Which Tool Kit should I buy?

[Wind in my Air]

I want to get a cheap starter tool kit so I can do some maintainence / repairs to my bike myself.

Which would be best to buy out of these two...

• Halfords Essential Bike Tool Kit - £29.99
• [url="http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500002701&langId=-1&searchTerms=3334515"]Cyclepro Home Bike Tool Kit[/url] - £29.99

I understand at that price I shouldn't expect too much, but I don't have a great deal of money at the moment and don't want to spend over £30. I'm happy to replace tools in the future with better quality versions over time as the old tools break, but I just want a starter kit that'll give me everything I need for the time being.

 

[rusky]

I looked into getting a tool kit myself, compared each kit in excel etc, then ended up buying individual tools when Halfords had a 3 for 2 offer on!

IIRC the Halfords one looked to be the best VFM but I can't find the spreadsheet to check.

 

[TheDoctor]

Halfords one looks a better bet - it's got a chainwhip and cassette lockring remover, a BB tool, cone spanners and headset spanners. The Argos kit has none of these.

 

[2Loose]

Shame about the £30 quid limit as I have been very impressed with the quality of tools in my Ice Toolz Essence Kit for £40

(Well, apart from the tyre levers)

 

[rusky]

May be worth checking ebay for the icetoolz one, you may find it cheaper

 

[Fab Foodie]

I bought the basic tools I needed from here:

http://www.inmotionproducts.com/

(Formerly Mike Dyason)

Cone spanners, Shimano cassette tool, chain whip, pedal spanner, headset spanner etc as I've needed them (spreading the cost). All have been good quality and service has been excellent.
Otherwise, general shifters, spanners and allen keys I have anyway and my Topeak Hexus multi tool (highly recommended) has a good chain tool too.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I think this is similar to the Icetoolz one, and only £30.

Will need a good cable cutter for cabling work, ok ones can probably be bought for around £10.

The thing about tools that are not workshop quality, is that more care has to be taken when using them because the steel would not be as good - so don't let the tools slip on the component, and loosen tough threads with wd40 and such beforehand so you don't have to force them.

 

[Chickc78]

I bought the Halfords one last month and it is fine - all the tools needed and not so flimsy to render them unusable.

Check the billboards in your local store - mine had a not very well advertised 'Buy any Bike OR (this is the important bit) Bike Accessory and get the Toolkit or the Muc-Off cleaning kit half price' - I quizzed the guy running the till as to what warranted a 'Bike Accessory' and he didn't know so as a punt I bought a £6 tube of grease which I needed anyway and low and behold the toolkit rang through as £14.99 - Bargain!

 

[Spy]

<br />Shame about the £30 quid limit as I have been very impressed with the quality of tools in my <a href='http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0036UZL...ive=22218&creativeASIN=B0036UZL00' target='_blank' class='bbc_url' title='External link' rel='nofollow external'>Ice Toolz Essence Kit for £40</a><br /><br />(Well, apart from the tyre levers)<br />

You can pick up the IceToolz kit for £34.98 + £1 postage from here http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/38/82f1/ice-toolz-essence-tool-kit.html

 

[Wind in my Air]

Thanks for your help guys. I went out and bought the Halfords one. Some of the other ones mentioned look promising, but I didn't want to wait for delivery as I have some pedals being delivered today. At least with the Halfords and Argos ones I could collect today.

 

[cyberknight]

I use the halfords one and it is a good tool set for most jobs, i have changed gears cassettes, chains and a bottom bracket with mine as welll as keeping on top of general stuff like wheel trueing etc etc .
You do need to add an adjustable spanner and a cable cutter then there is not much you cant do.

I do not think i have the tools to change a head set though ?

 

[PaulSecteur]

Be aware the bottom bracket tools might not be the newer hollow tech ones.

 

[TheDoctor]

No, but that tool (if your bike needs it) is about £10.

 

[fossyant]

Buy tools when you need them. A good multi tool will set you up at first.

BTW a full set of kit costs a small fortune - I look in my tool box and realise there is a good bike in there !

But 8-10 bikes well maintained 'out of tool chest'... my 4 bikes plus the rest !

Halfords 3 for 2 is great - I go in for the PARK kit..... bingo.... save an arm and a leg.