Bicycle Mechanics - tools of the trade

need to asseble some tools for general maintenance.
saw that performance has a set of tools on sale for about 100 bucks.
i'm guessing i won't need a lot of them.
would it be more cost effective to cobble a set together as i go or is this a decent set?
or anyone got a better suggestion? used tools?
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16571&subcategory_ID=4218

In addition, you might want to search the forum. This topic comes up all the time.

need to asseble some tools for general maintenance.
saw that performance has a set of tools on sale for about 100 bucks.
i'm guessing i won't need a lot of them.
would it be more cost effective to cobble a set together as i go or is this a decent set?
or anyone got a better suggestion? used tools?
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=16571&subcategory_ID=4218

I generally buy tools as the situation calls for them. That way, I always have exactly what I need and no more. Keeps the toolbox light and the wallet, well..., not as light. That being said, if you don't have a local bike shop in your area that's easy to get to when you need something, going all out isn't a bad idea. The set you're considering looks pretty capable to me.

I agree with juicemouse on that one. To be honest it looks like most of the tools are hex wrenches and cone wrenches. I've been getting along fine with a cheap set of Stanley hex wrenches and a pair of double ended cone wrenches for a LONG time. Personally the tools I'd pick up would be:

1. A good reliable chaintool. Park makes a good consumer grade one. My current chaintool is actually a really cheap bell branded one but it works very well with some of the odd chains I come across.

2. A brush that's long enough to realy get between cogs/shifters/etc.

3. A set of cone wrenches. Mine look like they were just punched out of sheet steel. They really don't need to be all that strong, you're adjusting your cones not putting on crankbolts with them.

4. chainwhip and cassette lockring tool. . . I like the cheap lifu lockring wrenches. If you can find a hypercracker or a similar ripoff (I think harris cyclery sells one now?) you can just go with that option.

5. A set of relatively heavy duty hex wrenches.

6. Cable cutters.

7. Spoke wrench.


The performance set includes all of these and a few more. I honestly don't know if it's worth the $ or not depending on how much you'd use them. I've picked up most of my tools off of ebay and local estate sales over the past few years and you really don't need that many to start with. You should really assess how many of the tools you already have (most people already have some hex wrenches and a chain tool) and if that number is "zero" then buying the set is probably the way to go. If you already have a few duplicates however I'd consider buying quality tools as you go like juicemouse suggests.

I've read these kinds of threads many times over, and they usually have the same bits of advice. Only thing I'd add is that I have older (70s and 80s) bikes ALL with caliper brakes, and I've found the parktool's brake wrench to be very helpful and well worth the few bucks I spent on it. I can't stand having screechy brakes. I'm also planning on getting their 'offset' brake wrench, too.

Two cone wrenches are a real help--the cheaper, double-ended ones, as stated above, are great.

And if you are doing any kind of freewheel or other heavy resistence work and you have the room, find a good bench/table vise. I sit looking at a freewheel that needs to be replaced all the time and wish I had the room/table for a good vise to just torque that thing off.

Chain tool, I got a 'classic' Lifu from biketools, etc. and it easily fulfills my requirements. I especially like the longer handle.

And invest in some latex/rubber gloves. It saves a lot of time over having to clean up all of the time :).