Recommend cycling tools please
- Thread starter dairic
- Start date
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- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
More info needed.
Shimano and Campagnolo use different special tools and additionally the tools you need may vary according to what spec components you have on the bike. For example; there are different designs of crank which may or may not require a special tool to remove and to remove a free wheel you will need a different tool compared to a cassette.
It also depends how far you intend to strip the bike down - will you be taking out the headset cups for example?
Shimano and Campagnolo use different special tools and additionally the tools you need may vary according to what spec components you have on the bike. For example; there are different designs of crank which may or may not require a special tool to remove and to remove a free wheel you will need a different tool compared to a cassette.
It also depends how far you intend to strip the bike down - will you be taking out the headset cups for example?
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Wot @Rickshaw Phil said. We need to know what your bike is and exactly what components it has. Eg: is the bottom bracket, (BB), square taper, BB30, GXP, Hollowtech II etc, etc.............................................
Cheers guys,
Bike is a bianchi via nirone, unsure what BB it is but it's campagnolo gearing, but also got a GT mtb which has hollowtech, so just after some advice on that really.
Looking at going on a maintenance course soon, so they would be both completely stripped down to the frame, mrs has a specialized mtb and kids have bikes too.
So tools to cover my bianchi mainly but eventually to cover all of above.
Cheers
Bike is a bianchi via nirone, unsure what BB it is but it's campagnolo gearing, but also got a GT mtb which has hollowtech, so just after some advice on that really.
Looking at going on a maintenance course soon, so they would be both completely stripped down to the frame, mrs has a specialized mtb and kids have bikes too.
So tools to cover my bianchi mainly but eventually to cover all of above.
Cheers
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
I should buy them as you need them. One piece of advice though, never buy a cheap tool.
smokeysmoo
Legendary Member
- Location
- Bolton, not very far from Nob End
Just post pics of the BB's as different model years of bikes can, and do, have different types of BB fitted.
Sage advice which I'd generally agree with, unless money is no object of course
I would say that whilst cheap tools are often made of cheese and are not great, others can be ok depending on their application and use.
Chain tools for example, NEVER buy a cheap one, waste of time, but at the same time you don't have to buy Park Tools everything, there are loads of great mid range tools available for a reasonable price.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Sounds like eventually you'll need a fairly comprehensive tool kit. Can I recommend the Park Tool website as a good resource. Their site has a good how to guide which tells you what tools you need for each job. (Theirs aren't the only bike tools out there by the way)
General tools I'd suggest to start with would be:
A set of ball ended allen keys (up to 10mm)
Screwdrivers - a selection with flat and Phillips blades
Chain splitter - will be needed to size new chains to fit your bikes
A decent set of spanners - a range of 8mm to 17mm should do the trick. (Make sure whatever set you have includes a 15mm. If the kids bikes don't have quick release wheels this is the size the wheel nuts are likely to be).
Cone spanners - for adjustment of cup and cone wheel bearings.
Cassette tools - You'll need seperate ones for Campag and Shimano. (There is a version of the Shimano cassette tool that will also do the lockrings of their brake discs. If any of your bikes have Shimano discs it would be worth having this model).
Chain whip - also needed for when removing a cassette.
Freewheel tool - it's quite possible the kid's bikes will have old style screw on freewheels rather than cassettes. If you have a bench vice, clamp the tool firmly in it and turn the wheel or you can use an extending wheel wrench and appropriate socket.
Crank and bottom bracket tools - sounds like you'll need several different sorts. The Park Tools site will be good for confirming which ones you need.
Cable cutters. You can get away without these but they make replacing cables so much neater and easier than trying to use side cutters.
Hopefully I haven't missed anything. I'm sure others will be along to add more suggestions.
General tools I'd suggest to start with would be:
A set of ball ended allen keys (up to 10mm)
Screwdrivers - a selection with flat and Phillips blades
Chain splitter - will be needed to size new chains to fit your bikes
A decent set of spanners - a range of 8mm to 17mm should do the trick. (Make sure whatever set you have includes a 15mm. If the kids bikes don't have quick release wheels this is the size the wheel nuts are likely to be).
Cone spanners - for adjustment of cup and cone wheel bearings.
Cassette tools - You'll need seperate ones for Campag and Shimano. (There is a version of the Shimano cassette tool that will also do the lockrings of their brake discs. If any of your bikes have Shimano discs it would be worth having this model).
Chain whip - also needed for when removing a cassette.
Freewheel tool - it's quite possible the kid's bikes will have old style screw on freewheels rather than cassettes. If you have a bench vice, clamp the tool firmly in it and turn the wheel or you can use an extending wheel wrench and appropriate socket.
Crank and bottom bracket tools - sounds like you'll need several different sorts. The Park Tools site will be good for confirming which ones you need.
Cable cutters. You can get away without these but they make replacing cables so much neater and easier than trying to use side cutters.
Hopefully I haven't missed anything. I'm sure others will be along to add more suggestions.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Oh yes, one of those..........a very big hammer
I did forget one - I find a big (12 inch) adjustable spanner very useful.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
You'll need the cassette lockring tool and the chain whip to do that plus a socket or spanner that'll fit the cassette tool.
It's an easy job. Undo the lockring, slide cassette off the splines and fit new one, do up lockring. Very satisfying.
youngoldbloke
The older I get, the faster I used to be ...
If you have Campag on your bike you may also need a Torx key (a long one) to loosen your shifter clamps, check the instruction manuals closely. You will need a specific tool for Campag cassette lockrings.
slowmotion
Quite dreadful
- Location
- lost somewhere
For any particular task, you can find clips on Youtube that will show you the tools that are needed.
