Tool Set for Christmas?

[Jezston]

For christmas this year, I'm going to ask the family for a set of bike tools, rather than continuing to use the cobbled together bits and bobs mostly bought from places like Homebase. Badly.

Can anyone recommend a set?

Not sure what the family would be willing to spend, so don't think I'll be asking for the complete Park Tools set! But if there's something decent that will cover the basics, and give me the tools I need to maintain my disc-equipped hybrid/tourer, 3-speed commuter and fixed track bike, that would be great!

Being able to expand upon that to the tools I might need to BUILD a bike at a later date may be nice, but if I'd get a better, smaller maintainance set for a lot less than a building set then that would be preferable.

 

[Dayvo]

Something like this will be good for your current needs, I expect. http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebw...9&f_SortOrderID=1&f_bct=c003154c003148c003525

As you become more canny (and braver) you can supplement the kit with individual tools.

 

[HLaB]

I find most basic tool kits don't have cable cutters, I had to buy them separately but I see wiggle have added them since I bought mine, it looks a good kit now.

 

[Grizzly]

I've got the edinburgh kit and its ok but I'd go for the wiggle one. The bottom bracket tool in the edinburgh kit is cr@p.

 

[potsy]

I find most basic tool kits don't have cable cutters, I had to buy them separately but I see wiggle have added them since I bought mine, it looks a good kit now.

I have this one, decent for the money and keeps all the tools in the right place instead of in one big box.
Mine had the cable cutters, only thing I've bought since has been an Octalink BB remover tool.

 

[bicyclos]

Make a list of tools that you will need for the jobs that you will be tackling, ie; chain spliiter,cone spanners and crank puller etc. A lot of individual tools are not that expensive which can be bought weekly/monthly as needs be. I bought a tool kit in one of those moulded plastic cases about a decade ago and I was not impressed with what I got. The tools did not come up to scratch and all have been replaced with decent individual tools scouted for on the inernet and bike shops. My recent purchase was a wheel truing stand and dishing tool plus full set of cone spanners from Webline cycle tools. I must have invested at least a few hundred pounds plus on tools in the last 11yrs but its my personal tool kit which has paid for itself and will last me out........

 

[sdr gb]

Evans cycles has this set
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ice-toolz/essence-tool-kit-for-home-mechanics-ec006795
The only problem is it looks as though there are no cable cutters in it.

 

[Jezston]

Evans cycles has this set
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ice-toolz/essence-tool-kit-for-home-mechanics-ec006795
The only problem is it looks as though there are no cable cutters in it.

Or a lockring tool.
Wiggle set is in the lead so far!

 

[mickle]

I've always bought the best tool that I can afford (or better than I can afford...) as I went along. I've yet to find a kit that (a) has all the essential tools (b) no useless tools (c) has tools of a quality that will really last.

And not necessarily from cycle retailers: If you want an adjustable spaniard or hacksaw buy Bahco from B&Q. Same place for a Stanley interchangeable bit reversible ratchet screwdriver and decent quality ratchet open/ring spanners too (8mm, 10mm to start with) - the quality of which will never be found in a starter kit. They'll last you for years, maybe decades and possibly forever.

Allen key set from Topeak. Chain tool, pedal spanner and cable cutters from Park, individual whatever cassette and lock-ring tools your bike needs from Shi**no, 14/15mm ratchet from Hozan. Crank extractor from Campagnolo. And so on. Cheap tools suck ass. My Hozan, crank extractor and most of my spanners are +/- twenty years old.

It's one of those things, until you've used a crappy tool back-to-back with a good one you'll not know the difference. At worst, cheap tools can knacker your parts, especially cheap chain tools and allen keys.

Ask your family for money ..... or B&Q vouchers.


I have wrote a article about the subject here: Setting Up Your Own Home Workshop.

 

[zigzag]

i agree with mickle that good tools make a difference. however i managed to destroy bahco adjustable spanner undoing stuck bottom bracket cups (cup and cone type). i think i've managed to unscrew only two or three bottom brackets with that spanner. now i'd let lbs do this kind of work - big vice with sharp edges on a heavy workbench is more suitable.

 

[Jezston]

I've always bought the best tool that I can afford (or better than I can afford...) as I went along. I've yet to find a kit that (a) has all the essential tools (b) no useless tools (c) has tools of a quality that will really last....

Ask your family for money ..... or B&Q vouchers.


I have wrote a article about the subject here: Setting Up Your Own Home Workshop.

See what you are getting at, but I like the idea of getting a good little starting set for maintainance, and having a neat little customised storage to keep them all in.

Living in a city centre two bed rented apartment, space is at a premium - don't have a garage so no space for shelves and a work bench.

 

[mickle]

See what you are getting at, but I like the idea of getting a good little starting set for maintainance, and having a neat little customised storage to keep them all in.

Living in a city centre two bed rented apartment, space is at a premium - don't have a garage so no space for shelves and a work bench.

As soon as you replace one of the tools, or add a tool to your set the crappy blow molded case they came in will be rendered obsolete.

Buy a actual tool box.

 

[ianrauk]

As soon as you replace one of the tools, or add a tool to your set the crappy blow molded case they came in will be rendered obsolete.

Buy a actual tool box.

Something that Halfords is actually good for.

 

[mickle]

Something that Halfords is actually good for.

How did you get that through the swear filter??

 

[HLaB]

Tools, its a euphemism for some of their staff, hence the store is a tool box