Tool Kits

[steve_b]

Anyone have any experience with the durability of the tools that come in the plastic cases that are availible at all the web retailers? (Aireon, Lifu, Nashbar, etc) I need to buy some tools in addition to the few that I have, and don't want to spend $700 on a Park set. Is it better to buy good tools as you need them and assemble a collection? ???

[Jisch]

I only buy Park or other name brand tools. It does make a difference. A friend had an off-name BB tool from Performance or something. It was stamped sheet metal rather than the machined Park tool that I have. He stripped the tool out and messed up a BB after only a few repairs with it.

I have just about all the tools I need (except a headset press) and I've bought them as I need them. Its easier to get budget approval from the finance commitee that way ;D

Realistically for a MTB you only need:
Cassette tool/chain whip
BB Tool (wish they would pick a standard and stick to it)
Headset press
Cable/housing cutters
Crank puller (depending on what cranks you have)

If I'm not mistaken most everything else can be handled with non-bike specific tools.

John

[turch]

I agree with jisch on this one. Maybe some spoke wrenches and cone wrenches (for hubsets) to add to the jisch list. Headset presses are nice but without facing tools you'll never get the job (new frame builds) done to my standards expectation so I'd just as much leave that for a pro anyway. Same would go with a new frame and a BB install.

[steve_b]

Thanks, guys. I figured name brand was probably the way to go. I guess I'll start with a crank puller and 8mm allen (replacing chainrings) and add others as I need them. How about Pedro's? My pedal wrench is Pedro's, and I can't imagine that a Park is made much better.

[Jisch]

I haven't seen a Pedro's tool in person so I don't know.

One other tool I'd add - a torque wrench. I was amazed at how far off I was with the torque on a BB (way too low) after I got one.

John

[radair]

Hi Steve - Pedros tools are good quality, no qualms there.

Headset press? There's an endless debate on that (and I don't mean to start another one), but I've done just fine with blocks of wood and a mallet for at least a dozen installs. MTBR's Mike T. has an exhaustive FAQ on this: http://www.execulink.com/~dtierney/wmc/faq.htm#FHQ3

I did spring $30 for a headset removal tool - doing that with a screwdriver seems like a recipe for disaster.

The other item I'd add is the standard hex Y-wrench. I had my daughter paint a stripe of bright fingernail polish on the 5 mm end, since that does 85% of the bolts on a bike.

[steve_b]

The other item I'd add is the standard hex Y-wrench.

Rob: I don't think I'm going to get a headset press. If I decide to change to a King, it falls in the "take it to the LBS" for me.

Actually, I have a few bike-specific tools. A "Y" 4-5-6 allen, 4-5-6 "T" allens, your standard multi-tool, pedal wrench, Park fold-up "jacknife" style tool that has the 8mm crank and a casette tool and a couple others. High on the wish list right now are a high quality standalone 8mm for the crankarms, a crank puller, chain whip, cone wrenches, and a badly needed chain scrubber. :o

[Sci Teach]

The other posts are right on.....especially Jisch's reccomendation of the torque wrench. I got myself a relatively inepensive Craftsman....works great....you do not want to go overtightening bolts. Also, spend the $12 and buy an allen wrench set, to...it'll have all those odd sizes, you'll have them when you need them. I also like the allen adapters to put onto my ratchet...a lot easier, especially that crank bolt...and the fit right onto the torque wrench.

[Tim]

I've been quite happy with Pedro's tools so far -- I especially like their allen wrench set; goes from 1.5 to 10 mm which pretty much covers it all.

Also, here's another vote for the "block of wood" headset install -- I've installed 6 or 7 over the last couple of years with no problems at all. As long as you're careful to tap it in straight you'll have good luck.

Tim

[C.P.]

To answer your question directly, I don't have any experience with the plastic box set of tools you mention. My experience is get the best quality tool for the job in question, and just get them as you need them...nothing worse then destroying a cheap tool AND the part on your bike your trying to fix in one fell-swoop.
This is a good start for a tool list...
Pedal Wrench
Cable cutters
Tire Irons
Chain Tool
Chain Whip
Cassette Cog/Freewheel Lockring Remover (I have both singlespeed freewheel type and cassette type)
3,4,5,6,8 mm Allen wrenches
8 & 17 mm wrenches
Flat head/Philips screwdrivers
Crank Extractor ISIS/Square taper
BB Puller
Spoke Wrench
Torque Wrench

Other stuff includes tools/things that are often used alongside cycling specific tools - like
Hacksaw
2' section of pipe tbhat fits snug over wrenchs (extra torque)
Rubber Mallet (persuader)
I'm sure I forgot the other stuff...

