There are still plenty of frames that need a headset press.
There are still plenty of frames that need a headset press.
Modern actual MTB frames 😉 or weird obscure steel random frames 😀
For me, anything bearing related - paralell punch set, slide hammer and bearing press kit. All well worth the money to reduce frustration and stop potential frame damaging consequences of it going wrong.
I have one of those needle driver things for brake barbs but I don't get on with it, my tip is to rather warm the hose end slightly with a hair dryer, the barb slides in with finger pressure when warm. My tip is actually to have an old hair dryer under the workbench, I used my wifes old one to remove some tatty invisiframe and left it in the garage, you'd be surprised how often it gets used (by a bald man in his garage).
And +1 for a small, cheap pick set.
If you ever drop your fork out for a service then I found that a High Five electrolyte tablet tube is the perfect size to stuff in the steerer and for the stem to sit on so you don't leave you bars dangling about
Surprised no one has mentioned a hanger alignment gauge.
There's definitely a few tools that are less essential now than they were 15 years ago. I haven't used my star nut setter / headset press / cone spanners in years.
I've still got my third hand tool bought in the 80's for adjusting cantilever brakes. not used for the last 30 years but you never know.....
I bought one of these (or at least a knock-off one for £5) and it's one of those tools that's really nice to use compared to those annoying plastic wheels on the end of a BB tool.
That has the potential to provide far too much preload on the bearings. Them little plastic wheels are designed so you can't do more than than nip up the cap, which is all that's needed.
That stopped me buying one just in time.
Try using the end of a Pedros tyre lever instead, works perfectly well IME
I know what you mean but you can overtighten anything on a bike if you put your mind to it and this is just nicer to hold so I use it, that's all. I assumed that anyone posting on a thread about bike tools regularly works on bikes and was capable of not being ham-fisted occasionally...
Stans valve core remover. Its shiny and red and I smile a little bit everytime I have to take a core out. No idea why it tickles me so much...
Stans NoTubes Core Remover Tool | Tredz Bikes
Modern actual MTB frames
Yes, two I've built to recently being my highlander and daughters chisel. External headsets have largely gone in the mainstream MTB market but plenty of internal headsets still have pressed in cups.
an internal cabling kit
For non-AXS gears and mechanical brakes use a tandem rear gear cable as it allows you to replace the outer sheath while maintaining the routing. Not so easy on a frame with no pre-existing cable in place.
For hydraulic brakes, one of this little dual ended barbs.
I'm trying to find a handlebar/front wheel holder thing for attaching to my workstand
There's a version here - . https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/workstands/topeak-prepstand-handle-bar-stablizer/.
or the hilariously expensive Park version here - . https://www.freewheel.co.uk/park-tool-hbh-3-extendable-handlebar-holder-qkhbh3. 🤣
Feedback make one called a Flop Stop, but that's expensive for what it is (not compared to the Park precision version though!)
I've not bought a pair, but saw something like these pair of mini handlebar tripods on a video earlier, for when working on your bike upside down and keeping any bar devices off the floor... But ~£43!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Handlebar-Jack-Portable-Compatible/dp/B0CM7JHNFB/ref=sr_1_13?th=1
Handlebar Jack v3, no idea why a simple Amazon link copied here always gives this goofy Kindle image on stw forum software going back years!
I've not bought a pair, but saw something like these pair of mini handlebar tripods on a video earlier, for when working on your bike upside down and keeping any bar devices off the floor... But ~£43!
There's tonnes of them on eBay for under a tenner
If you ever drop your fork out for a service then I found that a High Five electrolyte tablet tube is the perfect size to stuff in the steerer and for the stem to sit on so you don't leave you bars dangling about
That's a proper hack. Nice one.
This tubeless injector with a long thin tube so you can suck the sealant out of your tyre before removing them. Saves a lot of messages and also easy to check exactly how much sealant is in your tyre without removing the tyre.
I've not bought a pair, but saw something like these pair of mini handlebar tripods on a video earlier, for when working on your bike upside down and keeping any bar devices off the floor... But ~£43!
www.amazon.co.uk/Original-Handlebar-Jack-Portable-Compatible/dp/B0CM7JHNFB/
Handlebar Jack v3, no idea why a simple Amazon link copied here always gives this goofy Kindle image on stw forum software going back years!
Take off the https://
I bought an Ali express mini ratchet that has both 1/4 male and female on it
So far quite impressed - most of my tools are wera and this isn't that far away in quality
SRAM (or similar) hose cutter. Bit less faff than my Stanley knife (who's blade is always blunt and rusty when I need it)...
https://www.sram.com/en/sram/models/tl-dbt-shc-a1
I'm trying to find a handlebar/front wheel holder thing for attaching to my workstand
Old wire coat-hanger here 🤠
Not cheap... Or simple... And infact i can believe i didn't buy one for ages.
Fork crown race cutter. 1inch edition.
Thats alot of cash for a tool that takes 30 seconds to do its job.
I ended up by chance using it on three separate bikes bring it to to an approximate cost of £60 a pop.
Bearing press tool set
And +1 to quicklink pliers
Funnily enough i have 3 sets of quicklink pliers, but that's only because 1 of the sets only does disconnect, so i bought a 2nd pair with connect as well 😀
My recommendation? Buy the Shimano quick link pliers - it does both connect and disconnect with a squeeze. Much better to use (he says having bought disconnect only, connect and disconnect and then the shimano)
I’ve the KMC ones, but as you say two tools when one will do isn’t elegant.
Since when do you need a tool to connect a quick link? Surely you just do it up by hand and tug the cranks while holding the wheel still if it needs it?
Surely you just do it up by hand and tug the cranks
That is what I do but I can totally see the benefit of a quick click with the right tool instead
Thanks to mjsmke for that tubeless syringe idea. I'm always reluctant to peel the tyre off to check if the sealant has gone off and I'm always conscious that there probably isn't any in there. And my main riding buddy almost certainly rides on empty.
It took me all of 30 seconds from hearing about it to ordering.
Since when do you need a tool to connect a quick link? Surely you just do it up by hand and tug the cranks while holding the wheel still if it needs it?
If you’re heavy handed, it’s entirely possible to bend one of the quicklink pins doing this, if everything isn’t quite lined up properly. Much easier to get the alignment right with the proper tool.
Thanks to mjsmke for that tubeless syringe idea
Bought one too. Always used one of the small Stans bottles with a piece of tube attached. But I always spill sealant when decanting into the little bottle. That thing will make life much easier 🙂
Little Alu bit ratchet... £2.99 from TragoMills.
I might have a headset press somewhere but what I use, is a rubber mallet and some random bits of wood. Yes you can hurt things if you're clumsy and careless, but you can hurt things even with the proper tools if you're clumsy and careless. Rubber mallet is universal, will never rotate a logo, is perfect for anglesets. Best tool imo.
Thanks to mjsmke for that tubeless syringe idea.
I just used it on 2 bikes today. It worked a treat, showing that the gravel bike had about a teaspoon in each tyre and the ebike almost enough. Everything topped up now and ready for anything.
£20 and a bit. The moment the cable is slightly hard to reach… miracle product considering the alternative.
Website
Give up…
them clever cable cutters that strip outer and inner flex