Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

What's your favorite/most used tool?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

What's your favorite/most used tool?

Old 05-12-12, 04:15 PM
  #1  
I let the dogs out
Thread Starter
 
AlphaDogg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,934

Bikes: 2011 Fuji Roubaix 1.0, 2003 Ti Merlin Solis, & 1994 Raleigh MT200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
What's your favorite/most used tool?

My local Performance bike shop moved, so they had a grand opening at their new location. Both this weekend and last weekend, they were giving away $20 of in-store credit to the first 100 people at the store each day (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). That's $6,000 per weekend! I went last weekend with my dad and we got $40 of credit. We got a pair of sunglasses, bar tape, and some other goodies. This morning, we went and again got $40 of credit. I got a jersey that was originally $70, marked down to $50 for 50% off. With the credit, that made it only $5. Talk about a steal! But for tools, I was contemplating between a Park CN-10 (cable cutter, $37.95) or a Park FR-5G (SRAmano cassette lockring remover, $8) and a "Spin Doctor" chainwhip. I decided that I wouldn't use the cable cutter all that much (though I have been using the one at the co-op a lot because I just converted to white cables) and got the lockring tool and chainwhip. I will be using them about twice a month to clean my drivetrain. So I scored $105 worth of stuff for only $8 out of pocket (entirely legally too! )

Tl;dr: If you had to choose one tool that you use/like the most, what would it be?
AlphaDogg is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 04:50 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
consumes's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 168

Bikes: 1978 nishiki 2011 Kona Dr.Good 1996 trek 830, 1996 Iron Horse MT400, 89 Specialized Hardrock,

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
park dcw-4 ...
consumes is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 04:53 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
009jim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,289

Bikes: Giant CRX3, Trek 7100

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts
I have a Giant tool. I don't use it much but its got all the essentials if I need to do an adjustment when I'm on the road. I've shown it to my neighbor and she was impressed by all the things it could do.
009jim is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 04:54 PM
  #4  
Half way there
 
gmt13's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Durham, NC
Posts: 1,110

Bikes: 69 Hercules, 73 Raleigh Sports, 74 Raliegh Competition, 78 Nishiki Professional, 79 Nishiki International, 83 Colnago Super, 83 Viner Junior

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
My favorite tool is the one that you use when you need it. The one I enjoy the most is my Park TS-2 truing stand. Used it today BTW. Messing with wheels is almost meditative.

-G
gmt13 is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 05:01 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 593

Bikes: 2012 Specialized Crux, Schwinn Mesa

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I am planning on going to the colorado store tomorrow morning what time did you get there? As for my favorite tool it has to be my nashbar multitool. That multitool has helped me out a lot with adjustments here and there while out riding. I even use it when I am at home because its easy to find (always in the saddle bag).
Mondo734 is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 05:07 PM
  #6  
I let the dogs out
Thread Starter
 
AlphaDogg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,934

Bikes: 2011 Fuji Roubaix 1.0, 2003 Ti Merlin Solis, & 1994 Raleigh MT200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Mondo734
I am planning on going to the colorado store tomorrow morning what time did you get there? As for my favorite tool it has to be my nashbar multitool. That multitool has helped me out a lot with adjustments here and there while out riding. I even use it when I am at home because its easy to find (always in the saddle bag).
They open at 9am. I got there last Saturday morning at 8:30 and there was a line. By the time they opened, there were at least 60 people there. This morning, I got there at 8:50 and there were about 2 people. By the time they opened, there were about 5 people. I think all of the "hype" was last weekend. But if you want to guarantee a spot, you should be there by 8:45.
AlphaDogg is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 05:12 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 593

Bikes: 2012 Specialized Crux, Schwinn Mesa

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by AlphaDogg
They open at 9am. I got there last Saturday morning at 8:30 and there was a line. By the time they opened, there were at least 60 people there. This morning, I got there at 8:50 and there were about 2 people. By the time they opened, there were about 5 people. I think all of the "hype" was last weekend. But if you want to guarantee a spot, you should be there by 8:45.
Cool thanks for the advice Ill try to do that.
Mondo734 is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 05:15 PM
  #8  
I let the dogs out
Thread Starter
 
AlphaDogg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,934

Bikes: 2011 Fuji Roubaix 1.0, 2003 Ti Merlin Solis, & 1994 Raleigh MT200

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Mondo734
Cool thanks for the advice Ill try to do that.
Good luck! If you need help with anything mechanical, talk to Kurt, the mechanic there. He's fantastic!

Last edited by AlphaDogg; 05-12-12 at 05:18 PM.
AlphaDogg is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 05:28 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Chris W.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 1,084

Bikes: 76' Centrurion Pro-Tour, 86' Specialized Rock Hopper, 88' Centurion Iron Man, 89' Bruce Gordon "Hikari", 95' Rock Hopper Ultra.

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 14 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Not the most used, but my favorite tool is the Park headset cup removing tool I got for $3, it makes the job so nice!

