Bicycle Mechanics - Bike Building Tools

I plant to build up a MTB frame in the next month or so. I have plenty of mechanic's tools, but do I need any special tools for installing components. I plan to use Shimano XT components, hydraulic brakes, etc. Thanks,

I plant to build up a MTB frame in the next month or so. I have plenty of mechanic's tools, but do I need any special tools for installing components. I plan to use Shimano XT components, hydraulic brakes, etc. Thanks,
yeah definitely...here are some of the things i bought recently that has allowed me to do the same. i try to get mostly Park tools because i like consistency.

crank puller cwp-6
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_CWP-6_2005727_97256.jpg

cassette/ freewheel remover fr-5g
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_FR-5GB_2005727_68497.jpg

bottom bracket tool bbt-2
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_BBT-2_2005727_42826.jpg

chain whip sr-2
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_SR-2_2005729_7149.jpg

saw guide sg-6
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_SG-6_2005729_19109.jpg

spoke tension meter tm-1
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_TM-1_2005726_46736.jpg

wheel truing stand ts-8
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_TS-8_2005729_99051.jpg

double-ended cone wrench dcw-1, -2, and -3 (these are cheap..i would get all three sizes because you never know when you might need a NARROW wrench :rolleyes:
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_DCW-2_2005727_98025.jpg

spoke wrench similar to this
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_SW-40_2005104_17511.jpg

chain tool ct-5
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/det_CT-5_2005727_90661.jpg

Cable cutters are nice. You'll definitely need cone wrenches.

oh yeah, recently i got one of these:

brs-50r
http://www.blueskycycling.com/product_image/40005_lg.jpg

and one of these for when i wash my bike:

aztec/ delta matisse stand
http://www.bikeparts.com/pimage/BPC102179.jpg

I would buy a set.

I would buy a set.

hey MattP...what up!!!
:D

yeah a set might work too...

Thanks for the input! MattP, do you mean a set of tools? I haven't looked at Park site yet. Thanks

I'm going to risk the wrath of the group and suggest that you might want to look at something like Nashbar Bigger than Big Kit (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=99&subcategory=1232&brand=&sku=12250&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) Not up to the quality of Park tools of course, but perfectly serviceable for what you need. You can always upgrade as required. If it's the external BB crank, you will need an external BB Tool, again, I've got a Nashbar and it works just fine.

Yes, top quality tools are great. Cheap tools are junk. The Nashbar falls into the middle, not the best but more than good enough for most home users I suspect.

Just my .02

Steve W

Thanks for the tips on tool mfrs. Believe I will order a couple of items including a stand. I see where component mfrs recommend facing some of the tubing surfaces where BB bracket, head tube bearings, and even calipers are mounted. Those tools are quite expensive for an individual to own. How would you suggest locating a local bike builder that would assist in setting up some of the components, someone that may have the correct tools and abilities to use them properly? I am not purchasing my frame locally, so I am sort of hestitant to ask any local dealers for assitance? I know its a great benefit dealing with a local proprietor with any type of product you have when you need help.

Thanks for the tips on tool mfrs. Believe I will order a couple of items including a stand. I see where component mfrs recommend facing some of the tubing surfaces where BB bracket, head tube bearings, and even calipers are mounted. Those tools are quite expensive for an individual to own. How would you suggest locating a local bike builder that would assist in setting up some of the components, someone that may have the correct tools and abilities to use them properly? I am not purchasing my frame locally, so I am sort of hestitant to ask any local dealers for assitance? I know its a great benefit dealing with a local proprietor with any type of product you have when you need help.
to be quite honest, most people get away with not facing any of the surfaces you mention. i wouldn't even worry about it.

the caliper tabs definitely don't worry about unless there is a problem. a caliper is easily removed after the fact and can be faced later. my Hopes worked fine with no facing of tabs.

for the other two surfaces, you can take a flat fine cut metal file and gently span the circular surfaces of the BB and HT. do this gently to mostly just take the paint off. take no to barely any metal off. just light pressure and you will see the paint being removed and the metal getting "shiny" or changing color. you know what i mean. this is a cheap alternative to true facing.

hey MattP...what up!!!
:D

yeah a set might work too...

Hola :)

Yeah, for your needs, I would buy a set. If you were to buy individual tools down the road when you come across the need for them, a set might not be the best way to go, since you could wait for deals and what not.

But since you are doing a build all at once, a set might be the best way to go. Check out Nashbar's stuff, or if you want stuff that won't fail, check out Park. And a stand is always a bonus :)

Performance Bike has their Spin Doctor tools really cheap. As stated above, the tools to get from them are the drivetrain combo (chain whip, cassette removal tool, and chain pin tool), a crank puller and BB tool for whatever type you have. That will get you going into just about anything other than wheel truing and building stuff. As far as the wrenches, I dont need any for my bike, so you may want to save that for picking up as needed from LBS. Go with the Performance Spin Doctor stuff as it is alot cheaper than Park.

to the OP. i am totally for cheaper tools. i am used to buying auto tools, so PARK seemed cheap to me. however, some of those park tools i showed you above were really not that much money. Choose wisely and you can save too. for instance, that little crank puller does ISIS or square or you could buy more expensive ones with a handle....but the one i got you just us an adjustable wrench.
the only expensive things were my wheel building stuff...oh, and i kind of splurged on my chain whip....and the saw guide.

but everything else is reasonable...promise

Thanks for the tips on tool mfrs. Believe I will order a couple of items including a stand. I see where component mfrs recommend facing some of the tubing surfaces where BB bracket, head tube bearings, and even calipers are mounted. Those tools are quite expensive for an individual to own. How would you suggest locating a local bike builder that would assist in setting up some of the components, someone that may have the correct tools and abilities to use them properly? I am not purchasing my frame locally, so I am sort of hestitant to ask any local dealers for assitance? I know its a great benefit dealing with a local proprietor with any type of product you have when you need help.

If you have a really nice bike, go to a bike shop that has a campy tool set to have the facing done. The whole idea of facing is to have both sides of the tube perfectly parallel so the bearings are as smooth as possible and you need precision tools to do this, but they are prohibitively expensive.