Utility Cycling - How are your mechanical abilities?

Mine are somewhere between non-existant and minimal. I can fix a flat and lube my chain, and that's it. Even fixing a flat takes me forever and gives me anxiety.

I'm starting to have the opinion that if I want to rely on my bike as my main mode of transportation, I need to do some serious brushing up in this area. This morning, I was about to ride off to work, but I couldn't pedal. My chain was somehow messed up (note the technical terminology that I use :p). Because I'm clueless mechanically, I was stuck.

Funny thing is, when I drove a car everywhere, I had even less knowledge about car maintenance and repair. I feel that there is a bigger need to be more self-reliant in order to be car-free / car-lite. Maybe I need to look into whether I can buy roadside assistance for my bike! :)

I got a start last weekend by buying a thrift shop bike for $18, stripping it to the frame and transferring the components to my old bike as an upgrade. I always tried to do as much of the mechanical work on my cars as I could to save the cost of labor, but I was never very good at it and I absolutely hated it. I found last weekend that bikes are a LOT easier to work on and that I really enjoy working on them. My project for this weekend is to put the bottom bracket from the the thrift shop bike on my commuter.

My mechanical abilities are just good enough to keep my all my bikes out of the LBS tech's hands for many years, and that's at 3500 to 4000 miles a year.

I'm starting to have the opinion that if I want to rely on my bike as my main mode of transportation, I need to do some serious brushing up in this area.

Yep!:)
grab yourself a book, or peruse Park Tool's website, maybe get yerself a beater or x-mart special to practice on. these skills will be very handy.

i consider myself reasonably competent, built a few bikes, rebuilt a fork or 3, bleed hydro brakes...

the tools can be a bit of an investment (i think i have 4 different bottom bracket tools) but will be WELL worth it as the bike becomes your main steed.

Cheers and best o luck:beer:

my apt looks like a bike store/repair shop :)

always done my own work, and always will

for $3-$400 you can have every tool needed to do just about anything to a bike including building wheels

for $3-$400 you can have every tool needed to do just about anything to a bike including building wheels

Which is cheap, cheap, cheap, when compared to my collection of automotive tools. My bike tools basically fill one drawer in one of my roller tool boxes.

Lennard Zinn has a book called Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, and a similar book about road bike maintenance. I would imagine that by studying one of those books a person of average intelligence could perform 90% of the repairs/maintenance a bicycle requires. Mr. Zinn writes in a clear, concise and often humorous way and I would go so far as to say that he makes bike repair seem fun!

This book was the best $20. I ever spent and has saved me MANY trips to the local bike shop!


Having said that, I also am a firm believer that you can always try to make a repair and if you #### it up badly THEN you take it to the local wrench to fix your mistakes!

http://www.zinncycles.com/

I sold my auto tool collection and bought bikes and bike tools when I went car free. After having 23 vehicles and having driven 1.1 million miles I had quite the collection of auto related crap.

Most bike maintenance stuff is very simple, a complete tear down and rebuild can be done in a weekend if you plan ahead for parts and stuff. I just did a complete tear down and rebuild of an old Giant Iguana MTB. Total parts bill including new tires, tubes, cables and brake pads was probably around $80. By coincidence I had to have brake work done on my big dually truck...$650:eek::cry: I don't have that much in any two of my bicycles and tools. You just acquire the tools as you need them, and buy the best you can afford. I am getting ready to spring for a new truing stand, the one I have now is one we cobbled up out of an old steel bed frame and I want one that does automatic centering.

Aaron:)

The nice thing about bikes is that everything is right there in front of you and pretty self-evident: just by looking at how the parts look and what they're connected to pretty much lets you know what they do and how they work. I would never dream of working on an engine unless I absolutely had to, but most bicycle maintenance issues are just a matter of time and tools. I'm not the least bit handy, but I've found that routine repairs and maintenance are so easy even I can do it.

Anyway, I suggest:

1. Buy a book called Bicycle Maintenance and Repair by Todd Downs (Rodale Press, 2005). It costs $20, but it gives step-by-step instructions on how to do just about everything on a bike. It even has pictures.
2. Some bike shops offer classes on bicycle maintenance and repair; maybe that's something that's worth looking into.
3. Even though I do most of the work on my own bike, I still take it into a bike shop once a year for a complete tune-up. It's well worth the extra money; it prevents major breakdowns from even happening, and makes repairs during the rest of the year pretty trivial.
4. Invest in decent tools. Trying to fix a bike using a multi-tool and a swiss army knife is an exercise in futility.

