Toolkit ideas

[Pale Rider]

Used my old Vernier gauge for measuring tube diameters a couple of times.

For the young 'uns who don't know how to read one, here's a posh digital version:

http://www.toolbox.co.uk/siegen-s07...gleBase&utm_medium=GB&utm_campaign=GoogleBase

 

[Peteaud]

Lidl / Aldi bike tool kit + multi tool + chain breaker.

 

[02GF74]

. Chain wear guage? sod it.... you'll know when your chain is worn.
.

a chain wear tool will catch wear in the chain before it takes the cassette out. chains are cheaper than a cassette so you can save money by just replacing the chain.

 

[MontyVeda]

a chain wear tool will catch wear in the chain before it takes the cassette out. chains are cheaper than a cassette so you can save money by just replacing the chain.

there are other ways to check for wear, such as seeing if you can lift the chain from the big ring. IME, a chain wear tool only prompts you to replace a chain long before you really need to.

 

[P.H]

I buy tools as I need them, then buy good quality with the expectation that I'll never need to buy it again. I didn't always do this, I've had some cheap cable cutters that were never brilliant and got worse with use and a chain whip which although it worked was nothing like as easy to use as the Park on I've had for the last 10 years. When you compare the cost of even the best tools to how much it costs to get it done in a shop, they look like good value.
You don't say if you already have one, if not a decent quality workstand makes all jobs so much easier and is the best investment you could make.

 

[tribanjules]

got good workstand from Lidl - fab invention - i fettle bikes regularly as an excuse to get it out the shed !
No backache or trapped fingers etc

 

[zacklaws]

If you get a multi tool with a built in chain breaker......ensure you use all the parts on it in the comfort of your home, preferably to do proper maintenance tasks on your bike before carrying it out with you on long rides....in the past I have had multi tools that have just broke as they have not been man enough for the job and for that to happen miles from home is not very clever, so you need confidence in it and that it will fit all the parts on your bike..