Is this a decent tool kit?

[Toby_2009]

Hi,

I want to be able to do my own work on my bike aswel as buying a cheap old bike as a hack/learning my bike maintenance type bike. I have so very very basic tools, allen keys etc so rather than buying a BB tool, crank tool hub tool all seperate is this a decent kit?: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ice-toolz/comprehensive-tool-kit-for-home-mechanics-ec006795

Also, do you have to have a crank tool for all types of bike? (myn is a GIANT Boulder MTB)

Cheers,

Toby

 

[Toby_2009]

oh and do all BB's use the same tool?

Cheers

 

[cheadle hulme]

Toby - do you have a Lidl nearby?

The exact same kit was for sale (under a different brand). Think it was £15 or so. They may have some left.

Edit, Crackle's done a review for you!

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11698

 

[Gerry Attrick]

I've got the Lidl one. For the price it's a bargain, and has got me through BB and drivetrain dismantling several times without anything breaking.

+1. Not pro quality, but for the number of times we mortals use the kit, it is fine.

 

[Mr Pig]

The exact same kit was for sale under a different brand

Actually the Lidl kit is not the same, the Lidl one has more in it. In addition to what this Ice Tools kit has the Lidl kit has:

Chain whip.
Pedal Spanner 15X16/15X17.
Puncture repair kit.
Screwdriver bits flat X2 Star X2.
Sockets 8, 9, 10 mm
Two-pin BB cup tool.
Lockring tool.
Tyre levers.

Lidl still had the kits in the last time I was there, which was last week. I think they were £25.

 

[kyuss]

Actually the Lidl kit is not the same, the Lidl one has more in it. In addition to what this Ice Tools kit has the Lidl kit has:

Chain whip. (Does the job)
Pedal Spanner 15X16/15X17. (Which slips too easily and broke the bearing case on my spd's, rounding off the spanner flats at the same time. Rubbish)
Puncture repair kit. (Which is okay if you use burly MTB tubes, useless for skinny road tubes. Rubbish)
Screwdriver bits flat X2 Star X2. (Okay I suppose, but something most folk will have already lying about the house.)
Sockets 8, 9, 10 mm (Same as above)
Two-pin BB cup tool. (Not used it in anger as I don't have any bikes that were made before 1970)
Lockring tool. (Fine for getting lockrings off, totally useless at putting them on due to the rivet on one side not allowing the tool to get close enough to engage. Rubbish)
Tyre levers. (Snapped on first use. Rubbish)

Lidl still had the kits in the last time I was there, which was last week. I think they were £25.

The BB tool, crank puller and chainwhip are the only things I regularly use, everything else is a bit meh and I could live without them. It was good value at the £15 I paid last year, I wouldn't buy it at £25.

 

[Mr Pig]

It was good value at the £15 I paid last year, I wouldn't buy it at £25.

Prices have gone up. You can't buy this tool kit for £15 any more and why pay more for a kit with less in it?

I disagree about the quality. I know they're not Park Tools but for occasional use they are fine. I've used the pedal spanner a good few times and it's been fine. All of the other tools have been fine too. The BB tool and cassette tool are pretty close in quality to the Shimano tools I also have, and those two tools cost close to the price of the whole Lidl kit.

For what you're getting these kits are fantastic value. Most people will need very few additional tools and for the average cyclist the quality is good enough.

 

[byegad]

I bought one some years ago. I've since replaced the Allen Keys (they wore out) and added some extras but it does what it says on the tin! Now I do my own maintainance on my fleet.

 

[Mr Pig]

The Ice Toolz one has a chain whip. It's part of the big spanner.

Fair enough but I think I'd rather have them as separate tools. I think that trying to use the big spanner with a chain flapping off the side of it would just be annoying. Cost cutting taken too far.

On a par with Park Tools is high praise, they must be good. I have a few Park Tools and they are certainly better than the tools in the Lidl kit.

 

[mickle]

Park tools are pish though.

 

[pinkkaz]

How does this one compare http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T0046
Currently on special offer.

I do need a tool kit (just about to do some upgrading on my bike) but it's annoying to buy a tool kit when I have lots of the tools already!

 

[kyuss]

Why not just buy the bits you need? Decent quality crank pullers, BB tools, chainwhips, freewheel remover and chain breakers can all be got for much less than £10 each. On a modern bike those 5 tools are pretty much all you need, everything else can be serviced with a set of allen keys and screwdrivers. £40 spent that way will get you better quality too.

 

[Mr Pig]

How does this one compare

This one is cheaper. I don't see the merit in spending more.

LINK