Tool buying: Where to start?
 

Hi all,

I've got a 2009 Specialized Rockhopper that's getting to that point where the OEM stuff is starting to wear down. I figure this is as good a time as any to learn how to do my own maintenance.

I've got an allen key that fits most of the stuff I need (brakes). My school has a bike tool-lending service but some of their popular stuff (chain breakers) are broken and their service is somewhat spotty (got kicked out halfway through a chain replacement because one of the staff for the next shift didn't show up), so I figure I'll go to them when I need to do "bigger" jobs like changing cassettes. I don't see myself changing out cranks or bottom brackets yet.


So here's my question: What kind of tools should I think of buying now? I was thinking about getting a Park IB-3 because I have a 25% off coupon for stuff at my school's somewhat marked-up bike store. Then I heard about the Crank Bros M17/M19. I'm not sure if I should I buy a multitool AND a dedicated spoke wrench (Park SW-7) or should I just stick with the multitool or do something else.

Much thanks.

Buy only the tools you're sure you need. So many tools are specific to the particular components you need to work on that it makes more sense to buy only those that you need. If you buy a tool kit you'll have many tools that you'll never use.
As for spoke wrenches, use only the size that fits the nipples you are turning. I use spoke wrenches that hold all four nipple shoulders, like Spokey or the newer Park wrenches.

You'll be surprised at how far a good set of metric allen wrenches will take you. My next purchase would be a cable cutter and I'd step up to get a good one because it's a frequently used tool. Insted of trying to buy everything at once, I'd suggest getting a few tools that you need immediately but buy quality.

Beyond that I'd buy specialty tools as I needed them. Multi tools are handy on the road, but I think that individual tools are better for home shop use. For example, a simple job like installing a water bottle cage can become an exercise in frustration if all you have is a bulky multi tool.

I'm not a big fan of multitools; you will save money and weight and probably get better results with a separate chain tool like the Park Mini Chain Tool CT-5C and the hex keys you need out of a set of L-wrenches. Add a proper pedal wrench and selected wrenches out of a set of metric ignition wrenches and you should be well on your way to doing the more basic jobs on your bike. You can then add to your tools as jobs arise. Get a couple of master links that fit your chain and keep them with your chain tool.
Avoid multi-sized spoke wrenches entirely; all that they are good for is rounding off the nipples; take Al1943's advice in this regard.

+10000.

It isn't about owning all the tools in the world in anticipating of being able to fix everything. Just buy exactly what you'll be using immediately. Parts change so often, that a tool purchased for the future may become obsolete when the item is replaced and requires a different tool.

I'm not a fan of multi-tools except for on the road use. The extra functions come at the expense of comfort, swing room, or other restrictions on each of the other functions. But single (or maybe double at most) tools designed to best do that job.

Depending on your cash availability, I think kits can save you some dough, but you can do the math.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SubCate..._202334_202376

+10 This. First good tools I would buy is a good cable cutter and a good chain tool. I really like the Shimano branded cable cutter, and I like the Park branded chain tool. Acquire tools as you need them, and don't overlook used tools. 90%+ of my tools were bought used, including my work stand, my truing stand, even my Shimano cable tool and Park chain tool. I have too many tools, but I do work on a lot of bikes to help rationalize it.

And keep in mind the adage Sutherland's puts in their eponymous Manual: "Cheap tools are a luxury no shop can afford."

When you buy your tools, be sure they are high quality, from a reputable manufacturer. That way you only need to buy them once.

+100 Trying to use poor tools can be an exercise in frustration. It also far too easy to damage an expensive component with a cheap, ill-fitting tool or one made with poor materials or manufacturing technique. A finely-made tool, on the other hand, can be a source of pleasure and profit for literally a lifetime.

Buy the tools one task at a time.

By that I mean if you need to adjust your brakes, buy the tools you need (probably a set of metric allen wrenches).

When you need a chain breaker, buy one. But don't be in a hurry unless you find a good sale, and think you'll need it in the near future.

When you buy tools, buy good tools, not cheapies. So buy good-quality allen wrenches (Bondhaus, Park, etc) and not junk from Harbor Freight. The simple/inexpensive L-shaped wrenches are fine -- you don't need the fancy T-handle versions.

