Looking for a good bike tool kit that won’t be used commercially.
Something similar to this but more complete…
by Thisisdave91
Looking for a good bike tool kit that won’t be used commercially.
Something similar to this but more complete…
by Thisisdave91
10 Comments
It would be helpful to define what type of work you are looking to do.
I have the same generic tool kit that I’ve been hobbling along with and adding on over the years. Mine didn’t come with the chain tools like gauge and pliers. The tools I seem to always be at a loss for before I got them were headset press, RD hanger alignment tool, RD drop out alignment tool, and the specialty wrenches (hub cone, headset, etc). And also a torque wrench – that was my oh snap I really need this tool for torquing things to spec properly.
I would just buy the tools you need as you need them. You might spend a little bit more, but you also won’t have to spend so much up front, and you also won’t end up buying tools you don’t need.
With so many tools being specialized to specific components, there’s a good chance that you won’t even get everything you need from a bike tool set and will have to buy individual tools anyway.
What are you looking to do to your bike? Are you just interested in basic maintenance? Do you want to dive deeper into upgrading and replacing parts?
I went years without any of these tools doing simple things at home that didn’t require much more than a set of allen wrenches – chain cleaning and lube, brake replacement, brake and shifter tightening and adjustments. I would take my bike to the shop 1-2x/year for more involved work like chain or cassette replacements, cable replacement, etc.
I then bought additional tools as I started to do more on my own
* Chain replacement
* Disc brake rotor replacement
* Cassette replacement
It wasn’t until very recently when I completely tore down and rebuilt a bike from the frame that I needed a crank puller, bottom bracket tools, or other more specialized tools. And now that I have them I expect that I’ll use them pretty sparsely.
It’s also worth considering that different bikes and components require different tools. Even the chain wear gauge is different between Shimano and SRAM chains.
That cassette tool won’t work on QR axles. If you know you’re ONLY going to work on thru-axle bikes, it’s fine. A QR cassette tool will work on both.
I have the more complete version of that kit and I’m happy with it, same brand just more stuff [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z3K1RHP](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z3K1RHP)
don’t buy those kits, they are cheap, and you won’t use half the tools they come with, just buy individual tools as you need.
The only tools you need to have are the ones you figure you might need while riding, otherwise just buy what you need when you need it.
From this exact “brand” are more complete packages available. I have the box with 27 tools and havent missed anything yet. Found them on amazon.
Following the advice on this sub, I’ve bought tools as I’ve needed them. These kits seem to not include all the things you want and include something you may not want (everyone wants different things), for example, depending on what kind of bike you have, you may not need the crank arm extractor tool (bottom right corner)–it’s for older style square taper bottom bracket systems.
I bought a combo set of chain tools that look similar to the one pictured here, my sense is that for casual work, any set will probably do. I have the Cyclists chain whip pictured. I’ve used it once. It’s got a good weight to it, but the handle is a tad sharp. No real complaints yet.