I used AI to get a list of the tools I would need to take apart and put back together my Raleigh Talus 3.0, but I want to double check with everyone here to make sure I'm not missing anything. I'm attaching a picture of the tools I have and link of my bicycle. Thank you.
https://www.georgetownfreebikes.org/product/raleigh-talus-3-0-mountain-hybrid-bike-0076/
by wanttodoitmyself
3 Comments
What kind of take apart are you looking to do? I see several duplicate tools here and several tools you won’t need. Like strip to frame, and swap to new frame? Take apart for shipping? Take apart the wheels and hubs too?
TLDR: take it to a shop, tell them you’re interested in tinkering, and ask them what to get.
This is not a good tool kit. I’ll go through it top to bottom:
* CC-3.2: for checking chain stretch. Useful, but not really a tool in the sense of taking anything apart
* CT 3.3: for breaking chains. Also useful, but kind of unnecessary if you have a quicklink and quicklink pliers (which you don’t).
* SW-7.2: spoke wrench. Not useful for the vast majority of amateurs, who don’t mess with spoke tension themselves. It’s extremely finicky.
* AWS-1: 4/5/6 mm hex wrenches. Useful, but you’ll probably need more of them in both larger and smaller sizes. 8, 2, 2.5, and 3 mm are all pretty common.
* Screwdriver: useful (probably just a small Philips but still)
* Adjustable wrench: can’t think of a good use for this
* Socket set: can’t think of a good use for this, not a lot of hex nuts on most bikes
* Wire cutters: useful sometimes
* Pliers: unnecessary
* Needle-nose pliers: useful
* FR-5.2G: lockring remover, used to take the cassette off (if you also have a chain whip)
* SCW: cone wrench, used for hubs. You almost certainly don’t need this
* Tire lever: that’s a good one, but you need at least two to do anything useful, probably more like 4-5 since you’ll inevitably lose them
* HCW-5: bottom bracket tool for cup and cone brackets. Can’t tell if that’s what’s on your bike.
* 15mm wrench: good for pedals, but you don’t need both the red one and the big blue one
* 13mm wrench: not sure what on a bike uses a 13mm nut, but I guess it can’t hurt?
* Open/combo wrenches: can’t think of a good use for those
* Crank puller: for getting the crank off, if it’s the right size (can’t tell by the bike you posted)
* Cartridge bottom bracket tool: depends what kind of BB you have
* FR-1.3: for removing freewheels, which is not what you have
* CWP-7: another crank puller that you use with a wrench instead. Redundant with the other crank puller.
So a lot of it is useless, some of it might be useful if it’s the right size or form factor, but you’ll have to check, and some of it is useful. And again, it really depends what you mean by “take apart.” You can take a LOT of parts off of most bikes with a few hex wrenches. It would help to know what the goal is here.
Looks like you’re jumping into bike repair with both feet. If you’re going to do any index gear housing cutting (e.g. shortening your current housing or installing new cables), a pair of bike-specific cable cutters will improve your life.
Proper cable cutters have bird’s beak jaws that constrict around the housing while cutting it. The wires that make index gear housing compressionless are very hard. This presents 2 potential problems when using diagonal/linesman pliers: 1. the jaws may be softer than the wires and will dent; 2. assuming they do cut through, they tend to flatten out the end of the housing (which you will have to make somewhat round again before using).
Good quality bicycle cable cutters are made with jaws hard enough to tolerate the housing wires and the constricting action keeps the housing closer to round. They will also cut the inner brake and gear cables with less likelihood of fraying (due to the aforementioned constricting action). For home use, a pair of Shimano TL-CT12 is a lifetime tool. It’s likely a lifetime tool even in a low- to mid-volume bike shop.