Basic tool kit for fettling newbie

Rorschach

Didnt pay $250 for this custom title
One of the things I've committed myself to this year is learning how to wrench my own bikes so I can start servicing them myself
Other than some fairly crappy allen keys, I don't have any tools to do this, so am looking for a decent toolkit to start doing so.
CRC has some Lifeline kits I'm looking at, anyone any experience with them, or anything else I should be looking at? I looked at Park as well, but they're quite a bit more exxy.
I will probably get a torque wrench as well, any suggestions on a decent priced one, preset or otherwise? Again, CRC had a Lifeline one that looks OK

Basic:

Most interested in this one:

Overkill?

TIA!
 

moorey

call me Mia
They almost all focus on tool for almost completely outdated needs.
-Crank extractor for cranks no one runs.
-Pedal spanner. All mine use Allen keys.
-BB tool that admitted fits many cups...but new standards by the day.
-Cone spanners. Never buy cup and cone hubs.
Ball ended Allen keys are evil.

A basic tool kit is ok for the car. A thorough toolkit still only has 1/2 what I need, and 75% I don’t.

Personally, unless you’re in a shop, or work on a wide range of bikes and standards, just buy the tool you need.
 
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brawlo

Squid
They almost all focus on tool for almost completely outdated needs.
-Crank extractor for cranks no one runs.
-Pedal spanner. All mine use Allen keys.
-BB tool that admitted fits many cups...but new standards by the day.
-Cone spanners. Never buy cup and cone hubs.
Ball ended Allen keys are evil.

A basic tool kit is ok for the car. A thorough toolkit still only has 1/2 what I need, and 75% I don’t.

Personally, unless you’re in a shop, or work on a wide range of bikes and standards, just buy the tool you need.
Pretty much this. Unless you already have them, the cone spanners are near useless. I still have cone bearings on 2 sets of track wheels but I've only had to service once in 12 years. A good set of smaller spanners, allen keys, torx keys and screwdrivers will get you out of a lot of situations. From there I'd spend some $$ on bits that you need specific to the bikes you ride. I started off with pretty much that 18 piece kit, but I only have used the BB and cassette tools any time in the past couple of years. The rest has either been upgraded or made redundant
 

Minlak

custom titis
Buy as you need em and get quality don’t be cheap as you pay double in the long run (although expensive doesn’t always equate quality and quality doesn’t always equate expensive).

For starters get Allen Keys - Torx Keys - Screwdrivers - Hammer - Dead Blow Hammer - Side Cutters - Line Cutters - and the rest as you need.

You could even buy a decent ratchet set with all the Allen and torx bits.
 

itsajoke

Likes Dirt
Other than some fairly crappy allen keys, I don't have any tools to do this, so am looking for a decent toolkit to start doing so.
Only ever buy quality tools. There is no way around that. One good quality tool over twelve rubbish ones every day of the week. I have a lot of Park but they aren’t always the best.

Look at your bike and see what you need; removal of rotors, tyres, chain, cassette, cranks, BB, pedals etc. Particularly any proprietary standards. A lot of the tools for your bike will be compatible with other bikes too. Small extras like picks, scissors, rulers come in handy

The kits you linked have appeal because of the box they’re in. Just get a box with a handle from somewhere cheap.
 

leitch

Feelin' a bit rrranty
  • Good quality allen keys (2-10mm)
  • Decent(ish) torx keys - or good ones if you also do some work on your car
  • Cable cutters (not side cutters)
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Chain whip
  • Cassette tool
  • Chain breaker (Park CT-3.3 will work with all chain types from 1/8" BMX chains to 12sp)
  • Spoke key
  • Tyre levers
  • BB tool to suit your needs (most likely 44mm Shimano assuming threaded BB, may need TL-FC25 adapter if newer Shimano)
  • Hack saw
  • Scissors
That's pretty much all you need 95% of the time. Only the bike specific tools need to come from bike brands - if you can, spring for Park or Pedros and they'll last for ever - the rest (allen/torx keys, pliers/cutters etc) can be from automotive/tool brands (Wera/Bondhus et al) and therefore usually much better value. Much better off putting your ~$250 into a starter kit like above and a cheap ass plastic tool box to keep them in than buying a "kit" in which half the tools are useless. Then as you get more confident and try new things (brake bleeds, suspension servicing) you can buy the specific things you need as you go.
 

dirtdad

Wants to be special but is too shy
I do most of my own maintenance. Agree with the above.

