Park tools vs lifeline

[david1701]

Hi guys,

I have a few jobs that need tools I don't have, and one or two cheap tools that are wearing out rapidly (looking at you 3quid eBay crank puller)

So I think the logical thing is to buy a box because the tools work out much cheaper than individually. I just don't know if I should pony up to buying a park tools one at 200+quid or a lifeline one for a hundred or so. I really enjoy working on bikes and long term plan to add a work stand and true ing stand and build up a bike or two. But right ow need mine back on the road :s

 

[Globalti]

Luckily I have two roadie mad neighbours, one of whom has all the tools, which he is happy to lend.

 

[Judderz]

I bought this...works fine, nothing broke...although had to buy a different crank arm puller for a square tapered bottom bracket

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300621618429?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[david1701]

Lol no neighbours and the only guy I know I could go to for help is more the screwdriver and hammer type.....

 

[david1701]

Btw I'm not fixed on those brands, looked at bbb tools too, they seem to sit in the middle a bit

 

[sidevalve]

If you're going to buy profesional quality tools do so, buy the best and buy what you need when you need it. They WILL be expensive and unless you use them for something they were not designed for they will not wear out. Collections are always a compromise, however if you only wish to use them for hobby purposes the best plan is to see exactly what the set contains, after all a tool you don't need is just so much dead metal, sure you may use it one day but that could be 5 years from now. Try making up a list of what you NEED [not what you MIGHT need "sometime"] source the best and buy those. It's even possible to get tools made at a local engineering works to suit you [not as dear as you may think].

 

[david1701]

Aye I could buy park tools for what I need right now for the cost of the lifeline set its just that having all the tools would be nice if it ever came up...

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

It may be that buying a set would be cheaper than buying all those tools individually, but unless you are actually going to use them all then it's a false economy.

I've bought tools as and when I've needed them, so have a very useful toolkit without spending any more than I've needed to.

Have a look at this page for an idea of the basics.

 

[david1701]

I already have that one open I'm thinking to sit down with my road bike maintenance bible and list all the tools I need (basically over the next few months I have a complete bike build) and list them out with park vs lifeline costs

How much is the quality difference really worth paying do you think (I know that ones pretty subjective)?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

I've found that the more expensive/complicated/bigger the tool, then the more that Park Tool represents value for money.

With cheaper/less complex tools then I've found Park Tool to be over-priced and not worth the extra.

Which is another reason to buy your tools individually: you make your mistakes one at a time.

Having said that, I always buy the best quality tools I can afford.

 

[david1701]

That's prett sensible, I have decent car Spanners, but need cone Spanners ect sit down with what I have then look at what I need then decide where to but it from

Is there a real difference in quality of cable cutters?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Some useful suggestions regarding cable cutters in this thread.

I haven't actually bought any yet and managed with ordinary cable cutters on my last job (because I'm skint rather than through choice).

 

[david1701]

I used tin snips last time and made a god awful mess, hence investing in real cutters lol

 

[Manonabike]

I bought a tool box from Lidl about 3 years ago. The tools are OK for the odd job and I'm happy that I bought the box as it has come handy in many occasions. However, there are some tools that needs to be of a superior quality, for instance, a pair of good quality cable cutters are a must in my view. I just ordered this morning a set of 6 park tools single ended cones spanners, that was £41 which is a lot more than I paid for the tool box but after a while I realised the cone spanners that came with the tool box were becoming more and more damaged with use. We have 6 bikes in the family now and I needed to invest in something better. So my advise is to buy something inexpensive to begin with and as you gain experience you will find out what tools you need to replace / add with higher quality.

In the "good quality tools needed" category I would add to the cable cutters already mentioned, a pedal spanner, cone spanners, a few hex and torx (4,5,6 hex and probably T25 torx) A good chain splitter, I think I've broken two of the cheap ones. etc.


AAaaahhhh, don't forget a bike stand!!!! My came from Ribble and no complains so far.

I'd say the only Park tool that I bought and consider a bit of a waste of money was that device to clean chains..... used to for about six months and then it broke.

 

[david1701]

Well a hundred quid got me a bb and a worryingly small bag of tools today........

They do look very nice