help on deciding a tool kit..
 

hey guys im gonna be getting a BD bike and putting it togethr myself.

what i am looking for is some sort of tool kit that has what i need to put the bike together as well as do regular maintnace.

i dont konw much about what i need to take care of my road bike but i found this
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...sembly_kit.htm
but it looks a little bare.
i cant spend too much maybe 30-40 bucks.

ps what are tire levers for ..i konw they are for changeing the tubs right?? do i need them or can i use like a screww dirver?

I don't know how much assembly the BD bike will require but that tool kit sounds like it has most everything you need for basic maintenance. If the video is any good it will show you how to use the tools and how to adjust the components. I think you have a some reading in your future. Mark www.sheldonbrown.com and http://www.parktool.com/repair/ for help on how to do some of the things you will be doing. Additionally you could get a book at the library to help you along. With all those resources, the DVD may not be necessary and you could spend your money on a toolkit with a few more items like a bottom bracket tool and cone wrenches. Hopefully you have a dremel tool so you can cut cables and housing cleanly. Not alot of tools are needed relatively speaking but knowledge on what needs to be done and how to do it are the harder part.

I wouldn't want to assemble or do bike maintenance with a multitool. That is unless I felt like pissing myself off that day.

If you wanted a do it all toolkit, something like this would be more appropriate.

But if you are the least bit handy, you may likely have a number of the tools you already need. I built up my set of tools over the years. There are a number of "standard" tools necessary, such as pliers, hex wrenches, screwdrivers, that you already own. Then there are the specific tools like BB tools etc that you can buy as you need them

For basic assembly of a boxed bike, I would think you can get away with a good set of hex wrenches, screwdriver and some pliers, and maybe an adjustable wrench.

As for howtos. There are plenty of websites with extensive materials on how to do various bike maintenance tasks. I would be wary of whether the DVD included is worth much.

Tire levers are changing tires. You can use a screwdriver...if you want to dent up your rims.

-D

i agree. the only thing i would add is a cable cutter. sometimes they give you extra length on the cables.

you should get some grease as well to put on the threads of bolts, pedals, etc.

I was given a kit similar to this one. This is a bit more expensive than you said you wanted to spend, but these kits are a good place to start and will allow you to assemble a bike. I've been adding tools along the way and never feel bad spending a bit of money for good tools.

Cable cutters are a good example. I had been using needle nose pliers with wire cutters to deal with cables, but recently got the Park Tool cable cutter. Big improvement.

Finally, for the love of Mike, don't use a screwdriver to change tubes. Dent your rims and rip your tubes. Now THAT's a multitool.