Bike Tool Kits

[TonyHetherington]

Hi all, I did have a search but the PH search is not up at the moment.

I've just found myself buying a few bits to work on my bike (new chain needed, new wheels so need cassette tool etc) anyway - and so my question is rather than buying all these bits, is there a good recommended tool kit?

I see halfords do one, and it gets good reviews but quality doesn't seem amazing. There's an Ice-Toolz one for a little more etc.

My question - anyone got a good one they'd recommend?

Thanks
Tony

[Jimbo.]

TonyHetherington said:

Hi all, I did have a search but the PH search is not up at the moment.

I've just found myself buying a few bits to work on my bike (new chain needed, new wheels so need cassette tool etc) anyway - and so my question is rather than buying all these bits, is there a good recommended tool kit?

I see halfords do one, and it gets good reviews but quality doesn't seem amazing. There's an Ice-Toolz one for a little more etc.

My question - anyone got a good one they'd recommend?

Thanks
Tony

None worth buying, no. Buy a complete kit and you'll be paying for tools you'll never need, yet will still find yourself without something when you actually need it. Just buy what you need when you need it, and build up said "kit" over time.

[TonyHetherington]

Gotcha.

I've found myself doing exactly that - buying bits when I needed, hence the question, but it makes sense. Especially as you get in a lot of the kits spanners which I have plenty of - it's mainly the specialist stuff.

Thanks

[Rolls]

I'd add to that don't buy the cheapest...
Buy once, and buy right!

[Sway]

For anything necessary that is bike specific, Park Tool are the daddy.

Every bike shop I worked in as a youth had nothing but (actually, one did have some old Campy tools, but they were very specific).

The other advantage to buying the bits you need rather than a set is that there's little standardisation in bikes. One cassette lockring is different to another. Same for bottom brackets. Hubs are better, but there are at least half a dozen different spokekey sizes...

[TonyHetherington]

I have the Park Tool work stand - I like it, and it really makes a difference when cleaning/working on your bike. Though it's a big bugger to store

I'll just buy bits when I need them then - thanks chaps