Most essential tool kit items?

Now that I've decided to get back my old bike fixing skills - and hopefully improve them - I've been working out what tools are most useful. I'm not impressed by the standard starter tool kits from Park Tools et al. Instead I'm thinking

Obvious basics

- Allen keys
- spanners
- pump with gauge
- puncture repair kit
- pliers
- grease
- spray lube - that GT stuff, not WD40

Then the next most useful items, without spending lots of cash, would seem to me be to be

- dremel type tool - cut and finish brake and gear cables and housings, generally polish, grind, cut and mong small things, useful for non bike stuff too

- torque wrench, assuming the affordable ones on ebay are any good

- cheap bike stand

But what do I know? Opinions?

Spoke key and a chain tool - doh!

I'm very suspicious of the generic chain tool I got off ebay - is it worth going for a good brand?

actually WD40 being a penetrating fluid is very useful.

15cm metal ruler and Vernier callipers as a useful addition and as they don't need to be super expensive for super accuracy come in mighty hand for quick measurements.

Anti-seize stuff as well.


Also good to add the specialist tools, like chainwhip, cassette remover, bottom bracket tools. But onyl as and when you need them for what you buy.

Pedal spanner, good set of cable cutters, and my latest favourite tool is a nifty item from Park tools that unclips the reusable joining link on a chain!

and dont skrimp on the allen keys,a £20 set will last you a lifetime and save a fortune in rounded bolts etc...

stew-b":mixb28q0 said:

and dont skrimp on the allen keys,a £20 set will last you a lifetime and save a fortune in rounded bolts etc...

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For screwdrivers I really 1/4" bits and those sections that snap together to make whatever sort of driver you need; I thought I'd do the same for allen keys, plus a tri-spoke or multitool for the bike.

FluffyChicken":240yi6qt said:

actually WD40 being a penetrating fluid is very useful.

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The better of my LBS's told me they'd stop using it and switched to that GT stuff.

15cm metal ruler and Vernier callipers as a useful addition and as they don't need to be super expensive for super accuracy come in mighty hand for quick measurements.

Click to expand...

Calipers! I've wanted them more once already.

Anti-seize stuff as well.


Also good to add the specialist tools, like chainwhip, cassette remover, bottom bracket tools. But onyl as and when you need them for what you buy.

Click to expand...

CAS":1fzvfh1b said:

Pedal spanner, good set of cable cutters, and my latest favourite tool is a nifty item from Park tools that unclips the reusable joining link on a chain!

Click to expand...

I bought a pedal spanner to change the pedals on my Lava Dome myself, then found that because they'd been left for years - and probably put in without grease - that it took two guys at my LBS and a spanner on the end of tube for leverage to get them out... Ce la vie. I'll take a look at Park's site for that tool so I at least know what it is.

Quality wise, how do IceToolz compare to Park?

I just bought myself a BBB torque wrench from Ribble. £48 in their 15% off sale and starts at 2nm. It's a really nice piece of kit.

I got my verniers from ebay. They were second hand but I paid 22 quid for them - retail at about 180...I just wish I could find the buggers.

Don't cut cables with a dremel - buy a Shimano cable cutter. They are worth the money.

Chainwhips often have a pedal spanner incorporated which can save you a bit.

Park do a little magnetic "plate" that's really useful for holding on to stuff while you work.

You can get good quality generic tools from a non bike company for considerably less.

I've got a mix of tools - don't worry about the brand, though some tools are utter crap. If there are moving parts or threads involved it's worth paying more. Park stuff is nice, but other kit does the job. I haven't tried anything Icetoolz though yet.

As above, only buy them as you need them, and for the fittings / sizes you need...I wish I could follow my own advice

CAS":6jy87c6x said:

.....and my latest favourite tool is a nifty item from Park tools that unclips the reusable joining link on a chain!

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I've got one of those too. So much for the "tool-less" links. :evil: