Buy tools or pay shop?
Riggsy12
Posts: 156
Will need new rear mech and rear cassette fitted this week, will cost me around £20 for the tools. Local bike shop only wants £10 though...
Do you lot do small jobs like this yourself or just pay a shop to do it? I suppose if I invest in the tools I will have them for a good while and also learn more about setting up bikes etc etc... On the downside I could run into trouble and have problems...
Cheers
Do you lot do small jobs like this yourself or just pay a shop to do it? I suppose if I invest in the tools I will have them for a good while and also learn more about setting up bikes etc etc... On the downside I could run into trouble and have problems...
Cheers
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Comments
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Buy the tools and do it yourself, that's half the pleasure plus the tools should last a lifetime.....0
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tools
you take the cassette off more than you would think
and chain changes are not worth paying for
there is nothing that complicated in gearing and those associated parts on a bike
see youtube for tutorials
inside forks and shocks is a different matter.......0 -
Once you have got over the "uncertainty factor" there's nothing difficult to do on a road bike, and as you say, once bought the tools are there for next time
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Both.
Buy the tools. £20.
Bodge the repair.
Pay the LBS to sort the bodge and do the original repair. £25.
Simples.0 -
estampida wrote:tools
you take the cassette off more than you would think
This.
Short of frame repairs and the like, a lot of bicycle maintenance is within the reach of the average cyclist, and doesn't require a great many tools. There are exceptions - eg installing and removing headsets requires a number of specialist implements that are expensive and aren't useful for anything else - but the transmission is fundamental and you will work on it often. It's a good idea to take off your cassette/freewheel from time to time to clean it, anyway.0 -
Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?0
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Buy the tools and learn to do the basics yourself. Eventually saves you money and is very gratifying.
My cassette and chain replacement time is now down to 10 minutes.0 -
Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:0 -
Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
Do you know how to get the chain connected back up once it's all done?0 -
Phil_D wrote:Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
Do you know how to get the chain connected back up once it's all done?
Same way I took it apart right?0 -
It might be that simple but I have always had trouble and never managed it. There is a guide on the Park Tools website but I just ended up with a quick release link so I don't have to bother with the extractor tool any more.0
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Phil_D wrote:It might be that simple but I have always had trouble and never managed it. There is a guide on the Park Tools website but I just ended up with a quick release link so I don't have to bother with the extractor tool any more.
Cheers for the heads up, I seen a few vids on what I need to do, I'll be sure to check some on chain fitting too!
Do I need to grease anything on these two jobs? Should I buy some grease? Water proof grease?0 -
Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
I haven't used a spanner in earnest on a bike for a long time. Adjustable spanners are notoriously difficult to use effectively so be very careful you don't either round off bolts/nuts and skin your knuckles.
If you need a couple of spanners it is well worth buying the right size with an open end and a ring end.
Presumably you realised that the left pedal has a reverse thread?0 -
Navrig wrote:Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
I haven't used a spanner in earnest on a bike for a long time. Adjustable spanners are notoriously difficult to use effectively so be very careful you don't either round off bolts/nuts and skin your knuckles.
If you need a couple of spanners it is well worth buying the right size with an open end and a ring end.
Chances are you can remove and refit chain, mech and cassette without the use of a spanner of any kind.0 -
I'm assuming the spanner is for cassette tools? Should be fine for that0
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Phil_D wrote:Navrig wrote:Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
I haven't used a spanner in earnest on a bike for a long time. Adjustable spanners are notoriously difficult to use effectively so be very careful you don't either round off bolts/nuts and skin your knuckles.
If you need a couple of spanners it is well worth buying the right size with an open end and a ring end.
Chances are you can remove and refit chain, mech and cassette without the use of a spanner of any kind.
+1 but he will need allen keys.0 -
Don't think there will be any need for Grease, but lube will be a must once everything has been fitted. Dry lube/wet lube, take your pick, but it will help stop everything going rusty.0
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buy the tools from the LBS and ask them to show you how to use it properly (go on a day when they aren't mad busy)"I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
--Jens Voight0 -
Phil_D wrote:Navrig wrote:Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
I haven't used a spanner in earnest on a bike for a long time. Adjustable spanners are notoriously difficult to use effectively so be very careful you don't either round off bolts/nuts and skin your knuckles.
If you need a couple of spanners it is well worth buying the right size with an open end and a ring end.
Chances are you can remove and refit chain, mech and cassette without the use of a spanner of any kind.
How would you loose the cassettes lockring without a spanner?0 -
Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Navrig wrote:Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
I haven't used a spanner in earnest on a bike for a long time. Adjustable spanners are notoriously difficult to use effectively so be very careful you don't either round off bolts/nuts and skin your knuckles.
