Bicycle Mechanics - tool suggestion

Hey all!

This is my first post here, so be easy on me.

I'm just getting back into riding and I just purchased a bike (2001 Giant XTC Team.) I wasn't expecting to get into such a high end bike, but I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up.

So, I want to do my own maintenance on my new rig and was wondering what tools you guys believe are a must. I have the standard tools that you would keep in your garage (my Dad was a carpenter)

I am thinking about getting a bike stand, but I figure I can improvise for the time being.

Also, do you guys recommend any courses, books or on-line how-to sites that I can learn from? (I'm located in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.) I'm dying to get my hands greasy, but I also don't want mess anything up too much. I already messed up my brakes while bleeding them (I got air bubbles in the lines.) But I figure you've got to make mistakes sometimes if you want to learn.

BTW, I just D/L the Barnett's manuals in the sticky section, but I can't view it right now since I don't have Acrobat installed on my computer. I'll check them out later

Anyway...any help is appreciated.

-Erik

Hey all!

This is my first post here, so be easy on me.

I'm just getting back into riding and I just purchased a bike (2001 Giant XTC Team.) I wasn't expecting to get into such a high end bike, but I got a great deal that I couldn't pass up.

So, I want to do my own maintenance on my new rig and was wondering what tools you guys believe are a must. I have the standard tools that you would keep in your garage (my Dad was a carpenter)

I am thinking about getting a bike stand, but I figure I can improvise for the time being.

Also, do you guys recommend any courses, books or on-line how-to sites that I can learn from? (I'm located in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.) I'm dying to get my hands greasy, but I also don't want mess anything up too much. I already messed up my brakes while bleeding them (I got air bubbles in the lines.) But I figure you've got to make mistakes sometimes if you want to learn.

BTW, I just D/L the Barnett's manuals in the sticky section, but I can't view it right now since I don't have Acrobat installed on my computer. I'll check them out later

Anyway...any help is appreciated.

-Erik

If you ever need someone to show you how its done, heres a site with local riders that should be close to you. www.mtbkanata.com

Bookwise, I am gonna hafta recommend Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike repair. Its a great book that describes everything in detail.

Make sure you get a good set of hex keys and wrenches and you should have fun!

If you ever need someone to show you how its done, heres a site with local riders that should be close to you. www.mtbkanata.com

Bookwise, I am gonna hafta recommend Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike repair. Its a great book that describes everything in detail.

Make sure you get a good set of hex keys and wrenches and you should have fun!


Thanks. Someone recommended that site, but I couldn't remember the address. (add to favorites) I'll be checking it out as well as the books you mentioned.

I've got the tools you mentioned. Like I said, I have pretty much all the tools that you would want, just nothing that is bicylcle specific.

-Erik

The Park roll-up toolkit is a great place to start. There are some other kits out there too. Park is the stanrd though. It has all of the bike specific things you need for basic work. You need to add a couple screw drivers and an adjustable wrench. This will get you into most things except headset replacement.

Carpenter tools arn't going to be a whole lot of help. Mechanics tools are what you need. You may be able to lighten that frame up with a nice router though. :D

Also get some grease (bike type - Park, Pedro's, etc), some Loktite (blue), a good chain lube, and some anti sieze. That, and the manuals and help here, and the Park website should give you all the help you need. I find that most bike books are hoplessly outdated.

I believe you should only get the special bike tools as the need arises. However wrenches for the wheel bearing cones and a spoke wrench will be needed early. I pack with me a spare tube, tire levers, puncture repair kit, pump and Topeak Alien multitool.

www.bikeforums.net -> bicycle mechanics forum -> Click on link near top of list
of threads labeled "Barnetts Manual". This is a 300 or so page maintenance
manual that covers a lot of ground. If you are on dial up it will be slooow because
of a lot of pix and PDF format. Prints out nicely. Park Tools has a web site
that has a 20pp or so basic tool use and bike adjustment tutorial that is very good.
A Park mechanics course or several actually wend their way around the US and most
that take them feel it is well worth the $100, which includes a greatly expanded
version of their website tutorial. Steve

I would not buy any bike specific tool until you actually need it. Just use everyday tools that you have around the house which a lot of things can be repaired with those. The last time this question came up a poster said all he uses is his mini tool, it did all the things he needed or was capable of doing on his bike...and those are far cheaper than buying a Park tool set-their Park MTB 3 mini comes with a lot of useful tools for only about $30. See here for complete listing of tools in this mini: http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=MTB%2D3+Premium+Rescue+Tool&vendorCode=PARK&major=6&minor=5