UKH

Just looking through websites for tool kits, could anyone recommend a good kit which has a reasonable amount of technical tools? Bike experts please. I thought it would be better to invest my money into a proper kit instead of constantly forking out for services. If someone could point me in the right direction it would be very much appreciated.

In reply to samsimpson:

are you shimano ?

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TOJWTK/jobsworth_tool_kit

In reply to samsimpson:

lost1977 link above looks like a genuine bargain to me . I'd recommend a decent set of long reach allen ( hex ) keys something like this maybe ; http://www.jbltools.co.uk/e113947b-britool-metric-long-reach-hex-key-set-82...

have a shop around though they're just an example .

Also a decent 1/4" ratchet drive & sockets to suit I find invaluable , have a look at some of the deals at halfords they're a good buy when they're half price or there abouts . The professional range is really good & takes loads of abuse .

In reply to samsimpson: i have a jobsworth kit from planet x and bought a pair of wire cutter to go with it. seemed like the best i could find for the money . .

In reply to samsimpson:

Don't skimp on cable cutters. Buy good ones.

In reply to lost1977: this seems like the best ive seen yet! if some doesnt post about another will be buying this I think! looks good

In reply to samsimpson: The only tools I have are some good snips for cables and housing, a bike multi tool and a set of good allen keys size 5, 4, 8 (for some pedals) and size 11 for freehub body. I also have cassette removal tools (chain whip and cassette socket). you need little else for basic maintenence.

In reply to samsimpson: Looks like great value. On a similiar note can anyone recommend a good mountain bike repair book. My brother has a bike he wants to do up but is probably not worth giving to a bike shop so would be a good way to learn some MTB repair skills.

Cheers

Tim

In reply to samsimpson:

I've just built up a tool box as I've needed things - Park and Ice Toolz for bike-specific tools, my screwdrivers (flat, Phillips and Torx) and spanners are Halfords Professional. All picked up online or in sales.

Worth getting a decent set of ball-ended hex keys and definitely get decent cable cutters.

In reply to samsimpson:

Much as I hate them, I saw that Evans had a good kit on sale in one of their emails the other day, might be worth a look

In reply to samsimpson:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/SearchResults.aspx?Search=tools&Cate...

http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/workshop-tools/tools/tools-workshop/i...

Should give you plenty to drool over...

In reply to samsimpson:

P.s. A good Torque wrench is very worth while if you have anything remotely expensive on the bike and don't want to over torque things

In reply to samsimpson: Have a look at this will give you some ideas. http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/best-tool-kits-for-cyclists-33539/
Personally I'm of the opinion that saving money on all but the most specialist, infrequently used tools is a false economy as cheaper tools round much easier and may end up causing you more trouble than they're worth in the long term.

In reply to LastBoyScout:

I got mine from Aldi - and they're pretty good quality.

In reply to samsimpson:

£28 for 16 tools seems very cheap (or a bargain) - I've no experience of their quality so can't comment either way.

As others have said, get decent tools, it's not worth skimping by buying cheap tools then stripping a vital nut or thread because the tools aren't up to it.

In rough order I'd get:

Flat and Phillips screwdrivers, a couple of sizes of each
Adjustable spanner.
A good set of Allen (Hex) keys with ball-ends on one end.
Cable cutters (I've the Shimano ones - expensive but ...)
Track pump
Chain splitter tool
Pedal spanner
Bottom Bracket tool

Also really worth getting a bike workstand, it makes things so much easier.

After all this, look at what your bike uses and get tools as and when. A lot of tools are very specific to one job and are often infrequent things to use. An example would be a headset press - they are expensive and I've only ever had need to use one once - a bit of threaded bar and large plate washers will do at a push.

ALC

In reply to LastBoyScout: wow, pretty pricey stuff!

In reply to a lakeland climber:

Further to the above I'd sooner buy a cassette tool and a chain whip over a BB tool though mind these are the kind of things you can pick up along the way once you need them. Rather than coughing up for them upfront when you don't actually need them.

In reply to Frank4short:

Forgot the cassette tool and chain whip But yes, they are useful - says he having used them yesterday morning to swap a cassette over.

ALC

In reply to samsimpson:

First have a good look at your bike and see what you actually need. I'd avoid the cheap all in one kits for 2 reasons - for 27 quid it will be shit quality and you end up with loads of stuff you don't need - for example I can't remember the last time I used any kind of spanner on my bike. Haven't touched a tyre lever for years either and as for those giant headset spanners??

I've built my kit up over the years and here's what I have:

Set of Park allen keys with handles - £40, expensive but last forever.

Cheap Chain whip < £10

Casette tool - £12 with handle (I have both Shimano and Campag)

BB cup wrench - came free with my cranks but can be bought for a tenner.

Small screw drivers for mechs - B&Q

Chain tool - Park £12

Cable cutters - B&Q

Pedal Spanner - Park £10 or optional if padal has hole for 8mm Allen key.

Spoke key - couple of quid

I also built some wheel jigs from an old alloy frame and forks I had - works a treat.

Two climbing slings from a joist in the garage serves as a great alternative to a workstand.

One thing I might invest in is a decent torque wrench to prevent people stripping saddle clamps and stems when they adjust my hire bikes (

Cheers

E