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must have home bike tools?

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must have home bike tools?

Old 03-29-09, 09:56 AM
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must have home bike tools?

I know kits are only lukewarmly accepted. So the question is should I get tools separately or just get a kit and go from there? I'm looking for the best budget but bang for the buck tools.
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Old 03-29-09, 10:09 AM
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Good thread imo. I myself have been buying things as I go with my FG and working on my vintage bike. If you have a LBS that's really close it's easy to do it that way.
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Old 03-29-09, 10:20 AM
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Buying things as I go?
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Old 03-29-09, 10:28 AM
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A cock pump.
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Old 03-29-09, 10:44 AM
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An fun, old discussion but then I didn't get much with a BF search. Park has a good list but you have to figure out which tools your bike(s) require.

Just get what you need.
My generic bike "need list" includes grease, oil, chain cleaner, floor pump, radio and bottle opener. I already have umpteen screw drivers, box and open end wrenches, pliers and (broken carbon seat post) hack saw blades. Don't forget a hammer and a really big Crescent wrench. I don't need more kit-mandetory tire irons, cone and allen wrenches, mini-chain tool, spoke wrench, and another cool, plastic box. I have a plumber's friend but mention it only to see if anyone is reading this.

My "individual tool buys" are cable cutter, chain whip and "bike specific" lock ring, cassette/cluster removers, BB wrench and crank puller.

I'm half way through my "because I deserve it wish list" buys: chain gauge, floor stand, Campy shop apron, third hand cable puller, truing stand, spoke gauge and torque wrenches.
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Old 03-29-09, 10:52 AM
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Bike Repair Book
floor pump
grease
degreaser
chain lube
crank puller
chain tool
BB tools
allen keys (2-8mm)
spoke wrench
needle nose pliers
wire cutter
screw drivers (regular and phillips)
2 - 10" adjustable wrenches
vise grip
torque wrench
chain whip
lockring tool
tire irons
patience

I bought things as I went/already had some of the non-bike specific tools already. Add up the costs to see which way comes out cheaper
Here's a few kits that are a good start:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...200501__200501
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...200501__200501
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...200501__200501

Last edited by Gyeswho; 03-29-09 at 11:01 AM.
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Old 03-29-09, 11:00 AM
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As you need them I think. I got the BB tool and crank puller first since those were the first things to change on the used bike I bought.
I had a bunch of tools that were not bike specific but then got more when I needed them as mentioned already.
Gotta have the chain whip/ lock ring tool combo made by Shimano.

When you need to change a headset you can search on how to make your own tools to install one. Cheap and easy.
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Old 03-29-09, 11:04 AM
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if you have no tools currently get a kit. otherwise, just add as needed.
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Old 03-29-09, 11:05 AM
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I have Park Tool 3 sided Allen wrenches (4,5,6), crescent wrenches, screwdrivers, those blue plastic park tools for changing tires, and a brand new tool that comes with a 15mm track nut "taker-offer" and a pedal wrench!

I manage to get buy OK with this. I go to the shop to get any chain stuff done as well as take off lock ring/cog. if I buy something from them (new chain or cog) they will do it for free.
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Old 03-29-09, 11:19 AM
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Craftman 155 piece Mechanic set
Chain breaker
Crank puller
Chain whip
Lockring spanner
Bottom bracket tool
Tire iron
Grease and degreaser
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Old 03-29-09, 04:52 PM
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Well I have allens, a 15 wrench and plenty of screw drivers. Apart from that I have nothing.
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Old 03-29-09, 05:11 PM
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Chain Breaker,
floor pump,
tire levers (Seriously, saves your hands),
Greaser and Degreaser,
13mm-15mm cone wrenches (Adjusting hubs)
wrench kit,
Allen kit,
spoke wrench,
crank pullers,
lockring remover,
Chainwhip,


and I would personally try to find a really cheap truing stand. After using a truing stand, I can't ever imagine using my bike to true wheels. Pake actually makes a great 1/8" chainwhip and lockring remover that I picked up for $25. I also like some of the Crank Bros multi-tools.
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Old 03-29-09, 05:43 PM
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I've been buying things as I need them. It's worked out well so far and helping to build my relationship with the LBS, a lot of them recognize me now when I go in there looking for a new tool.
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Old 03-29-09, 06:17 PM
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Apart from basic tools, all you will need is a chain-whip, lockring spanner, crank puller, headset wrench (if threaded). You might also want to make your own headset press/remover.

Also obviously chain wax, degreaser, bearing grease, tire pump.

Normal tools you probably/might already have: Allen wrench set, open ended wrench set, torque wrench or a ratchet wrench (for the BB tool).

I didn't have any of that stuff a bit back, so I got a kit, and it was cheaper than getting all of that seperately.
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Old 03-29-09, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by le'ehov
A cock pump.
Dude, you can download that.
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Old 03-29-09, 10:01 PM
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Lol forgot I had a floor pump. Hmm.. seems crank puller, bb tool, lockring/chainbreaker, chain wax?
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Old 03-29-09, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Gyeswho
Bike Repair Book
Which book do you recommend?
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Old 03-29-09, 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by bryyando
I know kits are only lukewarmly accepted. So the question is should I get tools separately or just get a kit and go from there? I'm looking for the best budget but bang for the buck tools.
Why not just ask the mechanics? You will probably get better (and less snarky) answers over there.

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/
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Old 03-30-09, 03:01 AM
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" Bike Repair Book"

I second the request for recommendations on that. Specially, for mechanically impaired people.
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Old 03-30-09, 03:15 AM
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Automatic seatpost tensioner
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Old 03-30-09, 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by spaceballs
Which book do you recommend?
I have 2 actually. One shows drawings while the other shows pictures. Depending on your preference you can choose, but they are both good books. The Park Tool Book is good as well. I sometimes check their online repair guide as well despite having two books just because I like to make sure I understand correctly.

The books I have are:
This ones shows the drawings


This one shows actual photos

Last edited by Gyeswho; 03-30-09 at 05:42 AM.
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Old 03-30-09, 09:48 AM
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FYI, just saw this on the nasbar site for that email they just sent out. https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...&top_category=
not a bad deal but it looks like there are still a few things someone may need that aren't included.
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Old 03-30-09, 07:15 PM
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I've gotten by for years on:

-15mm wrench
-Adjustable wrench
-Crank puller
-Chain breaker
-Lockring spanner
-BB tool
-White lithium grease
-Tri-flow
-Tire levers
-Metric allen set
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Old 03-30-09, 07:18 PM
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If I were to do it over again, I'd get the Nashbar Elite kit linked above. But I started acquiring tools here and there and now have a good bit.
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Old 03-30-09, 07:28 PM
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I've just bought what I needed as I went along. I already had a lot of miscellenous wrenches; it's just the oddball stuff I've picked up.
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