[KDee]

It’s my birthday soon and I’ve been asked what I’d like. I’m sure there are a few tools I could probably use (but haven’t yet), so let’s spend someone elses money! I have quite a few bits and pieces already:

• Workstand
• Floorpump
• Decent allen keys / screwdrivers / wrenches / cable cutters
• Split link tool
• Mini ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Chain whip
• Chain measuring tool
• Brake bleed kit
• Spoke keys
• Tubeless stuff (inc. Airshot, hose cutters, hose insert press, bleed kit)
• Shimano cassette and BB adapters
• Digital caliper
• Digital pressure gauge
• Ultrasonic bath

Anything obvious missing? Good bike has a press-fit BB so possibly a tool-set to switch that out soon (and maybe the headset too)? Perhaps a nice toolbox as most of the above is rattling about in a couple of small plastic boxes? I don’t think an air compressor is necessary…I haven’t been defeated by the floorpump and Airshot yet (plus, the office has a compressor in the bike garage!).

Are there any little handy things you swear by? Something like a chain-keeper for when the rear wheel is out of the bike? Internal cable/hose routing kit?

Or maybe just a voucher as I think I will need new pads and rotors for the race bike at the end of summer.

Topic

[hawkinspeter]

TheBillder wrote:

TheBillder wrote:

The thing that’s made the biggest difference to me since Christmas is a nice set of colour coded hex keys (Pearson Fiddlesticks) because I was sick and tired of wondering where I’d left the 5 mm one again. But then I am a bit absent minded.

I got some colour coded hex keys a while back and recently Mrs HawkinsPeter spotted them and asked if they were LGBT rainbow ones. I’d consider my hex keys to be male/hetero as they only work properly with female socket bolts etc. but maybe they’re also LGBT allies.

[TheBillder]

The thing that’s made the
The thing that’s made the biggest difference to me since Christmas is a nice set of colour coded hex keys (Pearson Fiddlesticks) because I was sick and tired of wondering where I’d left the 5 mm one again. But then I am a bit absent minded.

[hawkinspeter]

A pair of tyre pincers or

A pair of tyre pincers or whatever they’re called

[hawkinspeter]

How about a disk rotor

How about a disk rotor centrelock tool? Your cassette tool may work, but I found that I had to buy an extra tool (IIRC my cassette tool didn’t have a big enough hole to accommodate the thru-axle).

[mark1a]

I think they’re covered by

I think they’re covered by the cassette tool and the BB tool for both types of lockring. 

[dabba]

I’ve found that a wearable
I’ve found that a wearable headlight is invaluable for when you need both hands free but need the job to be well lit too!

[mark1a]

Also, on here towards the end

Also, on here towards the end of last year, there was a thread containing a rich seam of eclectic toolage ranging from “must have” to “just want”, it’s here:

https://road.cc/content/forum/those-go-bike-tools-296611

 

[mark1a]

I think you have most things

I think you have most things covered, although I would recommend you also have a decent bench or work area, when I built my bike workshop, it was the dedicated space and having tools to hand that made such a difference. If you don’t already have something similar and have the space, I would also recommend some kind of tool organisation such as Perfolock.

Other kit I would recommend if money is available, in no particular order, as follows:

Cleaning kit
Some half decent brushes and a chain cleaner, also I’ve found a garden watering can is better than a pressure washer.

Dummy hub & dropout spacers 
Different as to whether you have QR or thru-axle or both, retains the chain under tension when the rear wheel is out.

Dummy pedal
Essential if either building a bike or working when the pedals are off

Cable/hose routing kit
What it says.

Derailleur hanger alignment tool
Your gears will never index properly if the hanger is bent, use one of these first.

Flush side cutters
The sort that can cut cable ties without leaving a spiky bit.

Magnetic torch
To shine a light on dark bits of the bike, useful to have an arm length away.

Rubber mallet 
For when percussive maintenance or gentle persuasion is required and a proper hammer would damage stuff.

I have this already and can provide links or photos if you need.

[Brauchsel]

I don’t think I’d bother with

I don’t think I’d bother with a headset/BB press: I have one, but when I came to fit a headset to a bike with a longer headtube I realised that an appropriate length of threaded rod did exactly the same job at 20% of the price. 

I do like the cable routing set I got off Amazon for under £10, but again it’s not much more than a couple of small strong magnets and a bit of wire. 

Looks to me like you’ve got everything you need, so I’d spend the money on shinier/flashier stuff instead. 

[Author]

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