Originally Posted by
rydabent
Except for one or two brands most of the tools bought in a LBS are cheap foreign made tools that easily break. They may be good for one or two emergency fixes on the road. Bike multi-tools are an example of this kind of tool. I carry one tho, but also some high quality life time tools from a hardware store.
Park Tools are sold by most LBS's as are Shimano's specialty items so they are worth buying. Performance's house brand "Spin Doctor" tools are pretty decent. The few I have are made by Lifu and have been durable and well made.