DIY Servicing repairs what are essential tools.

AlasR

Hi,

First post here so apologies if this has been covered somewhere else.
I've recently started commuting by bike, I understand that this will take quite a toll on the parts of my bike, and to save a bit of money am quite interested in doing repairs and servicing myself.
I have a fair selection of tools in my shed already, pliers, plumbers grips, screwdrivers, alan keys, hammers etc
I'm wondering if I should get a dedicated tool set, like LifeLine Pro which is on sale at wiggle, or just augment the tools I have in my shed.
Does anyone have a definitive list of tools that they would consider essential for service and repair, and what is on it?
Or am I just being stupid and should just take bike to LBS when something goes wrong?

Cheers!

PS Incidentally I have a clunker and a tricross.

kurako

I'd go for a pedal crank cos it's almost impossible to find a spanner which will fit in the gap if you have flats.

A chain tool is pretty useful too.

gs3

If you can afford the initial layout for the Lifeline kit then I say "go for it!" as you'll probably find that you'll not need to buy any other tools for some considerable time. All the main tools are there including one or two you may never use but the overall cost of the kit is far less than it would be if you bought the tools individually. You can then replace any tools which are used often and wear out with higher quality tools (e.g. Park Tools) - plus the fact they all come in a single dedicated case is a bonus as you don't have to go searching all over the house/ garage every time you need to work on the bike.

This is only my opinion so feel free to ignore it if you wish

.

craker

good quality cable cutters if you plan on changing your cables.

TBH I'd wait and buy equipment as you need it, so long as you've got the minimum you need to commute with.

Mr Plum

mr_si wrote:

good quality cable cutters if you plan on changing your cables.

TBH I'd wait and buy equipment as you need it, so long as you've got the minimum you need to commute with.

+1

Sounds like you have a lot of the essential basics - allen keys, screw drivers, spanners etc, so I would buy the more specific bits as and when you need them. Generally you can pick up good deals online at any time of the year if you spend the time looking.

I was actually considering a bike tool kit recently as well, then I worked out that I already had 60% of what comes with it and I'd be able to pick up the other bits for a lot less than the cost of the entire kit anyway so it didn't really make sense. For example, you can get a crank extractor for less than a tenner, and you can get a cassette tool for less than a fiver - off the top of my head, those are probably the 2 bits of kit that you may find you need that you don't already have.

AlasR

Thanks for the replies, really useful took the advice of the majority, went against my usual 'buy lots of sh*t' ways, have ordered the very basic stuff that I'm missing today from wiggle..... my wife is very pleased.


Looking forward to cracking open my blue book volume two, and getting stuck into my old Diamondback MTB, probably swiftly followed by a trip to the LBS.

Cheers.

nyanza

An often overlooked tool which anyone might need is a bike stand. I used one once in the local bike shop and by the end of the day I had ordered one for myself. The cost is a little more than a crank puller, but the thing is - you use it every time you fix the bike. You'll might only use a crank puller five times before you lose it or cross thread it.

Blue Meanie

Bucket of soapy water is one of my most used tools , but some how never used enough

Spoke Key, Chain Whip and Cone Spanners... the list goes on

Gussio

A workstand might seem like a bit of a luxury, but it really does make fettliing much easier.

The Rookie

The Lidl kit when it comes up is a good buy,
Chain splitter, crank remover, spoke keys, chain whip, cone spanners etc, I've repaced the crank tool with a better one and also got a dedicated pedal spanner, that is all I use beyond my regular tool kit at home (which includes good cutters, full allen key socket set etc).

A good multi-tool to carry is a good idea (with chain splitter) as well as some spare powerlinks (I carry one set and have 2 sets on the bike - 1 link apart - so almost wherever the chain fails I should be able to get home!).

Simon

surreyxc

def not being silly - no disrespect to LBS but generally you can do everything they do at home and usually better as you have no constraint on time/money ratio. The only time you may need the LBS is when a job requires specialist expensive tools that are infrequently used like a head press, reamers, or frame align tools. Plus LBS have a couple of days turn around something you do not want when commuting. Additionally fixing your own bike will allow you to see any forthcoming faults and generally gives you more confidence in the handling of the bike, well does for me.

+1 +2 on track stand. After that I would just buy tools as and when you need them rather than in a big hit. And buy the best, these will last a lifetime. If you have a bling bike then a torque wrench is a nice luxury

Aside from a trackstand, having a good working environment is the biggest boost if your lucky enough. It took a while but I now have a garage with full electrics and homemade worktops, stick the radio on and happily fettle away, my gf can have the rest of the house!, I remember fixing my bike outside up against a wall, hated it so I never looked after the bike. But it has taken me years to build up all bits. Next I would like to get into fabrication, bench drill, lathe etc lol

The Rookie

surreyxc wrote:

head press

Some M12 threaded bar and some beefy penny washers do that job well enough for me.

Simon

AlasR

Thanks for all the replies. thanks to all the good advice I now have a workstand, a crank tool a chain whip, pedal spanner, cassette tool, and tyre levers I got an Alien 2 multitool for the panniers, which is maybe overkill but Halfords had one on a pretty good deal.
Figure I'm not going to do anything with cables for the time being but will get cable cutters when I do...... Is it worth spending money on a cable puller, or will mole grips do the same job?

veronese68

I've always managed without a cable puller or 3rd hand. Don't use mole grips as they'll muller the end of the cable. You should be able to pull hard enough with your fingers. Long fingers and a bit of dexterity have always got me by until now. Decent cable cutters are a joy however.