I am looking to get some basic tools to be able to do 90% of maintenance work on my bike at home. Having spent the last two hours reading relevant forum posts made in the last 18 months, I have concluded that (a) Park Tool makes the best bike tools and in tools its better to get the best quality you can and (b) a toolkit is probably not what I want since it will have many more tools than I will know how to use, at least initially, and is therefore needlessly expensive (even with ebay pricing). (While I have a copy of Zinn’s 2d Ed., I’m also planning on taking a class at my LBS to learn how to do things right.) My questions are:
(1) what tools should I buy? From the other posts I’ve read, it seems the best advice is cleaning equipment, cable/housing cutter, bottom bracket tool (please explain why?), cassette removal tool, pedal wrench, and spoke wrench (needed if don’t have truing stand?). I already have a basic workstand and a folding set of allen wrenches and typical screwdrivers, pliers, etc. Other thoughts on what I should get sooner rather than later?
(2) Should I take the class before or after I buy the tools?
(3) Any criticisms on my conclusions about the non-toolkit approach and Park as manufacturer?
I bought an inexpensive tool kit from Supergo a couple years ago. I really didn’t know what I was getting into (and I guess I mean that in a good way), and since then have replaced a lot of the more commonly used tools, especially tools for removing/instaling splined parts - with Park brand tools. I’ve also added to the kit things like a torque wrench. But I still use some of the tools that came with that kit - they work just fine.
I’d get a truing stand. Minor truing is fairly easy to do and can save you time/money at the shop. You’ll probably need to true your wheels more often than you replace a chain or bottom bracket.
A friend asked me recently what tools to buy, and I suggested this list: Cassette lockring remover, plus crescent or hex socket wrench to turn this. Chain whip Cone wrenches for wheel hub adjustment Crank removal tool Bottom bracket removal tool for the internal splined BB on my winter bike and my wife’s bikes. Crescent or socket wrench to turn it. Bottom bracket wrench for the new style Mega-Exo BB on my Cervelo and Trek. Chain tool Chain checker (helps you determine if a chain is worn out) Large allen wrench for crank bolt removal Pedal wrench (could actually just use a standard crescent wrench for this job, though I am not sure of the exact size) Spoke wrenches Cable / housing cutterTorque wrench for high torque. I also have various size allen and hex sockets for particular applications (got those at Lowe’s). I need to get a “low torque” torque wrench too. Set of metric allen wrenches (I use the allens in my multi-tool, which I carry in my saddle pack) Pliers - both needle nose and square nose Small phillips head screwdriver Pump, tire levers Bike stand Wheel truing stand
This is my current tool kit, and I think I can do pretty much everything but headset installation/removal and wheelbuilding or major truing. I had all I needed to build up a bike this fall (did everything but the headset cups) and overhaul another.
Never taken a class, but have found the Zinn book, plus a lot of friendly advice from the guys at my LBS, to be very helpful. I’d probably get the tools first so you can use them in the class.
Thanks for your response. How would your list change, if at all, if I was interested in doing everything on the Bikesport maintenance list here (http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/maintsched.shtml) except the complete tune-up (under the every 3000 miles list) and the complete overhaul (under the once per season list). Initially, I’ll probably build to the list you have, but at this point, I want to stay simple to get started and then build my toolset as I increase my knowledge/ability.
Hi - I would definitely take the class and then see what your LBS suggests you buy. If they have a good and experienced wrench on staff I would speak to she/he about this. Unfortunately unless you have worked in the industry or wrenched for a local LBS I think 90% is an unrealistic goal and if you can do 50% of your basic maintenace at home you are in good shape. There are some maintenance items / repairs I still do not do (BB overhaul being one) and have my LBS do for me. I keep it simple and this allows me to focus on my training, still save some $$, but also have them do what they do best. Like most things, servicing your bike takes a lot of practice and experience. I would not buy a truing stand and would not attempt to tru your own wheels unless you spend many, many hours with someone who knows what they are doing and teaches you how. Learn the basics - changing a cassette, greasing your cables, replacing a chain, making very minor adjustments to drive train, removing pedals, and leave the more difficult repairs to a shop. You may think you are saving some money by doing the repairs yourself but in reality you are not and in some cases may do more damage than good.
I would stay with Park. Good quality, good company, and they stand by their products. You will end up paying a little more but the tools you do end up buying will last a long time.
Well, in that case, I think you can do the tasks you’ve identified with probably just a set of allens, a bike pump and a bottle of chain lube. The bike stand will make things easier.
I don’t see anything wrong at all with wanting to work on your own bike, even to the point of doing things like a major overhaul. I think if you have curiousity about how things work, basic mechanical ability and patience, you’ll find it very rewarding. If, on the other hand, you feel better or just prefer someone else to work on your bike, then by all means do that. I don’t know how many mechanics or bike shop owners share this sentiment, but the staff at the LBS I frequent have been very supportive when I’ve stopped in to ask for help or advice.