i'd suggest getting a set of bike tools that pedros or someone else sells. there are different sets available at different price levels. just decide how much you want to spend. it's certainly a lot cheaper than buying them individually.
as for things like headset wrenches, bottom bracket tools, cone wrenches, i think you'll be surprised how often you'll use these tools. especially if you ride in bad weather a lot. plus you can help other people out.
if you're going to do a conversion, i would recommed repacking all the bearings, and possibly replacing the brake cables.
Originally Posted by dkb
Just collecting a "what if" set of tools is kind of lame. Support your local bike shop mechanic instead, he'll appreciate it.
i'm sorry, i think this is really poor advice. that's like saying "don't learn to cook, support your local chef."
as someone who fixes a lot of bikes, i would much rather see someone come and ask me questions and do the work themselves than pay me to do it for them. there are some people who don't really care or want to know how bikes work, and they should take their bikes to the mechanic so they can ride a bike that is fun to ride, is properly adjusted and doesn't squeak. people who have the desire to learn to fix bikes should absolutely fix them themselves, it really isn't that hard.