budget toolkits

tom said:

hey all,

I'm looking to get into doing more maintenance on my bike, starting
with servicing my hubs and changing the LH crank on my road bike.

I'm looking at some of the 'budget' tool kits around, as a quick way to
get a bunch of tools so I can get started. I know many of you think
these kits are probably made of cheese, but I was wondering if anyone
had any particular recommendations for any of the budget kits. Are
Draper better than Lifu, how about IceToolz? How about the Edinburgh
Bicycle home brand? Or any others? They all seem to be around the 40
quid mark.

Any ideas if this is a good idea, or should I be trying to source some
tools elsewhere (donations gladly accepted!).

Poor idea. Bad tools won't just not work well, they will trash whatever
it is that they are tryin g to work on.

Especially crank removers.

Get tools that are good at the time you need them. You will build up a
good collection at a reasonable price that is more cost effective that
way.

My personal recommendations:

1. Spokey for spoke tensioning.
2. Shimano crank remover. I have used maybe 8 different ones over the
years and all were [censored] apart from the shimano one. Alternatively get
self removing crank bolts.
3. Shimano freewheel/casette/BB removal tools.
4. Park and shimano cone spanners.
5. COBRA pedal/fixed cup spanner.

Get good quality Allen keys - it is worth the extra. Cheap tools will
do nasty things.
Get good quality combination spanners. Adjustables may seem like a good
deal but aren't.

These will make life much happier than suffering poor quality tools.

...d

tom said:

hey all,

I'm looking to get into doing more maintenance on my bike, starting with
servicing my hubs and changing the LH crank on my road bike.

I'm not that great a mechanic.

I got the toolset from Lidl last year, and it's OK.
The chain tool broke very quickly though, not very good quality. I've got
a set of other tools though, so I supplement this kit with some decent
quality ones, e.g. as David says a good crank remover.

As lots of other people will say here, go to the Mike Dyason website for
tools. Quick check on there, there is a complete toolkit for £45
I would consider that.

tom said the following on 06/06/2006 10:19:

Quoted message said:

I'm looking to get into doing more maintenance on my bike, starting
with servicing my hubs and changing the LH crank on my road bike.

Quoted message said:

Any ideas if this is a good idea, or should I be trying to source some
tools elsewhere (donations gladly accepted!).

Whatever you do, if you have a square tapered bottom bracket, make sure
you get a decent crank extractor. The cheap ones *will* pull the
threads out. I can vouch for the Shimano version as being well worth
the money if you have Shimano cranks, or most other makes of crank for
that matter.

--
Paul Boyd
http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/

tom said:

hey all,

I'm looking to get into doing more maintenance on my bike, starting
with servicing my hubs and changing the LH crank on my road bike.

I'm looking at some of the 'budget' tool kits around, as a quick way
to get a bunch of tools so I can get started. I know many of you think
these kits are probably made of cheese, but I was wondering if anyone
had any particular recommendations for any of the budget kits. Are
Draper better than Lifu, how about IceToolz? How about the Edinburgh
Bicycle home brand? Or any others? They all seem to be around the 40
quid mark.

The same 40 quid-ish kit is sold under lots of different brand names,
including "Bike Hand" from Dyason's. Some of teh contents are rubbish,
though, including the chain tool and tyre levers.

An exception to the "cheap is rubbish" rule is (most of) the *individual*
tools sold by www.mikedyason.com/shop.asp - including the crank remover
and cone spanners.

Also (from elsewhere) get two ordinary spanners (usually 17mm) for the hub
locknuts. Best to fit cranks with a torque wrench.

~PB

tom said:

hey all,

I'm looking to get into doing more maintenance on my bike, starting
with servicing my hubs and changing the LH crank on my road bike.

I'm looking at some of the 'budget' tool kits around, as a quick way to
get a bunch of tools so I can get started. I know many of you think
these kits are probably made of cheese, but I was wondering if anyone
had any particular recommendations for any of the budget kits. Are
Draper better than Lifu, how about IceToolz? How about the Edinburgh
Bicycle home brand? Or any others? They all seem to be around the 40
quid mark.

Any ideas if this is a good idea, or should I be trying to source some
tools elsewhere (donations gladly accepted!).

For non-cycling specific tools, I've found the Halfords Pro range
extremely good. They offer a lifetime guarantee as well (which I've
tested and they honour it).

