I am looking at a tool kit with parts made by PARK TOOLS. Are these tools any good? Is there a certain tool I need to get an upgrade for.[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][/FONT]

they are pretty good for the bicycle specific stuff like freewheel or bb tools.

I don't know which tool kit you are looking at but I never had any complaints about my Park tools. when I was working in bikeshops and even now all my "basic tools" screwdrivers, pliers, combination wrenches are Craftsman. most of my "bike specific" tools are Park. like all tools they can and do wear with alot of use and can be damaged if not used correctly.

I knew few guys who had to have Snap-on for their basic tools, but I always thought that was overkill

It's nice gear.

The only complaint I've had with Park tools is with their 'lazer cut'' headset wrenches. Two that I had were a little large and would screw up the aluminum nuts every time I used them. Other than that, I have no other problems with their tools. Yes, I have had mostly good, and a few bad, experiences with other tool brands too. bk

Just remember that Park, like most manufactures, has more than one line for most of their tools. For example, the indivual red, black etc spoke wrenches are pretty good but the spoke wrench with all the sizes on one tool doesn't work as well. Which park tool are you considering?

Park tools are good. I've never been keen on kits though. The kits often come with tools that I just don't need for the bikes that I have. For example, I need only two sizes of cone wrench, whereas many toolkits come with an entire set of cone wrenches. My approach has been to buy specific tools as I need them.

Park tool makes different versions of their tool, one for home mechanics and one for shop use. The former is obviously of ****tier quality.

The tools are fine, tough in some instances another brand might be better, but that isn't the right question.

In any tool kit there are some unnecessary tools, for jobs not applicable to your bike or skillset. Save your money and buy your tools individually, buying only what you need and will be using now. You can always buy others later.

I've been disappointed with Park cable cutters. I've had much better luck with Shimano.

For removing cartridge bottom brackets, I much prefer the genuine Shimano tool. It sits closer to the BB and is less likely to tip when you have to use a lot of torque. For reinstalling, however, I like the Park tool better because it works with my torque wrench.

hmm, from what i have seen in 2 shops i have been in, the park cutters are going strong and in the other the shimano cutters are dull.

It's more accurate to say one generation older shimano cutters are good - the current incarantion seems to suck balls for shop use. That's the TL-CT-11. The CT-10 was awesome

While Park are usually ok, for pro quality, "Cyclus" tools are very good value and are usually overlooked by people over your way.

Park tools are fine, you'll see them in probably every bike shop in america. Most important is the skill of the hands that use the tools whatever the maker. Me personally I prefer a lot of European brands which aren't necessary bike specific for cable cutters/sockets/ball head/screw drivers etc. For bike specific stuff like bb tools/fw-cassette tools/spoke wrenches I'm happy with Park. Wiha/Wera/PB Swiss/Knipex all make excellent tools for general purpose stuff. Also am a happy owner of a CT-10 from my years of wrenching at a shop. Still sharp as new after 10 years.