If you need a couple of spanners it is well worth buying the right size with an open end and a ring end.
Chances are you can remove and refit chain, mech and cassette without the use of a spanner of any kind.
How would you loose the cassettes lockring without a spanner?
I use a socket but if I had to use a spanner I'd only use the right size. Adjustables tend to flex too much for my ham fisted approach.0 -
Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Navrig wrote:Riggsy12 wrote:Phil_D wrote:Is that £20 for just the tools you need, or £20 for a whole load of tools, some of which you don't need now?
Just spent around £30, I needed...
Adjustable spanner
Shimano cassette removal tool
Campagnolo cassette removal tool
freewheel chainwhip
Chain splitter tool
Cheers for the replys, I'm going to give it ago myself doesn't look too hard... I'm normaly quite good with things like this I think what put me off was not being able to get my pedals off, had to go to my local bike shop for something as easy as that becuase I didnt have a long enough wrench :roll:
I haven't used a spanner in earnest on a bike for a long time. Adjustable spanners are notoriously difficult to use effectively so be very careful you don't either round off bolts/nuts and skin your knuckles.
If you need a couple of spanners it is well worth buying the right size with an open end and a ring end.
Chances are you can remove and refit chain, mech and cassette without the use of a spanner of any kind.
How would you loose the cassettes lockring without a spanner?
The tool I have uses an allen key, although yours could be spanner I guess.0 -
And by the way, if your cassette has been on for any great length of time, prepare yourself for a struggle getting the lock ring off. Plenty of leverage will be needed. And don't do what I did last week and take half your knuckles off on the teeth of the sprockets.0
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Phil_D wrote:And by the way, if your cassette has been on for any great length of time, prepare yourself for a struggle getting the lock ring off. Plenty of leverage will be needed. And don't do what I did last week and take half your knuckles off on the teeth of the sprockets.
Ok cheers, but I'll probably leave it on, getting new Campy wheels and new cassette to match 0 -
Phil_D wrote:And by the way, if your cassette has been on for any great length of time, prepare yourself for a struggle getting the lock ring off. Plenty of leverage will be needed. And don't do what I did last week and take half your knuckles off on the teeth of the sprockets.
Using a chainwhip and socket on the cassette removal tool I find the best way to loosen it off without skinning your knuckles is to roughly line the tool handles up and then try and move them apart - as opposed to having them at opposite sides of the wheel or even 90° to each other ...
I usually do it with the wheel on it's side - and pull it into my body for stability ...
Anyone got suggestions on other easy ways to do this?0 -
Riggsy12 have a read of the info on Parktools for how to do XY and Z.
they also list which of their tools are needed. (others are available)."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Slowbike wrote:Phil_D wrote:And by the way, if your cassette has been on for any great length of time, prepare yourself for a struggle getting the lock ring off. Plenty of leverage will be needed. And don't do what I did last week and take half your knuckles off on the teeth of the sprockets.
Using a chainwhip and socket on the cassette removal tool I find the best way to loosen it off without skinning your knuckles is to roughly line the tool handles up and then try and move them apart - as opposed to having them at opposite sides of the wheel or even 90° to each other ...
I usually do it with the wheel on it's side - and pull it into my body for stability ...
Anyone got suggestions on other easy ways to do this?
If it's that bad you can clamp the cassette tool in a vice and turn the wheel0 -
Get a toolkit, I got a cheap decent one as recommended in C+ and it's marvellous, the feeling of being able to do even simple stuff is ace, eg changing a cassette. Pay around £70-100, much cheaper than buying bits separately, you'll soon get the money back in saved workshop bills
Plus you're more likely to look after your bike if you have the tools to do it
A stand is a great investment as well - I bought mind from Revolution bikes (Edinburgh) for about £40-50 in the sale, bulky but really makes looking after the bike easier
It's just a hill. Get over it.0 -
JackPozzi wrote:Slowbike wrote:Phil_D wrote:And by the way, if your cassette has been on for any great length of time, prepare yourself for a struggle getting the lock ring off. Plenty of leverage will be needed. And don't do what I did last week and take half your knuckles off on the teeth of the sprockets.
Using a chainwhip and socket on the cassette removal tool I find the best way to loosen it off without skinning your knuckles is to roughly line the tool handles up and then try and move them apart - as opposed to having them at opposite sides of the wheel or even 90° to each other ...
I usually do it with the wheel on it's side - and pull it into my body for stability ...
Anyone got suggestions on other easy ways to do this?
If it's that bad you can clamp the cassette tool in a vice and turn the wheel
I have them at 90 degrees to ech other, grab a handful of spokes with the chain whip and then I only have to move the socket.0
