The tool you wish you bought when you started out.
10-03-13, 10:43 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Yukon, Canada
Posts: 8,759
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 113 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
14 Posts
The tool you wish you bought when you started out.
Okay some of you have been into bikes forever, some only got into wrenching later. I always loved bikes but didn't start seriously wrenching till about 8 years ago. What tool do you wish you had bought right away but only acquired later. A tool that made you go "Ah-ha!".
For me it is probably the hozan lock-ring pliers... so many applications..
The other might be the BBT7... advertised for XTR BBs but works perfect on old campy lock rings and all fragile alloy lockrings on high end 1990s MTBS...
Makes me wonder why I suffered those ill fitting 3 notch tools for cheep lockrings for so long... never again.
For me it is probably the hozan lock-ring pliers... so many applications..
The other might be the BBT7... advertised for XTR BBs but works perfect on old campy lock rings and all fragile alloy lockrings on high end 1990s MTBS...
Makes me wonder why I suffered those ill fitting 3 notch tools for cheep lockrings for so long... never again.
__________________
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
10-04-13, 01:00 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 7,244
Bikes: '72 Cilo Pacer, '72 Gitane Gran Tourisme, '72 Peugeot PX10, '73 Speedwell Ti, '74 Peugeot UE-8, '75 Peugeot PR-10L, '80 Colnago Super, '85 De Rosa Pro, '86 Look Equipe 753, '86 Look KG86, '89 Parkpre Team, '90 Parkpre Team MTB, '90 Merlin
Mentioned: 87 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 834 Post(s)
Liked 2,125 Times
in
554 Posts
A vise. Didn't have one until a few years ago and now I use it all the time. That and proper headset wrenches.
10-04-13, 05:07 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hurricane Alley , Florida
Posts: 3,903
Bikes: Treks (USA), Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn letour,Raleigh Team Professional, Gazelle GoldLine Racing, 2 Super Mondias, Carlton Professional.
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 78 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times
in
22 Posts
Bike Work stand.
10-04-13, 05:55 AM
#10
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,524
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
More than one comes to mind. Really depends on how much wrenching you are going to do. If you do a lot, these are worth it.
1. Crown race set tool from Nashbar. They put them on sale cheap, and they are great. Wait for it to be about 50% off if you are patient.
2. Park headset press. HHP-2. Spendy, but a lot better than the old threaded rod/nut/washer tool I was using.
3. Park DAG2 derailleur hanger tool.
4. +100 A really, really good work stand. All of my stands over the years have been bought used, and when you buy right, when you get a chance to upgrade, DO IT! II have seen incredibly nice pro level Parks stands used for the price of a new homeowner grade stand.
Thrifty tip of the day on tools, almost always universally ignored:
On tools, THINK USED. If you are patient, high end tools pop up used locally, at very attractive prices. 75% of my tools have been bought used. Sources are individuals just cutting back, estate sales, AND shops closing. Around here, unfortunately a couple of shops close a year. Many of those shops are motivated to to sell old parts, tools, consumables, whatever. I've gotten everything from tools, tires, tubes, to neon signs, you name it.
1. Crown race set tool from Nashbar. They put them on sale cheap, and they are great. Wait for it to be about 50% off if you are patient.
2. Park headset press. HHP-2. Spendy, but a lot better than the old threaded rod/nut/washer tool I was using.
3. Park DAG2 derailleur hanger tool.
4. +100 A really, really good work stand. All of my stands over the years have been bought used, and when you buy right, when you get a chance to upgrade, DO IT! II have seen incredibly nice pro level Parks stands used for the price of a new homeowner grade stand.
Thrifty tip of the day on tools, almost always universally ignored:
On tools, THINK USED. If you are patient, high end tools pop up used locally, at very attractive prices. 75% of my tools have been bought used. Sources are individuals just cutting back, estate sales, AND shops closing. Around here, unfortunately a couple of shops close a year. Many of those shops are motivated to to sell old parts, tools, consumables, whatever. I've gotten everything from tools, tires, tubes, to neon signs, you name it.
Last edited by wrk101; 10-04-13 at 06:06 AM.
10-04-13, 05:57 AM
#11
Freewheel Medic
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: An Island on the Coast of GA!
Posts: 12,882
Bikes: Snazzy* Schwinns, Classy Cannondales & a Super Pro Aero Lotus (* Ed.)
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1452 Post(s)
Liked 2,195 Times
in
962 Posts
I just picked up a Park Third Hand brake tool. I hope it will be helpful. 
