smd4

I prefer quick links that don’t require tools.

Hondo6

The Wipperman links are reputedly very nice. But since SRAM, KMC, and now Shimano include them with a chain why not use those?

Buy 2 or 3 Wipperman links and you've paid for even the Park Tool chain link pliers.

smd4

Because...they require a tool. See my post above.

Exactly. With two or three Connex links, I'll never need a tool.

Hondo6

Connex links are long-lasting, but they're not immune to wear. Their pins wear just like those on other chain links, albeit perhaps more slowly.

I'd prefer not to have one worn link on a new chain. Even if it's a Connex link.

soyabean

Park Tools aren't really "best" when comparing their quality and hardness to premium automotive tooks like Snap-On.

Are Park Tools good? Sure. There's so much cheap crap tools out there (i.e. HarborFreight), it doesn't take much to stand out to be better.

Because I dived into automotive work before bike wrenching, automotive tools need to be more demanding to handle the most stubborn overtorqued fasteners that one would rarely find on a bike. The hardness of a tool is your best friend.

My experience allows me to appreciate a quality tool and usually opt for the best. Some Park Tools make it into my drawers. Most of them will never.

I don't make a religion out of it and really couldn't care less what others like or use.

I know what I like, my money can afford it, my tools make money for me.

smd4

Does Snap On make crank pullers? Frame alignment gauges? Headset wrenches?

Snap On tools are top notch for sure. We used their box/open end wrenches and screwdrivers in the shops. But Park makes some of the best bike-specific tools. The quality was certainly better back in the day.

squirtdad

I worked with off brand, etc tools for years and got by, but every time I used a quality tool vs an ok tool it was a revelation just how much better a park chain breaker is vs cheapo

best tool investment was a good stand (and I spent more money trying to DIY a good stand then the good stand cost....money wasted)

specialize tolls such as a quick link wrench seem a luxury.... until they make your life 20 times better and a 1000% les frustrating

My advice is buy quality if it is a specialized tool, there fit better, feel better and do the job enough better to make a difference

but have fun with the bike, post a pic and ride

Chuck M 

My advice to her was to purchase the best she could afford. If an Amazon tool is what her budget allows, then fine. But in the long run, I still believe you get what you pay for. I do have an Amazon chain whip, and all that was worth a nickel was the handle. The chain was not even attached properly and it was also not a good enough piece of chain to go on a kid's bike from Walmart. On my vintage bikes, I don't think I would want to save a few bucks to remove a crank with a cheap crank puller that may damage a 40 year old crank arm. And I'm pretty sure I know how to use it correctly.

I'll agree that the Craftsman warranty is fine. But Craftsman tools are not what they used to be. If one of my Craftsman tools from the 80s broke today, I would replace it on eBay with the same vintage tool before taking it to Lowes and trading it for one of the Chinese Craftsman tools they would try to replace it with. And the Craftsman tools I have from the 80s don't hold a candle to the Snap On tools I bought from the same era.

Schweinhund

Craftsman has never been the best, it was accessible for every day Americans by store and mail order.
It had the best guarantee, period. still does. In fact, I call it crapsman, but I still have some
Sometimes you don't need the best or even second best. I have an old park,chain whip and a 15 year younger (but still about 20 years old) nothing special one. They both work fine. and if you're talking the BBT-22, I'll tell you to buy the Pedro's, it's much higher quality than the park is. The park is cast, the Pedro's is machined out of tool steel.

SoSmellyAir

VegasJen This cheaper one looks noticeably better than the one you linked:

Amazon.com : Oumers Bike Chain Tools Kit, Cassette Removal Tool Sprocket Remover Kit/Chain Whip and Cassette/Rotor Lockring Removal Tool with Guide Pin : Sports & Outdoors

And you can insert ratchet directly into the cassette tool. But I agree with everyone who recommend getting the Park Tool version of the cassette tool, whereas pretty much any chain whip would do. As for chain quick link tool, this one is my favorite.

Amazon.com : Super B 2-in-1 Master Link Pliers (The Trident) : Sports & Outdoors

Because it both removes and install quick links.

