mostatebears

I am thinking about taking the plunge and buying me a big tool set.

I am the type of guy that either doesnt buy anything or buys the big set of the best.

I thought that park tools were the best from what I had heard but a local mechanic told me that pedros were much better.

What do you guys think?

What about a set of performance tools? For the home mechanic that would only work on bikes occasionally would they last a lifetime?

Which brands are made in the USA, UK etc?

rmfnla

Pedro's are good, but "much better"?

I'd ask him why he says that; Park are good tools.

kartoffel

Kartoffel's preferences:
Sheffield vise. Park repair stand, truing stand, and 4th hand. Delta/Spokey spoke wrench. VAR cone wrenches. VAR & Campagnolo headset/BB implements of mass destruction. Bondhus hex keys. Mix of Craftsman and Harbor Freight for ratchet, sockets and box end wrenches. Craftsman vise grips, pliers, ****s, screwdrivers, hammers. Craftsman toolboxes. Dremel tool made by Dremel. Lincoln welder. DeVilbiss compressor.

Oh yeah... Craftsman stuff is usually made in USA but not always. Sheffield is UK. VAR is French.

capwater

Non-bike specific tools can be had inexpensively from places like Harbor Frieght, Sears, etc.

The Performance/Nashbar branded tools are perfectly acceptable. I've been using their BB, cassette, chainwhips, crankpullers, etc for years with 100% satisfaction.

Basic tool set: (this should handle anything short of headset cup installs, facing, etc)
T-handle hex wrenches (metric)
BB socket(s)
Cassette lockring remover
Chain whip
Crank puller
Screwdrivers
Pliers

A full set might be over kill and not cost effective. I came from an auto mechanic background so I had plenty of non-bike specific tools already then I just picked up the bike ones as I went along. It's your money, mate ...

bkaapcke

I got the Spin Doctor "team" tool set from Performance at a real steal. ($71.00, out the door). Quite often they are on sale for $99-109, while full etail is 169.00. The only things I have added are the 4th hand cable tensioning plier and Phil Wood BB tools. The quality is plenty fine for the home mechanic doing his own bikes and stuff for a few mechanically challenged friends. I don't see any need to go higher, quality wise, if such exists. bk

trin2du

Pedro's makes some decent products, but if you're looking for one big set I think Park is the way to go. For bike specific tools, the quality and selection available from Park is hard to beat.

oilman_15106

Home mechanic or going pro? Or just too much money and nowhere to spend it?

oilman_15106

Should have added : https://www.biketoolsetc.com/ knock yourself out.

Grand Bois

https://vartools.com/fr/index.php

masiman

For you non-French speakers: Var Catalog

Epiphreddy

I would get the Park Tools advanced tool kit. You should be able to find it on Ebay cheaper than anywhere else and it will have most everything you will ever need.

Al.canoe

I personally would not buy a big tool set. You will likely spend money on tools you won't need. Buy what you need when you think you'll need it. For bike specific tools I buy mostly the Park shop grade. They have a cheaper line in some tools.

However, for wheel building/truing you can't beat the Ultimate stand. For non bike specific, I shop for value which often takes me to Sears or other major brands.

I only buy kinda "weird" hard to find tools from Harbor Freight. The last time it was a small rack/pinion press for replacing the bearings in my rear 4-bar suspension linkage.

Some tools I buy tend to be cheap for jobs I don't do often like replace a headset. Then too, the park tool for cutting steering tubes is not nearly as nice as my plumber pipe-cutting tool which makes a far neater and easier cut. Plus, it does non-bike jobs as well.

Al

mostatebears

Thanks guys.

When I said big set I did not mean a HUGE set.

I am definetely not a guy with too much money on his hands either! \

What tools are brand specific that are worth having? For example, one time i wanted to take apart my spd's and lube the bearings only to find out I needed some tool.

masiman

Cone wrenches, hex set, chain tool, tire levers, pedal wrench, cable cutter or dremel, open end wrenches, adjustable wrench, crank puller, chain whip, work stand, screwdrivers, pump. Pedros, Park, Spin Doctor...take your pick. For home mechanic it won't make much difference. Of the more expensive stands, Park and Ultimate seem to be favorites. Here are some threads:

Nice to Have
Essential Tools
Newb Toolkit
Most Used Tool

You'll find there are different opinions but after all is said and done, if you stay with the name brands you won't go too far wrong.

HillRider

Campy used to sell a very complete tool set luxuriously packed in a finely crafted wooden case that sold, years ago, for well over $3000. If you want the best and price is no object, there is your tool set. I haven't seen it advertised lately but I'm sure E-bay can find one for you at about the cost of a good used car.