Cheers,
Chris
Chris W. is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 06:27 PM
  #10  
Hello
 
zebede's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Suncoast, Florida
Posts: 936

Bikes: n+1

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 110 Post(s)
Liked 29 Times in 25 Posts
Its a toss up between an allen Y wrench or bench top allen key set with long shanks and hex ball on one end. It used to be my 8,9,10 y wrench but It has gone down the list since allen heads are more common.
zebede is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 06:34 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Retro Grouch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times in 363 Posts
Originally Posted by AlphaDogg
If you had to choose one tool that you use/like the most, what would it be?
Use the most is easy - my 5mm allen wrench.

My favorite tool might be my derailleur hanger alignment gauge because it's allowed me to, in just a few minutes, fix the shifting on some bikes that had stumped some pretty good mechanics. Anything that makes people think that I'm smarter than I really am is good.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 07:09 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: boston, ma
Posts: 2,896
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
lock ring pliers, impact gun, breaker bar. kingsbridge bb tool.
reptilezs is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 07:27 PM
  #13  
Thrifty Bill
 
wrk101's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,572

Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more

Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 957 Times in 624 Posts
Sugino bb tool set.
wrk101 is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 07:31 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
JTGraphics's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 2,678
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
You can't buy my favorite tool at Performance or for $40.
But get something you know you'll use I went to one of those Grand Openings also once and picked up an extra floor pump
Also did you look at the fine print on that give away the ones I got were to be used that day!
__________________
It may not be fancy but it gets me were I need to go.
https://www.jtgraphics.net/cyclist_bicycles.htm
JTGraphics is offline  
Old 05-12-12, 07:40 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
DannoXYZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Saratoga, CA
Posts: 11,736
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 109 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
This 1000 lb*ft one !!!!

https://www.workshopsupplies.co.uk/co...l_ir2135qt.jpg
DannoXYZ is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 08:21 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
ncfisherman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Chapel Hill
Posts: 457

Bikes: Canfield Yelli Screamy, Pivot Mach5, Specialized Roubaix, '65 Hercules, '79 Schwinn Stingray Lil Chic, '68 Schwinn Stingray Fastback, '89 Specialized Allez Epic, '86 Battaglin World Champion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Favorite tool is the Chris King hub tool kit. It's made with the precision and quality of all of King's other products.

Most used tool might be my TS2's.
ncfisherman is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 08:41 AM
  #17  
Mechanic/Tourist
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 7,522

Bikes: 2008 Novara Randonee - love it. Previous bikes:Motobecane Mirage, 1972 Moto Grand Jubilee (my fave), Jackson Rake 16, 1983 C'dale ST500.

Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 486 Post(s)
Liked 11 Times in 11 Posts
One of my favorite tools is one I use a fair amount for bike work but has all sorts of other uses. Absolutely great for moving things without marring them. I have one in my shop and one in the garage.



24 oz. Rubber-Faced dead blow hammer.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
dead blow.jpg (3.3 KB, 11 views)

Last edited by cny-bikeman; 05-13-12 at 08:53 AM.
cny-bikeman is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 08:48 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
curbtender's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 8,682

Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball

Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1590 Post(s)
Liked 2,492 Times in 1,190 Posts
Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
Ahhhh, a freewheel remover...
curbtender is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 09:48 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 178
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Bike stand.

Most frequently-used tools are relatively inexpensive so easier to buy over time.
Seb71 is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 01:16 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
Retro Grouch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225

Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.

Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 642 Times in 363 Posts
Originally Posted by DannoXYZ
That'll do it. Just what's needed to snug up a Thompson stem.
Retro Grouch is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 01:21 PM
  #21  
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
 
Sixty Fiver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: YEG
Posts: 27,272

Bikes: See my sig...

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 95 Posts
Poky spoke.

Canna live without it.

That... and my torch.
Sixty Fiver is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 01:44 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 118 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 50 Times in 25 Posts
A needlepoint oiler with superlube in it. It keeps things working just wonderful. bk
bkaapcke is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 02:44 PM
  #23  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 9,438

Bikes: Trek 5500, Colnago C-50

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 6 Posts
Spokey nipple wrench.
Al1943 is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 04:06 PM
  #24  
Cottered Crank
 
Amesja's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 3,493

Bikes: 1954 Raleigh Sports 1974 Raleigh Competition 1969 Raleigh Twenty 1964 Raleigh LTD-3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times in 7 Posts
Up until I got my new T-handle Allen set and made a nice holder/stand for them my most-used single tool would have to have been my Park AWS-10. It got used A LOT -more than even the CBW-4 & CWB-5. An AWS-10 and the CBW-4/5 get used the most for general working on bike along with a basic screwdriver set (I've got a nice Craftsman 4-in-1 screwdriver that can also convert into a T-handle as well.

I'm a big fan of my Dualco mini grease guns -I have two so I can use different greases for different things.

I love my T-handle Allen wrenches though. They make short work of most modern bike chores. Hex-less bikes are the wave of the future although there will probably still be wrench flats somewhere on the bike like on axle cones and such.
Amesja is offline  
Old 05-13-12, 06:58 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
cyclist2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Up
Posts: 4,695

Bikes: Masi, Giant TCR, Eisentraut (retired), Jamis Aurora Elite, Zullo, Cannondale, 84 & 93 Stumpjumpers, Waterford, Tern D8, Bianchi, Gunner Roadie, Serotta, Serotta Duette, was gifted a Diamond Back

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 305 Post(s)
Liked 2,038 Times in 604 Posts
Park TS 2.2 is my favorite
cyclist2000 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.