For a Christmas gift my wife told me to get some bike tools for my shop. I am all for it. Here is my question: are there brands other than Park Tool that make high quality tools? I want tools that will last as long as possible so nothing cheaply made. I live within a couple miles of Park Tools headquarters and I have nothing against them at all. I think they make great tools. I want to find out from Forum members what other brands are good or should I just stick with Park tools? Anyone have any recommendations?

For bike specific tools, Pedro's and Park seem to have a good reputation.
For common hand tools(screwdriver's, allen wrenches, pliers, etc.) you
have the cream of the crop - Snap-on, Mac, Matco. For the home mech;
Sears(Craftsman), Home Depot(Husky), Lowe's(Kobalt). So one thing to
consider is price. Another is warranty. All of these companies offer a lifetime
replacement. But their procedures differ. Pedro's, you have to deal with a
local bike shop. Snap-on, you have to catch a truck on it's route.

I just need some bike specific tools. I have all the usual home handyman tools that I need.

You will never regret buying a Felco cable cutter.

VAR, Felco, Cyclus, EVT, Shimano (if you swing that way). In general I go with Park with exceptions on a case-by-case basis such as Felco cutters. IMO Park provides industry leading customer service.

I've been acquiring special tools, as I need them. I only have two bicycles and don't intend to be changing cassettes or bottom brackets every month. So, I didn't want to spend premium prices for Park Tools, unless there was no other choice. I picked up an XLC Crank Extractor $3.51 (robust and well made) Cutter Cassette Removal Kit $8.38 (Whip Chain & Shimano Compatible Cassette tool) The only Park tools I have are 3 way Hex wrench and a 17mm/18mm cone wrench. Park tools are generally excellent, but over priced for my taste. If you go the non brand name route, I'd avoid Made in China tools, but find that Made in Taiwan tools, generally, are well made and reliable.

Hozan, if you can find a source.......

Var, if you can find a source........

Cyclus makes some good stuff, which you can buy on the internet
and can be a good deal depending on shipping and exchange rate.

Mostly, Park dominates the US market because of prior reputation
and their extensive distribution system. They still make good stuff,
but some of it is of questionable design these days. They do seem
pretty good on exchanging stuff under warranty.

any tools in particular you looking for? for basic non bike specific stuff i use other brands. wrenches, hex keys, pliers, hammer etc

Cone wrenches, BB wrench, crank removal tools, freewheel removal tools, etc. I have been taking my bike to a local bike do it yourself shop when I don't have the tools I need but would like to do more work at home. I can get a lot done at home with the basic handyman tools and some tools I have made such as a headset remover and a tool to reinstall the headset. I end up doing a lot of wheel truing but I think a truing stand would get pretty pricey unless someone has suggestions for ones that aren't a couple hundred dollars.

Minoura makes a truing stand you can often find for $50-75, sometimes re-branded. It's not as sturdy as the $200 monsters, but you can true wheels with it.

I generally go with Parks, with a few exceptions (such as truing stand and cable cutter). If Parks has two models, a "pro" and consumer models, the more expensive is often worthwhile. For instance, the high-end cone wrenches have nicely shaped and rubber-covered handles, which are much easier on the hands than the cheaper double-headed wrenches. Also, I've not regretted buying the "pro" spoke wrench; the four-sided grip doesn't slip on old nipples like the less expensive three-sided model sometimes does.

+1 Hozan lock ring tool. Also Hozan third hand tool

Sugino bb tool set (if you work on vintage bikes)

Workstands: at the home owner level, I like the non-Park tool brands the best, like a Spin Doctor Pro. At the high end level, I love the Park Tool stands (PRS2 or similar).

Truing stand on a budget? Think used. I bought a Park TS 2 (the one that goes for $200 new), used for $50. I've seen a second one at that price since. At least 90% of my tools were bought used.

+1 To below, unless you are working on bikes regularly, a truing stand is overkill. But if you find a deal on one.....

I require the students purchase a stand every year for the wheel making class here.
This is based on the theory that they will do better at it with some skin in the game.

In past years, I've told them to get some version of this design, which has been around forever:



This year, I might just go with the Spin Doctor ripoff of the Minoura:




Somebody gave us one at the coop, and it works fine, and folds for storage.

Other than the fact that it's a pain to reset the self centering feature on the
high end Park stands, I have yet to see one that folds neatly and can be hung
on a pegboard when not in use. I build more wheels than your average guy, and
for what I do, either of the above is my preferred option.

for the tools listed mine are park. a truing stand is not needed except for convenience

I do Park almost exclusively for my bicycles. I do Craftsman hand tools otherwise. I have acquired Pedro tools at yard sales and such, and I just like the Park stuff better! I try to stay with the shop quality stuff where possible. In my truing stand, I went top shelf. Also, chain breaker and even my adjusable wrench is top shelf. I have never rounded over a stuck nut with my Park 12" adjustable wrench! Even my Park hammer seems just right! My hands get sore from arthiritis and I need substantial tools. I use Craftsman wrenches, screwdrivers and plier sets and have never had a problem. If you don't use good name brand tools, always read the reveiws of the tools before you buy! Harbor Freight tools are starting to get pretty good reveiws! Short money! Check out their tool box prices! I used to worry about buying USA, but the every day tools and such are made everywhere! Buy like these are the last tools you are going to buy!

Look at the Spin Doctor Team 33 kit. Also, the Park Tool site (www.parktool.com) has suggested tool lists for several levels of expertise (https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...iate_tool_list). Give it a look, and have a Merry Christmas.

Because of advances in manufacturing technology, this particular
adjustable wrench by channel lock makes a very good headset wrench.

Much less slop than your old school crescent wrench, and the jaws
are thinned so more useful. I do a lot of headsets with this that I
used to go for a purpose built headset wrench to work on.

yes made in spain by irega. good stuff. i really like my knipex pliers wrench though

I would put the Park rear deraileur alignment Tool (DAG-2) high on the list.

Can someone tell me what model size I should get?