Don't forget some of the consumables like:
  • grease (slickoleum for suspension/dropper/etc, and something thicker for bearings/other – one tub will last years so just get what you want first time)
  • locktite
  • assembly paste (if carbon is your thing)
  • isopropyl alcohol;
  • clean rags
 

Minlak

custom titis
Tissues for wiping up the mess when you sit back with and admire with great satisfaction your handy work and smexy bike
 

Daniel Hale

She fid, he fid, I fidn't
i bought this on sale then filled with individual pieces, prefer a roll to a toolbox, i have everything le itch suggests except for tory set/hacksaw/scissors, in addition i have
shimano basic bleed kit
chain link pliers - cheap ones
small tube slickoleum
2 torx i need
multitool -mini socket set, i prefer sockets to normal multi tool
i also use a 1/2” socket wrench -so sram bb tool, cassette tool are just socket bits which all fit on the one wrench, rather than having 5-6 long tools


369205
 

Rorschach

Didnt pay $250 for this custom title
Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Looks like a trip to Bunnings on the cards for the common stuff and then raid the bike shops for the specific stuff
 

Rorschach

Didnt pay $250 for this custom title
@Rorschach What bikes do you actually own and or intend to own, because sometimes you'll need the older style tools depending on what bikes you have ?
2018 Trek X-Cal 8 and 2019 BMC Roadmachine, with plans to update/upgrade the Trek. Don't think I'll need any older style tools for those, and other than the BB, any tools should be the same across both.
Mrs has a basic clunker, but thats not seen the road for ages so doesn't really count
 

Dales Cannon

lightbrain about 4pm
Staff member
Ball ended Allen keys are ok unless you are a bell end and try to use that bit to go fully unwell tight. Spin the screws in and out with the ball end but always use the short square end to tension and loosen. Or you will strip the inside of the screw, wont you @moorey?
 

Flow-Rider

Burner
2018 Trek X-Cal 8 and 2019 BMC Roadmachine, with plans to update/upgrade the Trek. Don't think I'll need any older style tools for those, and other than the BB, any tools should be the same across both.
Mrs has a basic clunker, but thats not seen the road for ages so doesn't really count
That first kit is most likely going to be ok for you, I bought one of the Aldi kits a long time ago and thought I'd never use the other tools but they do come handy for working on old clunkers, better off learning on older bikes too.

These are the tools you'll use the most out of that kit and I reckon you're doing well to get them individually for less than $65. Everyone has their own individual preference on quality of tools but I'd say you'd go by with a lot of those and need a few specialised tools also.



369209


Ball ended Allen keys are ok unless you are a bell end and try to use that bit to go fully unwell tight. Spin the screws in and out with the ball end but always use the short square end to tension and loosen. Or you will strip the inside of the screw, wont you @moorey?
You got to undo the really tight bolts with the ballend so that the ball snaps flush in the caps headed socket screw. :D
 

moorey

call me Mia
Ball ended Allen keys are ok unless you are a bell end and try to use that bit to go fully unwell tight. Spin the screws in and out with the ball end but always use the short square end to tension and loosen. Or you will strip the inside of the screw, wont you @moorey?
Probably...In my defense, the link just said ball ended...didn’t know if that was both ends.
Either way, I wouldn’t use Allen keys from a budget tool set, bell end.
 

tobbogonist

a registered member
Can't add too much to what has been said but I am a book type learning person. The best 'tool' i ever bought was zinn and the art of mtb maintenance a few years back, then from there spent money on the tools I required when I knew I was going to have to do the job. There are other books etc about and I know its all online (I end up on youtube researching anyway) but it was easier for me to plan out ahead the things I had to do, look at the book and subsequently plan the purchases. I just bought the book that came up with the best reviews at the time.
I like being able to write down/see what is needed each time without referring to a screen.
 
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