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Having just spent an noy inconsiderable amount of money on a new bike I figure I should also invest in some tools to take more care of it than I have previous rides. I'm definitely prepared to spend a bit more on tools that will last but at the same time given the occasion nature of use I dont need anythung too Rolls Royce. Drive train is Shimano and mostly XT inc breaks if that makes a difference. So, what do I need to keep things running smoothly?
IMO halfords pro range are a decent place on the cost / quality curve.
Set of ball ended allen keys
Set of decent screwdrivers including the funny one for the rear mech screws which IIRC are not standard cross head but standard cross heads just about fit
Set of ring / open ended spanners
BB and cassette tools with something to turn them - I use a big adjustable spanner
Pliers
Cable cutters
Spoke key
The 4/5/6mm triangle park hex key thing would be at the top of my list. Most used tool.
One of the most used bits of kit I have is a decent workshop stool
Set of ring / open ended spanners
Which part of a modern bike are these for ?
Quality hex keys (wera or bondhaus as favourites )
Quality set of torx (wera are favourites)
If bike is carbon -suitable torque wrench with bits and an idea how to use it.
Quality side cutters for cables -avoid bike brands as they are junk. Knipex rope cutters or high leverage side cutters
What ever cassette tool your bike needs and a quality chain whip. + Link pliers for the quick link if it's a modern chain. Gone are the days of doing them by hand.
A single JIS cross point for the limit and b tension screws
A medium dead blow mallet
The relevent spokey pro 4sided key for your wheels -not a multi fit spoke rounder.
That would cover you for basic maintainance and adjustments
There will be more you need as your bike wears but how far you equip depends on how much you want to do at home...... Hanger straightening tools, Bearing pullers / fitting tools , bleed kits etc but the basics outlined above would be a good start...... Then you end up with a tool box like mine over time when you have decades of historic tools for standards that don't exist anymore..... How ever you never know what comes across your door and you have just the tool for that as you once needed it haha
I was given a set Park spanners. I’ve used 2 on bikes and 1 on a guitar in 6 years.
I was thinking cable clamps and the like trailrat - but you are right in that very few bolts are used nowadays if any - almost all allen screws.
As above (tjagain), but with a couple of T handled torx. I have found that 'slimmer' spanners are easier to use on things like hubs and brakes.
Small grease gun with appropriate lubes.
Longish breaker bar to fit a BB socket makes life easier.
Depends if you want to do suspension bearings etc ?
including the funny one for the rear mech screws which IIRC are not standard cross head but standard cross heads just about fit
All the adjusters on newer XT mechs are hex not JIS.
Get some colour in your life
Longish breaker bar to fit a BB socket makes life easier.
Have we gone full circle most BBS I've done recently have been press fit from one of the 27 million standards
I recently invested in a set of quick link pliers. Makes it easy to break and refit quick links. Yes it isn’t that hard to do other wise but having the right tools makes a massive difference for a small cost.
Oh, forgot torque wrench.
spanner could be used for the bleed nipples on a caliper but thats about all I can think on.
apart from tools music, you need music!
Basics to keep the bike going and not rely on bikeshops:
T handle Allen Keys, metric and up to 10mm (8 and 10mm usually for pivot bolts, crank bolts, etc).
T handle Torx up to T25, preferably a T27 as well.
Basic spanners for pedals (15mm) and for your hubs if required.
Bleed Kit for shimano, best one is syringe that fits the caliper and funnel that fits the lever.
Cassette removal tool, BB removal tools, etc for the bike.
Bike stand is good, not essential but if removing forks or the likes they're so much easier.
PPE, get some gloves, the workshop variety rather than disposable, feel better and you will wear them more.
Consumables, blueroll is great, same with oils, greases and so on, brushes are also good for cleaning.
Rubber/nylon mallet, chain removal pliers and tool.
Think that's about it, bigger bits come in after this if you want to be self sufficient, but that takes years to build up due to cost and effort!
Has no one said a bleed kit yet? I'd say that's more essential than lots of the stuff mentioned above.
I've you've got Shimano brakes stock up on mineral oil and get the little cup thing. You might spend a lot of time trying to make them feel consistent.
Edit: beaten while typing
Pretty well what @argee lists though I'd say a bike stand would be more than useful - indexing gears is much, much easier with a stand than without for instance.
Don't think anyone's mentioned a chain tool.
