Looking to put together a tool kit
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 140
Likes: 22
Looking to put together a tool kit
I want to put together a fairly comprehensive toolkit to work on both vintage and modern bikes (I just started buying bikes on CL, fixing them up and reselling them). These are the tools I have so far:
Tire levers, air pump, 15mm/pedal wrench, adjustable wrenches, allen keys, cable cutter, chain tool, spoke wrenches
This is what I'm considering getting:
Chain whip, cone wrenches, crank puller, bottom bracket wrench, fourth hand tool.
Anything else I should be getting? I'm probably going to buy from niagaracycle.com, they seem to have the best prices and selection.
Tire levers, air pump, 15mm/pedal wrench, adjustable wrenches, allen keys, cable cutter, chain tool, spoke wrenches
This is what I'm considering getting:
Chain whip, cone wrenches, crank puller, bottom bracket wrench, fourth hand tool.
Anything else I should be getting? I'm probably going to buy from niagaracycle.com, they seem to have the best prices and selection.
#2
Slam That Stem.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, NY; Portland ME
Bikes: Quattro Assi DBS, Cannondale XR800, Felt Breed
You may want headset wrenches, but for many older bikes just a large adjustable wrench may work well enough. Also important for working on older bikes specifically are small box-end wrenches in 5/16", 6mm, 8mm, etc for small cable anchor bolts. It can be difficult to get these properly tight without stripping with just and adjustable wrench.
Many older bikes also have different style bottom bracket tools, but for many non drive side cups a track type lockring spanner will work in combination with a pin spanner. The fixed cup usually needs the correct wrench, can't remember the name.
As for supplies, make sure to have brake and shift cables, housings, and brake pads. Replacing those parts on an old bike is often the most worthwhile thing you can do.
Fixing up used bikes from CL and selling them can be fun, but its very difficult to make money doing it.
Many older bikes also have different style bottom bracket tools, but for many non drive side cups a track type lockring spanner will work in combination with a pin spanner. The fixed cup usually needs the correct wrench, can't remember the name.
As for supplies, make sure to have brake and shift cables, housings, and brake pads. Replacing those parts on an old bike is often the most worthwhile thing you can do.
Fixing up used bikes from CL and selling them can be fun, but its very difficult to make money doing it.
Last edited by Sean Gordon; 06-12-11 at 10:34 PM.
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Other than basics you can anticipate, the smartest way to buy tools is to wait until the need comes along. Don't worry, you'll accumulate more tools that you can imagine soon enough.
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Chain-L site
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 1
From: A Latvian in Seattle
Not sure the 4th hand tool will be nearly as essential/useful as the others. If you're dealing with disc brake rotors, you'll need a T25 torx bit/driver as well.
I'm guessing you already have chain lube and (hopefully) a good grease. If you need a cheap good grease, this stuff usually costs about $5/tub at your local home improvement big box store:
I'm guessing you already have chain lube and (hopefully) a good grease. If you need a cheap good grease, this stuff usually costs about $5/tub at your local home improvement big box store:
Last edited by Mondoman; 06-13-11 at 02:52 AM.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, California
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1, 600, T700, MB-6 w/ Dirt Drops, MB-Zip, Bianchi Limited, Nashbar Hounder
My garage is really small, and my wife's minivan fits inside. And I need room for my fishing gear and rod-building hobby too, which I spend more time on than cycling. But have most of the above tools listed, but I'll add:
- freewheel remover tools (freewheel vise, 2-pin, 4-pin, splined old shimano, and splined new shimano cassette tools).
- truing stand and dishing tool (portable so I can move it around - not enough space to clamp it to a surface)
- a set of metric and english taps and dies
- traditional threaded headset tools (cup removers, crown race setters, cup installers)
- star nut setter
- sealed cartridge bearing extractor
- about 3 or 4 sectioned tackle boxes or oil proof hobby/sowing boxes for lots of screws, nuts, caps, ball bearings, spacers, washers, etc.
- measurement tools - set of good calipers, tape measure, yd long level (all in dual inches and metric)
- degreaser, rust remover, polishing compound and soaking bucket
- grinding wheel and buffing wheel.
optionally - some expensive stuff
- shop stand with clamp
- spoke threader and or a threader/cutter tool.
- BB face and chase
- Headtube face
- crown race cutter,
- 1" x 24 tpi and 1 1/8" x 26 tpi fork steering thread cutting dies,
- spoke tensiometer,
- frame-fork alignment tools,
- MAPP gas torch for small brazing operations
etc.
- freewheel remover tools (freewheel vise, 2-pin, 4-pin, splined old shimano, and splined new shimano cassette tools).
- truing stand and dishing tool (portable so I can move it around - not enough space to clamp it to a surface)
- a set of metric and english taps and dies
- traditional threaded headset tools (cup removers, crown race setters, cup installers)
- star nut setter
- sealed cartridge bearing extractor
- about 3 or 4 sectioned tackle boxes or oil proof hobby/sowing boxes for lots of screws, nuts, caps, ball bearings, spacers, washers, etc.
- measurement tools - set of good calipers, tape measure, yd long level (all in dual inches and metric)
- degreaser, rust remover, polishing compound and soaking bucket
- grinding wheel and buffing wheel.
optionally - some expensive stuff
- shop stand with clamp
- spoke threader and or a threader/cutter tool.
- BB face and chase
- Headtube face
- crown race cutter,
- 1" x 24 tpi and 1 1/8" x 26 tpi fork steering thread cutting dies,
- spoke tensiometer,
- frame-fork alignment tools,
- MAPP gas torch for small brazing operations
etc.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,401
Likes: 1
From: Buffalo, NY
Bikes: 2012 Surly LHT, 1995 GT Outpost Trail
I bought this:
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-AK-3...7965175&sr=1-2
It's good for a start. I imagine as I get into more complicated work I'll be supplementing the tools.
https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-AK-3...7965175&sr=1-2
It's good for a start. I imagine as I get into more complicated work I'll be supplementing the tools.