OK...follow-up question. If I buy a cheap used bike to practice on, where should I buy parts?

I'm pretty good at walking my bike to one of the three bike shops along my commute.

Is there a bike co-op or some place near you that sells used parts?

I'm pretty good at walking my bike to one of the three bike shops along my commute.

Me too!! I got a flat this morning on the way to work, took it to one of the shops I knew. $10, no more flat.

I'm pretty good at walking my bike to one of the three bike shops along my commute.


Me too!! I got a flat this morning on the way to work, took it to one of the shops I knew. $10, no more flat.

Interesting to get opinions from the other side of the fence. Do you worry that you might get stranded somewhere a lot farther from your LBS? Do you have a back-up plan? I actually do not have a LBS anywhere near my route, so I probably couldn't take this approach and still make it to work anywhere close to on time.


Is there a bike co-op or some place near you that sells used parts?

I've never heard of this. I did a little research just now and I couldn't find anything in my area that fit the description.

OK...follow-up question. If I buy a cheap used bike to practice on, where should I buy parts?

don't. Just take it apart and put it back together. you'll need to buy tools though. You should find an old bike on craigs list, which can be found for the same price as an xmart bike, but you'll actually care about it/want to use it when you're done.

Bikes are way easy to maintain, almost everything can be done with a set of allen wrenches. Exceptions being removal of cranks, bottom bracket, headset, casette, pedals stuff that you may never need to do, or you'll do when you want to change components. Very unlikely that any of those parts will keep you from getting to work

To keep yourself from getting stranded, all you really need to know is how to change tubes, and fix a snapped chain. Both are very easy to do.

For general maintence; learn how to keep the chain clean, change brake pads, adjust shift cables, true wheels.

Interesting to get opinions from the other side of the fence. Do you worry that you might get stranded somewhere a lot farther from your LBS? Do you have a back-up plan? I actually do not have a LBS anywhere near my route, so I probably couldn't take this approach and still make it to work anywhere close to on time.

My backup plan is the subway. I intend on learning how to fix a flat and will be getting a repair kit in the future, but when I'm in Manhattan in the middle of the day, there's something like 10 bike shops on my commute.. getting stranded isn't a huge worry for me. And getting to work late isn't a huge issue at my office, luckily!

Interesting to get opinions from the other side of the fence. Do you worry that you might get stranded somewhere a lot farther from your LBS? Do you have a back-up plan? I actually do not have a LBS anywhere near my route, so I probably couldn't take this approach and still make it to work anywhere close to on time.


I'm primarily a city biker and my commute is all residential and retail. I can easily grab the bus or train if needed without too much delay (And few LBS's are open at 7-8am.)

This wonderful small commuter facility is (http://cherrycreekbikerack.com)near my house, and I've used them a few times for a morning tube replacement or tune up on the way to work.

That said I do want to do a long weekend tour somewhere, out to the country and just motel it for the night. Before I commence that I'll get more comfy with a patch kit, or maybe do a basic bike repair class at an LBS.

don't. Just take it apart and put it back together.

:eek::eek:

I'm going to end up scratching my head, staring at a bunch of parts on the floor of my garage. :o

There isn't much that I haven't done when it comes to bikes other than weld a frame from scratch.

My current bikes if anyone cares
1999 Specialized Hardrock Comp FS (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=4408101&postcount=1809)
2003 Specialized Rockhopper FSR Comp (http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=545760&postcount=743)

All work was performed by yours truly.

I like this book (http://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Complete-Bicycle-Maintenance-Repair/dp/1579548830/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-5199556-2155959?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184885120&sr=1-1) and the park tool website.

.... Maybe I need to look into whether I can buy roadside assistance for my bike! :)

Bicycle Repairman!!! (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1882331875202009355&q=monty+bicycle+repair+man&total=35&start=0&num=30&so=0&type=search&plindex=0)

:D
~

:eek::eek:

I'm going to end up scratching my head, staring at a bunch of parts on the floor of my garage. :o

I should have clarified. I'm not saying completly dismantle the bike in an afternoon and hope you can remember how to put it back together (though I can see how you got that from what I said).