After all that it's really a case of getting things to fix those parts not covered by the basics, stuff like rotor truing fork, cutting guide and the like. Probably the main thing I don't have is a bearing press/puller set.
Of all my tools, the best and most useful is a 180mm Kpipex plier wrench.
Such a lovely tool, and works so well.
I have a set of Halfords Pro open/ratchet spanners, but default to the Knipex for 95% of jobs.
Cassettes, BBs and cranks, bleeding brakes, nutted axles, truing rotors, crimping cable end caps, the list goes on and on.
I even once trued a wheel on the trail with one - as no-one had a spoke key.
Those + a decent set of Allen keys, T25 Torx bit, and some good quality screwdrivers (cross, Phillips, and flat) should see you for most jobs.
*Edit...chain tool, circlip pliers, side cutters, all useful too. Problem is the list ends up being endless!
I've never owned a torque wrench in 30+ years of spannering, just don't wind it up like a gorilla!
Kettle, dab radio, biscuit tin - keep the thieving mice out .
I don't think you need to go crazy, just a set of allen keys will be enough for most jobs. Get anything else as you need it.
One of these:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vessel-900-Megadora-2x150-Screwdriver/dp/B000TGF8YI/
Fit's perfectly on mech limit screws etc. A normal philips head screwdriver will work but this works so much better!
Get yourself a tool board, makes life a lot easier compared to scrabbling through a toolbox.
This is just a cheapy Lidl one, I keep meaning to make a better/bigger one.
CheesybeanZ
Subscriber
Kettle, dab radio, biscuit tin – keep the thieving mice out .
This plus a beer fridge if room allows.
I’d say a bike stand would be more than useful
I agree, it makes everything much easier - even washing the bike. A good pedal spanner is nice.
I'd start with decent portable toolset;
Topeak Mini 18+
Topeak Shuttle 1.1
Topeak Mountain Morph
Obviously I like Topeak! but they are quality tools that last, I use them a lot in my workshop. Then as you go along pick up others as needed;
Wera allen keys
Cable cutter
Parktools chainwhip
BBB cone spanners
etc
No toolkit contains everything, like the DT swiss 350 hub needing a specific tool, so I tend to buy as needed.
It might be worth starting with a Lifeline toolkit off CRC/Wiggle TBH.
Then garnish that with specific tools like a T25 and T30 torx, Park cable cutter and any component-specific tools (bleed kits etc.).
decent workshop stool
+1 to that. I could do with one, but make use of my son’s wheelchair instead- especially as I can wheel myself around to get bits so I don’t have to stand up.
Had an interesting chat one morning with some JWs as I was sitting in it doing some diy. As they left, they said they’d pray for me.
I couldn’t resist the temptation so I jumped up shouting “Hallelujah I’m cured!” The look on their faces was priceless.
I’m going to hell!
You definitely need some ball ended hex keys. Why Park tools have removed the ball end from some of their sets is beyond me.
Side cutters are a must too.
Tyre levers are useful too.
“ Had an interesting chat one morning with some JWs as I was sitting in it doing some diy. As they left, they said they’d pray for me.
I couldn’t resist the temptation so I jumped up shouting “Hallelujah I’m cured!” The look on their faces was priceless”
Genius!
Thanks all, Wera Allen keys and torx set ordered, ooooh pretty colours, and collecting peg board this afternoon. Bike stand next and then to figure out what to carry with me for times of emergency.
Track pump.
Shed, workshop, man cave essential.
I’d add some needle nose pliers and a set of cheap seal picks
Now this is rather fortuitous as it saves me starting another thread as I could do with getting a decent set of torx drivers. Would anyone mind sharing a link to a decent set?
A bit worried about how long took to get to beer fridge....and then optional ? Error surely
Chain checker
I have them in hex and TX, for price they will last you a lifetime.
Which torx sizes will you actually need?
T25 is a given
T30 if you have certain chainsets
T20 if you have a Reverb (and aren't happy with the supplied tool)?
I just buy the individual ones I need. Park T-handle ones are decent.
I don’t think you need to go crazy, just a set of allen keys will be enough for most jobs. Get anything else as you need it.
Agree (along with Torx set if bike uses them). The rest I would just get as and when I need them although next on list for me would be torque wrench as I was over tightening bolts before I had one.
I found that pricing up for 3 or four well made ones worked out dearer than buying the full set. First time this weekend I needed to use a T10 on SRAM shifter
A special screwdriver for rear mech screws essential? Really?