Bicycle Mechanics - new to cycling and suggestions on tools?

Hello all, I am fairly new to cycling, been riding for about 8 months to and from work and playing around on the weekends. It's gettin to the time where I need to start doing the proper maintenence on my bikes, I have seen alot of "starter" tool kits and am wondering if you guys have any suggestions as to what I should get to get started... I figured I would probably need a bike stand, are any brands better then others? What about tools? .. any help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance!
-Jeremy

I started out with the Park Tool Roll-up workshop and Zinn's and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance. Later, I purchased one of the less expensive Park Stands (PCS-1?) and a set of Barnett's Manuals. I've purhcased quite a few other tools over time as I've needed them for more complicated things, but the roll up workshop and some everyday hardware store tools will work fine for a while, especially if you are just learning.

As for specific brands, Park is one of the best known. I've been extremely happy with my Park stand and I haven't had any of their tools break or fail on me yet. They definitly make some quality stuff. That said, tools by other companies will often do the job, but not last as long/fit just right/wear out too fast. If you are only doing maintenance on your bike and won't be using the tools all the time, the other brands will work fine if you can't afford Park.

The stand is expensive but well worth it. You will always need these tools - set of hex keys, combination wrenches 8-15mm & 17mm, spoke wrench, cone wrenches, cable cutter, chain tool. Other tools like crank and bottom bracket extractors, freehub lockring removal tool - get them as you need them.

I'm not a fan of the tool kits because they force you to pay for a lot of tools (like headset wrenches) that you'll probably never need, contain some tools (like cable cutters) of inadequate quality, and lack some commonly needed tools.

1. You'll be surprised at how far a set of metric allen wrenches and a couple of screwdrivers, maybe a spoke wrench will take you. Don't expect your allen wrenches to last forever. When the 5mm wrench is clearly marked where it fits into the bolt, throw it away. Allen wrenches are cheap. Worn allen wrenches round out bolts.

2. Cables, chains and cassettes wear out. To replace them you need a chain tool, cassette socket, chain whip and cable cutter. For everything except the chain whip, it pays to step up in quality for this stuff.

3. To overhaul your bicycle you'll need cone wrenches and a bottom bracket socket. I frequently also find my wheel trueing stand and derailleur hanger alignment tool to be useful. I have a cheap wheel trueing stand that works every bit as well as my more expensive Park stand. It just takes a little bit longer.

I have managed without a stand for a few decades.
It pays to buy high quality tools, esp allen keys and thin wrenches. Avoid no-name junk tools made of soft steel. Even some famous name mini-tools (like Topeak) can be poor quality for regular use. Park are generally good.
Price up a set of allen keys, cone wrenches, chain tool, headset wrench(unless you have a threadless system) and flat/pholips screwdriver. That should do you for most repairs.
You will need a workshop kit and a carry kit.

Another recommendation for Park tools. I bought all of mine individually, but I am not sure if it is better to buy them as a set or not.

I have and regularly use:
Park 3 sided hex wrenches, Park chain whip, Park Cassette lockring tool, Park chain tool, Park crank puller, Pedros pedal wrench, Park cone wrenches, Felco cable cutters, Park tire irons, Park spoke wrench, grease gun, Topeak Joe Blow Sport pump, and probably a few more things. Screw drivers, wrenches, a rubber mallet and other misc tools also come in handy. Things like a bottom bracket tool, cassette puller, and maybe truing tools will rarely be used.

I have a cheap Spin Doctor truing stand that I paid ~$20 for from Performance bike. It works great for home uses and I am glad I didn't spend more.

I have a lack of room and didn't want to spend a lot of money, so I bought a Nashbar Stand By Me (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=99&subcategory=1227&brand=&sku=3523&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=) for under $10. It isn't quite as nice as a real repair stand, but if you are only doing occasional maintenance for yourself and don't mind getting on your knees then it works fine.

