Viewing 26 posts - 1 through 26 (of 26 total)
  • Best small bike tools to own
  • kraken2345
    Free Member

    So my 21st fast approaches and I’m getting a full socket set with all the sizes and extras I could need however every year my sisters get me a little present that I usually just use as a chance to get another little bike tool for around 20 quid.

    Things like a chain whip and cassette tool for example. I have most of the non bike specific ones such as a really good set of facom allen keys and adjustable spanners but am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for any tools I might’ve overlooked. Initially I was thinking of some proper cable cutters but rarely change my cables so then thought a bb tool for shimano cranks as all my bikes run em.

    Cheers for the advice

    willard
    Full Member

    Have you got a decent set of proper, strong workshop tyre levers? I’m glad of mine after seeing how well they coped with the tight bead on that last tyre I changed.

    jamj1974
    Full Member

    So my 21st fast approaches

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    nickjb
    Free Member

    Cable cutters is a good shout. I very rarely use mine but I’m glad I have them when I do. Chain quick link removal tool is pretty handy too. Definitely BB spanner if you don’t have one. Nice pedal spanner too

    jamj1974
    Full Member

    Chain whip and cassette tool as you suggest are essential. A spoke key to tighten the occasional spoke. Chain splitter. Topeak do little torque wrenches at set torque ratings – choose one for the stem bolt rating for example. Cable cutters are invaluable – they will last for years too. Torx wrenches. That’s a start anyway…

    TheBrick
    Free Member

    A decent set of cable cutters are worth it. You? will change cables more often and have a better working bike. Expense though for a good set.

    Gotama
    Free Member

    Quick link pliers. I have the park tool ones but there’ll be other brands. Why in gods name I didn’t get these years ago I will never know.

    blitz
    Full Member

    Have a look at the decathlon chainless chain whip. Brilliant tool, much better than a normal chain whip.

    Also, if not too much over budget, a torque wrench is handy.

    IA
    Full Member

    Knippex Pliers Wrench or a soft-face mallet.

    Northwind
    Full Member

    Really good cable cutters are a good tip. None of your bike-specific bollocks though, the best cable cutters are just standard wire rope cutters. (or you can buy the exact same thing with Pedros branding for 3 times as much…)

    It’s not popular on here but a well specced little toolbox isn’t a bad idea. They’re not the best value, compared to buying just a handful of specific tools but they come into their own at 9pm on a friday night when you suddenly discover these stupid hubs that came with your new bike need a cone wrench for some reason, and it turns out you already own one…

    Stevet1
    Free Member

    steerer tube cutting guide, can use it for bars etc too.

    johnnyboy666
    Free Member

    Topeak Ratchet rocket lite DX. It’s so cute and amazingly useful!

    John

    scc999
    Full Member

    Quicklink pliers (as already mentioned) – really useful and less than a tenner.
    Flush cut side cutter for snipping the end of cable ties, you can get a perfectly good pair for less than a fiver.
    Bleed kit for your brakes from Epic Bleed Solutions?
    Soft faced mallet is a great shout.
    Torque wrench is good idea but possibly over budget.
    Set of picks for removing seals for regreasing bearings?
    Grease gun?

    Lots there to be getting on with!

    Si

    Murray
    Full Member

    Park Hollowtech 2 tool – it’s a thing of beauty

    Northwind
    Full Member

    TBH though it’s a worse tool than the cheap-as-dirt plastic one I have- it looks nice but the wings could almost be designed to encourage overtorquing. And pretty much everyone overtorques shimano cranks at the best of times.

    Murray
    Full Member

    Agreed, but it looks and feels lovely (as long as you have a light touch). The point for pulling the locking tab up is great too.

    Northwind
    Full Member

    It is nice. I do like a well cast tool.

    DezB
    Free Member

    The Lezyne version is lovely and works (if you have a big spanner.)
    It’s a cassette and bb tool in one: here

    Quicklink pliers – I took the piss when they first came out. It’s a quicklink designed so you don’t need a tool… but then 10 and 11 speed came out, and they’re impossible to undo without pliers! (Wiggle have KMC ones cheap)

    Aidy
    Free Member

    Cable cutters definitely, if you’ve not got a good set.

    Grease gun or a decent pedal spanner otherwise, perhaps.

    coatesy
    Free Member

    I specifically bought one of those Park BB preload tools above to deal with removing over torqued caps, far easier than dealing with them using the little plastic one. Park link pliers are also available in a version with an extended tip (LMP1.2) that’s shaped for closing as well as opening, making it even more useful. Wire rope cutters? They all look identical, but some don’t last long before blunting (the expensive Pedro’s version mentioned above has to be the shortest lasting pair i’ve owned), Knipex, Felco, and Draper all seem to last a fair time before dying.

    joshvegas
    Free Member

    Sfn installer. you can think of your sister every time you wallop it with a hammer.

    edenvalleyboy
    Free Member

    Toppeak Tyre Pressure Guage?

    Not a tool in the sense you mean maybe, but I’ve had one years now and I’ve come to realise that tyre pressures make a really big difference to your ride. A digital guage is best way to know what the pressure is.

    wordnumb
    Free Member

    Park Tool Pro Bottle Opener.

    nickscots1
    Free Member

    A small torque wrench – mainly for handle bar stems – to prevent you breaking; bolts, nuts, stems. less than £15.

    Torque wrench

Viewing 26 posts - 1 through 26 (of 26 total)

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