Tools

[tuco]

No, not the ones who cut in front of you while riding but the ones which repair bikes.

I've decided it's time to do my own maintenance and repairs. Both our bikes are road bikes and have shimano stuff on them.

Would these $49 and $59 tools kits from Torpedo 7 and Cell bike have all (or most) of the tools for 99% of repairs and manitenance?

What would be the minimum tools required for a basic service of a bike and the odd replacement/upgrade of components?

So many questions (and vague ones at that) and so little time.

Tuco - DGC

[europa]

My personal view is to buy tools as you need them and buy the quality your perceived useage dictates - for me that usually means buying good quality but only buying top quality for stuff that'll be used all the time.

For example, I'd use a bottom bracket tool rarely so it'd be something I'd buy good enough not to mess up the job (which cheap tools can do), but not a lot more. Now that the Europa has been returned to active service, I might get to use hers a third time

I'll be getting some T-bar allen keys sometime soon, and I'll go to a specialist tool shop and buy the best I can afford, because you're using them all the time.

As for the kits? The quality will be limited, but I don't know by how much. I too have considered buying one, the difference being, I've already got a significant tool kit.

I think the first question you need to ask is, do you need the funny box?

I keep all my tools in a tin tool box, but it's a general tool kit with the more regularly used cycling tools added to it. IF you think the fancy box would be useful, buy the kit and replace the tools as they either break or break something (an ill fitting allen key will ruin a socket before you realise it. A soft allen key becomes an ill fitting allen key just before it ruins the socket).

I still reckon your best move is to visit both tool shops and bike shops, and buy the tools as you need them, spending on each tool what you think it's worth to you. The ONLY things I'd rush out and buy now, is a good allen key set and a tube of grease (grease every bolt on installation). Believe me, there's nothing worse than buying a specialist tool that only gets used once (or not at all) because your new bike needs something different and sadly, modern bikes being the throw away items they are, changing things is the norm.

Richard

[mikesbytes]

I buy tools when I need them, some of them from cell, but I can ride past them. Have to admit the tool kit on T7 is pretty good value.

[tuco]

I buy tools when I need them, some of them from cell, but I can ride past them. Have to admit the tool kit on T7 is pretty good value.

SUPER-B Bike ToolSet - 96500 + FREE Blubike Bio Lube 75ml ?

I know buying as I need them is probably a good way to go but up here we don't have a multitude of bike stores like you city folk do to get tools on short notice at cheap prices. I'd rather have a set then not have to worry if I need a tool in a hurry. EG last week I needed a tyre and the cheapest store didn't have any until after I needed to ride again.

I'm looking at the rolling stand from T7 anyway. I need two and they're $21 each compared to $35 in the lbs up here.

[MountGower]

My workmate was thinking the same thing about cheap tool kits recently. I'm not sure where but he found some reviews and they were all very bad. Buy them as you need them. Those tool kits won't have everything and will have stuff you will not use.

[Kalgrm]

Most of the work you do will involve hex keys (mainly the 5mm one). I would suggest going in to your hardware store and buying a good set of Allen keys and then picking up other tools as and when you need them.

You will need a cassette tool and a chain whip, but you can get these from your LBS for a few dollars.

Having said that, I do carry a Topeak multi tool with me when I ride. I hate walking my bike .....

Cheers,
Graeme

[mikesbytes]

Every so often they put the tool set on special on T7, just make sure you are on their mailing list

[sogood]

I would suggest that you go through the instruction manuals of your equipment (Shimano should have them in downloadable PDF format). Pick out all the parts that you are keen to service yourself and then tabulate up what tools you need. This way, you won't pick up a multi-tool that misses one or two functions, or having to carry a big and heavy and unmanageable multi-tool with functions you'll never need. The next is to work out what's good to work with in a multi-tool and what's nicer as a separate unit. With those multi-tools, because their compact size, they may not be able to get into certain crannies while other times they may not offer enough leverage for the proper torque. One example is the allen key size for the pedal. A mate borrowed my mini-tool to tighten one, he partly deformed it.