Things like cassette lockring tools are not used often, so if you can beg/borrow/mooch one of those when you need it you can save some cash.

I hope this helps...

I picked up this Sigma PT 16 pocket tool that is pretty cool.

http://www.sigmasport.com/en/produkt...t=1&position=0

Jack of all trades, master of none. Like any multi-tool, it's fine as an emergency take along but deficient in a lot of ways for routine and shop use.

Buy what you need as you need it. If you buy tools based on the idea that you might need them some day there's always the chance that you'll never need them and you wasted your money.

Changing a cassette is a pretty simple job. You'll need a chain whip (cheap), a lockring removal tool (cheap) and a wrench big enough to turn the lockring removal tool. Any wrench that fits will do the job. The wrench I use is an 8" adjustable thing - ideally I'd use something a bit bigger but at present that's the biggest wrench I own. At some point I'm going to get a socket that fits onto my torque wrench, which will make it much easier to crank the thing but it's not really necessary.

You can get a chain tool pretty cheaply as well.

Unless you're seriously short of cash the money involved in getting a basic setup shouldn't be an issue. Things like a chain whip aren't all that big either so you don't need a lot of space to store your tools either. A bunch of allen keys are small and quite cheap. A multitool is a handy way to carry lots of tools in a small space but personally I find it easier to work with individual tools. When I'm cycling I've got a multi tool in my saddle bag and usually carry loose allen keys as well.

At least it looks like the allen wrenches come out so they can be used individually. That means, unlike many multi-tools, you can install a water bottle cage with it.

I prefer to think in terms of repair tasks rather than tools. The necessary tools become obvious once you've considered which tasks you must be able to do well at home>
- inflate tires
- change tires
- repair flat tubes
- true wheels
- tighten chainring bolts
- tighten crank arm bolts
- adjust brake and derailleur cable tension
- exchange pedals
- repair/remove chain
- replace cables (inner, and possibly outer housing, too)
- replace brake pads
- etc.

Just starting out myself, with cleaning up an old Peugeot UO-8 and maintenance on a Virtue 6 (the more I learn about the latter the more oddball a bike it seems). I've read a lot of different (somewhat bewildering) advice about tools, but that one sentence gives me a lot of clarity! So far I have plenty of wrenches and screwdrivers, a floor pump, pedal wrench, chain ring nut tool, chain indicator, and cable cutter.

For INBUS (allen) keys I always make a good use of modular bits and extenders, t-handles, etc. I find these to be the most convenient to use, most fun and ease to use. Not the cheapest though, but it may see a lot of other uses if you are mechanically inclined.
http://www.alltoolsdirect.co.uk/ekmp...970-1770-p.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

i have been wathicn ebay for used snappon or clein or matco metric allen keys the sets a biger that what you will need but they are great quality at least as good as park. you can even dinf decent crafstman keys.

I have also been watching for 'lots' of used park tools. but I like the adiea of thinking about it as tasks.

how about we add the tools needed of for the tasks above.

So I've decided to hunt for:

SW-42 spoke wrench (9.42+25% off)
http://www.parktool.com/product/four...e-wrench-sw-42

SW-10 (about $8)
http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-AWS-...rench+set+park

and a CT-5 chain tool.
http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-CT-5...hain+tool+park

Suggestions? Critique is welcome. :D

I don't know why I resisted purchasing a socket wrench set for so long, but when I finally did get one, I found myself using it almost all the time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wtf_its...n/photostream/

When I use my socket wrench set, I feel 20% happier than I used to. I'm sure my bikes are happier, too.

I wouldn't be entirely dismissive of multitools: my cheap multitool has all the Allen wrenches a cyclist may need, plus a chain tool, a torx, a flat head and a phillips driver. It's a ****ty tool in absolute terms, but it saved the day so many times.

A proper work stand should be your first investment - whether you build a DIY or buy one.

Buy a good book that will teach you to do all the repairs and upgrades you want to do then buy tools as you go.
Zinn's book is very good.
http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Mount...ke+maintenance