The Park Roll up kit has most of the basics in it. Definately enough to get a novice in trouble

Good god man, don't get all freaky geeky on the tool thing. If your new at cycling as you say you are, most repairs done by the average joe on bicycles is performed by simple hand tools you can buy at Sears or anywhere else (I kind of like Craftsman because of their no hassle return policy...but that doesn't mean their the best).

If and when you need a bike specific tool then buy the tool when you need it and get it from Park. Then your not spending a wad of cash for the Park Roll Up tools ($140) and only use 1/4th of them! You could also get a Park Rescue Tool MTB-3 ($35), that will handle most repairs and you can take it with you on your rides in case of break down in the field.

If your a accomplished (auto?) mechanic and your going to be doing ALL repairs on your bike then the Park Roll UP will handle most jobs, but it only contains 17 tools (including the mini tool I mentioned!); and if your an accomplished mechanic you would want a more complete tool box such as the Park-32 Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit that cost about $280 and contains 32 tools. But either of these tool sets contain tools you would already have in your auto tools!!! Such as: 4, 5, 6mm Hex Wrench Set; 2, 2.5, 3mm Y Hex Wrench Set; 8 and 10mm Open End Wrench; 9 and 11mm Open End Wrench; Cable Cutter; GearClean Brush; 8mm Hex Wrench and of course Phillips and slotted screw drivers.

Think about how your going to use the tools before you jump in.

I have a couple of old Trek's 86 that I would like to work on myself. I'm sure tools have changed since that time but I would like to know what I really need to work on steel bikes from the 80's. Can spend the money if I have to. Would need tools to work on both Campy, Suntour, and Shimano components. Any help would be appreciated. I have standard metric sockets, wrenches, and hex sets from my days as a mechanic along with other tools. Thanks.

I jumped back into biking just a few months ago and have buying the specialty tools I need piece-meal. I repaired/upgraded my initial XC bike and built a DH bike with only the following specialty tools.

Presta adapter - $0.79
Tire levers - $3
Shimano cassette tool, generic - $3
Splined bottom bracket tool, generic - $7
1.5mm allen wrench, generic - $2
Crankarm removal tool, Park - $15 (retail, "have it now" price) *They said it only worked
for splined cranks, but if you unscrew the little platform on the end it works great for
square tapered ones too.

An old chain works in place of a chainwhip. Bottom bracket spanner tools can be crafted pretty easily. Crown race installers can be crafted.

The only thing I really haven't been into is wheel bearings.

Although I haven't built my own bike stand yet, I plan to as it seems simple. There's no way I'd pay what they want for the popular ones.

Granted I'm a cheapass, but you don't really need a kit IMO.

Oh, and an inch-pound torque wrench should also be in your box if your hamfisted. I've been wrenching on stuff for years and years so I think I've got a good feel and that's proved out since I don't break stuff and it doesn't come loose.

Cheers:beer:

p.s. A dremel cutoff wheel works fantastic for cutting cable housings. ;)

A bike stand is really a nice thing to have. You might be able to do without it but it really helps to have your bike up there and swing it one way or the other as needed. I only recommend what I have used and like, so recommend Ultimate bike stands. These are very good. Park stands also have good reviews so you may want to check them out. I suggest that you decide how much you want to spend and then go and read the reviews at mtbr.com. I bought Park tools one by one as they are the industry standard and wanted to pick up the specific tools I wanted/needed but a tool kit from Performance should last a weekend user a few years too. Performance also has some kit/stand combos that may be a good deal.

These are the bike specific tools I have:

1) Park Freewheel remover (FR-5)
2) Plastic Tire levers
3) Park Chain Checker (CC-2)
4) Park Chain Rivet Tool (CT-3)
5) Red Park spoke wrench
6) Park Crank Extractor Tool (CCP-2)
7) SR-1 Chain Whip
8) Park Tool Professional Cable Cutter (CN-10)
9) 13mm and 15mm Professional Shop Cone Wrench SCW-13
10) Park® BBT-2 Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool
11) Park pedal wrench (the angled one)

To these you need to add some general household tools you can get from Sears or Home Depot.

