park tools, I was working at a carwash. I couldn't afford to buy a whole kit, so I just bought the tools I needed the most first. The first tools I bought was a BT-2 and a BT-4. After that, I got the CT-2. That same Summer I put a Cannondale M1000 on layaway. It took me 4 months to pay it off. Beautiful bike. 23 pounds is all it weighs.

 

[kc-steve]

When I bought my Park tools, I was working at a carwash. I couldn't afford to buy a whole kit, so I just bought the tools I needed the most first. The first tools I bought was a BT-2 and a BT-4. After that, I got the CT-2. That same Summer I put a Cannondale M1000 on layaway. It took me 4 months to pay it off. Beautiful bike. 23 pounds is all it weighs.

I couldn't afford any good road bikes when I was young but 40 years later I bought several and one is a 22-lb 1984 Schwinn Super LeTour (Chicago made). Paid $50 in like new condition. It was sitting in a garage for over 25 years. Since I only work on "Classic" road bikes my tool kit is different than others.

For common maintenance, Park's TL-10 for removing tires from wheels makes the job easy. And I have several different freewheel removers. Those are common for packing bearings with new grease. In all, I have always just bought the tools I needed when I needed them.

A vise comes in handy for those pesky rusted freewheel bolts that have never been loosened in 40 years. I put the freewheel remover in the vise jaws and placed the wheel on top, then used the leverage of the wheel to loosen said bolt. I thought I was going to bust up an old Raleigh wheel once, but it finally gave in.

Steve

 

[garboui]

If your inclined to get a kit still don't overlook Pedros kit offerings. They will be slightly cheaper than park and still better than much of the Taiwan junk. If you do go park don't forget to pick up the BO-1, iirc Pedros makes an equivalent tool as well.

Since you are buying a la carte below is my recommendations as a ten year bike shop wrench vet.
- cassette lock ring tool
-chain tool (the little triangular park tool ones rock!)
- chain whip (old chain and vice grips also works)
- spoke keys
- bottom bracket tool(s), get the ones appropriate for your bikes
- pedal wrench (I built one with a thinner profile wrench welded to some pipe)
- cone wrenches
- chainring bolt tool ( often not needed but is a lifesaver when you get a stubborn bolt and is a cheap one to buy)
- cable cutters (very important for cutting shifter housing)

Buying a la carte for these tools should give you the ability to just about anything on the bikes. As for where to spend more money I would say buy a good pair of cable cutters (Shimano, Pedro, ice), spoke keys (park tool only) and if working on tapered/splined cranks a park tool puller. Everything else a good mix of what fits your budget should fare just fine.

Just one last note on the more budget lines of tools. The brand Ice Tools is very reasonably priced and in my experience everything I have tried from them (Allen keys to cable cutters) has held up very well even in daily use.

 

[reptilezs]

buy good tools as you need them. buying the kit, you will get so so quality and some tools you do not need. i would start off with hex keys. a chain tool and good cable cutters, like felco c7 or knipex. chain whip and cassette tool are good too if your ride enough to wear out drive trains. the tools you need really depend what components you have. if you have cartridge bearing hubs then you do not need cone wrenchs generally.

 

[Stuey]

Buy as you need. To start off, just get a Bondhus hex key that goes from 3mm to 8mm at least, and maybe a small chain breaker if your bike doesn't come with a quick-link.

Tire levers are handy, in case you have to patch or replace a tube or swap tires.

 

[fflintstone]

IMO that kit looks like ****. I have done major work on mountain bikes from 1990 till 2007

I would buy a park 15mm pedal wrench and a park crank puller, a quality chain tool. If you have cantilever brakes then a "3rd hand" is handy. A quality metric hex key set, both straight and ball end a few small metric combo wrenches, mainly 10 6, 8, and 11. Doubles on 10mm.

A good #1 and # 2 Philips screwdriver as well, a chain cleaner and a cassette comb/brush. A shimano cassette tool and BB socket will make it into your tool kit. The cassette tool is better than a chain whip.

diagonal cutters and needle nose plires rounds it out.
its just me but i keep all my bike tools in there own hand carry box.

 

[NHBandit]

You mean this won't cut it anymore ? Damn I'm old...

 

[Slip_Kid]

The bike stand looks OK but the tool kid I would pass on. Buy some good allen wrenches and then buy the specialized tools as needed.

 

[helm]

Check out this site for bicycle repairs and maintenance and tools you'd need.

http://sheldonbrown.com/repair/index.html

Helm

 

[signcrafter]

You mean this won't cut it anymore ? Damn I'm old...

I used to have a couple of those when I was younger!

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I will skip that kit for now and pick up a couple tools a year to build my own kit.

I've got some god hex/allen wrenches. I also have a good pump and some tire levers, have had to change a few tires a year. Also picked up a CO2 tire pump last year after being on a ride with the daughter and she got a flat and we didn't have a spare or pump and had to leave the bike and walk. Now carry a road kit with me! I've been cleaning the chains with a shop rag and oiling them, the stand should really help with this. The main reason I got the stand is because one of the kid's bike needs it's front derailleur adjusted, won't shift into the lowest ring. Think we have a couple other bikes that need some derailleurs adjusted to shift smoother. Shouldn't need anything special for them from what I can tell.