I second Topeak's offering. Presently I have a tiny one and it has all the functions I need for my bike. Worth considering.

[LuckyPierre]

At $60, I think that the T7 special offer is not much of a risk.
I tend to buy 'IceToolz' brand stuff - not as expensive as Park tools and I haven't had any hassles with any of them yet (chain breaker, chain whip, cassette and bottom bracket removers, pedal spanner and remover). I bought cheapo T-bar allen keys and I'm nearly ready for new ones. I carry everything in a soft-sided tool bag (red of course), but I think that a 'place for everything and everything in its place' case would be fine. The room it frees up in the other bag will soon find itself a use.

[europa]

And I guess we can't go past the observation that if ever you think you've got too many tools, you're about to break something unusual

Richard

[Kev365428]

What exactly is a chain whip?

Kev.

[mikesbytes]

What exactly is a chain whip?

Kev.

Are we back on the goth thread?

Nah, its a tool used to hold the cassette free wheel while you undo the cassette locking ring.

[europa]

What exactly is a chain whip?

Kev.

It's a length of chain on a handle. You wrap the chain around a sprocket and use the handle to apply turning pressure to the sprocket. Can be used to either hold a sprocket still or to turn it, depending on what you're trying to do.

Richard

[Kev365428]

Ah, that makes perfect sense. But why call it a chain whip?

I'd have called it a sprocket stabiliser. Much more exciting....although chain whip has a certain charm (yes Mike, back on the Goth thread).

Kev.

[mikesbytes]

Ah, that makes perfect sense. But why call it a chain whip?

Because that's exactly what it looks like

[Deanj]

Had to buy a bottom bracket tool this week and that on its own was 25 I think. Seems a pretty good deal to me if there not going to be used much.

[geoffs]

I'd go for the buy as you use method as that's what I tend to do. I do all my own work so I have a reasonable collection including a Park TS-2 truing stand. Something that is well worth buying are Sheldon's favourite mid-priced spoke keys which are Spokey's. These are mainly plastic with a metal insert that has the opening at one corner, so the wrench engages 3 of the 4 corners of the nipple. They weigh next to nothing and are good to take with you just in case. I've had mine for nearly 20yrs now and still going strong.

Cheers

Geoff

[Mulger bill]

Having seen the picture, you should find making your own chain whip is simplicity itself.

Shaun

[geoffs]

The homemade whips are stronger too. I had a cog that needed removing and I wasn't able to do it by myself so I took it up to my lbs as Kane is a bit stronger than I am. with to of us holding the wheel and Kane using a 1 m pipe to extend the leverage on the chain whip, we broke the chain whip.
Went home to fetch my home made, extra heavy duty version that uses 1/8" chain and we tried the same technique and the cog came off.
Yes the cog had been soaked overnight in Penatrene.

Cheers

Geoff

[rdp_au]

I bought a Torpedo toolkit a while ago - cost about $69 I think. Used it to build a complete bike and it worked well enough.

I'd say go for it. You can always replace anything that breaks with better kit.

Rds,

David

[amattinson]

[quote="rdp_au"]I bought a Torpedo toolkit a while ago - cost about $69 I think. Used it to build a complete bike and it worked well enough.

I'd say go for it. You can always replace anything that breaks with better kit.


Ah good! Feedback just when I need it.

I need to get a more specialized toolkit for all those special size bits Shimano use just to add to their bottom line. Trying to remove my pedals at the moment and the exact size is just between the spanners in the main toolkit.

[Aushiker]

Trying to remove my pedals at the moment and the exact size is just between the spanners in the main toolkit.

Shouldn't it be a 15 mm spanner?

Andrew

[Mulger bill]

Most pedal spindles are inset for an allen key these days, you don't have to tighten the bejesus out of them.

Shaun

[europa]

Most pedal spindles are inset for an allen key these days, you don't have to tighten the bejesus out of them.

Shaun

But if you don't do that, you can remove them easily and where's the fun in that?

Richard

[Mulger bill]

The fun comes in when your hand slips and you deposit flesh on the chainrings.

Shaun