tool kit essentals.

lizzylad84

ok folks, im assembling a tool kit to carry out repairs on my road bike, just looking to see what tools i should defnatly get.
ive been told its best to but individual tools, instead of a specific tool kit, which may contain tools i already have/may not need.

ive already got screwdrivers, plyers and a multi tool containing allen keys.

manwithaplan

I know next to nothing about this but I can tell you that, other than what you would find in most tool boxes, I have used:

tyre levers,
a chain tool,
a cassette tool,
a chainwhip, and
a dirty big adjustable wrench.

I have a bottom bracket tool but I have never used it. I have used my socket wrench set on the kids' bikes but not on my own. I don't have a torque wrench but my 'use the force' approach will probably get me into trouble at some stage so it's one for the shopping list.

07Lapierre

manwithaplan wrote: »

I know next to nothing about this but I can tell you that, other than what you would find in most tool boxes, I have used:

tyre levers,
a chain tool,
a cassette tool,
a chainwhip, and
a dirty big adjustable wrench.

I have a bottom bracket tool but I have never used it. I have used my socket wrench set on the kids' bikes but not on my own. I don't have a torque wrench but my 'use the force' approach will probably get me into trouble at some stage so it's one for the shopping list.

You've never used a Floor Pump? or a 5 mm Allen key

Flandria

manwithaplan wrote: »

I know next to nothing about this but I can tell you that, other than what you would find in most tool boxes, I have used:

tyre levers,
a chain tool,
a cassette tool,
a chainwhip, and
a dirty big adjustable wrench.

I have a bottom bracket tool but I have never used it. I have used my socket wrench set on the kids' bikes but not on my own. I don't have a torque wrench but my 'use the force' approach will probably get me into trouble at some stage so it's one for the shopping list.

Agreed on all them, but I reckon a torque wrench is a must - X tools do one that covers (from memory) 2-24 Nm that's perfect for bikes and I don't think it was too expensive. I managed to use mine to successfully break a seat post clamp on saturday:o:o

cdaly_

Flandria wrote: »

I reckon a torque wrench is a must

Only for carbon bikes. You can get away without for steel or alu (dunno about titanium though).

manwithaplan

07Lapierre wrote: »

You've never used a Floor Pump? or a 5 mm Allen key

The floor pump is the jaffa cake of the cycling world - is it a tool or an accessory? I assumed a few allen keys would be in most tool boxes (and in the OP's multitool).

wotdef

It really depends on how much work you're confident on doing. I have built up a nice round tools over the years. I tend to buy a tool even if I only use it once. I would recommend having a 1/4" socket set as well as a 1/2". There are times when the smaller lit is much easier to work with. Buy the best you can afford. By all means if you win the lottery get every tool Park have, but some of the less fancy brands will last years for the average home mechanic. And a torque wrench is used on more than carbon parts. Have fun working on your bike.

Flandria

Meant to say that it is well worth buying a half decent book as well. There are plenty out there but I like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Road-Bike-Maintenance-Guy-Andrews/dp/0713681993

Lots of good youtube videos as well, but plenty of poor ones too so a bit of quality control is needed. A stand is well worth the money and becomes essential the more bikes you have, which as you know, is always one less than you need...

RidleyRider

Anyone recommend a decent torque wrench?

ratracer

RidleyRider wrote: »

Anyone recommend a decent torque wrench?

I got this a few weeks ago, and it seems to be a great bit if kit. Just built my new carbon Felt with it.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/bbb-btl-73-torqueset-torque-spanner-set/

Mycroft H

RidleyRider wrote: »

Anyone recommend a decent torque wrench?

Teng tools, snap on etc all make decent small torque wrenches

Flandria

BX 19 wrote: »

Teng tools, snap on etc all make decent small torque wrenches

Yes, but don't really cover the range required for bikes. For instance Facom will do a 1-5Nm then a 5-20Nm, similarly Teng go 1-5Nm, 2-10Nm, 3-15Nm - it would be much better to get a bike specific one that covers 2-20Nm and be done with it. In fairness a Teng or Britool 2-10Nm will cover most of what you need but 2-20Nm will do pretty much all the jobs...

random.stranger

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Teng-1492AGE-5-25nm-4-inch-Torque/dp/B000Y8J2CA/ref=lh_ni_t