All I want for christmas is...a toolset

DirkVoodoo

So I was thinking of maybe getting a toolset for christmas as I don't think this fascination with bikes is going to go away soon and might even become a lifelong affliction.

I have a few of the basic tools for maintenance, scattered around the house and garage much to my mother's dismay. She keeps telling me to get a toolbox for all of them and so I thought "why not get one with a few tools in it already?"

Just thought I would run it by you guys and see what the consensus is: are toolboxes like the BBB, Park Tools and Pedros good value for money and a good place to start or do they give you a lot of stuff you don't need and would be better off handpicking a set? I only really have allen keys, a chain remover, and a pedal wrench. I use a lot of regular tools for other odd jobs.

Do any of you guys actually have one of these sets?

Pedros Master Tool Kit - Seems a bit out of my price range.

Park Tool Advanced Mechanic Tool Kit - Looks ok?

BBB Tool Box - Any of their stuff I have used is cheap in price but good quality.

I also would like a "clicker" torque wrench, any opinions on make/model? I've read that the Effetto Giustaforza is pretty good, and more importantly "euro" , but very expensive, here.

bunnygreen

If you have the money i'd go for the ParkTool set,very good quality tools and they will last,along with the ParkTool bike maintenance book your ready to repair and maintain.

blorg

I got this LifeLine one from Wiggle recently when it was on special- I paid around a fiver less than the current price of £35.59 but if you use the fiver off voucher it will be coming in at £30.

This is a basic toolkit that doesn't have everything you might need but does compile a few basics together for a much cheaper price than you would get them individually.

Tool quality seems very good indeed and it seems to have most of what the BBB box does at £130. I have only really used the chain tool and chainring nut wrench so far.

TinyExplosions

I'd be sure to have a good look at the tools you have now, and what comes in the boxes before you make a decision, as you may have most of the stuff you'll ever need, and the kit may come with tools you wouldn't use (like a Freewheel turner (for 9 speed chain)). For example, I have a good set of allen keys, pedal spanner, lockring tool, chainwhip, cable cutters, chain break tool and spoke key already, so there's not much in the kit that I don't have and would need -a toolbox may be cheaper!

blorg

A 9-speed chainwhip works fine on a 10-speed cassette, you just need to use one of the outer cogs. Of course if I was actually going out to buy one I'd get a 10-speed one.

Lumen

FWIW, a bloke at CSS told me that almost all the Park tools are excellent, but the odd one or two are a bit rubbish (ISTR he mentioned the cable cutters).

Chips Lovell

I'd be more of the school of buying tools individually. Inevitibably you'll get some stuff you don't need in a set and won't get some things you will.

If I were getting something for Christmas, I'd get a toolbox and a few extra tools to supplement what I've got already.

Speaking of which, I need to buy a toolbox for myself. I've got a cupboard at home that overflows with tools every time you open it.

Caroline_ie

el tonto wrote: »

If I were getting something for Christmas, I'd get a toolbox and a few extra tools to supplement what I've got already.

Is that a hint for Mrs Tonto???

TinyExplosions

What's the best toolbox to buy to keep my massive tool(s) in? Anyone have any recommendations?

Chips Lovell

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Is that a hint for Mrs Tonto???

Might be a bit much given that I've already asked for a Pinarello Prince.

Chips Lovell

TinyExplosions wrote: »

What's the best toolbox to buy to keep my massive tool(s) in? Anyone have any recommendations?

I don't think there's much science to it. Just go into a hardware shop and ask for a massive box.

penexpers

Yeah I wouldn't buy a toolkit either. I bought piece by piece. I think you need

- cable cutters
- chain tool
- cassette lock tool
- chain whip tool
- bottom bracket wrench
- set of allen keys
- torque wrench

As for brands, I would buy Park and nothing else. I had a BBB chain tool which broke after two uses. Having said that, I have the BBB torque wrench and it's pretty decent.

Caroline_ie

el tonto wrote: »

Might be a bit much given that I've already asked for a Pinarello Prince.

Can you adopt me? I can be your new daughter

blorg

I figured that the tools in my £30 toolkit would cost well over £100 if bought individually, and I needed over £30 worth of them- so it can make a lot of sense.

Checking my order the toolkit actually cost me just under £25 with one of those £5 discount tokens that I have become very fond of

30 tools for £25 is kind of hard to argue with.

