Basic Bicycle Tools .. Father's Day gifts

[wbmkk]

I have recently been given a full suspension mountain bike but it's in need of some maintenance.

In the past, I've just taken my road bike to the local shop for anything major, but i thought I could perhaps try and repair my new bike myself. The front disc brake is seized, as is the rear derailleur.

I'll need to get some tools, so thought (with Father's Day coming up) i could maybe ask for a few. With 3 kids all working ... I should be getting something decent. My wife too, makes 4. When I didn't buy her flowers for Mother's Day, saying she wasn't my mother.... i was told "I'm the mother of your kids" so now I buy her a gift. Only seems wright that she now buys me one too.

Anyway, I think I need the following

Decent set of hex spanners, maybe a 'fold-up' set, a set of T wrenches, or even a couple of the 3-way tools

Wire cutters (don't trust my pliers to cut wire easily)

One of those plastic chain washing devices

Maybe a bike stand (wife's gift ... with a bit of luck)

Have folk here any advice, on my choice and whether certain brands are worth getting.

I already have the usual DIY tools such as spanners, screwdrivers but don't have any bike specific tools.

 

[alicat]

Ask for contributions to a set of bike tools from Lidl, Aldi, Decathlon, Halfords etc then add, upgrade as you need them.

Speaking as the female of the species, I do think most women do a lot more for their kids than men do. If this applies to you, and I accept it may not, then asking your wife to contribute may lose you more brownie points than it's worth.

 

[Nibor]

I have just upgraded to the Pedros wire cutter they are a world above the old Halfords ones. For hex wrenches / Allen keys go to a local engineering merchants not a bike shop get a goo set and they will last you well make sure they have a ball end to make them useful at awkward angles

 

[winjim]

Fathers day isn't actually a thing though, is it?

 

[growingvegetables]

.... When I didn't buy her flowers for Mother's Day, saying she wasn't my mother.... i was told "I'm the mother of your kids" so now I buy her a gift.

Maybe a bike stand (wife's gift ... with a bit of luck)

Hmm - a bike stand for the same price as a bunch of flowers? That'll larn you!

 

[Profpointy]

regarding the plastic chain cleaner thingies - well mine went on fleaby only used once.

 

[Jody]

I would suggest a good quality multi tool as it will have most of what you need to fix a bike. Other things of use would be a set of ring spanners and long handle allen keys.

regarding the plastic chain cleaner thingies - well mine went on fleaby only used once.

Bought one two years ago and never used it.

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I am a big fan of Aldi and will regularly recommended them on here but the caveat is always their tools/toolbox kit is a weakness.

Personally I've always found tools to be made of cheese and one or two goes before the Allen keys are rounding off, spanners distorting etc.

For a multitool that will do a lot of donkey work on your bike, I'd look at the Topeak Alien ones, my wire cutters are £10 Bike Hut ones from Halfords and are top notch. Not got a bike stand so nothing to say on that re the Aldi one.

 

[overmind]

Cone Spanners (ebay)
Chain removal tool (decathlon)
Spoke spanner (wilkinsons)

 

[MichaelW2]

Cheap tools are always a disappointment. I prefer to scour car boot sales for cheap quality used tools than buy new ones made of cheese.
Bondhus make the finest hex keys and manufacture the Parktools branded ones.

 

[mrbikerboy73]

Cone Spanners (ebay)
Chain removal tool (decathlon)
Spoke spanner (wilkinsons)

Bunch of flowers (24 hour garage)

 

[Ajax Bay]

One of those plastic chain washing devices

Do NOT waste your money on one of these.

 

[screenman]

Rear mech alignment tool.

 

[Gravity Aided]

You may need some really long Allen keys to get at the bolts in the bottom of your suspension .

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=131xrlw99a8

 

[Blue Hills]

For a multitool that will do a lot of donkey work on your bike, I'd look at the Topeak Alien ones.

+1, and the chain tool it contains is superior to manyva workshop chain tool. Also has a tight link cradle - some don't