Home mechanic tool brands

[DRM]

Now my but ....as all allen bolts are torque on why pay big money fir a hand set ?

Don’t get really expensive ones, but cheap ones wear very quickly on the end and just round the bolts off internally, just get decent quality ones like Britool that won’t break the bank, or your bike

 

[confusedcyclist]

Sadly price alone is not a great gauge for quality, at either end of the price bracket. Yet some brands don't ever let you down. Whilst you don't need workshop quality tools, they can make life much easier and often the money on saved professional bike mechanic labour over several years of riding often makes quibbling over the cost and dealing with cheaper tools a waste of time and resources, and sometimes the naff stuff just ruins your components. I've learned this the hard way over the years. Don't skimp, but don't be silly and you won't go far wrong. Tools you use every months are worth spending more on than tools you use only once or twice. This is why those all in one kits are a bad idea. My only suggestion is to think before buying, how likely will I need this tool in future? Could I access it at a coop workshop for free? Do I have a friend who can lend me one? Etc, etc.

I spent good money on quality extraction and fitting tools for press fit bottom bracket, which seemed like a sensible idea at the time, since the bottom bracket started creaking every 1000-2000 miles and would need replacing, but then I went on to sell the bike and vowed never to buy a bike with press fit BBs again, and the tools are useless to me now. Not a total waste, since I gave it to a friend who has paid me back in other gifts over the years, but still, less money in my pocket.

Also, don't forget it's possible to make your own tools sometimes. Before hitting the buy button, have a think about if there might be another way to solve your problem with the resources you have on hand, and try it if you can!

 

[snorri]

I bought a 'Bikehand' tool kit, (in Lidl?) years ago, made in Taiwan, it keeps my cycle repair stuff in one easily carried storage case. One or two of the tools I will probably never use, and I've bought one or two additional specialised tools. None of the tools has been bent or broken, so far.
It was cheap and cheerful, but as an amateur bike fixer I can say it has met my needs.

 

[hatler]

Also, don't forget it's possible to make your own tools sometimes. Before hitting the buy button, have a think about if there might be another way to solve your problem with the resources you have on hand, and try it if you can!

I made a spoke nipple driver recently following instructions somewhere on the web. Was terribly disappointed that it only took about 10 minutes.
Slightly happier when I saw one for sale yesterday at £66.99 !! https://www.velozone.co.uk/collecti...-proline-nipple-driver?variant=32319656099922

 

[hatler]

I only have a very few of each, but Wera and Teng score very highly for quality.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I have built up my tools over a number of years. Having started off with a cheapo set and replaced as necessary since.
A good pedal spanner is something not to compromise on - my favourite is a Cyclo.
I also have the Draper cable cutters as recommended above and they're very good.
Other makes I use include IceToolz, SuperB and Birzman - all of which offer reasonable quality at a realistic price.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Quality and sizing are more important than brand. I once bought a very nice set of allen keys from a respected and well-know brand only to send them straight back as they were all undersized which would just round out the bolts over time. Allen keys do have to sized accurately, and often they are not.

Park whilst good are vastly overpriced for what they are, even when they rebrand gear made by other more general and well known tool companies. Granted they are the brand that's most associated with cycle repairs, but the vast majority of jobs on bikes can be undertaken perfectly satisfactory using tools from elsewhere.

Anyhoo these for example

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com...ing-allen-key-set/rp-prod109310?mx01=a&mx02=a

are around twice price of the the original manufacturer's usual asking price for the same thing (albeit in blue)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bondhus-...291440?hash=item23bb4dc4f0:g:DscAAOSwXO5cxD6U

you pays your money...

 

[gasinayr]

Halfords (yes I know) but their Professional range is absolutely top notch quality and reasonable priced.

And they come with lifetime guarentee