Bicycle Mechanics - Good tool kits.

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shmoony
03-27-08, 08:23 PM
Hey, I am just getting into biking more seriously. I really want to learn the mechanics of a bike and how it works, but I don't have any tools. Could you guys link me to a good set of tools and possibly a good book or something that could help me out?

Secondly, I just got a new bike and me left crank fell off quite quickly. Within a week. The crank got replaced and I was told that after a few rides I should check to see if the 8mm hex bolts were tight to prevent this from happening again, but apparently I need a special allen key to do so (a torque wrench?). Help me out with this? Sorry, like I said I'm new to this stuff and I hate not knowing anything about the subject. I'm lost when it comes to bike mechanics, I don't want to rely on my LBS to do everything for me.

Pragmatik
03-27-08, 08:36 PM
I picked up this little kit from PB:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=22310&subcategory_ID=4218
Add some headset wrenches (on a nice sale), and you've got what you need to get started.

As a side note, the vinyl or whatever is in there STINKS, so you might want to leave it open for a few hours after you get it, lol.
nitropowered
03-27-08, 08:54 PM
You don't need a torque wrench for the crank arm. Just crank down as hard as you can.

Any of the Park tool kits are really good. You could also get one of those cheepo tool kits that float around on ebay. They do the job but you can tell they are low quality. From there, you'll find out what you really use then upgrade them as they wear out or break

shmoony
03-27-08, 09:12 PM
Thanks for the quick responses. I am just sort of anal about this crank, I really don't want to deal with stripping it again, and I can't budge the bolt, it won't loosen or tighten. I might take it to the lbs to be sure it's fine after a few rides.
anti.team
03-27-08, 09:16 PM
Some people like this one (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94298) from Harbor Freight. Probably the same quality as the Spin Doctor kit, and definitely good enough for a beginning mechanic. By the time you get good at it, you might want some nicer tools, but these would be a good start.