Most useful tool you've bought?

[surreypete]

Just wanted to know what other forum users have found their most useful bike related tool and why?

I'll start the ball rolling.

For me it's my cool tool, bought it years ago, got to be 10 years old now, it's one of those multitools, it's like a swiss army knife for bikes, it has an adjustable spanner, allen keys, chain splitter and all in a neat pouch that you can velcro to your bike frame.

I used it today for splitting a new chain to the correct length and although not expecting miracles it worked great for what I needed.

Happy Days

[KC-Steve]

Angle grinder, ha-ha

You probably mean for bicycle repair though. That is difficult to say . . . but I would have to go with the Park TL-10 shop tire installation tool. I was having a lot of trouble getting a used Duro tire installed on a rim recently and then my TL-10 arrived in the mail. Within a minute I had the tire installed.

Steve

[Surly LHT]

Well for me its my new Bench Mount Repair Stand. Here is a pic of it. I think it cost to much but oh well. LOL

[Bill]

Of all the fascinating tools I have bought or made I gotta say Crank Cotter Press I just received in the mail today. I have no pictures right now but here is where I ordered it from... http://bikesmithdesign.com/CotterPress/index.html
this thing is a MUST if you are like me with so many bikes with Cottered Cranks. I also got the Fixed Cup tool which makes the HCW-11 look like a butter knife (not putting down Park Tools) because sometimes the older ones are a bear and need more umph! Eliminates taking a chance with an awe or hammer which may screw up or bend your crank or axle. Tomorrow I will do an instructional video of it. Yea will also be my first time to remove a cotter from a crank as well .

[Joe_W]

Veloman repair stand (actually it was a present, so not sure if this qualifies )

[cyclerUK]

Well most of my bike related tools are all useful. I have only bought tools when I have a need for them.
Unfortunately the most used are tire levers? for puncture repair!
Next would be Allen keys, screw drivers, spanners, but they are used on other jobs as well.
Next probably would be a chain tool and then the cassette removal tool. (The chain whip I got for removing oil filters of cars.)
There are some tools I should get but have adapted (bodged) other tools for the job.
ie large adjustable spanner for headset nuts etc.
At least with the new "Ahead-set" you only need an Allen key.

[JonB]

Seriously the most useful tool for me was a set of allen keys. I can adjust the majority of minor issues with them, and I'd be lost without a reasonable set.

[Bert1220]

The most useful tool I have encountered throughout my life, thus far, as a mechanic would be a rag haha. Who would want dirty hands/bikes?

[Surly LHT]

(03-30-2010, 12:09 PM)JonB Wrote:  



Seriously the most useful tool for me was a set of allen keys. I can adjust the majority of minor issues with them, and I'd be lost without a reasonable set.

That is a lot like my Sledge a matic tool I have lol.

[Joe_W]

(03-30-2010, 06:22 PM)Bert1220 Wrote:  The most useful tool I have encountered throughout my life, thus far, as a mechanic would be a rag haha. Who would want dirty hands/bikes?

Um...
Latex gloves. I wear them most of the time when I do maintenance on my bikes...

[Bert1220]

(03-31-2010, 10:16 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  

(03-30-2010, 06:22 PM)Bert1220 Wrote:  The most useful tool I have encountered throughout my life, thus far, as a mechanic would be a rag haha. Who would want dirty hands/bikes?

Um...
Latex gloves. I wear them most of the time when I do maintenance on my bikes...

latex gloves tend to get in the way, like a loose, fragile piece of skin