Park tools vs lifeline

[e-rider]

my advice would be to shop about online for good deals on individual park tools as and when you need them

NEVER buy cheap tools, unless you really have no choice, and your post suggests that you have a choice.

 

[swee'pea99]

FWIW I reckon that for most people, spending big money on top quality tools is unnecessary, the main exception being things with moving parts, like adjustable spanners (which the purists would spurn in any case). Of course it's *nice* to have the best...but it costs. And you're buying quality that's been made to meet the needs of professionals - people who are going to be using them all day, every day. I use spanners I got off ebay, and they've been absolutely fine for years - but then I only use them a handful of times a year. Same for screwdrivers, chain whips, pliers. Exceptions include spoke keys - Park Tools every time...cheap ones round off yer nipples oo-er matron; chain link removers - cheap ones break, and/or have too much 'give' to work cleanly; and cable cutters - cheap ones always leave one or two strands unsevered, and that's when the fun begins. But anyone who insists on a quality hammer, say, is a pompous ass. It's not precision engineering, it's a lump of metal on a stick.

 

[snorri]

So I think the logical thing is to buy a box because the tools work out much cheaper than individually.

I made a similar decision, but didn't know what all the tools were for when the kit arrived . I have found a use for most of them over the years, and it is very handy to have all the bike tools in one convenent case.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

FWIW I reckon that for most people, spending big money on top quality tools is unnecessary... ...Exceptions include spoke keys - Park Tools every time...cheap ones round off yer nipples oo-er matron; chain link removers - cheap ones break, and/or have too much 'give' to work cleanly; and cable cutters - cheap ones always leave one or two strands unsevered...

I have to disagree: it's not about how often you use them, but whether they're up to the job; Once is all it takes to round off a nut, a hex bolt or a screw head.

...But anyone who insists on a quality hammer, say, is a pompous ass. It's not precision engineering, it's a lump of metal on a stick.

Try telling a chippy that.

 

[swee'pea99]

I have to disagree: it's not about how often you use them, but whether they're up to the job; Once is all it takes to round off a nut, a hex bolt or a screw head.

Indeed, we'll have to disagree. Sure, it's whether they're up to the job. But I defy you to find, say, a 13mm spanner that isn't.

Try telling a chippy that.

Isn't that exactly the point I made? That I don't need one as good as a chippy, because unlike him I won't be using it all day every day.

 

[david1701]

Indeed, we'll have to disagree. Sure, it's whether they're up to the job. But I defy you to find, say, a 13mm spanner that isn't.

Isn't that exactly the point I made? That I don't need one as good as a chippy, because unlike him I won't be using it all day every day.

I've snappped my fair share of spanners , usually on cars though. I have snapped a cheap allen key trying to remove pedals though.

They feel nice which I think is very important. Oh and add to your list to buy expensive (aka park) bb tools, my bike is a year old and I had to bolt the tool on, put an adjustable on it (my biggest spanner is 19mm) and hit that with a hammer after liberally wd-40ing, my next step was a kettle/plumbers blowtorch.....

 

[swee'pea99]

'tis true - I have some nice tools and they are....nicer. Which is nice. All I'm saying is, I think some people are scared off DIY partly by the cost of good tools and the party line 'buy the best you can afford', which no one ever seems to dispute. My take is generally, 'buy the cheapest you can get away with'. You'll learn which if any don't make the grade, by which time you'll have a better feel for what you need to go for (and you won't have wasted a load of money, because it was, after all, cheap!) Incidentally, to shift stuff like that, forget WD-40 - get some PlusGas.

 

[PpPete]

Buy whatever suits your budget. Park rarely fits in my budget, although I do have a few. Been impressed with the quality of some of them, underwhelmed by others. £30 - £50 for a workshop chain splitter ? No thanks! £3 ebay does the job just fine.
My Park Chain Whip (£25 IIRC) is MUCH better than the cheap one I bought first time round for about £8.

 

[e-rider]

Indeed, we'll have to disagree. Sure, it's whether they're up to the job. But I defy you to find, say, a 13mm spanner that isn't.

Cheap spanners are the worst of all! You need to stop now.

 

[subaqua]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/tools-components-tools-sports.html

I bought them a part at a time as I needed them the VAR seems to be good quality. not going to buy the cable cutters as being a spark I have top notch cable cutters. I bought the hollowtech crank tool from Gooutdoors which comes with the preload splined tool attached , think it was cycle pro not sure

 

[e-rider]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/tools-components-tools-sports.html

I bought them a part at a time as I needed them the VAR seems to be good quality. not going to buy the cable cutters as being a spark I have top notch cable cutters. I bought the hollowtech crank tool from Gooutdoors which comes with the preload splined tool attached , think it was cycle pro not sure

Go outdoors - isn't that the silly shop that requires some sort of membership?

 

[subaqua]

Go outdoors - isn't that the silly shop that requires some sort of membership?

£5 a year, for a lot more off than that.

well if you want to pay more then thats up to you .
as an avid camper we can save more than the cost of the card several times over every year. plus they will price match . they had some deore stuff on the shelf on Sunday. was very tempted.

 

[e-rider]

£5 a year, for a lot more off than that.

well if you want to pay more then thats up to you .
as an avid camper we can save more than the cost of the card several times over every year. plus they will price match . they had some deore stuff on the shelf on Sunday. was very tempted.

I wouldn't pay the higher price, I would simply go elsewhere - that's the point I'm making. That is a 1980s style business model. No customer would be happy paying a higher price, so they either pay the membership or they never go back again. I would think that a large number of customers take the latter option! Before the days of the internet, a business might get away with such a business model but not these days. I'll give GoOutdoors 5 years maximum before it ceases to exist.

 

[subaqua]

I wouldn't pay the higher price, I would simply go elsewhere - that's the point I'm making. That is a 1980s style business model. No customer would be happy paying a higher price, so they either pay the membership or they never go back again. I would think that a large number of customers take the latter option! Before the days of the internet, a business might get away with such a business model but not these days. I'll give GoOutdoors 5 years maximum before it ceases to exist.

thats strange as it bought out a smaller competitor over 5 years , C&C or something like that. thy seem to have a sensible growth too, not opening too many stores at once.

 

[e-rider]

thats strange as it bought out a smaller competitor over 5 years , C&C or something like that. thy seem to have a sensible growth too, not opening too many stores at once.

they clearly have a good source of investment, however, when these investments fail to produce good returns, the investors will move on and the business will be in trouble

they need to ditch this membership scheme ASAP