I have a lot of Park's and a few Pedro's tools. Park is better.

rmfnla

Geez, HR, most of those tools are obsolete these days. Fixed-cup, lock ring and headset wrenches? BB facing and chasing tools for steel BBs? Drop out alignment? (Just the ticket for those mis-aligned CF rear ends!)

I didn't see where the OP was working on a Masi Gran Criterium...

HillRider

It was a joke, son. From the OP:

Note, he said he wanted the biggest and best. He didn't say anything about the most useful.

thePest

For a beginner?

I would steer you into the direction of ALL-IN-1 tools

here is a sample. THAT YOU CAN TAKE WITH YAH!

Another is called the "COOL TOOL"

I like Bicycle Research cone wrenches which last over Park. Var being the best
Craftsman basic metric box/open ends wrenches / Pliers / Diagonal cutters / Screwdriver basic pack
Park ball end allen Y wrench
Hozan mini Y wrench 8,9,10
Park spoke wrench Green & Red
Homemade chain whip and Park Freewheel or Cassette tool
Eldi {if you can find them} actual Tire levers!!! Have had my set for 35yrs. REAL Tire IRONS. small curve edge...
Grease {Marine lube underwater grease = available from most auto stores}
Tri Flow
EcoTech 2 degreaser

HillRider

Go to the Bike Tools Etc. web site (www.biketoolsetc.com) and request a catalog. They sell every bike tool you can imagine and a lot you can't. The quality (and cost) vary from good to outrageous.

theopowers

I bought the Park AK-32 a while back and have been happy with it. It's nice to have the standard bike tools around when I'm ready to learn that project, so in my case it was worth it to buy a kit because otherwise I always end up going to the hardware store/bike shop two or three times while I figure out what I'm doing.

That being said, using the lists that others provided, or the parts lists from a Park kit, you can put together your own with bike-specific stuff from Park and non-bike-specific stuff from Sears or Home Depot or whatever. Anything that's a standard car/home tool like screwdriver, hex wrench, etc. is going to cost you way more from Park or Pedro's.

That tidbit about the plumber's pipe guide being better than the Park steering tube cutter is a good example. I'm going to check that out...

theopowers

A multi-tool was my first "bike tool kit", and while it was great the have the "right" tools, I very quickly got tired of the lack of leverage and the wiggliness of the tools. Trying to use a phillips screwdriver that's turning at the screw and the tool connection is a serious pain.

HillRider

Performance sells a house-brand steerer tube cutting guide that is a knock-off of the Park and just as good at half the cost. I've used mine to cut three Cr-Mo steerers, two Easton carbon steerers and an Al seatpost(!) to the correct length and it does an excellent, clean job.

BTW, a plumber's pipe cutter will leave a raised bead around the cut that will keep the steerer from entering the headset crown race and bearings and it has to be filed off. Also, it will not work at all well on a carbon steerer. The proper cutting guide and a fine tooth hacksaw blade do a superior job on any steerer material.

If low cost is an issue or for very infrequent steerer cuts, use a stainless steel radiator clamp fastened snugly around the steerer tube with its top edge against the cut line and use it as a saw guide.

LtSPD2000

I have a mixture of Park Pedro's and Spin Dr tools. I have collected them when they are on sale and or when I feel I need them. I have :

two types of crank removal toolls-Park.
Hub Wrenches-Park
Cassete Socket-Park and Spin Dr.
BB socket- Park and Spin Dr.
Cable cutters- Park and Spin Dr. both are acceptable
Headset wrenches- Not really need anymore if you use threadless
Spoke Wrenches-Park
Third Hand Brake tool - Park....very handy
Pedal Wrench - Park
Allen Wrenches- Home Depot
Chain Ring Nut Tool-Spin Dr
Axel Vise-Park
Park Chain Tool
Spin Dr. Chain Whip
Star Nut set tool -Park
Steerer Tube cuting guide - Park
Frame and fork alignment Gauge-Park- Not necessary excep[t for Steel Frames
Derailleur Hanger Alignment tool-Park--" " '' ''

The Spin Dr. Tools are very nice and reasonably priced. Their Team Set is a good starter set to build around with the Park Items that only Park has.
Don't forget a decent workstand- Ultimate Pro.........

bellweatherman

I like the others recommendation of Var tools. They are really good quality, but hard to find in the US. Having used the Var Atomic wheel building/truing stand, there is nothing better. Nothing. I've sold my Park stand that got me years of great use, but the Atomic is better.