Some home made tools I have include:
Headset remover
Headset Press

Homemade tools I plan to make this winter
Star Nut setter
Fork Steerer Cutting clamp
Derailer Hanger Alignment tool

Oh yeah, the block of wood headset install...done it many times, it's not for everyone,especially for those that don't "have the touch" ...the risk of damaging a frame is just too high ...nevermind the headset. These days, in general, I can only recommend pressing a headset, only for the fact that it's being pressed in slow enough to watch for problems, and especially because it's so cheap/easy to make a homemade press.

[radair]

Steve, you asked specifically about Lifu tools. I have a Lifu BB tool. The quality of it is fine. Don't know about their other tools, though. My Nashbar no-name cable cutters are better than the Park set I had. It includes crimping and stripping slots and has a built-in awl to open up the ends of your housing.

C.P. mentions home-made headset presses. The best one I've seen uses a couple of drilled out hockey pucks and a threaded rod. My plastic mallet is just fine for me though.

I'm a proponent of using pipe cutters for cutting steerer tubes, but there are some tricks to it (that could be a thread in itself). Steel steerers require a cutter made for steel, which most are not.

Also, Park makes an excellent derailleur hanger tool that indexes off your rim (assuming your wheel is true). It costs $50 and is one of the best tools I have. You can't believe how a minor hanger misalignment affects shifting that can't be corrected with any other adjustment. I can't seem to attach the pic, but it's here: http://www.parktool.com/images/tools/DAG_1.jpg

[GadgetGeek]

I buy bike tools the same way I buy woodworking stuff. Name brand, the best I can afford, as I need them. Cry once when spending the money, or cry every time you use a crappy tool.

If you develop a good relationship with a bike shop, expensive but seldom used tools, like facing tools, headset presses, steerer tube cutters, etc... can sometimes be borrowed or rented for a few hours at a time. If they let you borrow it, beer, fresh fruit, etc... brought along when the tool is returned can build much goodwill.

[bike187]

added to the list: chainring bolt wrench, to tighten chainring bolts when you replace them.

note on cable/housing cutters: i have felco (c7 model i think)
and they work great once you get used to cutting brake housing, cause you can crimp the housing easy if you aren't used to it. if you ahve the money, invest in shimano ones. they have them at the shop and they work awesome.

other odd tools i have at home: headset wrench, spoke wrench, torque wrench, small tub of park grease and tube of finishline teflon grease, and teflon plumber's tape, 15mm and 19mm extended socket for bmx bike and singlespeed

[AGENTGRAPE]

go to flea markets there are usually a couple to tables set up with tools.everything from s&k snapon craftsman,and made in china crap. a six inch C clamp works great to do headsets they are big enough to push them right in no hammering necessary.i got one for $4.00 a few years ago they will always come down in price if you have cash in hand. the less they have to pack up and take home means money in their pockets.also park has some very good sets in the$250.00 range i got one last winter and use it constantly as do my friends nothing broken yet.also star nut tools use a quality deep socket open the tool box and find out which one just fits inside the stem i have a 3/4 impact socket. drop the bolt thru the socket run the star nut onto the threads make sure its on straight and whack that sucker with a big ballpeen hammer once the nut has cleared the stem use a long allen wrench to take out the nut reverse the socket and set the nut in an inch deep. i have done this at least 10 times it works perfectly

[C.P.]

go to flea markets there are usually a couple to tables set up with tools.everything from s&k snapon craftsman,and made in china crap. a six inch C clamp works great to do headsets they are big enough to push them right in no hammering necessary.i got one for $4.00 a few years ago they will always come down in price if you have cash in hand. the less they have to pack up and take home means money in their pockets.also park has some very good sets in the$250.00 range i got one last winter and use it constantly as do my friends nothing broken yet.also star nut tools use a quality deep socket open the tool box and find out which one just fits inside the stem i have a 3/4 impact socket. drop the bolt thru the socket run the star nut onto the threads make sure its on straight and whack that sucker with a big ballpeen hammer once the nut has cleared the stem use a long allen wrench to take out the nut reverse the socket and set the nut in an inch deep. i have done this at least 10 times it works perfectly


AgentGrape! I love it! ..why didn't I think of that! I can take the star nut setter off the "tools to make" list now.