Use the bike to practice changing tubes, and using a chain tool till you are comfortable. Then you won't be afraid of getting stranded. Then use the cheap bike to practice matainence procedures. If you need to replace a part on your bike, go to your practice bike to see how that part goes on the bike. After a while, you will gain confidence in your abilities, and should be able to attend to any mechanical need your bike has (provided you have the tool for the job).

If you buy an older bike (say, 1980s or earlier) you will probably want to have a flat head screwdriver and a phillips screwdriver-- and a lot of the stuff will be fixable with a good 6inch adjustable wrench. Allen keys may be no use.

Those old bikes are often pretty good for learning to fix because they don't cost much and occasionally more modern bikes have been redesigned in ways that make them require more odd tools to fix.



I'm going to end up scratching my head, staring at a bunch of parts on the floor of my garage.

When you get to that point, let us know and we'll help you sort it out.

A couple things you ought to learn about early on is cables and cable housings for brakes (and for shifting if you use a multispeed bike).

If you do dismantle brake and shifting stuff on an old bike there isn't all that much you can do to make it difficult to put back together.

Every single part on my Surly Crosscheck has been removed or replaced at least once. The only components remaining on the frame that came with the bike (acquired in a trade for two other bikes) are the brake calipers. I've even replaced the fork and headset. The only thing I haven't done is build the wheels.

My two fixed gear bikes I've also built from the frame up.

So I guess my skills are pretty good.

:eek::eek:

I'm going to end up scratching my head, staring at a bunch of parts on the floor of my garage. :o

Do you have a digital camera? If so, take a lot of pictures of the bike before you dismantle it, then at various stages of dismantling. That way you have some to go by when it's time to reassemble the bike.

Well, I started with overhauling a 1973 Schwinn collegiate which belonged to my mom, and that was pretty easy. That gave me the confidence to start working on my own bike more, the 2006 Specialized Sequoia I invested in last year. I've replaced the brake pads and chain and I do whatever cleanup maintenance it needs (degrease/relube stuff). Next thing it will need is a new cassette because I think I ran the old chain a bit too long, but it works ok at the moment. Little by little I'm learning everything and getting comfortable with it. I think you just have to do it. At first I was very sketchy about it: I was sort of afraid to do my own work, afraid I'd break something or not know something was wrong or make it unsafe somehow. The more I work on it, though, the more the scary mystique wears away. If you want help making it go away faster, read Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, but also read the novel Zinn was parodying in his title, "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" - I wish I'd read it sooner, because it talks a bit about the fear of technology and the importance of dealing with it.

Oh yeah, and if I had to pay $10 every time I got a flat I'd very quickly make up whatever I save by not driving. I get a flat every 800 miles or so thanks to the crap on the roads I commute, which means I have to fix a tire about every 3-4 weeks. Back in December when I was still very new to using my bike as a major mode of transportation, I had very little confidence in my ability to change a flat. I was, thankfully, aided by a very friendly bike messenger who taught me all the tips and tricks. More than that, however, it was a matter of repeated practice. As I said, I get plenty. You will be fine. Just get your hands dirty. :)

I'm starting to have the opinion that if I want to rely on my bike as my main mode of transportation, I need to do some serious brushing up in this area [maintenance]

Apart from fixing flats, there are relatively few maintenance issues that you need to know. Adjusting your derailleur indexing so the speeds work correctly is one of the issues you should look into, and fortunately, it's fairly easy. The Parktool website (http://parktool.com/repair/) shows the basics (and a bit more), and I think that once you go through that, you will have the guts to look into most other repair issues that might come on. And by the way, you don't need most of the tools they "require" for their repairs!

As for bike co-ops, I don't think there is one in Burlington (or there is no ad for it). But if it is similar to Montréal, you might be able to find 1-2 bicycle repair shops (i.e. places that don't sell new bikes and tend to repair older ones), especially in the more dense neighbourhoods of Hamilton or Burlington. Another trick that might work, especially if you have a decent relationship with a bike repair shop: instead of doing the general maintenance of the bike in the spring, when everybody wants it, have it done in the fall and ask to be there and to be shown what is done. Even if you end up paying a little extra, I think it would be worthed.