I wouldn't buy a full kit either, I'd buy a set of hex keys, a
ratchet, and a selection of sockets (and hex drivers if you're feeling
flash) and a couple of suitably sized spanners, then add to it as and
when you need stuff. 90% of most ready made toolkits is unnecessary
for bike work.
--
http://www.addict-racing.com

As others have mentioned, cheap tools are usually (but not always) a
waste of money. That said, you don't have to go mad and buy snap-on or
whatever. For instance good allen keys are cheap enough that it's not
worth skimping. Bondhus make some pretty neat fold up sets which
shouldn't cost more than a tenner, and perhaps as low as a fiver. These
are high-quality and you can't go wrong. Other one to look out for for
Allen keys is Eklind - sometimes seen in he DIY sheds. regarding
spanners - I've never bought anything with Draper on it which hasn't
broken straightaway -expect for a wire brush which was OK. Apparently
they are not as poor these days, but they'll not get another penny off
me. Although adjustable spanners are generally a bad thing, for
non-critical stuff on bikes you can get away with it - the best make is
Bahco and they are reasonably priced so no point buying [censored]. A 6"
Bahco adjustable is a reasonable thing to carry on the road. Ordinary
spanners are more tricky. I'd probably go fo Facom, but they are not
cheap, though not excessive, so for light (ie bike) use perhaps
something else would do. They are sometimes sold in halfords or on the
web / ebay. I don't think modern Britool are as nearly good as they
used to be so not a good buy any more. Bear in mind you probably only
need a few individual sizes - 8, 10, 13 say, so it's better to buy 3
good ones than a full set of rubbish. Screwdrivers - again I think
Facom are the best - a reasonable set will be £30 or perhaps a fiver
each. You rarely use screwdrivers on a bike so not so important
perhaps, but you need screwdrivers for normal domestic purposes, so buy
the best and have done. You need to know the difference between
phillips and posidrive heads (not the same!). A poor quality phillips
or pozi will be an unmitigated nuisance, though a poor slotted (ie
normal) screwdriver isn't quite so bad. Stanley Magnum from the DIY
sheds a reasonable alternative. A possible hint is to replace all
cross-head screws (philips & pozi) with allen screws eg on the gear
mechanisms. As well as being nicer they are much easier to adjust
without messing them up. Pedal spanners need to be thin, so you can
either grind down a good set, or buy something for bikes. Cone spanners
are not heavy duty so ones from bike shop will do. Chain link tool,
again no point buying a rubbish one as the good ones work better and
aren't that dear. Pliers - used to be Elliot Lucas - but if they are
not going any more, perhaps Bahco or Facom ?

Basically don't buy rubbish tools. And get what you need rather than a
comprehensive set - however sets of spanners and screwdrivers are a lot
cheaper than individual.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I'll not buy a budget toolkit afterall 🙂

I knew there wouldn't be an easy way out of this.

I'll wait a while to see if any more tool tips come in, and then I'll
start buying the bits I need for my immediate servicing needs.

Tom

tom said:

hey all,

I'm looking to get into doing more maintenance on my bike, starting
with servicing my hubs and changing the LH crank on my road bike.

I'm looking at some of the 'budget' tool kits around, as a quick way to
get a bunch of tools so I can get started. I know many of you think
these kits are probably made of cheese, but I was wondering if anyone
had any particular recommendations for any of the budget kits. Are
Draper better than Lifu, how about IceToolz? How about the Edinburgh
Bicycle home brand? Or any others? They all seem to be around the 40
quid mark.

Any ideas if this is a good idea, or should I be trying to source some
tools elsewhere (donations gladly accepted!).

I feel the balance needs addressing this thread! I got the Decathlon
"cheapo" tool kit [http://tinyurl.com/gyxkp], which I think is the same
as the Ice Toolz Evans sells for a bit more.

It has done me ok for just replacing my drive train stuff and doing the
hubs so far, the most major problem is the fact the chain tool broke a
bit (one of the seats where the chain rests) but it's still usable and
possible only because I used it on a rusty chain and didn't screw the
bottom thing up.

Another problem is the lack of a decent handle for the bottom
bracket/cassette tool, you pretty much need a socket handle with a half
inch connector before they're any use (the cassette tool can be put in a
vice but the BB tool can't). Crank tool I had no problems with, and
spoke key I haven't used.

Everything else seems ok though, pretty much as advertised. If you're
only doing the occasional bit of maintenance I don't see why this is a
bad way to get started, I can understand people saying these tools are a
bit more flimsy and not so comfortable to use, but I certainly can't see
why they'd do damage to my bike or last a few years with the amount of
maintenance I do. Also bear in mind that once some work starts on a bike
you'll quickly find 101 other tools you need but hadn't budgeted for!

Ian

hyweldavies said:

I don't think modern Britool are as nearly good as they
used to be so not a good buy any more.

<gloat> I got my Britool socket set (50+ sockets including long ones,
various handles etc) for a tenner when the institute I was in was
closing the workshop. I then discovered that that was the new price of
each socket.. It was missing a few at the very low end and a ratchet
drive, but otherwise...</gloat>

Quoted message said:

Cone spanners
are not heavy duty so ones from bike shop will do.

I have not found any that look like this:
http://www.biketaiwan.com/Tbs/images/Products/Small/F33/BTWL044-F33-009.jpg
to be any good whatsoever. Note the strengthening rib pressed into the
tool. Wiggle do a good selection of non-cheese bike tools, though some
are a bit pricey. Park, [censored], shimano are all good and worth the money.

...d

David Martin said:

hyweldavies said:

Cone spanners
are not heavy duty so ones from bike shop will do.

