RD Alignment

[RoadRacer2020]

Hello guys,

I want to spend my weekends learning how to's and DIYs of bike repairing.

I just have this dream of starting a bike shop in the future (may after this pandemic)

Do you guys have tools suggestions to buy? Please let me know.

I just bought RD aligner last week bec my brother's rd tilted.

Thank youuu.

[Jesper]

(07-10-2020, 02:13 AM)RoadRacer2020 Wrote:  Do you guys have tools suggestions to buy? Please let me know.

That's a tough order to fill. It depends on what you plan to work on; anything and everything, modern road, mtb, etc.
I build and ride bikes from the '30s to about 2000; primarily European road bikes with like components, but also tandem, commuter, and mid-weight sports bikes. Some use common tools, but many use proprietary tools based on different manufacturer's component designs. You would also need a range of basic shop hand tools, some power tools, and bench grinder/buffer, press, etc. Truing stand, bike ( single or dual) work stand, etc.
You can also peruse the Park and Pedro's websites to see the array of bike tools out there. A lot of stuff available new and used on eBay, Craigslist, and other similar sites; as well as on this website and other forum sites in the "market" sections. If you plan on doing a lot of work do not buy cheap tools; they can cause damage to parts and to you! That doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive either. If you have a bike "collective"/"Co-op" in your vicinity where they allow access to tools for personal use you can get a better idea of what you might need and how well certain tools/brands hold up to the abuse. One easy thing to do is take your own bike and completely strip it of all components, breakdown and rebuild all components; then completely rebuild your bike. This needs to include removing headsets, and other pressed on parts; and also breaking down a wheel into hub/spokes/rim components and rebuilding the wheels. That will give you a real good idea on what you'll need, and that's Just your specific bike. Next do a different style; pick up a a bike on the roadside, pawn shop, friend (or maybe enemy!), etc., and do the same thing you did with your bike; and then again with another style frame: preferably on bikes over a range of manufacturing years. You'll start to realize fairly quickly that you'll need various tools doing the same service, but which are significantly different and whose uses are not interchangeable. I for instance would work on Italian race bikes from 1950-1990, essentially having most tools to do that work, plus the experience. I just bought a truing stand, before I did that work on the frame itself.

Good luck,
Jesper

[RoadRacer2020]

(07-10-2020, 03:50 PM)Jesper Wrote:  

(07-10-2020, 02:13 AM)RoadRacer2020 Wrote:  Do you guys have tools suggestions to buy? Please let me know.

That's a tough order to fill. It depends on what you plan to work on; anything and everything, modern road, mtb, etc.
I build and ride bikes from the '30s to about 2000; primarily European road bikes with like components, but also tandem, commuter, and mid-weight sports bikes. Some use common tools, but many use proprietary tools based on different manufacturer's component designs. You would also need a range of basic shop hand tools, some power tools, and bench grinder/buffer, press, etc. Truing stand, bike ( single or dual) work stand, etc.
You can also peruse the Park and Pedro's websites to see the array of bike tools out there. A lot of stuff available new and used on eBay, Craigslist, and other similar sites; as well as on this website and other forum sites in the "market" sections. If you plan on doing a lot of work do not buy cheap tools; they can cause damage to parts and to you! That doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive either. If you have a bike "collective"/"Co-op" in your vicinity where they allow access to tools for personal use you can get a better idea of what you might need and how well certain tools/brands hold up to the abuse. One easy thing to do is take your own bike and completely strip it of all components, breakdown and rebuild all components; then completely rebuild your bike. This needs to include removing headsets, and other pressed on parts; and also breaking down a wheel into hub/spokes/rim components and rebuilding the wheels. That will give you a real good idea on what you'll need, and that's Just your specific bike. Next do a different style; pick up a a bike on the roadside, pawn shop, friend (or maybe enemy!), etc., and do the same thing you did with your bike; and then again with another style frame: preferably on bikes over a range of manufacturing years. You'll start to realize fairly quickly that you'll need various tools doing the same service, but which are significantly different and whose uses are not interchangeable. I for instance would work on Italian race bikes from 1950-1990, essentially having most tools to do that work, plus the experience. I just bought a truing stand, before I did that work on the frame itself.

Good luck,
Jesper

Hi Jesper,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm challenged and moved on your story. Well I hope someday I can be a pro mechanic like you, fueled with lots of experiences and great tools. Again, thank you!

[Jesper]

[quote='RoadRacer2020' pid='39170' dateline='1594653299

Hi Jesper,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm challenged and moved on your story. Well I hope someday I can be a pro mechanic like you, fueled with lots of experiences and great tools. Again, thank you!
[/quote]

Thanks, if only I was a "pro"; I learn something new everyday regarding bike maintenance. The technology has changed a lot over the last 20 years or so. Plus, I'm just getting my feet wet when it comes to building a wheel from scratch. I have 4 new wheelsets to build;2 wooden, and 2 alloy. I'm starting with a "dummy" rim and hub to get an idea of what I need to do. I do highly recommend that you buy some basic tools for working on your wheel hubs and bottom bracket assembly, chain removal tool (if no "master" link), etc.