Lennard Zinn has a book called Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, and a similar book about road bike maintenance. I would imagine that by studying one of those books a person of average intelligence could perform 90% of the repairs/maintenance a bicycle requires. Mr. Zinn writes in a clear, concise and often humorous way and I would go so far as to say that he makes bike repair seem fun!

This book was the best $20. I ever spent and has saved me MANY trips to the local bike shop!

Having said that, I also am a firm believer that you can always try to make a repair and if you #### it up badly THEN you take it to the local wrench to fix your mistakes!

+1!

Just take it one problem at a time. You don't have to learn ho wto build a whole bike from scratch. First, learn how to change flat tires. Then, learn how to change your brake pads. Then something else. Then something else.

Oh yeah, and if I had to pay $10 every time I got a flat I'd very quickly make up whatever I save by not driving. I get a flat every 800 miles or so thanks to the crap on the roads I commute, which means I have to fix a tire about every 3-4 weeks. Back in December when I was still very new to using my bike as a major mode of transportation, I had very little confidence in my ability to change a flat. I was, thankfully, aided by a very friendly bike messenger who taught me all the tips and tricks. More than that, however, it was a matter of repeated practice. As I said, I get plenty. You will be fine. Just get your hands dirty. :)

They make these inserts that go in your tire to protect the tube; do you have those already? If not, they might help you prevent most of your flats. I have them, and I've only had one flat in the last year, and I ride pretty much everywhere I go.

I guess I'm like a B tech... everything 'cept wheels.

I guess I've had good luck, and maybe I don't trash my wheels the way I used to so theres really been no need to learn how to build or true. I did get a new set of cheap wheels I bought for my fixie trued and tighten, only cost 20 bucks and I figured it was worth it cause the last time I tried, I really f'd them up. Definitely something on my list I'd like to learn, but until the need arises again, I won't be learning unless a friend needs help.

I'm quite normal nerd - I know how computer works but tools for mechanics barely stay on my hand. That's one good reason to avoid cars.

Several years ago I put my old mountain bike to pieces to find out how it works. And I mananged to build it together. That's how I learned how to break (and fix ) the bike. Adjusting the derailleurs and breaks has required lot of work. Lucikly we have many bikes to train with. Son takes care that his bike always needs some adjusting.

Teme

Thanks everybody for the tips, advice, and encouragement. I have a 12-year old department store bike right now that I can play with. I'll probably ask more questions as I go!!!

A big part of my riding a bike is being able to tackle just about anything that needs doing in the way of repairs and maintainence. Owning a good how-to book with nice clear pictures is a good thing to have if you're a beginner. I recently treated myself to a boxed tool kit by 'SuperB' and it wasn't all that expensive at all.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/282/toolkitba1.jpg

I have a really bad habit of bringing old and distressed bicycles back home with me from the local rubbish tip and roadside rubbish collections. :o While this habit makes for a messy garage, it also means that I hardly ever lack for a spare part when I need it :)

:eek::eek:

I'm going to end up scratching my head, staring at a bunch of parts on the floor of my garage. :oDo you have a digital camera? You could take photos of it all assembled, then photos as you're taking things off...it might help with that "Is this an EXTRA part?" feeling that sometimes arrives at the end of an exercise like that!

I have great mechanical abilities but not a lot of comfort, yet, with how bikes are put together, what should be tight, what should be loose, what should be adjusted this way or that... I'm learning, though!

Do you have a digital camera? If so, take a lot of pictures of the bike before you dismantle it, then at various stages of dismantling. That way you have some to go by when it's time to reassemble the bike.Oh...uh, great minds think alike? Or, "Margie should read the whole thread before she comments!"? :o

In truth, I prefer my Park BK-2 Roll up (http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=6&item=BK-2)
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/spr_BK-2_2005727_13477.jpg

Contents of the BK-2

* AWS-10 Hex Wrench Set
* BBT-2 Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool (for 20 tooth internal splines, such as Shimano®, FSA®, etc.)
* CBW-1 8 and 10mm Open End Wrench
* CBW-4 9 and 11mm Open End Wrench
* CN-10 Cable Cutter
* CT-5 Screw Type Chain Tool
* CWP-6 Crank Puller for spline or square type cranks
* DCW-1 Double Sided Cone Wrench
* DCW-2 Double Sided Cone Wrench
* FR-5 Cassette Lockring Tool for Shimano® and similar brands
* GP-2 Pre-Glued Patch Kit
* GSC-1 GearClean Brush
* HCW-15 32 and 36mm Laser Cut Headset Wrenches (two)
* HCW-16 Chain Whip / 15mm Pedal Wrench
* SW-7 Triple Spoke Wrench
* TL-1Tire Levers
I've added a few things to it