#7
My garage is really small, and my wife's minivan fits inside. And I need room for my fishing gear and rod-building hobby too, which I spend more time on than cycling. But have most of the above tools listed, but I'll add:
- freewheel remover tools (freewheel vise, 2-pin, 4-pin, splined old shimano, and splined new shimano cassette tools).
- truing stand and dishing tool (portable so I can move it around - not enough space to clamp it to a surface)
- a set of metric and english taps and dies
- traditional threaded headset tools (cup removers, crown race setters, cup installers)
- star nut setter
- sealed cartridge bearing extractor
- about 3 or 4 sectioned tackle boxes or oil proof hobby/sowing boxes for lots of screws, nuts, caps, ball bearings, spacers, washers, etc.
- measurement tools - set of good calipers, tape measure, yd long level (all in dual inches and metric)
- degreaser, rust remover, polishing compound and soaking bucket
- grinding wheel and buffing wheel.
optionally - some expensive stuff
- shop stand with clamp
- spoke threader and or a threader/cutter tool.
- BB face and chase
- Headtube face
- crown race cutter,
- 1" x 24 tpi and 1 1/8" x 26 tpi fork steering thread cutting dies,
- spoke tensiometer,
- frame-fork alignment tools,
- MAPP gas torch for small brazing operations
etc.
- freewheel remover tools (freewheel vise, 2-pin, 4-pin, splined old shimano, and splined new shimano cassette tools).
- truing stand and dishing tool (portable so I can move it around - not enough space to clamp it to a surface)
- a set of metric and english taps and dies
- traditional threaded headset tools (cup removers, crown race setters, cup installers)
- star nut setter
- sealed cartridge bearing extractor
- about 3 or 4 sectioned tackle boxes or oil proof hobby/sowing boxes for lots of screws, nuts, caps, ball bearings, spacers, washers, etc.
- measurement tools - set of good calipers, tape measure, yd long level (all in dual inches and metric)
- degreaser, rust remover, polishing compound and soaking bucket
- grinding wheel and buffing wheel.
optionally - some expensive stuff
- shop stand with clamp
- spoke threader and or a threader/cutter tool.
- BB face and chase
- Headtube face
- crown race cutter,
- 1" x 24 tpi and 1 1/8" x 26 tpi fork steering thread cutting dies,
- spoke tensiometer,
- frame-fork alignment tools,
- MAPP gas torch for small brazing operations
etc.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
From: Sunnyvale, California
Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1, 600, T700, MB-6 w/ Dirt Drops, MB-Zip, Bianchi Limited, Nashbar Hounder
What's wrong with taking a junker bike off Craigslist for $50, added $50 in parts and lots of TLC and maybe even brazing and some paint? Turn around, and sell the thing for $300. That's 66.7% margin on something that you might put a couple hours working on if you're prepared to do that kind of work and fast at doing it?
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg, FLA. USA
Bikes: 1998 trek 6000, 2001 cannondale terra, 2005 gary fisher tiburon, 2006 giant transport, 2011 surly long haul trucker
spoke tension meter valuable tool to have
My garage is really small, and my wife's minivan fits inside. And I need room for my fishing gear and rod-building hobby too, which I spend more time on than cycling. But have most of the above tools listed, but I'll add:
- freewheel remover tools (freewheel vise, 2-pin, 4-pin, splined old shimano, and splined new shimano cassette tools).
- truing stand and dishing tool (portable so I can move it around - not enough space to clamp it to a surface)
- a set of metric and english taps and dies
- traditional threaded headset tools (cup removers, crown race setters, cup installers)
- star nut setter
- sealed cartridge bearing extractor
- about 3 or 4 sectioned tackle boxes or oil proof hobby/sowing boxes for lots of screws, nuts, caps, ball bearings, spacers, washers, etc.
- measurement tools - set of good calipers, tape measure, yd long level (all in dual inches and metric)
- degreaser, rust remover, polishing compound and soaking bucket
- grinding wheel and buffing wheel.
optionally - some expensive stuff
- shop stand with clamp
- spoke threader and or a threader/cutter tool.
- BB face and chase
- Headtube face
- crown race cutter,
- 1" x 24 tpi and 1 1/8" x 26 tpi fork steering thread cutting dies,
- spoke tensiometer,
- frame-fork alignment tools,
- MAPP gas torch for small brazing operations
etc.
- freewheel remover tools (freewheel vise, 2-pin, 4-pin, splined old shimano, and splined new shimano cassette tools).
- truing stand and dishing tool (portable so I can move it around - not enough space to clamp it to a surface)
- a set of metric and english taps and dies
- traditional threaded headset tools (cup removers, crown race setters, cup installers)
- star nut setter
- sealed cartridge bearing extractor
- about 3 or 4 sectioned tackle boxes or oil proof hobby/sowing boxes for lots of screws, nuts, caps, ball bearings, spacers, washers, etc.
- measurement tools - set of good calipers, tape measure, yd long level (all in dual inches and metric)
- degreaser, rust remover, polishing compound and soaking bucket
- grinding wheel and buffing wheel.
optionally - some expensive stuff
- shop stand with clamp
- spoke threader and or a threader/cutter tool.
- BB face and chase
- Headtube face
- crown race cutter,
- 1" x 24 tpi and 1 1/8" x 26 tpi fork steering thread cutting dies,
- spoke tensiometer,
- frame-fork alignment tools,
- MAPP gas torch for small brazing operations
etc.