 

[Applesauce]

Figure out what you need, and buy quality tools piecemeal. Even in a professional situation, I've used my 14mm cone wrench maybe once. Why get a complete cone wrench set when you'll see nothing but 13 and 15? Why get three BB tools and ISIS and square-taper crank pullers when all your bikes are outboard bearing? Why get a complete set of headset and BB wrenches when all your headsets are threadless and your BBs unadjustable cartridge bearings?

My biggest piece of advice: buy a decent chain tool; do NOT bother with one of the mini/portable tools. This is especially true if you have any ten-speed (let alone eleven or Campagnolo) bikes.

Feel free to ask me any questions via PM. I'm a full-time professional wrench in a big shop, and I've taught basic and advanced maintenance and repair courses, which includes making lots of tool suggestions for home and shade-tree use. I'm happy to help!

ps. A road kit or portable, just-get-me-home tools (and roadside skills!) are a totally different thing.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The most important tool you can have is a good metric allan/hex key set. You will need a thin profile 15mm wrench for pedals and bearings (cone wrench) and if you want a crank arm remover tool. Other things include a phillilps screwdriver for derailleur, 13 mm wrench and a good bike pump/compressor. Park tool is a great brand.

Everything he said !

 

[pfctblu]

Building up a bike toolkit can get expensive pretty quickly if you aren't careful. I would suggest you concentrate on the tasks that you seem to need tools for most often. Usually its tires, chain, cable adjustments, etc..
I use park tools mostly and don't have a single complaint so I will recommend them generally for most everything. Tire levers are a must and Ive had great luck with this I-Beam tool from Park. A chain cleaner is also worth the investment. A wire/housing cutter is very often used as well. The T Handle Hex Wrenches are nice also. Down the road I recommend a torque beam (especially if you have any carbon fiber). Other tools to acquire are a cassette tool, pedal wrench, cable puller, cone wrenches, truing stand, spoke wrenches, etc...

 

[Jure]

go with VAR or UNIOR

 

[Mr_Snips]

I worked in a bike shop for several years. I still have all my park tools 8 years later. Can't beat them. It's the snap on of the bicycle world

 

[bonneyman]

It all depends on the depth of service you're going to get into on your bike(s).
A decent metric socket set and allen wrench set are absolutely necessary. Metric DBE's and angle wrenches come in real handy at times. If you intend to take axles and the bottom brackets apart to clean and lube annually, then a set of cone wrenches and a BB remover that fits your bike are required. A spoke wrench (to true up slightly out of whack wheels), a chain deriveting tool, and third hand brake tool are really helpful.

The above will allow you to take care of most basic maintenance jobs.

 

[signcrafter]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm starting to get things narrowed down and a list put together.

This is really going to show my lack of knowledge but how do you tell what bottom bracket tool you need for your bike? Let's say I wanted to take my bottom bracket out to clean and lube it. Our road bikes have shimano sora components if that helps with the bottom bracket. Looks to be a splined type socket needed like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AC8PVI/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Is there different sized splined sockets? Hard to tell if there is just one or multiple sizes? Do I need any of the special pullers they make for the bottom brackets?

 

[otis66]

If your just starting to by bicycle tools, I would start with one of these kits
http://www.parktool.com/category/tool-kits

 

[Stuey]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm starting to get things narrowed down and a list put together.

This is really going to show my lack of knowledge but how do you tell what bottom bracket tool you need for your bike? Let's say I wanted to take my bottom bracket out to clean and lube it. Our road bikes have shimano sora components if that helps with the bottom bracket. Looks to be a splined type socket needed like this, http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001AC8PVI/?tag=atomicindus08-20. Is there different sized splined sockets? Hard to tell if there is just one or multiple sizes? Do I need any of the special pullers they make for the bottom brackets?

When in doubt, head in over to the local bike shop. They should be able to tell you what you need, and might be able to sell it to you.

Or if you have a relatively new bike, find its full specs online and then look up compatibility charts.

 

[kurtk75s]

I have a stand like that (performance spin doctor brand) and it works fine. I also have a cheap Nashbar tool set that also works fine. For hex, screwdrivers, and wrenches (non cone), I use my normal mechanic tools (CMAN/SK). The nashbar set is in a portable box so i could take it to races.

I've supplemented with better cable cutters, tire levers, and chain tool. For assembling new bikes and maintenance, the nashbar stuff works just fine. I would buy Park if I worked on somebody else's non-maintained bike everyday.

I've put together 5 bikes with these tools and maintained them for 10's of thousands of miles. A well maintained bike really doesn't stress tools. you have to be real careful on the torque values. I made a novice mistake once and crushed a thompson elite seatpost. That mistake cost more than the Nashbar tools (which were NOT to blame).

 

[signcrafter]

If your just starting to by bicycle tools, I would start with one of these kits
http://www.parktool.com/category/tool-kits

That isn't going to happen right now due to price of the kit. I can either get one of the sub 100 dollar kits or buy a few park tools to start off with and add more as I need them.