I have not found any that look like this:

http://www.biketaiwan.com/Tbs/images/Products/Small/F33/BTWL044-F33-009.jp
g

Quoted message said:

to be any good whatsoever.

I've had no trouble loosening and adjusting various cones with them. Mine
now have some signs of wear but you'd have to use them a very large number
of times, or abuse them, before replacements are needed. That'll be never
for the home mechanic who services hubs once or thrice a year.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

David Martin said:

hyweldavies said:

Cone spanners
are not heavy duty so ones from bike shop will do.

I have not found any that look like this:

http://www.biketaiwan.com/Tbs/images/Products/Small/F33/BTWL044-F33-009.jp
g

Quoted message said:

to be any good whatsoever.

I've had no trouble loosening and adjusting various cones with them. Mine
now have some signs of wear but you'd have to use them a very large number
of times, or abuse them, before replacements are needed. That'll be never
for the home mechanic who services hubs once or thrice a year.

I find them generally to be made of cheese (or maybe I just had the
cheese variety in that shape).
It is the hubs that haven't been serviced once or twice a year that put
a stronger requirement on the tools. And they bend and deform very
easily in my hands. Unlike the Park or Shimano ones which are excellent
and worth the money.

...d

In article <[email hidden]>
Ben <[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>

Quoted message said:

I wouldn't buy a full kit either, I'd buy a set of hex keys, a
ratchet, and a selection of sockets (and hex drivers if you're feeling
flash) and a couple of suitably sized spanners, then add to it as and
when you need stuff.

What do you need sockets for on a bike? The only socket wrench I had in
my workshop was for axle nuts (for which a ring spanner works fine) and
crank bolts (which needs a thin-walled socket, but you can use the one
on the back of your crank puller anyway), plus an 8/9/10mm Y-spanner for
brake nuts.

David Martin wrote:

[cheap cone spanners]

Quoted message said:

I find them generally to be made of cheese (or maybe I just had the
cheese variety in that shape).

I'd be surprised if all the ones of exactly that shape weren't all the
same metal, but maybe they're not. (Mine are "Bike Hand" from Dyason's).

Quoted message said:

It is the hubs that haven't been serviced once or twice a year that
put
a stronger requirement on the tools. And they bend and deform very
easily in my hands.

Looks like they could bend sidways, but I don't apply sideways force to
mine. I have undone some very tight cones with mine and they have not
bent at all. The steel could be harder but still it's been hard enough
for plenty of uses.

I'll carry on recommending them to those on a budget who service hubs once
or twice a year. Cones may be very tight the on first service but that's
only a one off for each hub. It's different for the pro mechanic who
needs to service hundreds of different hubs, who therefore needs harder
spanners.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

David Martin wrote:

[cheap cone spanners]

Quoted message said:

I find them generally to be made of cheese (or maybe I just had the
cheese variety in that shape).

I'd be surprised if all the ones of exactly that shape weren't all the
same metal, but maybe they're not. (Mine are "Bike Hand" from Dyason's).

I have never used those. I have used a couple of sets of similar
looking ones and they were [censored]. The jaws deformed and there was no
torsional rigidity. Possible cheese to the same design.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It is the hubs that haven't been serviced once or twice a year that
put
a stronger requirement on the tools. And they bend and deform very
easily in my hands.

Looks like they could bend sidways, but I don't apply sideways force to
mine. I have undone some very tight cones with mine and they have not
bent at all. The steel could be harder but still it's been hard enough
for plenty of uses.

You probably got good ones, all mine like that have been [censored].

Quoted message said:

I'll carry on recommending them to those on a budget who service hubs once
or twice a year. Cones may be very tight the on first service but that's
only a one off for each hub. It's different for the pro mechanic who
needs to service hundreds of different hubs, who therefore needs harder
spanners.

The cost difference is less than a pint. I'd have saved more by just
buying the decent ones to start with.

...d

Pete Biggs said:

David Martin wrote:

[cheap cone spanners]

Quoted message said:

I find them generally to be made of cheese (or maybe I just had the
cheese variety in that shape).

I'd be surprised if all the ones of exactly that shape weren't all the
same metal, but maybe they're not. (Mine are "Bike Hand" from Dyason's).

Quoted message said:

It is the hubs that haven't been serviced once or twice a year that
put
a stronger requirement on the tools. And they bend and deform very
easily in my hands.

Looks like they could bend sidways, but I don't apply sideways force to
mine. I have undone some very tight cones with mine and they have not
bent at all. The steel could be harder but still it's been hard enough
for plenty of uses.

I'll carry on recommending them to those on a budget who service hubs once
or twice a year. Cones may be very tight the on first service but that's
only a one off for each hub. It's different for the pro mechanic who
needs to service hundreds of different hubs, who therefore needs harder
spanners.

Completely agree: despite my earlier rant against [censored] tools (which
includes most but not all cheap tools) - cone spanners don't have to be
heavy duty as they just used for twiddling not hard work. Cheap ones
stamped out of thin ally should be fine.

Hywel