Any good cycle toolkit recomendations?

[Wadey]

I've just bought a cycle repair stand and was wondering I should buy a ready made tool kit or buy individual tools as required. So far I have replaced my bottom bracket, chain rings, chain and cassette. I have borrowed all the tools from friends, but feel I should acquire my own set of tools...... Any suggestions or recommendations?

Regards, Paul

PS - I already have some general tools eg. Socket set & wrench, Spanners, Adjustable Spanner, screw drivers etc.

 

[Nigelnightmare]

Most "Kits" aren't very good unless you're willing to spend ££££.

I buy mine as and when needed, individual tools.
That way I can afford better quality tools.

You have already borrowed some from friends and if you liked them, then that's a good starting place.
Also ask you friends if the tools they have are the ones they would get if money was no problem.
I have different brands of tools from Parks, Shimano, Sturmey Archer, Zefal, Unior etc.


Good quality/fitting Allen keys & torx wrenches are important though as more bikes use them now.
A torque wrench is also a good idea too.
Buy the best quality you can & remember "Buy cheap, buy twice!"
HTH
Edit
I'm sure others will be along soon with more advice.

 

[tribanjules]

There’s been good links on bargain thread to torque wrench etc - pop over there and scan through.

Lidl/Aldi spanner’s / sockets haven’t broken and I’ve had set over 5 years.
Defo buy decent Allen/torq and screwdriver set

 

[tom73]

I've bought things as I need them oh and they are handy for adding to presents lists birthday and Christmas.
Buy best you can afford
Start with a good torque wrench and a good set of Allen keys.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Speaking of Torque wrenches...

View: https://youtu.be/FU-tuY0Z7nQ

 

[Cycleops]

If you've got the basics, I've got this which is pretty good for the money:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-19-piece-bike-tool-set-id_8379660.html

 

[DCBassman]

If you've got the basics, I've got this which is pretty good for the money:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-19-piece-bike-tool-set-id_8379660.html

Yup, pretty good, although the chain tool gave up pretty easily. All else good.

 

[roadrash]

^^^^ the decathlon toolset as mentioned is a good place to start for the basic tools, if you plan to do all your own maintainance theen there are other specialist tools that you will need

 

[BalkanExpress]

I have the Lidl version of the decathlon tool set, if you see what I mean. I suspect they are all turned out by one factory that changes the colour of the plastic handles depending on who they are supplying. As others have said, most of the kit is good except for the chain tool which dies as soon as you look at it. You are also better off with a good set of Allan keys.

For the rest, I agree that you should pick up good tools as you need them. if you have a carbon frame a torque wrench is good to have, my frames are all old steel...a big rubber mallet is my most useful tool

 

[Pale Rider]

If I had no bike specific tools, I would be tempted to bite the bullet and lash out a few hundred on a Park set.

This one is priced in dollars, but will be available in the UK somewhere for about £250.

Any Park dealer should be able to order it from the part number.

A lot in one hit, but it wouldn't take long to get close to that buying piecemeal.

https://www.parktool.com/product/advanced-mechanic-tool-kit-ak-4?category=Tool Kits

 

[tom73]

They make handy things to add your present list too.
Santa left few under the tree at last Christmas

 

[Wadey]

Thanks everyone for the advice.
I'm slowly building up my stock of tools

 

[Profpointy]

One thought is that for "mainstream" tools like allen keys, cutters, pliers, spanners, and so on I'd go for good quality non-cycle brands - facom, bahco, lindstrom, snap on or whatever. I'd only buy parc tools for specific specialised cycle tools

 

[wonderloaf]

Someone just posted this on the founs a bargian thread:
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribb...3_1579374879_7dbfee78611057d2846ea78915627dc8
Seems like very good value, especially if you've already got the basic stuff and just need the more specialised tools like the chainwhip, BB wrench, etc

 

[Ridgeway]

Spanners and sockets = Stahlwil, Alen wrench and Screw drivers = PB, pliers usually Knipex. All of these are used around the home, on the cars etc etc so for me worth investing in.

Bike specific tools are used so infrequently for 99% of us that it's not worth spending too much on them in my opinion. Just select carefully and use correctly. Granted a super nice XXX specific tool would be better but for 3 times in it's life it gets used.....

A correctly sized torque wrench is a must though for bikes, but again nothing too expensive required.