__________________
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
10-04-13, 06:06 AM
#12
weapons-grade bolognium
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Across the street from Chicago
Posts: 6,344
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 985 Post(s)
Liked 2,378 Times
in
891 Posts
This:
Struggled for years with a cheap POS chainbreaker where the pin would fallout or bend constantly.
A couple of good torque wrenches is also essential. Wrecked a few things by under torquing or over torquing.
Still need a decent workstand. The one I have now is poorly designed and the clamp is flimsy. I'll probably pick one up this winter-I ahve quite a maintainence backlog.
Struggled for years with a cheap POS chainbreaker where the pin would fallout or bend constantly.
A couple of good torque wrenches is also essential. Wrecked a few things by under torquing or over torquing.
Still need a decent workstand. The one I have now is poorly designed and the clamp is flimsy. I'll probably pick one up this winter-I ahve quite a maintainence backlog.
Last edited by thinktubes; 10-04-13 at 06:10 AM.
10-04-13, 06:20 AM
#13
Really Old Senior Member
A good floor pump.
Good cone wrenches.
Good cone wrenches.
10-04-13, 06:51 AM
#14
Banned.
10-04-13, 07:11 AM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 1,959
Bikes: Too many Bicycles to list
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 90 Post(s)
Liked 137 Times
in
45 Posts
+ 1000 on a good repair stand, I went through two cheap Ebay stands before I picked up a good older Park homeowner stand & now have the big SS Park commercial stand with the 80lb base.
The Park TS-2 truing stand, I used the bike frame forever then picked up a used Spin Doctor but now after having the Park I don't know how I got along all those years without one.
A good set of ball end T handle allen/hex key wrenches.
A good set of cone wrenches.
A good chain tool like the Park CT-?? I got last year, so much easier and faster then what I had been using before.
My HTK ( Tanaka ) adjustable BB lock ring tool, a simple tool but this one is the best I have ever used and wished we had one at the shop I work at.
Glenn
The Park TS-2 truing stand, I used the bike frame forever then picked up a used Spin Doctor but now after having the Park I don't know how I got along all those years without one.
A good set of ball end T handle allen/hex key wrenches.
A good set of cone wrenches.
A good chain tool like the Park CT-?? I got last year, so much easier and faster then what I had been using before.
My HTK ( Tanaka ) adjustable BB lock ring tool, a simple tool but this one is the best I have ever used and wished we had one at the shop I work at.
Glenn
10-04-13, 07:17 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,332
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 786 Post(s)
Liked 520 Times
in
281 Posts
10-04-13, 07:26 AM
#17
The Drive Side is Within
I lucked into a great Park Tool stand - the one with the cast iron base on CL before I got really into tearing down and building up bikes.
A TS-2 would have opened up more options for me. I think there are many projects (and rides!) that have gotten held up b/c I did not have good true wheels.
A TS-2 would have opened up more options for me. I think there are many projects (and rides!) that have gotten held up b/c I did not have good true wheels.
__________________
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. Christopher Morley
10-04-13, 07:42 AM
#18
vintage motor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Posts: 1,595
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 164 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 102 Times
in
79 Posts
Within my budget, a good floor pump. Finally got one a couple years ago!
I still don't have a decent work stand or truing stand. I keep thinking I'm going to make one myself but that hasn't happened yet.
I still don't have a decent work stand or truing stand. I keep thinking I'm going to make one myself but that hasn't happened yet.
10-04-13, 08:03 AM
#19
Senior Member
+1 on a good work stand. I have a Performance bike stand, and while sufficient (barely), I really would like a good one, like the Feedback Sports Pro Elite.
And having my brother's Park TS-2 truing stand is spoiling me. I started truing up my wheelsets, and just finished rebuilding a set of wheels (hub swap).
And having my brother's Park TS-2 truing stand is spoiling me. I started truing up my wheelsets, and just finished rebuilding a set of wheels (hub swap).
10-04-13, 08:04 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC+NNJ
Posts: 1,302
Bikes: i don't have a bike. a few frames, forks and some parts. that's all
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times
in
33 Posts
wish list
1. a bike shop
2. a perfect tool box
desperately in the need of
1. a table mount work stand
2. a torque wrench
3. a crown race setter
4. a 3rd hand brake tool
in needs of a 'better' one
1. a chain breaker: Rivoli does the job. not enough leverage for some old stuck chain, and clunky overall
2. a vice wrench: using Heyco from my olde e30 bimmer tool box. want a Knipex
3. all-in-one oil container. the plastic bottle/nozzle is so f***ing clumsy
best investments
1. Hozan pedal wrench: great quality. nice size. not only for pedals but also good for wrenching axle nuts
2. Parktools chain-whip tool: awesome boxed wrench hole for all o' FW remove tool pieces.
best support
WIFE. feeling essentially lucky for having an understanding wife.
