J_J

I'm looking to become very good at building and repairing bikes. It seems like everytime I need something done the local shop is completely booked so this is making me want to learn how to wrench on my own bikes. What would be a good all inclusive tool set for under $600. I want something that has everything I would need except for the stand to build and repair any modern road bike. I'm going to be buying a really cheap road bike with Sora or some other cheap gruppo to take apart and rebuild so I can gain confidence. But first I need a good set of tools so that I will never need to go to a bike shop for repairs.

linux_author

- only road bikes? or mountain bikes too?

- personally, i'd ask in the mechanics forum...

- it can pay to shop around, wait for a sale, buy as you need, or use coupons... i got the Park BK-2 at less than US$90 (for a portable kit), and the Park PK-63 for less than US$620 shipped! (Greenfish used to have a 15% off instant coupon on all Park Tool orders - IIRC, they also sell on ScamBay)...

- but even with a modest selection of tools, IMHO you may still find yourself in the position of needing 'yet another tool'...

:-)

San Rensho 

If you already have hand tools, you can do it for way under $600. All you really need is a bike stand and a Nahbar/Park tool kit that costs under $100. Those kits have everything you will need except for milling tools which are very expensive and used very infrequently.

JayC

I wouldnt buy an all inclusive.. The kits Ive looked at look like they include a bunch of stuff you wouldnt ever use, probably no one buys and the only way to move the stuff is to put it in kits. If you have common hand tools already, just get the bike specific stuff. Depending on how extensive your repair/buildup plans are, you'll find you dont need a whole lot.

FizzyPop

What bike specific tools would you need for a buiild-up?

JayC

bottom bracket tool, cable cuters, casette tool and a headset tool. Maybe a derailer hanger alignment tool if you want to be anal.

aprilia4life

Damn good tool kit, for $35 AU (on special)

FizzyPop

Are these tools brand specific? For example, my Lemond is all Shimano, but the bike I am going to build up shortly is going to be all Campy parts.

Retro Grouch 

I'm not a fan of pre-packaged tool kits because they're always a phase behind the times for what new bikes have on them. Freewheel removers, headset wrenches, and cup and cone bottom bracket tools are very seldom needed today.

1. You'll be surprised at how much you can accomplish with just a decent set of metric allen wrenches. If you use them a lot don't be afraid to buy new and throw away the old every couple of years.
2. Step up to buy a better quality cable cutter. It'll pay for itself by saving time and aggravation.
3. Chain breaker. Same as #2.
4. Campy or Shimano? Get cassette lockring and BB tools to match your bike.
5. Chain whip. If you're cheap you can make do with an old chain and a vice grip.
6. Spoke wrenches. Lower end factory wheels need Park's red one. DT and Wheelsmith spokes need the black one. Get one of each.
7. Cone wrenches. Probably 14mm & 16mm will get you by. If you're on a budget I'd get all of the other stuff first.

The stuff that drives me crazy isn't the tools, it's the small parts. Little screws and bolts, brake cable anchors, V-brake noodles, stuff like that. Trying to maintain a stock of replacement spokes is a thankless task. You'll never have enough inner tubes. They don't just come in 26" and 700c. There's also different widths and valve lengths to consider.

froze

All my tools, whether for the bike, car or house have been purchased on a as needed basis, thus I'm not a fan of pre-packaged tools either. Most tools as one poster mentioned you probably already have laying around the house. The more you get into mechanical repair the more tools you'll need, but if you buy only what you need at the time you need it then you won't have redundant tools you already have like kits will give you, nor will you tools you may never use that kits will give you. Also most kit tools are not of the same quality you get when you buy individual pieces, or at least with individual pieces you have possiblity of being able to buy a higher grade tool.

If your lacking common tools like drivers, pliers, allen wrenchs, box wrenchs etc, your better off going to Sears and getting the Craftsman line of tools because the have a no hassle, no receipt, no questions asked, same day exchange policy; and most communities have a Sears store so you don't have to hassle sending the tool to some company, paying for shipping, then wait and wait and wait for the exchange. Please note, I'm not saying Craftsman tools are the best quality tools, but for the average home mechanic their fine.