Tool set guidance

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Some cheapie tools work OK, but I hate using pressed steel cone spanners, with the ridge down the centre. You need really good metal in such thin spanners.
Generic workshop tools can be had cheap and good at car boot sales. Specific bike tools are quite rare finds and pro-grade ones almost never.
 

migrantwing

Veteran
Buy what you definitely need and buy a decent quality tool. I was going to buy a bike specific tool set, but instead bought single, better quality tools when I required them.You'll most likely use Allen keys and maybe a bottom bracket tool before you'll ever use, say, cone spanners or a spoke key.

Most tools can be bought from any DIY store or online. There are only so many bike specific tools.
 

bpsmith

Veteran
Buy what you definitely need and buy a decent quality tool. I was going to buy a bike specific tool set, but instead bought single, better quality tools when I required them.You'll most likely use Allen keys and maybe a bottom bracket tool before you'll ever use, say, cone spanners or a spoke key.

Most tools can be bought from any DIY store or online. There are only so many bike specific tools.
Have to agree, aside from the spoke key. Have used these a lot as favours for people with OEM wheels. Fixed out of true wheels for people I have ridden with and amazed them at how easy it was and how their brakes don't intermittently run anymore!
 

migrantwing

Veteran
Have to agree, aside from the spoke key. Have used these a lot as favours for people with OEM wheels. Fixed out of true wheels for people I have ridden with and amazed them at how easy it was and how their brakes don't intermittently run anymore!

Just trued my Easton OEM wheels. After nearly 4 years of riding, they've only just started to go out of true. I'd buy Easton again but they're pricey. Possibly Fulcrum or Campag wheels next, if I don't build my own.
 

bpsmith

Veteran
Just trued my Easton OEM wheels. After nearly 4 years of riding, they've only just started to go out of true. I'd buy Easton again but they're pricey. Possibly Fulcrum or Campag wheels next, if I don't build my own.
I am far from condemning all OEM wheels. Many are very well built, many are out of true from the outset. The wheels on my Defy 1 were the latter from day 1. First tool I bought!
 

howard2107

Well-Known Member
Location
Leeds
Don't overlook the stuff Machine Mart sell, and Halfords own brand are also good value, their pro range has the same lifetime guarantee as Snap On (or they used to, not bought any for a while) but without the idiotic price tag. Good quality Allen keys are a must whatever you are working on, cheap ones will be a bad fit, and will twist and probably round off the hexagon, and you will have no chance of getting awkward bolts out with them. The better quality ones can be ground back when you wear the ends out.

But as others have said, it horses for courses and if you only use them now and again then cheaper stuff will get you by. Mine are Snap On, they cost about £20 for the set of 10 about 30 years ago, and they are the ones that are in a socket so you can use a ratchet on them, and they have been ground back a time or two, but even after all these years they are still as good as the day i bought them.

Heres a tip for getting allen bolts out when the hexagon recess is damaged or rounded off a bit. Use the ball end of a 2lb hammer and hit the top of the bolt hard a few times until the allen key will not fit back in, then hammer the allen key into the hexagon, and slowly try to undo the bolt, doesnt always work always especially if corroded, but will usually shift overtightened bolts. If that fails and you can't get a grinder in to take the head off, then drill into the head of the bolt at a size smaller than the hexagon and repeat the process, the heat generated can sometimes be enough to loosen the bolt so you can get it out.
 

migrantwing

Veteran
I am far from condemning all OEM wheels. Many are very well built, many are out of true from the outset. The wheels on my Defy 1 were the latter from day 1. First tool I bought!

I know that Easton hand true their wheels using tone, among other things, as opposed to being trued by a machine. Maybe that's why they are always true out of the box, so to speak. I don't know if other manufacturers do the same but I was led to believe that this was unique to Easton, or at least was at one time or another.
 

migrantwing

Veteran
Don't overlook the stuff Machine Mart sell, and Halfords own brand are also good value, their pro range has the same lifetime guarantee as Snap On (or they used to, not bought any for a while) but without the idiotic price tag. Good quality Allen keys are a must whatever you are working on, cheap ones will be a bad fit, and will twist and probably round off the hexagon, and you will have no chance of getting awkward bolts out with them. The better quality ones can be ground back when you wear the ends out.

But as others have said, it horses for courses and if you only use them now and again then cheaper stuff will get you by. Mine are Snap On, they cost about £20 for the set of 10 about 30 years ago, and they are the ones that are in a socket so you can use a ratchet on them, and they have been ground back a time or two, but even after all these years they are still as good as the day i bought them.

Heres a tip for getting allen bolts out when the hexagon recess is damaged or rounded off a bit. Use the ball end of a 2lb hammer and hit the top of the bolt hard a few times until the allen key will not fit back in, then hammer the allen key into the hexagon, and slowly try to undo the bolt, doesnt always work always especially if corroded, but will usually shift overtightened bolts. If that fails and you can't get a grinder in to take the head off, then drill into the head of the bolt at a size smaller than the hexagon and repeat the process, the heat generated can sometimes be enough to loosen the bolt so you can get it out.

I have a few Halford's Pro tools, including a small socket set and wrench. I believe they have a lifetime guarantee as you rightly mention. Decent quality stuff.
 

Spoked Wheels

Legendary Member
Location
Bournemouth
Yes, the Halfords stuff is of decent quality.

Like in most things in life, common sense is always a good thing :smile:

You don't have to go for the brand everytime..... I mean you can pay in excess of £25 for a set of O ring picks from Park Tools or £3 or £4 for a set made in China.... they do the same job and equally well ;) a hammer with a plastic end is another example :smile:
 
OP
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mwktar

mwktar

Über Member
Location
Merthyr Tydil
http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Bike-Hand-Bicycle-Maintenance-Tool-Kit-Shimano-Fit_41164.htm

How's that look?

As for the jobs I'm planning- I've a new giant defy advanced with 105 11 speed and a spesh secteur with sora 9 speed.

Giant will be fine for a bit but wanna be able to replace spesh cables, remove, clean and maintain bottom bracketand replace chain and rear cassette

Besides no torque wrench and wire cutters does that set seem up to the job?
 

shouldbeinbed

Rollin' along
Location
Manchester way
I'm generally a fan of Aldi stuff but the toolkit is made of cheese, personally I'd steer clear. Halfords do effective tools at a decent price.

I'm always impressed with Park Tools and am slowly evolving my home kit to their brand, not at five and a half grand tho unfortunately. :smile:
 
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