Basic Toolkit
#26
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Yeah I feel 80 is way to much when I am mechanically inclined enough to put it together. I have worked on cars and motorcycles, I can work through getting it right. I picked up a new 15mm wrench, floor pump, and folding hex key set from Amazon. Patch kit, levers, and small c02 pump are next on the list.
My wheels do not have to be perfect, just close.
My wheels do not have to be perfect, just close.
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 334
Likes: 1
Buy a decent set of lockring pliers (not a stamped steel tool). Hozan type are what you want. If you have an angle grinder or bench grinder etc they are extremely easy to make out of an old pair of channel locks.
Makes it much easier to tighten a lock ring.
Also, depending on how anal you are about your frame, you can use the roto lock technique is to install/remove a cog (eliminating the need for a chain whip).
Check your pedals before buying a pedal wrench. Many have allen sockets on the rear or have wide enough flats for a regular open end 15mm.
You do not need much to work on a fixed gear bike.
You will eventually need bottom bracket specific tools. You will eventually need a chain tool.
Spend the money on a good spoke wrench (not the multi size dealys).
Generally speaking, kits will come with stuff you don't need and will contain lesser quality of ools than buying individual items.
All you likely need to get started is a decent set of allen wrenches (not folding, they are a pain to use) and a good spoke wrench. Buy the rest as needed.
Makes it much easier to tighten a lock ring.
Also, depending on how anal you are about your frame, you can use the roto lock technique is to install/remove a cog (eliminating the need for a chain whip).
Check your pedals before buying a pedal wrench. Many have allen sockets on the rear or have wide enough flats for a regular open end 15mm.
You do not need much to work on a fixed gear bike.
You will eventually need bottom bracket specific tools. You will eventually need a chain tool.
Spend the money on a good spoke wrench (not the multi size dealys).
Generally speaking, kits will come with stuff you don't need and will contain lesser quality of ools than buying individual items.
All you likely need to get started is a decent set of allen wrenches (not folding, they are a pain to use) and a good spoke wrench. Buy the rest as needed.
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 602
Likes: 23
From: high above the pounding surf of Lake Erie
Bikes: Couple of rigid MTB's and a fixed gear
Maybe you misunderstand what I'm trying to say. By "centered" I mean the rim being centered relative to the axle locknuts at the inside of the dropouts. The rim may have zero lateral runout and still be off center on the hub. In this case, the wheel needs to be redished by tightening all the spokes on one side and then retrued. The easiest way to determine centering is with a dishing tool.
Edit: Had to come back to say to make sure the axle is centered in the hub before doing the above. Might not have been necessary to say, but a variety of folk read this stuff.
Last edited by North Coast Joe; 03-19-15 at 04:01 AM.
#29
Zip tie Karen
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,005
Likes: 1,546
From: Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Bikes: '13 Motobecane Fantom29 HT, '16 Motobecane Turino Pro Disc, '18 Velobuild VB-R-022, '21 Tsunami SNM-100
OP,
Check the head on the inset nut that centers your dual pivot calipers. It may be 2.5mm, so you'll need that size, too. I'd recommend buying a good, complete set of metric long L allen wrenches. The Park Tool master chain link removal pliers are terrific, too.
As you attempt more complicated service, you may want to pick up the specific tool needed. That's the way most of us have done it over many years. Just be thankful that you're not servicing old Campagnolo stuff...
PG
Check the head on the inset nut that centers your dual pivot calipers. It may be 2.5mm, so you'll need that size, too. I'd recommend buying a good, complete set of metric long L allen wrenches. The Park Tool master chain link removal pliers are terrific, too.
As you attempt more complicated service, you may want to pick up the specific tool needed. That's the way most of us have done it over many years. Just be thankful that you're not servicing old Campagnolo stuff...
PG
#30
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
For the lockring pliers is this the one? https://www.amazon.com/HOZAN-YD-1015-.../dp/B003LBSLUG
Also is this needed right off the bat or can wait?
I bought a regular 15mm stubby wrench and have a snap on 15mm at home. I know I have wiha hex sockets besides the folder but may buy another long set to be safe.
