plowmanjoe

I'm looking to get some tools so i can work on my own bike myself. is there a good starter kit for a reasonable price out there?

all i have is a metric hex key set so far in terms of bike specific tools.

Yo!

I can take every tool I need to work on my FG in my medicine kit.

Do you have loose ball or sealed components?

Threaded or threadless headset?

I recommend buying park tools on a per needed basis. For me it was the Park HCW-4 and HCW-5 for my loose ball bottom bracket.

Then, I got a Park CCP-2 crank puller for square taper cranks.

Then, I got Park HCW-6 and HCW-15 headset wrenches (these are double sided, and the HCW-6 doubles as a pedal wrench) for my threaded headset.

Then, I got Park 15/16mm and 17/18mm cone wrenches for hub adjustments.

Then, I got a Park CT3 chain breaker.

Other items, such as work stands, truing stands, headset presses, etc, I just use at the LBS or purchase if cheap. I found a Park TS-6 truing stand used for $50.

EDIT: Also get some grease, a patch kit, a presta to schrader adapter, electric tape, needle nose pliers, small screwdriver for chain master link, and a ruler.

preston811

I've been considering that myself.

I'm mainly looking at the Park SK-1 for $70. Not super complete, but decent quality and cheaper than buying them separate. But I'm not sure about needing the chain cleaner or the 2 screwdrivers:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Home...ef=pd_sbs_sg_1

This is a very cheap but complete set.. some of the stuff might break, and some of it might suck, but at least you're completely set up with everything to start for $33, you can decide if you like working on bikes
https://www.amazon.com/Brand-Home-Mec...ef=pd_sbs_sg_3

Or if you wanna get REAL serious there's the Park AK-37 for $220, but I don't really recommend it, a lot of it you may never need, and those tools look to be too nice of quality for a home dabbler.
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Adva...ef=pd_sbs_sg_1

I'm leaning towards getting the SK-1 and just adding stuff as I need it. A lot of people will give you the advice of just buy tools as you need them, and to not buy cheap tools because you just end up buying them twice (buying quality later).

Yo!

After looking at that kit I forgot to mention you need a chainwhip too.

Those kits are nice; I have a full set of tools from my automotive days, so I only really needed the specialty items. If you're lacking in basic screwdrivers, etc, you may want to go the route of that kit.

I like to buy on an as needed basis bc I know that there's not going to be a dollar spent on an unneeded tool. You can usually get away with the laser cut park stuff for about $15 or less per tool.

plowmanjoe

the $33 one from amazon seems to be exactly what i'm looking for. could i take my bike down to the frame with that tool kit? if not, what tools would i be missing?

my main focus would be upgrading parts myself, like cranks, pedals, etc. i also might want to paint my frame sometime in the future.

thanks for the help

yokotas13

I broke the 33.00 one

the bdottom bracket tools are useless

both the spanner wrench and the two pronged wrench bent and cracked as I was removing the bb the other day

Scrotze

finesse

yokotas13

Yeah
**** tools. Not finesse. I build jet engines for a living. I know what I'm doing lol.

Scrotze

Oh. I just shutup now and finish.

hairnet

Pedros Trixie is pretty sweet because it's pretty convenient to carry with on the bike

the_don

I just buy tools as I need them.

Sometimes there will be tools that you need to use maybe once a year at most (crank puller for example). In those situations I compare the cost of the tool, to the cost of the shop charges to spend 5 minutes to do it.