Toolkit or single items?

[potsy]

Hi all,have recently been doing a few jobs on my bike but to start doing more am going to need to build up my list of tools.Now,is it best to buy a kit or just buy the individual items as and when I need them?
Just been looking at this-http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_Workshop_Tool_Kit/5360031531/
any good or should I be looking for better?

 

[ufkacbln]

Kits like this (I bought the cheaper Lifu version) as it has all you need, and the tools are adequate.

You can then upgrade the tools you use most frequently, so the quality tool investment is targeted.

 

[HLaB]

I've got the older version of that lifeline kit and the only thing I've had to buy extra was cable cutters, and I see they've added them. When I bought it I had the aim of replacing parts when they wore out but they haven't done so yet! IMO its far better to have one organised central point for 99% of the tools you need rather than individual tools which may (In my case at least ) get misplaced.

 

[HJ]

The Edinburgh Bike CoOp one is a wee it cheaper...

 

[snorri]

Now,is it best to buy a kit or just buy the individual items as and when I need them?

The kit is handy, keeps all the tools together and after using them you can see immediately that all tools are present before storing the kit away.

 

[accountantpete]

I'd go for the one-off buys - it may be more expensive but you will get better quality .

 

[guitarpete247]

I've bought one off tools and bought the Lidl kit earlier this year. I've also added to this kit since. A basic toolkit is, I feel, a good starting point. You get all the major tools and see what you use the most and maybe improve on. Other bits: chain whip; headset spanner; cone spanners; freewheel tool you can see if they are good enough and replace them if not. You are not going to be using many tools too often so workshop quality is not as critical as LBS techs. A good cable cutter is going to be my next buy. Side cutters are ok for inner but not outer. I also have single tools for my travelling kit in under seat pouch extra to workshop kit.
I've also had to replace tools over the years. They've not worn out my brother borrowed them when I was out and won't admit to it.

 

[Davidc]

If you start with a kit it means you won't get caught out by not having basic items. You'll then find you replace, buy extras and so on as time goes on. I found years ago that a case with a piece of foam rubber in it with cutouts helps. After each use make sure every cut out has a tool in it, if not find it and put it back. That way they're all there next time, they dont get corroded as badly, and they don't get unnecessarily damaged.

 

[RedBike]

The revolution tool kit is often reduced to £30. At this sort of money it makes sence, otherwise I would just buy the tools as and when you need them.

I have the Revolution tool kit. The tools are basic but in most cases they're 'adequate'. Even if you buy a box full like this you'll probably still find you'll need to buy additional tools. For example with the revolution box there are no cable cutters, nothing to remove a hollowtech2 bottom bracket and theres no freewheel remover.

The tools in the Lifeline box look better quality but again there's several obvious tools 'missing'. Most noticably the lack of a good set of allen keys.

I've found my most usefull addition to the tool kit to be a socket set complete with hex/torq bits. This makes removing stubbon bolts a lot easier, and being able to use a torque bar means I can tighten everything up to the correct tightness instead of just guessing.

 

[battered]

I do a lot of bike fettling, and cars, and I have an extensive toolkit. The all in one kits are useful if you currently have nothing or a selection of bent and rusty BA spanners that came out of your Grandad's shed, and as others say it's very useful to have all the tools you need in one place. I've found the EBC tools to be mostly adequate (the chain breaker is a notable exception, a mate had one and it broke) and you can add to them as you see fit. Decent tools are not always the most expensive, there are some decent buys out there once you know how to spot them. I find dedicated bike toold are expensive and can be poor quality unless you buy top of the shop like Park, so if you need general tools like spanners and Allen keys then you can get very good quality ones at modest prices from places other than bike shops. As others have said, a socket set with 4, 5, and 6mm Allens is very useful.

 

[potsy]

May have found the answer,now where did I put that credit card?

Park Tool

MK195 Master Mechanic Tool Set

£5,499.99
​

​

Click any image to enlarge

Description

[color=#FF0000 !important]

[color=#FF0000 !important][/color]

The Big Kahuna, The Real Deal, The Big Ticket, The Chief, El Grande, Fat Cat, The Grand Poobah, All The Marbles, The Big Show, The King, The Whole Shootin Match

• Whatever you call it, this is it: the tool set to end all tool sets<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• Designed for the professional mechanic, the MK-195 is a complete set of professional level tools, cutters and reamers, gauges, and accessories<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• The perfect way to start a repair business, open or expand a bike shop, or create the ultimate home workshop<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• 195 shop quality tools from the only company in the world capable of such a feat<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• Save hundreds of pounds on buying the tools individually

[/color]

 

[davefb]

Hi all,have recently been doing a few jobs on my bike but to start doing more am going to need to build up my list of tools.Now,is it best to buy a kit or just buy the individual items as and when I need them?
Just been looking at this-http://www.wiggle.co...Kit/5360031531/
any good or should I be looking for better?

tbh, i've just got a halfords one, not as good looking but in the main, i wish i'd done this before buying odds and sods tools for about a tenner each... would have been far cheaper if i'd got this first ..
though ofc most of the tools i'd previously got were for the bike so are smaller

 

[Two mile commute]

The IceToolz Essence works well. The only difficulty is the bottom bracket tool which does not give much leverage.

 

[e-rider]

May have found the answer,now where did I put that credit card?

Park Tool

MK195 Master Mechanic Tool Set

£5,499.99
​

​

Click any image to enlarge

Description

[color=#FF0000 !important]

[color=#FF0000 !important]

The Big Kahuna, The Real Deal, The Big Ticket, The Chief, El Grande, Fat Cat, The Grand Poobah, All The Marbles, The Big Show, The King, The Whole Shootin Match

• Whatever you call it, this is it: the tool set to end all tool sets<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• Designed for the professional mechanic, the MK-195 is a complete set of professional level tools, cutters and reamers, gauges, and accessories<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• The perfect way to start a repair business, open or expand a bike shop, or create the ultimate home workshop<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• 195 shop quality tools from the only company in the world capable of such a feat<br style="line-height: 4px; ">
• Save hundreds of pounds on buying the tools individually

[/color][/color]

I have most of these tools (minus the ones you simply will never need unless you run a bike shop) and it cost me nothing like £5500. I built the kit up over 10 years mainly from Park (which used to be significantly cheaper than today) and Shimano tools plus a few cheaper brands such as Ice toolz (taiwan) and cyclus (German).

I don't rate the £50 kits at all. I would say that if you're doing the odd job here and there, buy decent tools as and when you need them and build the kit over a number of years.

After a US hoilday I usually pack my bag with a few new Park tools - very cheap in the States. A tip for anyone wanting to do this as shops (like here) don't stock the expensive tools so email them 3 weeks before and order the items and then collect when you arrive.

 

[potsy]

I have decided to buy as I go,hopefully that way I can build up a decent set of tools.
So get ready for more 'what do I need?' type posts soon

First job will be bottom bracket and cassette change,have sourced the parts I need,and will order soon.
Chain whip,cassette remover,BB remover,crank remover? Think that'll do for now.