3 sizes S-M-L Adjustable wrenches
A Snap-on 10/11mm Gear wrench
A smaller flat bladed screwdriver
A full sized set of ball end Allen wrenches w/ sizes 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, & 10
A Park BBT-8 for the ISIS BB on my trailbike
A Park CWP-6 Crank Puller and Wrench that I leave the larger tip on out of laziness and because the Crank puller that comes with the kit has the tip for Square Taper BB's already on it
A Park FR-1 Freewheel Remover - I find this more useful than the FR-5 Cassette Lockring Tool
due to the fact that not only will it turn cassette lockrings it also will work on the freewheel on my clunker.

I ride british bikes...I only really need two tools...

http://www.stanleytools.com/catalog_images/mid_res/87-791_mid_res.jpghttp://www.stanleytools.com/catalog_images/mid_res/68-012M_mid_res.jpg

:D I do have a fairly complete set of the Park tools that I have acquired over the years.;)

Aaron:)

A Park toolkit would have to be about the Rolls Royce of toolkits, but I don't work on new fangled modern bikes all that often so the Super B toolkit suits me fine. So far it's done all I want it to do :)


The Super B Tool Kit has just about every tool that you will need to carry out all your bike repairs.

Contents:
1x Cotterless Crank Tool + 14mm Socket Tool
1x Crank Extractor Nut

1x Chain Rivet Extractor

1X BB Tool

3x Tyre Levers

1x Screwdriver +/-

1x Repair Kit

1x Folding Tool : 2/2.5/3/4/5/6mm Hex Key +/- Screwdriver

1-8mm Hex Key and 1/2"DR Adaptor

1xFreewheel Remover

2x Hub Cone Spanners 13x14 and 15x16mm

1x Spoke Wrench

1x Open-Ended Wrench 8x10mm

1x Headset Wrench 32x26mm and Pedal Wrench 15mm and Freewheel Chainwhip

All in a Fitted Case

A Park toolkit would have to be about the Rolls Royce of toolkits, but I don't work on new fangled modern bikes all that often so the Super B toolkit suits me fine. So far it's done all I want it to do :)

Naa
THIS would be the Rolls
http://www.parktool.com/images/products/productimages/spr_MK-129_200639_52094.jpg