Soody

I just want to give a shoutout to Icetoolz
I have found their stuff, cone spanners, etc, to be equal or higher quality than park, at a lower price

Those Taiwanese mid-tier companies are the peak price/quality ime.
TengTools are also fantastic

smd4

I wrote a post specifically about this bit of engineering perfection, but it got no responses. This Allen tri-wrench, aluminum block at the center with plastic coated arms, was our best friend in the bike shop, a tool we used probably more than any other. If I wasn’t using it, it was in the pocket of my shop apron. It rarely was returned to the workbench. The steel 8,9,10 mm socket version wasn’t far behind. I still have one like shown above, with all three arms still in their original plastic coating.

The current Park version, along with its Torx cousin, pale in quality comparison.

zandoval 

OP: Bike Specific Tools?

I don't think I have used this tool for anything else but bicycles. Even my Crank Puller, Cup Wrenches, Spoke Meter, and Pedal Wrench have been used on other devices. I even used my Freewheel socket to clean out and flare the inner diameter of a copper pipe...

VegasJen

And that's perfectly valid. In fact, that's why I posted what I posted. I'm not going to be making a living with these, so I don't want to buy top shelf stuff for something that's going to only get used once or twice a year. But I want to buy something that actually will do the job without breaking or damaging components when I need it.

GhostRider62

FIFY. I have not had a freewheel in over 30 years or used my crank puller in 35 years or cup wrenches in 35 years.

She is a Triathlon racer. I doubt she had an old bike. Her wheels won't have cups or freewheels or a crank that is not self extracting.

My tools are modest but my groupsets are always the top of the line and in 40+ years, they have never complained. Cables can be cut with a Park cutter or one can spend $100+

smd4

Does Snap On make one?

sincos

Now I'm really going to date myself, but BITD (80's-90's) Park were the good value choice: decent quality at a good price. I liked VAR better, though harder to find. Campagnolo were the top of the heap in quality and design, of course, but very spendy. Park is still OK quality, but not so good a price anymore. Strange to see them held up as a sort of standard.

As for the OP, the tool will no doubt work if you keep your gear in good nick (if not you'll probably want something better). I wouldn't overthink this.

dedhed

​​​​​​https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...snap-on.28921/

​​​​​​https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...-snap-on.4811/

Schweinhund

sweeks

I consider the quick-links to have the same life expectancy as the chain, but I keep a couple used ones for emergency use. I prefer the Connex links because they don't require a tool to open, but I have been using KMC chains lately and their links need a little "persuasion" to open. I got a Wolf Tooth Master Link Pliers at a show, so it doesn't matter what kind of link it is... but I carry a couple Connex spares inside the tool.
FWIW, I've opened and closed several KMC "single-use" links many times with no problems (on a non-derailleur drivetrain). The links are not transferred to a new chain.

Hondo6

Pretty much the same here. I've got a few new KMCs for spares (and for Shimano chains that don't come with one). For chains that come with quick links, I'll use whatever came with them. Those links get used with one chain, then discarded.

I got a set of no-name "cheapies" (multiple speeds in the pkg) some time back. A couple of those are in the small bag that goes with me on a ride. They'll at least get me home if I need one.

C9H13N 

The “Bike Hand” tools are made in Taiwan and aren’t bad at all. I own their crank puller and a couple others. I’d trust them over random Amazon brands any day.

And count me as one who doesn’t think Park tools are all that. The only thing they have going for them is widespread LBS availability. Hozan and Unior both make better bike specific tools IMO.

VegasJen

Thanks for the heads up. I am not afraid of Taiwanese stuff. I'm not expecting the same quality as high end names, but Taiwan has stepped up their game in the last 20-30 years. And for ulterior reasons, I prefer products made anywhere other than China.

ign1te

Start with something like this.

https://www.bikehand.com/en/product-...t-YC-735A.html

smd4

The problem with pre-packaged tool kits is they invariably include unnecessary tools, or tools you may already have. I picked up a Crivit tool kit similar to the one linked above at Lidl for $20, which had enough specific tools to be worth it.

I’m with most people here: get the tool when you need it. Build your tool kit with the tools you’re going to use as you go.