Tools...

londonbairn

I want to get my own tools now, essentially enough to be able to change groupsets etc etc, I'm getting to the stage where I am of a sound understanding of the mechanics, and have enough spare parts to fool around with.

Can anyone point me to the direction to what I should purchase as a decent toolset?

Wooliferkins

It depends on your budget, Park are popular and have a good rep but are pricey. You get what you pay for. Ice Toolz are a good budget range and some of their workshop tools are fabulous at the price. Cyclus are expensive but bombproof if you are going beyond bolt on bolt off tasks.

londonbairn

I dont mind spending a couple of hundred or so for decent equipment

What would I need to get to get started? I see a lot of toolboxes by the brands you mention for example

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp? ... rc=froogle

http://www.bonthronebikes.co.uk/436-432767

gundersen

of the sets you have mentioned I would suggest the shimano one as it is the basic set.
the park and ice tools sets contain too many things that you probably already have or don't need (like 3 different spoke keys)

Wooliferkins

The Shimano one doesn't have cassette lockring tools in it so in my eyes it's a none starter.

If you ignore the consumables in the other two then the only real difference is a headset wrench and a spoke ruler in the Ice Toolz set.

The ice toolz allen wrenches are ball ended and I personally prefer them being separate. The Ice Toolz chain tool is a winner with a nice comfortable handle and the cable cutter is good. The Park pedal wrench looks better and you get a chain cleaner as well.