Contents of the MK-129

* AV-4 Axle Vise
* AWS-1 Hex Wrench Set 4, 5, 6mm
* AWS-3 Y Hex Wrench Set 2, 2.5, 3mm
* AWS-10 Hex Wrench Set- Fold Up
* AWS-12 Hex Wrench Set-Fold Up
* BBT-22 Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool
* BBT-4 Bottom Bracket Tool
* BBT-5 Bottom Bracket/ Cassette Lockring Tool for Campagnolo
* BBT-7 Bottom Bracket Tool
* BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Tool
* BBT-18 Chainring Lockring/ Bottom Bracket Tool
* BBT-19 Bottom Bracket Tool
* BCB-4 Bike Cleaning Brush Set
* BFS-1 Bottom Bracket Facing Set
* BTS-1 Bottom Bracket Tapping Set
* BT-2 Fourth Hand Brake Tool
* BT-5 Third Hand Brake Tool
* CBW-1 8 and 10mm Open End Wrench
* CBW-4 9 and 11mm Open End Wrench
* CC-2 Chain Checker Chain Wear Indicator
* CCP-2 Crank Puller (square spindle type)
* CCP-4 Crank Puller (spline type)
* CCW-5 Crank Wrench
* CF-2 Cutting Fluid
* CL-1 Synthetic Chain Lubricant with PTFE
* CN-10 Cable Cutter
* CNW-2 Chainring Nut Wrench
* CRC-1 Crown Race Cutter
* CRP-1 Crown Race Puller
* CRS-1Crown Race Setting System
* CT-3 Professional Screw Type Chain Tool
* CT-7 Screw Type Chain Tool for 3/16 inch or 1/8 inch chain
* CTP Replacement Chain Tool Pin (5)
* DAG-1 Derailleur Alignment Gauge
* DT-1 Disc Mounting Facing Tool
* DT-2 Rotor Truing Fork
* DT-3 Rotor Truing Gauge
* ***-2 Frame Alignment Gauge
* FFG-2 Frame & Fork End Alignment Gauge Set
* FFS-2 Frame & Fork Straightener
* FR-1 Freewheel Remover
* FR-2 Freewheel Remover
* FR-3 Freewheel Remover
* FR-4 Freewheel Remover
* FR-5 Casseete Lockring Remover
* FR-5G Cassette Lockring Remover
* FR-6 Freewheel Remover
* FR-7 Freewheel Remover
* FR-8 Freewheel Remover
* FRW-1 Freewheel Remover Wrench
* FTS-1 Fork Threading Set
* HBH-2 Handlebar Holder
* HCW-4 36mm Box-End and Bottom Bracket Pin Spanner
* HCW-5 Double-Sided Bottom Bracket Lockring Tool
* HCW-7 Headset Wrench
* HCW-9 Headset Wrench
* HHP-2 Bearing Cup Press
* HMR-2 Shop Hammer
* HTR-1 Headtube Reamer and Facer
* 690-XL Oversized Facer for HTR-1
* 750 Centering Cone for HTR-1
* 754 33.8mm Reamer for HTR-1
* 768 43.8mm pilot for HTR-1
* 769 Head Tube Reamer Extension
* HW-2 32mm and 36mm Professional Headset Locknut Wrench
* ISC-1 Internal Seat Clamp
* KS-1 Kickstand Tool
* MB-1 Magnetic Parts Bowl
* MLP-1 Master Link Pliers
* PAW-12 Ajustable Wrench, 12-inch
* PH-1 P-Handled Hex Wrench Set w/ Holder (7 Piece Set)
* PH-11 11mm Hex Wrench
* PH-12 12mm Hex Wrench
* PH-T25 P-hanlded 12 point star-shaped hex in T25
* PTS-1Tire Seater Pliers
* PPL-2 PolyLube 1000 Grease (tub)
* PW-4 Professional Pedal Wrench
* RR-12 Tape Ruler
* RT-1 Race Remover
* RT-2 Race Remover (1.5 inch standard)
* SA-3 Heavy Duty Shop Apron
* SBC-1 Spoke, Bearing, and Cotter Gauge
* SCW-SET13mm through 19mm Professional Shop Cone Wrench Set
* SCW-20 20mm Cone Wrench
* SD-0 Screwdriver, #0 Phillips
* SD-2 Screwdriver, #2 Phillips
* SD-6 6mm Flat Tip Screwdriver
* SG-1 Threaded Saw Guide 1-inch
* SG-2 Threaded Saw Guide 1-1/8 inch
* SG-6 Threadless Saw Guide
* SPA-1 Adjustable Pin Spanner
* SPA-2 Adjustable Pin Spanner
* SPA-4 Adjustable Pin Spanner
* SPA-6 Adjustable Pin Spanner
* STL-1 Work Stool
* SR-2 Professional Sprocket Remover
* SW-0 Professional Spoke Wrench
* SW-1 Professional Spoke Wrench
* SW-2 Professional Spoke Wrench
* SW-3 Professional Spoke Wrench
* SW-13 Spoke Wrench
* SW-14 Spoke Wrench
* SW-40 Four Side Spoke Wrench
* SW-42 Four Side Spoke Wrench
* TAP-3 Pedal Tap, 1/2"
* TAP-6 Pedal Tap, 9/16"
* TAP-7 3mm x 0.5 Tap For Rear Wheel Dropout Alignment Screws
* TAP-8 5mm x .8 Tap For Water Bottle, Toe Clip, Fender, and Rack Bosses
* TAP-9 6mm x 1.0mm Tap For Cantilever Brake Bosses
* TAP-10 10mm x 1.0mm Tap for Derailleur Hanger
* TL-1 Tire Levers
* TL-2 Tire Levers
* TL-5 Tire Levers
* TL-10 Shop Tire Lever
* TM-1 Spoke Tension Meter
* TNS-4 Threadless Nut Setter
* TS-2 Professional Truing Stand
* TSB-2 Truing Stand Base
* TS-2EXT Extension for Truing Stand
* TW-1 Torque Wrench 0-60 inch pounds
* TW-2 Tire Wrench 0-600 inch pounds
* TWS-2 Folding Wrench Set, 12-point star shaped hexes
* UK-1 Utility Knife
* WAG-4 Wheel Alignment Gauge (Dishing Tool)

