shredlightly
Posts: 6
Joined: 2/21/2012
Location: Grand Junction, CO USA
Hi all, I'm new to the board but not to the site. This place is awesome! I am so excited to find a community of riders who are concerned with bigger questions than color matching componentry nuances.
My question to the vital mechanics out there is: What are you must have bike tools for home/race day wrenching? I am building my tool kit piece by piece to support my new ride (Transition Bandit) and I want to know with what tools should I start. I already have the basics- chain breaker, allens, torx, nipple wrench. The reason I don't have more in my kit is because up until this year I have been on a Surly KM in rigid-SS form which required nothing more than the most basic of maintenance and repairs.
Thoughts?
Big Bird
Posts: 418
Joined: 2/1/2011
Location: Santa Cruz, CA USA
Moderator
I always make sure that I have all the tools to tighten any pivots, no matter how big an allen it takes. I have a 10mm allen that I cut down to make it lighter. Also a small adjustable wrench.
bturman
Posts: 946
Joined: 8/1/2009
Location: CO, USA
Administrator
Hmmm...
Sounds like you could use a bleed kit, crank tool (depending on your crank style, many are self-extracting now), bb tool, cone wrenches for your hubs, cassette tool and chain whip. If you're building bikes, a hacksaw, star nut setter, headset press are all needed.
Oh, and zip ties. Lot and lots of zip ties.
shredlightly
Posts: 6
Joined: 2/21/2012
Location: Grand Junction, CO USA
k.shiz
Posts: 264
Joined: 7/24/2009
Location: Boulder, CO USA
Administrator
I'd hate to have a tool kit without a set of these knipex pliers:
And your race day kit should definitely have a few bucks in it because you never know when you'll need to buy a tube off someone in the parking lot (or if they give it to you, at least you can pay them back a tube when you're not trying to rush to the starting line).
shredlightly
Posts: 6
Joined: 2/21/2012
Location: Grand Junction, CO USA
k.shiz wrote: I'd hate to have a tool kit without a set of these knipex pliers:
And your race day kit should definitely have a few bucks in it because you never know when you'll need to buy a tube off someone in the parking lot (or if they give it to you, at least you can pay them back a tube when you're not trying to rush to the starting line).
I have been looking for something like this for years! Thanks for the tip shiz!
k.shiz
Posts: 264
Joined: 7/24/2009
Location: Boulder, CO USA
Administrator
Moga was the one that tipped me off to those things. In the last few years of having them in my toolbox, they have become favorites. Get a medium and large set and you're good for years and years. They aren't that cheap but when it comes to tools, you buy nice or you get bloody knuckles!
canadmos
Posts: 33
Joined: 3/11/2011
Location: CAN
Like bturman said, definitely get a cassette lockring tool, chainwhip (or make one) and an adjustable wrench to use the lockring tool. A good cable cutter will come in handy too.