Another vote for Park Tool. They have great stands, and you can get a full tool kit set with a tool box.

Koffee

bah edited since the large post hadd little meat....just buy what you see yourself using. If you aren't going to be replacing headsets, don't buy headset tools.

Most folks get along fine with some open ended wrenches, allen keys, spoke wrenches, tire levers, pedal wrench, and presta adaptors. All in all that's about $50 in tools.


It's also good to have a nice sharp pair of scissiors if you have a roadbike...it makes cutting bartape SO much easier! I just go and buy some "electrician's scissors" from teh hardware store for about $4....small, tough, and sharp.

I have a couple of old Trek's 86 that I would like to work on myself. I'm sure tools have changed since that time but I would like to know what I really need to work on steel bikes from the 80's. Can spend the money if I have to. Would need tools to work on both Campy, Suntour, and Shimano components. Any help would be appreciated. I have standard metric sockets, wrenches, and hex sets from my days as a mechanic along with other tools. Thanks.

As most folks here said... standard quality metric wrenches, allen wrenches and screwdrivers will go a long way... add a set of thin quality cone wrenches, a chain tool, and spoke wrenches and the rest start to look like specialized tools. I always made it a habit to buy any special adapters/tools for anything bolted on to my bike, from the old spanner style BB to the multi tooth freewheel and cassette tools... simply buy 'em when you need 'em. Eventually you'll have a pretty good set. Bike shops come and go, yet I still have all the special tools to break down and overhaul my bikes.

BTW I did eventually break down and buy a Park stand... they are worth it. Hung my bike from hooks screwed into wooden blocks bolted to the garage rafters for a long time... but a good stand just puts everything within reach... at all angles.

I'm of the get GOOD tools as you need 'em, sure my tool collection so far is all electronics oriented tools, but I've found I do very well by getting good ones, as I need them - if I got kits I'd have all this extra stuff.

Good means stuff like Park, Craftsman, etc.

Now I get to start collecting bike tools, I have a spoke/cable cutter that I got in a lot of electronics junque, pretty neat, Park so it's a keeper.

And keep your tools neat, clean, and organized! Tool boxes range down into very cheap nowadays, or you can hang them up, etc.

This post is very helpful. Thanks to those who posted what they use most so I can compile what I would be needing.

I read up in many reviews that the Park Cable Cutters don't do a good job. Is this true? they say it has trouble cutting the housing or something and it doesnt fit in to cut it clean.

I agree with Retro Grouch. I have never bought a tool kit-not even for working on my cars! I built up my tools by buying only what I needed when I needed it so I wouldn't have a bunch of tools I spent money for and don't use except to look good and have conversation pieces when guys come over to see the 67 Ford Galaxy convertible I currently own. And a lot of tools you use for around the home can be used on the bike, so if you buy a bike tool kit you will get more of the tools you probably already have and some you may never use say a tool for taking apart a bottom bracket for example may be beyond your skill level.

If your going to buy normal tools get Craftsman, not that I think their the best-their not! but they have a hassle free return policy for as long as you own the tool without having to show a receipt to get the replacement, and Sears is in almost every town and open 7 days a week. When you need a bike tool get the Park brand from your LBS (most LBS sell Park) and they are warranty for life as well, just return to the LBS for exchange.

I just got started in doing my own maintenence, and I just bought a set of of metric allen wrenches and regular wrenches for about $30. I picked up a chain tool at a local shop, and I think that I'm set for a while. I just stripped a bike down to the cranks a few hours ago.

All great advice. Sears have remarkable sales on tools and you could look at what is in the packaged tool kits and replicate them at a lesser cost, buying only the specialist tools you need from the LBS. The big advantage of a pre-packaged tool kit is that you don't have to invest time to search out the best deals. Time IS money...er I mean time off the bike. Have fun and do what your preference is. All the advice above is excellent.