Tool Set recommendations?
 

I am looking to buy my first set of tools to do my own bike tune ups and other work on my bikes. Can anyone recommend a good quality tool set for around $100? Or would I be better off buying tools separately? Can I buy the necessary tools individually for $100 not including a stand? I already have basic tools, but not bike specific tools. At least a good quality starter set that would allow me to do my own maintenance would even be nice. Thanks for any input.

It's been made clear to me that buying tools separately is definitely the way to go. In most small tool kits advertised, you normally only get around 5 tools you need, and then the rest (usually a majority) are usually just pretty useless depending on your component set ups.

I'd skip the set. I did that initially, and although I did get an excellent price at the time, my overall value wasn't as great...still okay, though...since I ended up with a number of tools that aren't compatible with my bikes.

I don't know what you mean by tune up. A few allen wrenches, a phillips screwdriver and a simple cable cutter can handle brake adjustments, pad replacements, threadless headset adjustments, derailleur tuning, cable replacement and more. Add a chain tool for cutting new chains, and you've spent very little for the items that you'll use most frequently.

Sometimes it's necessary to remove the cranks, BB and/or pedals, so I'd soon add:

Pedal wrench

BB tool

Crank puller (if applicable to your bike)

At some point you may wish to replace your cable sets yourself, so a cable/ housing cutter becomes useful, though many prefer to use cutoff wheels on a rotary tool to cut housing.

If your wheel hubs have loose bearings (as opposed to cartridge bearings) that occasionally require an overhaul, you'll probably need a few conewrenches in the correct size if you wish to do this yourself.

Most parts have recommended torque specs, and a torque wrench can help remove doubt. Beam-type torque wrenches aren't expensive.

Grease and other lubricants. You may also need a certain carbon prep or carbon assembly paste for your bike's carbon bits (if any).

A "missing link plier" is helpful when separating certain troublesome masterlinks on chains, though IME it's more of a convenience than a necessity.

Finally, a spoke wrench for touching up your wheels

I'd just buy the few things you need initially. Take a look at your bike to see what other tools are compatible, then eventually add those tools as you need to or when you find them at special pricing. Your first $100 will cover the tools you'll use most often. Another bill or two invested in tools eventually should take care of most of the rest you'll need less frequently.

Thanks for the replies and suggestions for tools. I appreciate the input from others with more experience, and I do want to be able to change cables, service hubs, bottom bracket, headset bearings, change derailleurs, and so on. I have bikes with cassettes and freewheels and will go with purchasing tools individually. I know that Park tools are very good. Are there also other brands that are high quality and provide good value that I should look at? I already have most basic tools like pliers, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, crescent wrenches, vice grips, mallet, and so on.

+1 Tool set = bad idea.

IMHO: some tools need to be top notch, in particular, the chain tool and cable tool. Other tools most brands are just fine: cone wrenches, bottom bracket tools, etc. I really like the Parks CT3 chain tool, and I really like the Shimano TL-CT10 cable tool. I used a Spin Doctor (cheap) cable tool for a while, it was OK, but I would not recommend it long term. I also used a Spin Doctor (cheap) chain tool for a while. It was crap from day 1.

Also invest in a good workstand. Around here, you can find a decent Parks stand on C/L for $50 to $60.

I love my new Spin Doctor Pro G3 stand. Very sturdy and well built and on sale with 10% off at PBS. It replaces an older Parks that finally gave up, I repaired it and gave it to a neighbor kid interested in bicycles and got me the new one. I like it much better.

+1. I recently purchased a Feedback Sports Pro-Elite stand which is very similar to this one -- I bet the Spin Doctor stand made by Feedback. Mine has ratchet action closing and push button release on the clamp -- good stuff.

+1 On the G3 work stand. I'm cheap and it pained me to spend the money on that, but I use it absolutely all the time, and it's been pretty solid.

Other than that, I'd start with this:

http://www.performancebike.com/image...64-NCL-TOP.jpg

Yes, you already have allen wrenches, but this has the three sizes you need most often in a convenient form factor. I'm planning to get a few more of these so I can leave them scattered around the garage to save time when I misplace it mid-job.

http://www.parktool.com/images/produ...5727_54358.jpg

Don't go cheap on your cable cutter. Park Tool makes a good one.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

The box-end complement to the wrench above.

http://www.parktool.com/images/produ...0218_58855.jpg

A few handy brushes.

http://www.parktool.com/images/produ...5923_32517.jpg

A basic pedal wrench.

You can easily get these for under $75, probably as little as $60, and along with a few screwdrivers and pliers, they'll cover 90 percent of the work you do.

Thank you. These suggestions look like they will get me off to a good start. I am glad I asked so that I get the most important tools first that will cover most of the things I need to do. That way I can pick up the other things that I find I need later on as I need them. I will check out that stand and start with these other suggestions.

Once you get your "basic" tools, I'd recommend this place for some of your more "exotic" needs:

http://www.biketoolsetc.com

Caution: browsing this site can form a serious tool addiction... They have great customer service, though.

Have a look:
http://www.cyclus-tools.eu/
http://www.vartools.com/fr/index.php

mfg Christian