I've got the "Honda" version for home use because that's what I need at the moment. It's enough to allow me to build a bike from the frame up without too much hassle. I'd probably have the frame chased and faced before I took it home and have the headset pressed in the process. I just mentioned what I have in the roll-up, I've got a few other tools, but it was more of a "This is my basic kit" post than anything else. I didn't mention stuff like my set of P-handle Torx wrenches and the nicer chain whips.

Now THAT is a tool set!:eek:

My next "big" tool purchase will be the Park wheel truing stand. I have an old truing stand that is on it's last legs. Depending on the what the wheel is for, a lot of times I will get it built up then take to the LBS and let them do the final truing. The one I have is good for about an 1/8" total runout, but to dish you have to keep flipping the wheel back and forth.

Aaron:)

Now THAT is a tool set!:eek:


Damn straight!

OK...follow-up question. If I buy a cheap used bike to practice on, where should I buy parts?

Always look in dumpsters. I am continually amazed what I find, from trashed bikes with useable parts to complete, useable, bicycles.

I've always done all my own maintenance, except for my biggest weakness, which is wheels. I know the principles, and have read a lot about it, but try as I might I've never been very good at truing wheels.
That ultimate Park set is AWESOME!!!!!!!! I wonder if the wife would let me buy that for Christmas. Then I'd have a better reason to clean out the garage.

I've always done all my own maintenance, except for my biggest weakness, which is wheels. I know the principles, and have read a lot about it, but try as I might I've never been very good at truing wheels.
That ultimate Park set is AWESOME!!!!!!!! I wonder if the wife would let me buy that for Christmas. Then I'd have a better reason to clean out the garage.

Just do like I did for a while...I was a member of the "tool a month" club:D I would buy what ever tool was going to be needed for maintenance that month, if I didn't need a tool I would buy one that I figured would come in handy sooner or later. I have some Park Tools that are close to 30 years old and still in great shape. I used to have a very good collection but most of them got stolen in '97 when someone broke in my shop and grabbed the box they were stored in...along with 6 bikes and a Craftsman toolbox with automotive type tools in it.:mad: I got away from cycling for a period of time after that:( but have since worked to rebuild the collection.

Aaron:)

I'm in the middle. I feel confident trying most adjustments and repairs on my bike that don't require specialized tools (too cheap to buy.) I haven't tried building one up from scratch but might soon, my LBS has a Trek 930 frame that might just replace the one I had stolen about a year ago and since it would be an extra bike I could make whatever I want out of it - a good excuse to do the work myself and learn the rest of the tricks.

I pretty much do it all myself, unless specialized tools are required, then it's off to the LBS.

One thing I have yet to try is overhauling an internally geared hub. Not sure I have the required patience or attention to detail.

Building wheels is great fun, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it, but I will admit I've built at least one wheel wrong... I mean so wrong that it broke multiple spokes and after three or four years hard riding it was completely trashed. Evidently I tensioned the spokes all wrong, but I don't know how. I eventually rebuilt it with new spokes and rim and, in retrospect, I'd have to say I didn't learn anything from the experience. Oh, well....

I pretty much do it all myself, unless specialized tools are required, then it's off to the LBS.

One thing I have yet to try is overhauling an internally geared hub. Not sure I have the required patience or attention to detail.

Building wheels is great fun, and I recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it, but I will admit I've built at least one wheel wrong... I mean so wrong that it broke multiple spokes and after three or four years hard riding it was completely trashed. Evidently I tensioned the spokes all wrong, but I don't know how. I eventually rebuilt it with new spokes and rim and, in retrospect, I'd have to say I didn't learn anything from the experience. Oh, well....

Actually the internal hubs (as least the old Sturmey Archers are pretty straight forward. Just lay the parts out in the correct order and follow the directions for dis-assembly re-assembly.

Aaron:)

I've heard folks saying that they got a flat out when riding and they didn't even know how to take the wheel off, so they called for a ride. "That's what I have a cell phone for!".

Now that's bad. (or is it lazy?)