Spec me a decent bike tool kit for a newbie :)

[doosht]

Hi, im just getting into the biking scene (at age 40!!) and am looking for a nice kit which contains everything i might need to maintain/upgrade/repair my bike.
I like the look of this one but it looks like its USA only

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052...


So, with a budget of say £60 or £70 max can anyone recommend something decent please?

Many thanks,
Doosht

[Jimbo.]

IMO, none of the ready-made kits offer good VFM, as they'll always include tools you'll never need, and therefore a waste of money.
Your best bet, beyond the basics, is to buy what you need when you need it.
Assuming you're not building a bike right now, start out with QUALITY forms of the following:
Allen Keys:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pedros-l-handle-hex-set/
Tyre levers
Track pump:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-joe-blow-sport-ii-t...
Cable cutters (IME a tool worth spending money on!)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-professional-ca...
...and eventually a work stand, such as:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/feedback-sports-pro-ultral... or
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

Be aware that for non bike-specific tools, you can get just-as-good/the same stuff from the likes of Halfords, your local motor factors etc. Sometimes things sold through bike-specific channels can be a bit pricier: the cycling tax!

[anonymous-user]

you can get everything you need tool wise for £30 from B&Q. providing the bike is reasonably new, a set of allen keys, a few pozi screwdrivers, a pedal spanner and a good set of pliers are all you really need.

unless you are really dedicated to home-servicing and doing a lot of miles, owning things like a bottom bracket tools is pointless. i use a football boot bag for my kit, easy to carry and big enough for everything. also, unless you plan to take it places, there are far cheaper, usable albeit heavier workstands around.

a track pump is useful addition but those cycle tool kits are like the 200 piece socket sets you see in halfords, 50% of it is useful, 25% you may use once, 25% you will never need....

[rhinochopig]

Jimbo. said:

IMO, none of the ready-made kits offer good VFM, as they'll always include tools you'll never need, and therefore a waste of money.
Your best bet, beyond the basics, is to buy what you need when you need it.
Assuming you're not building a bike right now, start out with QUALITY forms of the following:
Allen Keys:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pedros-l-handle-hex-set/
Tyre levers
Track pump:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-joe-blow-sport-ii-t...
Cable cutters (IME a tool worth spending money on!)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-professional-ca...
...and eventually a work stand, such as:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/feedback-sports-pro-ultral... or
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

Be aware that for non bike-specific tools, you can get just-as-good/the same stuff from the likes of Halfords, your local motor factors etc. Sometimes things sold through bike-specific channels can be a bit pricier: the cycling tax!

Don't forget chain splitter.
Crank extractor or c-spanner
Cassette removal tool
Chain stretch tool - very very underrated as it'll save you the cost of a new cassettes and set of rings.

And having bodged my way through previous ground up rebuilds I have to say that the tools that have impressed me most for making a job easier on the two builds I'm doing at the moment are:

Star nut installation tool
Headset press
Headset removal tool
Race removal tool.

OP I would avoid Park stuff - it good gear but the premium isn't worth it.

[BOR]

doosht said:

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052...

I've got the toolkit in the link. It's a generic kit sold by loads of different places. I'd recommend it. It's got what you need, and will be a lot cheaper than buying what you need separately.

As above, add a chain wear gauge and a cable cutter and you're pretty much covered.

[Stugots]

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

^^ This £44.99

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?...

^^ Or this £59.99 with cumfy handles

Agree with posts above about buying tools as you need, but (like me) you end up with st everywere in draws and losin stuff.

[itsnotarace]

I agree with everyone who says buy tools as and when you need them. After screwdrivers and allen keys my most used tools are a decent track pump and decent cable cutters

[mikezs]

rhinochopig said:

Chain stretch tool - very very underrated as it'll save you the cost of a new cassettes and set of rings.

A.K.A. a ruler. (12 inch)

[rhinochopig]

mikezs said:

rhinochopig said:

Chain stretch tool - very very underrated as it'll save you the cost of a new cassettes and set of rings.

A.K.A. a ruler. (12 inch)

A Ruler is someone who rules over a country or empire. A Rule is an instrument for measuring.

TBH a chain tool is often cheaper and is easier to use. But yes you can use a Rule.