 

[signcrafter]

I got the bike stand the other day and got to use it this week. We ended up adding another bike to the family also for one of the daughters. A trek 7.2 to replace her walmart bike. She is happy and now the whole family has decent bikes for longer rides. We went on our first ride with her new bike and the wifey got a flat a couple blocks from home. Instead of wasting a CO2 cartridge to change the tire we just walked it home. Pulled the stand out and changed the tire. The stand worked great, really pleased for the price. Since I had it out I decided to go over all the bikes. Adjusted the front derailleurs that were having some issues. Learned a lot about how to adjust them and the in and out screws, not sure the technical name for them! Also cleaned up and lubed the chains. Really need to get one of the park chain cleaners to do all the bikes!

I was looking at cone wrenches on amazon. The park wrenches are roughly 8 bucks a piece with free shipping. Or a set of 13 for 60 bucks with free shipping. How many different sizes am I going to use? I know this will be different for different bikes and different repairs but trying to decide if it's better to just get the whole set and have them for 60 bucks or do individual wrenches as needed for 8 bucks a piece. The only problem with this is that I will have to know which sizes to order which might be difficult to tell.

 

[babylou]

Did no one mention a cable cutter?

 

[Ign]

The most important tool you can have is a good metric allan/hex key set. You will need a thin profile 15mm wrench for pedals and bearings (cone wrench) and if you want a crank arm remover tool. Other things include a phillilps screwdriver for derailleur, 13 mm wrench and a good bike pump/compressor. Park tool is a great brand.

This. Plus a shock pump if applicable and socket for removal of rear cassette(s).

You can do a LOT of bike maintenance with very few specialty tools.

 

[bonneyman]

I for one like to have some of the specialty tools around. You never know when you're going to come across that "uncommon" job.
I'm in the process of trying to make a cassette race remover, as the original Shimano TL-FH 40 tool is NLA.

http://www.bikeadventuresuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=11627

Or this:


http://biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?i...and-Freewheel&tc=Freehub-Tools&item_id=EV-SFT

 

[knobby]

a good stand makes repairs and maintenance far less of a chore
the one that i use is branded ultimate bicycle stand and all i can say is that it is stable very adjustable and just a nice design
not cheap but well worth the asking price

 

[matt chard]

Just get the basic allen set, chain lube, tire pump, and a couple adjustable wrenches and buy the tools as you need them

 

[signcrafter]

Just get the basic allen set, chain lube, tire pump, and a couple adjustable wrenches and buy the tools as you need them

I have these already. I have a good allen set, chain lube, tire pump, adjustable wrenches, tire levers, and stand. And any other "normal" hand tool. And plan on buying the specialty tools as I need them but was wondering which ones were the most common or most used. I like to have them when needed. Thanks to this thread I have a good idea of what tools I need to start out with.

 

[theknurl]

I worked in a bike shop for several years. I still have all my park tools 8 years later. Can't beat them. It's the snap on of the bicycle world

no Park tools are the Craftsmans of bicycle tools

Campagnolo tools are the SnapOns
the master kit in the wooden case usually goes for ~$4,000 used on Ebay

 

[signcrafter]

I took the allen screw out that holds the pedal stem(not sure the technical term) onto the crank and I have the square taper crank so will need to get the puller for that and then the splined socket for the bottom bracket tool.

So my list right now is a chain cleaner first, with 6 bikes now it seems worth the investment after I cleaned and lubed them all last night. Then in no particular order I have a chain tool, crank puller, bottom bracket tool, cone wrenches, pedal wrench, chain whip, cassette tool. I think with these I can at least take everything apart and clean and lube as needed. A fourth hand tool would be nice but they are pretty expensive so more of a luxury for me. But after adjusting my derailleur last night it sure would have been nice! A cable cutter will be down the road if/when I need to replace cables. Does this list sound pretty complete? I have them all in my amazon wish list and will start picking up a tool here and there.

Thanks for all the advice, keep it coming!

 

[reptilezs]

I got the bike stand the other day and got to use it this week. We ended up adding another bike to the family also for one of the daughters. A trek 7.2 to replace her walmart bike. She is happy and now the whole family has decent bikes for longer rides. We went on our first ride with her new bike and the wifey got a flat a couple blocks from home. Instead of wasting a CO2 cartridge to change the tire we just walked it home. Pulled the stand out and changed the tire. The stand worked great, really pleased for the price. Since I had it out I decided to go over all the bikes. Adjusted the front derailleurs that were having some issues. Learned a lot about how to adjust them and the in and out screws, not sure the technical name for them! Also cleaned up and lubed the chains. Really need to get one of the park chain cleaners to do all the bikes!

I was looking at cone wrenches on amazon. The park wrenches are roughly 8 bucks a piece with free shipping. Or a set of 13 for 60 bucks with free shipping. How many different sizes am I going to use? I know this will be different for different bikes and different repairs but trying to decide if it's better to just get the whole set and have them for 60 bucks or do individual wrenches as needed for 8 bucks a piece. The only problem with this is that I will have to know which sizes to order which might be difficult to tell.

the most common sizes needed are 13 and 15mm.