I'm going start doing my own work on my bikes, so, what home-mechanic-stand and basic toolset do you recommend?
Best mechanic's stand & basic tool set for the beginner mechanic?
- Thread starter N8 v2.0
- Start date
Bike flipped over and whatever tools you have in the garage.N8 said:I'm going start doing my own work on my bikes, so, what home-mechanic-stand and basic toolset do you recommend?
sanjuro said:
Wrong answer!
They are why I'm resorting to this...
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I have the basic park stand. I have lots of tools bought individually, but I posted a link to some Nashbar kit I think for someone a while back. If I can find it, I'll link to it. I like the Ultimate stand too. If you have a post bigger than 27.2, the cheap Park stand works fine. I get along with smaller posts too, but it took some getting used to.
SkaredShtles said:Bike flipped over and whatever tools you have in the garage.
it's, It's, IT'S ALIVE!
What is?jdschall said:
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Do you lower your saddle or do you get on the roof of the house to work on it???SkaredShtles said:Bike flipped over and whatever tools you have in the garage.
I have a Park stand that works well. Other useful tools - cable-snips (proper ones), ball-headed allen keys (not made of putty), Crank tool, BB-tool, rubber mallet, chain tool, spoke key, decent track pump.
IMO it's not worth getting a drift for headsets - you can fashion your own for getting the bottom race onto your forks but how often do you need the change headsets in frames?
IMO it's not worth getting a drift for headsets - you can fashion your own for getting the bottom race onto your forks but how often do you need the change headsets in frames?
I've been buying Park Tools as I need them. Don't ask me why I have 3 crank pullers though...
After years of using the small hex wrenches, these has been the best $ I've spent: http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=128
Edit: I bought mine from the LBS and it came with the 10.
After years of using the small hex wrenches, these has been the best $ I've spent: http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=128
Edit: I bought mine from the LBS and it came with the 10.
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loco said:
Here you go.
The most important in my book!!fluff said:
Milk crate, vise grips, 12" crescent hammer, allen key set from the dollar store. With those, I can fix anything!
The only bike-only type tools I have are a crank puller, peddal wrench, and a spoke wrench. Everything else I have is made by Craftsman. I don't own a stand, but I often use the one at the shop, along with shop tools to install/upgrade/replace crap I purchase there.
I have used shop space to install ebay items, but only in addition to shop purchased items as well.
The only bike-only type tools I have are a crank puller, peddal wrench, and a spoke wrench. Everything else I have is made by Craftsman. I don't own a stand, but I often use the one at the shop, along with shop tools to install/upgrade/replace crap I purchase there.
I have used shop space to install ebay items, but only in addition to shop purchased items as well.
Never, as far as I can tell.fluff said:
Hold on........ I think I recall replacing a headset back in '94.
Just ordered mine! Thanks for the linky!stinkyboy said:
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Yikes - I only paid $25 from Nashbar 2 years ago. I really like a 4-5-6mm y-wrench with non-ball ends for most things.
That's the thing; it's the only job I don't do myself because the proper tool is around $100 and most shops will do it for free if you buy the headset from them, and charge about $10 max if not (get a good relationship with a shop and they'll do it for goodwill).SkaredShtles said:Never, as far as I can tell.
Hold on........ I think I recall replacing a headset back in '94.
Anything else is actually very easy, just remember to tighten everything that should be tightened... I have often forgotten one thing when building a bike from scratch: seatbolt, stem(onto steerer..), disc mount bolts... makes the first ride more fun.
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Yes...stinkyboy said:
Ultimate Pro Elite stand and I like Park or Pedros tools. Both have a beginner kit available or you could piece it together.
This isn't the cheapest way to go but since you'll be working on a pair of high dollar bikes, why skimp on the tools?
This isn't the cheapest way to go but since you'll be working on a pair of high dollar bikes, why skimp on the tools?
Mike B. said:
true dat!
I made my own stand, I'll try to remember to take a picture tonight. As for tools, I buy whatever is on sale.
Is it really "skimping" if you just use some decent quality tools? I mean, you don't have to spend a fortune for a set of usable allen/star/SAE/metric wrenches.Mike B. said:
I took my bike into the shop for a pre-race tune up and inspection and they failed to find two of the four bolts on the granny gear chain ring missing...
You didn't notice when you were out crankin' on the trails?? I've had bolts come loose and it feels whack, I can't imagine just plain missing two...sux to the shop though for missing that!
I don't ride in granny gear often but at the race I did in AR a couple weekends ago there was some long grinding hill climbs and this is the result of two missing bolts during race conditions...Secret Squirrel said:
As far as allen wrenches go a set of Bondhus will last forever.
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Make sure you get a set with torx heads.
Bleh!N8 said:I don't ride in granny gear often but at the race I did in AR a couple weekends ago there was some long grinding hill climbs and this is the result of two missing bolts during race conditions...
Wow... Dump the alloy ring and bolts for a steel ones.N8 said:
Park Professional tool kit. Most everything you need and a good start.
Am I the only person that thinks much of Park's stuff is overpriced, overhyped crap? Granted, they have a few tools that are awesome, but from my experience Pedros, Craftsman, hell many Lifu tools are on par with Park's stuff.
Does Park have a lifetime replacement thing?
Does Park have a lifetime replacement thing?
Are you coming on to me?stinkyboy said:
No they don't. That is why I have Craftsman wrenches and a lot of tools. I also have some Lifu, Campy, Shimano, and Pedros tools. Park stuff is good, they have awesome customer support, and if you can buy direct or get a shop deal on them they are a good deal. If you buy the kit I suggested before retail, then you kind of get a deal as you are buying quantity.blue said:
They do suck don't they...stinkyboy said::love:
N8, if you end up with a Park chain cleaner, quickly throw it into the trash, and save yourself a mess.
umm no question, this one
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=6&item=MK-129
thats like 3000 bucks, but it will give you all the tools you will ever need, just not the know how(not even barnetts can give you that)
coming from a professional opinion, pedros tools suck big hairy monkey balls.
in the past 3 years i have gone through 3 pedros 5 mm p handles, 2 cassette tools, a bottom bracket tool, and countless other stuff from them. only one of my park tools has worn out and it was the only home mechanic grade tool in my box!
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=6&item=MK-129
thats like 3000 bucks, but it will give you all the tools you will ever need, just not the know how(not even barnetts can give you that)
coming from a professional opinion, pedros tools suck big hairy monkey balls.
in the past 3 years i have gone through 3 pedros 5 mm p handles, 2 cassette tools, a bottom bracket tool, and countless other stuff from them. only one of my park tools has worn out and it was the only home mechanic grade tool in my box!
You'd think they'd give you a stand, too...crazybiker300 said:umm no question, this one
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=6&item=MK-129
thats like 3000 bucks, but it will give you all the tools you will ever need, just not the know how(not even barnetts can give you that
