Chris!

Title says it all. Are park tools work it for the home mechanic to wrench on a bike from time to time? I've got some park tools and I've purchased some "pro bike tool" tools on Amazon. Seem to work the same... I often feel that if I'm going to spend a lot of money on a tools it should at least be made in the US and I can go with something like wolftooth.

GlennR

"Pro" is owned by Shimano.

Most of my bicycle specific tools are Park.


Some of the tools are leftovers from my automotive tool box.

bruce19

Yes. Are Snap-On tools worth it? Also yes.

Chris!

But were they worth the extra money?

Koyote

"Worth" is a subjective concept. In other words, no one can tell you whether anything in this life is "worth it." You have to decide for yourself.

unterhausen

I prefer Birzman, Pedros, or Feedback. General purpose tools I usually buy Wera or Wiha.

billnuke1 

Yes. Yes they are...
You are only going to buy your tools once...add to over a lifetime...
I have never once questioned the quality of my Park Tools.
If I didn’t think the particular Park Tool was up to the task...I moved up the the next, Park Tool, tool...cone wrench up to the regular wrench for instance...
I have some bigger Pedro wrenches that are gouged because they looked like they could be used for a situation that called for a more heavy duty tool...
All are well marked and allow pro look organization...
All adds up...

GlennR

As long as they don't damage any of the bicycle hardware and don't break... i'm OK with any extra cost.

Most of the hardware on my bikes are Allen head and i've seen plenty of check Allen keys round off the heads and wear out due to soft metal. Most of my automotive tools are S/K and i've had some for 50 years. The Park Allen keys are made of hardened steel, have ball ends and nice handles. They work for me and it's what I see in most bike shops.

oris

I'm a former heavy duty truck tech so I use a majority of Snap-On hand tools. You can get away with a lot cheaper hand tools for house work.

I'd spend the money on specialty bike tools but would say you can get good use out of Spin Doctor (Performance Bike), Wheels Mfg and other brands. Doesn't have to be Park or Pro to get the job done.

Elbeinlaw

First quality tools are definitely worth it. Having had a pedal wrench break in my hand while trying to remove a pedal recently, I can confirm that good tools are worth every bit they cost. With an exception.

I'm a proponent of Harbor Freight-type-quality tools. But only to this limited extent. If I need a tool--which usually happens when I have one specific application that I need to handle right now--if it costs more than a couple of bucks, I'll buy the cheapest tool. Then if I find that it's valuable, I'll spend serious money on a Park or similar quality when it proves itself. Sometimes I buy the cheap-POS tool in one decade and only have a second use in another decade. Sometimes it's more often. But the second time I use it, I'll evaluate whether I need to spend the money for a good tool.

I bought that cheap white metal garbage pedal wrench sometime back in the '80s. I doubt I used it again until 2020. I bought the Park about 4 months ago.

wolfchild

When it comes to tools, you get what you pay for. More expensive brand name tools will always be better than very cheap tools... Personally I am not a pro-mechanic so I don't buy the most expensive tools out there but I also don't like going too cheap. I get something in the middle.

Pop N Wood

Depends on the tool. I'm a harbor freight addict, I don't buy tools by name or even price but by what looks like a quality tool.

Having said that I really like Park Tool. Quality company, USA made, well designed and equally well made tools. They know bikes and know how to build a tool. I recently bought a PCS-4 repair stand. Not cheap, lots of other options that were more cost effective, but it works perfectly and I'm extremely happy with it.

I won't buy every tool from them, but if you want to pamper yourself, Park Tool is a good option.

gsa103

Park Tools are good quality, but definitely a step below Wera/Wiha/Snap-On. For general purpose tools, like hex keys, I would go with some other vendor where there's better value. The advantage of Park Tools is for bike specific stuff, they're reliable and get the job done. Basically, if you need a tool to remove a bottom bracket, you can buy the Park Tool version and know that it'll work. There are higher quality bike specific tools (like Abbey) out there, but you're going to pay for it. Park is a solid middle ground.

GlennR

My limited experience with Harbor Freight tools are I bought a leak down tester and really only needed it once... it didn't work right out of the box. I saw a HF floor jack not hold pressure and almost drop a car on someone. And the just had a big recall on their jack stands that collapse.

Having a tool break on you can leave you with a broken hand or dead when the car drops on you.

