To those with greater knowledge of tools

[Rama Owhl]

Can anyway give me a general list of tools needed for a beginner/advanced/expert bike repair person. I know opinions are varied I just don't know what is the best order (most important tools) to get first and what could possibly wait. Also this will help get informed with tools I haven't heard about that assist bicycle repairing. So for example wrenches (hand/socket) are needed first but a bike repair (or wheel truing stand) could wait.

[JohnV]

Have you tried looking at the Park Tools web site. They have kits from starter to pro. And you can even get extra tools if needed. I don't do my own repair as of yet, but I do know the tool kit that I am going to get when I start fixing my own bikes.

[DanSallows]

(06-16-2011, 11:26 AM)Rama Owhl Wrote:  Can anyway give me a general list of tools needed for a beginner/advanced/expert bike repair person. I know opinions are varied I just don't know what is the best order (most important tools) to get first and what could possibly wait. Also this will help get informed with tools I haven't heard about that assist bicycle repairing. So for example wrenches (hand/socket) are needed first but a bike repair (or wheel truing stand) could wait.

There is a tutorial on here called "Basic Bike Repair Tools" that would be of some help to you. It gives a nice overview of things a beginner should have. It definitely was a help to me awhile back. http://bikeride.com/basic-tools/

[Rama Owhl]

I know i want to get my tools from craftsman since they have lifetime warranty so just need to get the types/names down. I know they wont have bicycle specific ones but the more craftsman the better.

[nfmisso]

there are other brands with lifetime warranties......and many bike specific tools that Craftsman does not have.

The following is what I seem to use the most often:
* crank removal tool
* metric combination wrenches (open on one end, box (aka ring) at the other end) I have a set from Harbor Freight that is great, and about 1/10 the price of Craftsman. 10mm is the most common on my bikes,
* thin metric wrenches up to 34mm for heads from Amazon
* crescent wrench that opens to 1¾" also from Harbor Freight, Amazon has some too, but more expensive. Also used for headset.
* BB removal tools - vary by BB so only get ones that match the bottom brackets you have.
* cone wrenches for wheel bearings.
* metric allen keys; the folding sets are not very useful for working on a bike.
* flat and phillips screw drivers
* spoke wrench - one size fits all are crap, get really good ones to fit the spoke nipples that you use - another reason to standardize.
* freewheel tool
* heavy duty bench vice attached to a very heavy bench for use with the freewheel tool.
* chain whip (only needed for cassettes)
* 9/16" wrenches for the seat post bolt on my red bike.

I built my own truing stand and bike stand - very inexpensive, see my postings in the tools area.

[AndrewB]

Here's my suggested list:

- a Park multi-tool can do wonders and cover tire levers
- tire levers if no multi-tool
- if you are going to do long rides frequently, a chain wear measurement tool could be secondary of priority
- a 4th hand is nice for pulling your cables tight
- I gave up on the multi-tool allen wrenches. I could never get enough strength to tighten things. Instead, I found allen wrench sockets to go on my socket wrench (Craftsman) that is ace.
- a tire pump
- a tire gauge
- mini chain tool (secondary)
- a pump (I recommend a Quickex) or CO2 system to take with you

At some point, if you continue to do a lot of work on your bike, a bike stand will be of value, especially if you adjust your rear derailleur - it will be much easier. Chain cleanings, replacements, handlebar wrapping, etc are easier.

I do have an almost everything Park set so far. Future tools will be Park as well. The Park sets as mentioned are of good value - in hindsight, I would have bought one of those when I started. I think that is the prize this month from Alex for a lucky video subscriber, no?