Workshop tool kits

fg88

I'm just getting started with bike maintenance and am looking for a decent, middle of the road workshop tool kit to get me going. Any recommendations?

Was also wondering how brand specific these things need to be. For example most (but not all) of my stuff is Shimano at the moment but am hoping for an upgrade to Campagnolo for Christmas. Will that need a whole new set of tools?

Thanks for any advice

Bugly

parks makes quality tools, all you really need are allen keys scredrive, cable cutter, chain whip, bottom bracket tool, pedal spanner, cluster lockring spanner and mayber cone spanners.

Per your second part you will need a new lockring spanner for campag as well as a different bottom bracket tool.

gundersen

When working at a lbs we had to test Park Tools. We found them to be rubbish , so I would say I am not a fan of theres.

If you have Shimano - buy Shimano tools
If you get Campagnolo - buy Campagnolo tools
And not all is compatible between these two.
Allen keys and so on can be what ever.

Other good tools are Pedro's, Tacx or for workshop quality Var

robbarker

I have a mix of Park, Var and Cyclo, but mainly Park as they seem to be the nicest quality and best thought out. Stick to the professional quality ones intended for bike shop use - some of their homemechanic offerings are not as top-notch as the shop stuff. Var seem similar quality, cyclo are well made but basic.

Something like this would be a good starter kit:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=7127

but to set up an effective home workshop a bigger selection of tools is needed, something like this:

http://www.cyclestore.co.uk/productDeta ... &catID=305

Keep your eyes peeled - one came up on Ebay recently!

You also need a good workstand if you don't have one already. Try and avoid the sub-£100 wobbly variety, although any workstand is better than no workstand, a solid one is needed for jobs like replacing bottom brackets.

mostly harmless

I wouldn't be too bothered about rushing out and buying an off the shelf tool kit. So long as you have a couple of screwdrivers, some allen keys that fit and an ajustable or two you'll be able to do most stuff. Buy the special tools as and when they're needed.

For Campag you'll need a different cassette tool and a different bottom bracket tool. That should cost you ~£15 tops.

fg88

Right, thanks for all the advice everyone. Definitely lots here to be looking at/ thinking about...

Monty Dog

Re Campag BB tool - if you have an external BB the Shimano one will generally work fine with UltraTorque BBs - go for the flat spanner type as opposed to the socket type as sometimes the chamfer on the inside of the socket doesn't allow it to engage with the BB cup - Hollowtech II, Truvativ GXP and Ultratorque all differ slightly in this respect and not all tools are fully compatible. In terms of Allen keys, go for a set of 3/8" drive hex bits from Halfords - no more than a tenner and will work with a normal torque wrench and extension bar - or even a torque wrench if you get enthusastic. Other necessary tools are a big adjustable spanner 10-12" - for cassette lockring tools, a chain whip and a long-handled pedal spanner and a pair of cable cutters. I wouldn't necessarily opt for a toolkit, but buy seperate tools as you need them. Some kits come with tools you'll not need and the quality can be a bit iffy. Park Tools are often expensive for what they are.

Special K

I second RedDragon - get a good work stand. I have the park workstand and it's great.