I will plan on a chain tool and bottom bracket tools when I get around to buying a new crank (aka all city 165)
Also is this needed right off the bat or can wait?
I bought a regular 15mm stubby wrench and have a snap on 15mm at home. I know I have wiha hex sockets besides the folder but may buy another long set to be safe.
I will plan on a chain tool and bottom bracket tools when I get around to buying a new crank (aka all city 165)
#31
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
For the lockring pliers is this the one? Amazon.com : Hozan Head Race Pliers : Bike Hand Tools : Sports & Outdoors
Also is this needed right off the bat or can wait?
Also is this needed right off the bat or can wait?
#33
It is hard to say whether the wheel will come with the cog in place or not. Since you may very well want to change your gearing lockring pliers or a lockring tool are good to have. You can also do this if you've got an old channel lock wrench:
#34
Veteran Racer


Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,854
Likes: 913
From: Ciudad de Vacas, Tejas
Bikes: 34 frames + 80 wheels
Probably. Although the cog and lockring will probably be installed on the hub, they will not be tight enough to prevent the lockring from loosening as soon as you ride the bike and the cog tightens up. As the cog tightens, it pulls away from the lockring, causing it to become loose. Then as you back pedal or skid, the cog unscrews until it contacts the lockring, and eventually through several cycles of forward and backward pedalling you will end up stripping out the hub threads and will need to replace it. So, IMO, a lockring tool is essential from the git go, although you don't necessarily need a chain whip to tighten the cog.
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 648
Likes: 39
Bikes: Canyon, Bowman & Colnago
Well, if you're so concerned with a wheel being centered you're not going to figure out that by using just a truing stand and a spoke wrench. You'll need a dishing gauge, too, or something to confirm your truing stand is perfectly calibrated. I think Park Tools makes some overpriced piece of aluminum that is suppose to act as a perfectly centered wheel in order to calibrate their truing stands. For what it's worth, I have a Park TS-2.2, a Park dishing gauge, and a that silly Park centering gauge. The centering gauge is useless.
#36
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 10
From: dEnVeR
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
I picked up the lower end park wheel truing stand (TS8) for around $50 bucks off of CL -- already had the spoke wrench. I cant tell you how much I've actually needed to use it over the past few months due to having a number of bikes and SF roads are generally poor. Get a stand -- it'll last a lifetime and save you $80 a pop at the LBS.. Just my $.02
#37
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I called the local bike shop and they charge 25 per wheel to true them if they are bad. Thinking I will take the wheels in to have them checked and while they are they have them check the cog and lockring. The tool is not super expensive but for 35 and I really only need it when I change cogs I cant see abig use for it off the bat.
#39
I actually don't like the lockring pliers and much prefer the hook type. I use Amazon.com : Pedros Trixie-Fixie Tool : Bike Repair Tools : Sports & Outdoors
I highly recommend a stand too. Makes working on a bike so much easier Feedback Sports Pro-Ultralight Bicycle Repair Stand - Modern Bike
I highly recommend a stand too. Makes working on a bike so much easier Feedback Sports Pro-Ultralight Bicycle Repair Stand - Modern Bike
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 3
From: CLE-OH
Bikes: '84 Basso Pista, Masi Heinz '57 SS beater. Couple Stingrays...
I'm not a huge fan of most of the Pedro's tools, personally. They feel really cheap, like a toy. Try not to buy cheap stuff. Cheap tools reeealllyyy suck, and will usually, eventually destroy whatever you are working on, by either failing, or driving you crazy, I'm talking, "chimpanzee beating on everything in sight", crazy. Cheap tools, small spaces(like an apartment) and the middle of summer will drive you mad.
Last edited by T13; 03-19-15 at 02:32 PM.
#45
It's the axle wrench that I ride with. The lockring tool works well enough but I do not use it if I have the Hozan around. I have never used the little allen wrench that pokes out the side because I also carry a folding set. I thought I would never use that multi-sized-nut-wrench-thing that is cut out of the middle but I did the other day - to tighten a nut on a fender stay.
#47





