Bike tools

srtraveler said:

What's the best source to buy bike tools, new and used? What about the so called 'complete mechanics kit?' My thought is to buy as I go and as needed. I am a home mechanic working on my and my family's bikes.

Some small kits can be decent deals if you have nothing and they contain what you need and not alot of useless stuff, especailly if on sale with a coupon. All my stuff bought as needed.

boudreaux said:

All my stuff bought as needed.

I agree with this. I fixed bikes with common hand tools for many years, but have subsequently acquired the specialty tools as the need arose. Just have the thought "how many times am I going to use this tool?". You are likely to use a pedal wrench many times. But, how many times are you going to use a BB tapping and facing tool. One costs $20 and the other several hundred. Some jobs are almost impossible without the specific tool. If you buy tool kits, the bigger the kit you buy, the more tools you will find that you will probably never use.

srtraveler said:

What's the best source to buy bike tools, new and used? What about the so called 'complete mechanics kit?' My thought is to buy as I go and as needed. I am a home mechanic working on my and my family's bikes.

If you have Shimano components, the Nashbar Big Toolkit 2 has the bulk of what the infrequent home mechanic will need. Unless you're going to be doing bike repairs/maintenance all the time this little setup will do the trick. Park has some very nice tools that are, of course, more expensive, but if you aren't going to be using them frequently the extra quality may not matter.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=99&subcategory=1232&brand=&sku=3521&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Nashbar coupons:
10% off before june 3 - TKM6