You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

biker128pedal

I go with the depends group. I’ve built wheels with a friends Park truing stand and a cheaper Nashbar one I’ve had for 30’ years. The Park is faster and so much easier. Folding Allen wrench I get from Lowe’s or Ace. T handle with the ball tip the Park are hardened better and show no wear after 10 years. Park cassette tools seem to work better and don’t pop out like cheaper ones like the Performance.

vespasianus

I purchased a frame this summer and ended up buying a bunch of tools to put it together. The one thing I learned is that cheap tools lead to nothing but problems. Several times, I had to stop using a tool and go buy a park tool to make sure I did the job right. Me, I think they are worth it.

TakingMyTime

I can tell you one thing about Park Tool. They stand behind their products and the customer service is incredible.

Whenever I need a bike specific tool I buy Park.

blakcloud

Most of my tools are from the Park Tool Company so yes I think they are worth it. I even purchased their rolling tool chest to keep them in.

Hiro11

Park's good quality. Unior is about the same price and can be even nicer, IMO:
https://uniorusa.com/

If you're willing to spend some bucks, various brands make terrific non-bike specific tools that are perfect for working on bikes.
Wera makes great stainless allen wrenches: https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05022669...ag=googhydr-20

Nepros is total overkill, but they make the best JIS screwdrivers in the world.
https://www.nepros.net/?cat=4&grp=19

Russ Roth

Got to pick your need, one time use and never need it again their great, something you have to rely on, nope. Can do a 2000 sqft house with their flooring nailer and not much more then that, but I only plan to do one flooring job and don't care to store the nailer. Similarly their tile cutter worked perfect for redoing a bathroom in marble and tile and was significantly cheaper then a rental. Even left a perfectly good working tool for my dead ass BIL to finish the upstairs bathroom with. It might have rusted solid by now but worked when I left it with him. If it was profession, it would not be good enough.

IMHO and experience. When it comes to bike specific tools Park is one of the best and easiest to get ahold of though not cheap. I've never been impressed with Pedros, once snapped three of their spoke wrenches, didn't bother warrantying the third, none lasted more then 3 wheels. Liked the design which was similar to my very old school trek that was made by Snap On from the 90s. Campy and some other brands make similar quality.

But I'd save my money on non-bike specific items or spend a little more for even better. Good example is their ratchet wrenches which look like rebadged gearwrench, for less money I'd get the gearwrench which lacks the unnecessary blue wrap or for not a lot more I'd buy the SK 80019 set which is a little chunkier looking but has a finer ratchet mechanism and will hold up to any other use I care to put it through. There's legitimate videos on youtube of one of the wrenches ripping the head off a grade eight bolt in a head to head against snap-on which costs even more though they're nice. Got a bolt that won't move, the wrench will not be the first thing to give.
Allen wrenches are Bondhus for me. Readily available, industrial quality, and much cheaper and every bit as nice. Can have a nice set of ball end T handle. Again, good more more then just bikes.
Screwdrivers I use craftsman which the last set I bought were US made and by Western Forge so again, good US industrial quality.
Ratchets and Sockets are by Wright, mostly because I really like the shape of their handles which are really smooth and curvy. SK would be just as good. Not really more then Park and made to industrial standards. I have had a 6ft pipe on my 1/2" ratchet and bounced on it to get a hub off a car. So when I have a stuck BB and bolt the tool to the bb and stick the socket over the end I know I can step on that ratchet handle and the BB will give.
For any common tools US made industrial quality tools will get the job done, and industrial doesn't mean rough, they're all beautifully chromed tools that are built to high standards and for serious durability. Its also what I prefer as I've been known to spend the morning cursing at stuck, rusted bolts in the engine bay of my car and the evening relaxing by lightly tuning my bike and I want my general use tools to survive being thrown across the parking lot when oops moments happen.

icemilkcoffee 

I made the mistake of buying a cheapie crank remover. After I used it twice the head started threading into the spindle bolt hole instead of pushing against the spindle. Lesson learned.

tkamd73 

Park tools aren’t even in the same league as Snap-on, pretty obvious where they over lap. Some of Parks specialty tools are pretty good though.
Tim

fooferdoggie 

sometimes yes sometimes no. had to buy their brake bleed kit because I could not find all the parts needed in the list I needed for Magura and Shimano. part of it is the pandemic but still like even the kit magura sells does not have the cup. but 1127.00 is expensive for this.

Rolla

Almost all of my tools are Park. Maybe it's a holdover from my shop days, but I just don't see any reason not to buy the standard of the industry.

billnuke1 

Park Tool sells a rolling tool chest?!

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