1. a bike shop
2. a perfect tool box
desperately in the need of
1. a table mount work stand
2. a torque wrench
3. a crown race setter
4. a 3rd hand brake tool
in needs of a 'better' one
1. a chain breaker: Rivoli does the job. not enough leverage for some old stuck chain, and clunky overall
2. a vice wrench: using Heyco from my olde e30 bimmer tool box. want a Knipex
3. all-in-one oil container. the plastic bottle/nozzle is so f***ing clumsy
best investments
1. Hozan pedal wrench: great quality. nice size. not only for pedals but also good for wrenching axle nuts
2. Parktools chain-whip tool: awesome boxed wrench hole for all o' FW remove tool pieces.
best support
WIFE. feeling essentially lucky for having an understanding wife.
10-04-13, 08:12 AM
#21
Carpe Velo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,519
Bikes: 2000 Bianchi Veloce, '88 Schwinn Prologue, '90 Bianchi Volpe,'94 Yokota Grizzly Peak, Yokota Enterprise, '16 Diamondback Haanjo, '91 Bianchi Boardwalk, Ellsworth cruiser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times
in
13 Posts
A fourth hand cable stretcher tool.
Workstand ( I have an older park PCS-1)
3-way allen wrenches. Especially the one with the ball end allen heads, particulary useful with those allen screws in awkward locations like bottle cage mounts or seatstay rack mounts.
Workstand ( I have an older park PCS-1)
3-way allen wrenches. Especially the one with the ball end allen heads, particulary useful with those allen screws in awkward locations like bottle cage mounts or seatstay rack mounts.
10-04-13, 08:22 AM
#22
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,502
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,465 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Good thread!
I took too long to buy a good workstand. Before that, I took too long to buy a floor pump. I thought my frame pump was just fine. Duh.
I got VERY luck and got a TS-2 used.
A couple of years ago, I bought a park FFG-2, which is a pair of dropout straighteners. Expensive but I don't regret it. Thrifty Bill and this thread just inspired me to get a DAG-2, which I've been wanting for a long time. Enough waiting. Time to get it. I don't think I could wait to find one used, and I might not trust that it would be in good condition.
I still haven't felt the need for a torque wrench. I even own one, but I never use it.
One thing I still want but can't justify is an adjustable reamer, for seat tubes.
I took too long to buy a good workstand. Before that, I took too long to buy a floor pump. I thought my frame pump was just fine. Duh.
I got VERY luck and got a TS-2 used.
A couple of years ago, I bought a park FFG-2, which is a pair of dropout straighteners. Expensive but I don't regret it. Thrifty Bill and this thread just inspired me to get a DAG-2, which I've been wanting for a long time. Enough waiting. Time to get it. I don't think I could wait to find one used, and I might not trust that it would be in good condition.
I still haven't felt the need for a torque wrench. I even own one, but I never use it.
One thing I still want but can't justify is an adjustable reamer, for seat tubes.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-04-13, 08:31 AM
#23
Hoards Thumbshifters
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Signal Mountain, TN
Posts: 1,156
Bikes: '23 Black Mtn MC, '87 Bruce Gordon Chinook, '08 Jamis Aurora, '86 Trek 560, '97 Mongoose Rockadile, & '91 Trek 750
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 246 Post(s)
Liked 334 Times
in
192 Posts
A good Park work stand and then the Park TS2 Truing stand. Those are the best.
Then cone wrenches, pedal wrench, headset wrench, crank remover...
All of them really, I need a headset press and headset remover next. Sometime, someday...
Then cone wrenches, pedal wrench, headset wrench, crank remover...
All of them really, I need a headset press and headset remover next. Sometime, someday...
10-04-13, 08:38 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,332
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 786 Post(s)
Liked 520 Times
in
281 Posts
Funny, but I've never seen the need for a work stand. A hook and loop hanging from the basement ceiling rafter does me fine.
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
10-04-13, 08:53 AM
#25
Senior Member
cyclotoine, I don't flip bikes so my list is pretty basic. I do like to buy tools, however. 
-Now that I have all free hubs it's not so important, but if you still fiddle with freewheels, a large vice with a suitable place to mount would've saved me some knuckle meat.
-Tied with the vice is a good truing stand.
Brad
PS Inside/outside calipers.
-Now that I have all free hubs it's not so important, but if you still fiddle with freewheels, a large vice with a suitable place to mount would've saved me some knuckle meat.
-Tied with the vice is a good truing stand.
Brad
PS Inside/outside calipers.
Last edited by bradtx; 10-04-13 at 08:58 AM. Reason: PS