Best bike toolkit

[tinywheels]

Any one got a suggestion on a reasonable quality bike kit?
I find tinkering with the brompton is becoming a thing of great joy.

 

[Oldhippy]

It's the one you put together yourself.

 

[tinywheels]

thank you for your input sir

 

[Sharky]

In 60 years of cycling, I've never bought a tool kit. I inherited a few useful tools from my dad (pedal spanner, chain whip etc) and bought tools as I needed them. For most modern bikes, all you need is a good set of Allen keys and a chain splitter.

But if you haven't got any to start with, a tool kit might be useful.

 

[Blue Hills]

thank you for your input sir

i don't think oldhippy was being sarky, as you maybe think.
I have a box full of tools but have never bought a kit.
I suppose you could buy a kit from the likes of Park or Unior but would be pricey.
Always have the idea that with cheaper/more modestly priced kits some bits never get used or you find better individual items after a while, or some tools fail. So the savings maybe not as great as might first appear.
You could check out X tools - many of their tools seem perfectly good.
Which jobs do you initially want to do on the brommie?
maybe buy tools for those and take your time collecting tools.

 

[Brandane]

Depends on what you call "tinkering".
As @Sharky has said, for basic maintenance all you need is a multi tool with allen keys, and maybe a chain splitter. Want to remove the cassette? Get a chain whip (to stop cassette spinning while you try to loosen it) and the appropriate tool for loosening the lock ring, depending on what type of cassette is fitted. Want to remove the bottom bracket? Depending on type of cranks you might need crank pullers, and again there are different types and sizes. Plus you'll need the right size of bottom bracket tool.
Other useful tools are tyre levers, spoke key, pedal spanner, cone spanners for removing your wheel hub bearings, bearing presses if you're planning to replace your headset. Cable cutters too.
So all in all, it's not quite as simple as just buying a "tool kit", as it depends very much what you intend to do, and what type of components are fitted to your bike.

Edit to add... Don't be tempted to buy some of the cheaper tool kits on the market. They are cheap for a reason. Chain splitter tools in particular, you need a decent quality one, or you'll be throwing it in the bin. Same applies to cable cutters.

 

[Punkawallah]

The X Tools kit worked for me - though I can’t comment on the latest version, mine was from a while ago :-) The extra gubbins gave me a ‘leg up’ from my existing, ‘vintage’ bike kit to tools for the more modern bikes.

 

[tribanjules]

Aldi have starter kit in. My Lidl/Aldi one is a good 5 years old so far

 

[Oldhippy]

i don't think oldhippy was being sarky, as you maybe think.
I have a box full of tools but have never bought a kit.
I suppose you could buy a kit from the likes of Park or Unior but would be pricey.
Always have the idea that with cheaper/more modestly priced kits some bits never get used or you find better individual items after a while, or some tools fail. So the savings maybe not as great as might first appear.
You could check out X tools - many of their tools seem perfectly good.
Which jobs do you initially want to do on the brommie?
maybe buy tools for those and take your time collecting tools.

No I wasn't being sarcastic at all. The best kits are really the ones you put together yourself. Then you have no random odds and sods in the bag you don't need.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I'd agree with those above about buying as you go along. Always buy good quality though, although it's hard to quantify that. As a general rule price gives you quality, but no need to go over the top.
I prefer separate Allen keys and can recommend the Park tool chain splitter.

 

[Blue Hills]

I'd agree with those above about buying as you go along. Always buy good quality though, although it's hard to quantify that. As a general rule price gives you quality, but no need to go over the top.
I prefer separate Allen keys and can recommend the Park tool chain splitter.

actually my favourite splitter is the one that comes on some of the Topeak Alien multitool. Has excellent leverage as you turn it with another bit of the tool. I pretty much always use it as a workshop tool, though wouldn't with the rest of the multitool apart from pre-ride checks.

 

[Arrowfoot]

Decathlon for 50 quid. Does things all the way to bottom bracket removal (except press fit)

If Carbon, a torque wrench 50 quid onwards

 

[Alex321]

No I wasn't being sarcastic at all. The best kits are really the ones you put together yourself. Then you have no random odds and sods in the bag you don't need.

This is very true, but if you haven't got much to start with, a kit can be a good way to get started, particularly if it comes with a box with a place for everything.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Like most people I initially picked up the essentials at random times as needed, so allen keys, pedal spanners, a multi tool, and good wire cutters. Latterly my wife bought me a kit from the LBS which has some more specialised bits like chain whip, cassette tool etc. I'd say that a kit can be a good way to go if it has all the bits mentioned plus the extras that actually fit your bike.

That Decathlon one looks fairly good for the money, though you might find yourself upgrading some of the tools.
Don't go cheap on wire cutters, go to Tool Station or Screwfix and spend a bit more on a good cutter, cheaper cutters will end up crushing your cables.

 

[tinywheels]

thank you everyone, I am about to snap up a decathlon. It will enhance my Brompton toolkit.