Hi all,
I am thinking about buying a tool kit for my bike light repair stuff. I tend to avoid knock off tools/equipment etc.
I am looking at the Park Tool Park Tool AK-5 | Primeau Velo however am looking for insight from the more experianced at home bike techs.
Is this overkill? I used to be a car mechanic light years ago and still do my own car brakes etc. I am handy, just find that I am lacking any tools for specialized bike work.
Thank you in advance!
It depends. For precise measurement like chain checking tool, I would go with the name brand tools, but like simple tool like cassette remover socket, chain whip and stuff, generic work great for me. Park tools are not cheap, so make a good decision. I buy generic tools from eBay and they are just fine. I work on my cars and it’s the same. You don’t want Harbor Freight jack stands, but wrench sets from Harbor Freight will work just fine. Snap Ons are top notch, but not worth the money for 10mm socket and wrench.
It depends. For precise measurement like chain checking tool, I would go with the name brand tools, but like simple tool like cassette remover socket, chain whip and stuff, generic work great for me. Park tools are not cheap, so make a good decision. I buy generic tools from eBay and they are just fine. I work on my cars and it’s the same. You don’t want Harbor Freight jack stands, but wrench sets from Harbor Freight will work just fine. Snap Ons are top notch, but not worth the money for 10mm socket and wrench.
Thank you! Great analogy on Snap On. They are head and shoulders above, but not worth 4x the price in most cases.
Largely if you make a living off the tools or it’s a situation you want to live through, like a body under a supported car, buy the right stuff. If not and it’s a couple uses per year, buy off brand.
I debate the logic of the chain checker tool, use a ruler, it’s free if you already have one.
I’m not a mechanic and only have learned the rudiments of bike repair/etc but did do a full road bike mech build a few years ago.
Park tools are pretty legit. I think there are better if you’re in the mechanic field (Snap-On) but for high-use stuff particularly like hex wrenches, I’d go at least Park tool and skip the offbrand.
I do think that if you think you’ll use most of the tools in that kit you posted a link to, you’re probably the right person for it! I wouldn’t need/use over half the tools in there!
I have gone off-brand no problem for occasional use tools (which is honestly most of my tools!) but I was burned on the hex wrenches as the not-good ones will more rapidly round out your hex bolts, ruining them.
For precise measurement like chain checking tool, I would go with the name brand tools
I’d add a good quality torque wrench to that category.
I’d personally buy a nice set of high quality Allen wrenches (I like PB Swiss), a good torque wrench (I like Silca’s travel one) and then pick up other tools as you progress. Just the wrenches make up 90%+ of the usage in my garage, and the nice stuff feels great to use.
Generally stick with the established companies like Park, Unior, Pedros, Pro or Wera. For things I will almost never use like presses I’ll go off brand and deal with the frustration from time to time.
If you are shopping Primeau because you are near them, check out Technocycle, who often have a great selection and more sales on tools.
Park tools are definitely worth it over generics. But there is a lot in that kit that are just regular tools. But there are some tools that you may never use or common tools you might have anyway. My preference is to buy bike-specific tools as I need them. Then you only have the core stuff you need.
You could probably delete these
Cone wrenches - these are legit bike tools, but rarely used with modern bearingsPhilips & flat blade screwdriversTorx wrenchesMeasuring tapeAdjustable wrenchHex wrenchesDummy hubChainring nut wrenchMaster link pliers
I would add the appropriate sized pedal wrenches for your bikes
If you want the top of the line look at Abbey Bike Tools and Silca.
The problem with those kits is really just the common tools that are way out of whack with what equal-quality non-Park tools would cost. Like the adjustable wrench is $55, the hex set is something like 35, their plyers are $30 something.
I have a handful of park tools, but a lot of what I use is just the non-bike specific version of them. But I don’t think it’s crazy to just go buy a big kit, if only because it does save some hassle of putting a pause in a project to go buy a tool.
I agree with others.
You could buy that whole kit and you get a lot of the Starter Stuff that you need for DIY repairs . . or as others have suggested and I am to . . go a la carte and just buy the higher quality Park Tool tool, that get’s used a lot or is specific for a need, or REALLY important - best example of the last one there - a Torque Wrench - This you want high quality and it be accurate.
Park tools are definitely worth it over generics. But there is a lot in that kit that are just regular tools. But there are some tools that you may never use or common tools you might have anyway. My preference is to buy bike-specific tools as I need them. Then you only have the core stuff you need.
You could probably delete these
Cone wrenches - these are legit bike tools, but rarely used with modern bearingsPhilips & flat blade screwdriversTorx wrenchesMeasuring tapeAdjustable wrenchHex wrenchesDummy hubChainring nut wrenchMaster link pliers
I would add the appropriate sized pedal wrenches for your bikes
Disagree on the master link pliers - they save a ton of time and effort when taking off and putting chains back on. The rest are def not needed, good calls.
If you want the top of the line look at Abbey Bike Tools and Silca.
Abbey and Silca are absolutely beautiful but I would take the money I save buying the other brands and pay for a good mechanic’s course instead.
Disagree on the master link pliers - they save a ton of time and effort when taking off and putting chains back on.Huh, I’ve never used them. I have only used Wippermann chains with their Connex master links and thought all chains were that easy.
Nope, Shimano and SRAM masters are not easy 
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Nope, Shimano and SRAM masters are not easy :)Very good to know… I guess I’ll be ordering a pair of chain pliers along with one of those chains in the future…
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Nope, Shimano and SRAM masters are not easy :)Very good to know… I guess I’ll be ordering a pair of chain pliers along with one of those chains in the future…
You can also buy the Connex quick links on their own - the first time a chain needs servicing (i.e., waxing) I’m popping one of those on. They’re also great as a spare to keep in your saddlebag in case you have an issue on the road.
Buy a Connex link and you don’t need any pliers.
Nope, Shimano and SRAM masters are not easy :)Very good to know… I guess I’ll be ordering a pair of chain pliers along with one of those chains in the future…
Put a Connex link on your Shimano and SRAM chains.