EDIT: More like 15-20 tools as I think to get to get the "30" number they are counting the three tyre levers as separate tools, etc. Still a bargain IMHO.

flickerx

I bought individual tools as I needed them, rather than a kit, the cost built up a lot. But that was because I thought "oh, I only want to do this job, I'll leave the rest of it to the bike shop." But then each time I tinkered more, I realised that I was now able to do it all myself, hence needed to go out and get all tools.

I guess it depends on what you think you're going to be doing. I was building bikes. But I think the toolkit is a good way to go. In a year or two if you find that you're not as into it as you thought you were, you can always sell them to us here on the board

I'd go for the Park Tool kit for this reason.

ednwireland

got a lidl one in the spring only 30 euro or so pretty good (had a pile of tools already) what ive used mind you using less tools as everything seems to go on an allen key these days .

Caroline_ie

What I want for xmas is ... I don't want it ... but my mother wants me to want them ... i am sure I can make look 'euro'...

DirkVoodoo

el tonto wrote: »

Might be a bit much given that I've already asked for a Pinarello Prince.

:eek:

Is that a replacement for the willier or just a "I wonder which bike I will take today?" addition?

Wavy forks.

EDIT: Also thanks for all the helpful replies.

TinyExplosions

Caroline_ie wrote: »

What I want for xmas is ... I don't want it ... but my mother wants me to want them ... i am sure I can make look 'euro'...

All you need is a can of white spraypaint

Maybe more effective would be...


-I'll have 'em on your Ruby for when you collect it

Chips Lovell

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Is that a replacement for the willier or just a "I wonder which bike I will take today?" addition?

More like a "you've got to be dreaming" addition.

AstraMonti

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

Pedros Master Tool Kit - Seems a bit out of my price range.

€644.59 for a toolkit? :eek::eek::eek: Is the box golden with pearls around? Does it bring you coffee and muffins in the morning?

Ok i stop the offtopic and seriously i can't imagine why you would need that expensive toolkit if you dont have an at least 4k€ bike and you are in racing etc etc.. but thats just me (and even with 4k bike.. why would a 200euro allen make any difference )

CheGuedara

I'd agree with most here - don't buy a full tool kit packed with half the stuff you don't need.

Decide what you actually need and will use, buy it Pedros or Park Tool as they'll last longer (except for the torque wrench - I have the BBB equivalent of the Effeto and it's accurate, euro and a fraction of the price if you shop wisely)

You could then spend the remaining on a bike stand which will make servicing your ride with your new tools a hell of a lot easier

DirkVoodoo

Merely a few examples to get the ball rolling and give people an idea of what I was after.

For my need I think even the park tools kit might be pushing it, but I agree with the lads here that a kit makes sense as opposed to expensively purchasing everything separate.

And if I don't have a need for a specific tool then I can loan it out to anyone here who needs it.

EDIT: Che thanks for that, I was looking at the BBB torque wrench but I was skeptical as clickers need a lot of TLC and I had only heard people go on about the Guistaforza.

kenmc

My Christmas Prezzie (to me) just arrived!!!!!!!!
But back on topic, Wiggle have the Lifeline spindoctor workstand for a smidge over 50 euro.... damn i forgot to use the money off code too! DOH!

TinyExplosions

kenmc wrote: »

My Christmas Prezzie (to me) just arrived!!!!!!!!
But back on topic, Wiggle have the Lifeline spindoctor workstand for a smidge over 50 euro.... damn i forgot to use the money off code too! DOH!

Nice!

I have that Stand, and it's not too bad at all... the head moves around a bit, but the bike's held firmly enough

blorg

I also have the Lifeline/Elite Spindoctor, as Tiny reports the head moves around a bit but otherwise seems good and folds up small.

kenmc

i just bought one today, to replace my tacx, since it can't be used with my carbon bike cos it clamps on the downtube Might keep the tacx for the mountainbike though, the lifeline might not be able to handle the weight of that?

TinyExplosions

kenmc wrote: »

i just bought one today, to replace my tacx, since it can't be used with my carbon bike cos it clamps on the downtube Might keep the tacx for the mountainbike though, the lifeline might not be able to handle the weight of that?

Handles my Focus and Langster ok (not at the same time!), so I'd say it'll be ok for the mtb... it's pretty sturdy

kenmc

the MTB is pretty damn heavy though....