Bike repair tool kit

[ilovemybike]

Keeping an eye out for a set of repair tools but I'm not really sure what I need until i need it. I was thinking I probably need something down the track to change the cassettes, tighten the cranks and grease the bottom bracket.

Does this look like a decent set of tools adequate for basic maintenance? Or is there a better set of tools you can recommend.
https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/bike ... it/YC-735A

I already have basic tools like screwdrivers, allen keys, wrenches (the normal ones, not the bike specific ones), spanners, tyre levers, patch kits. And there are a few old school tools in this set which I may not need. Not sure whether its worth the value or just get the ones I need seperately.

The quick link release tool is not in this set so I'll probably get that seperately and a chain measure tool as well. What else is missing that you think should be added to the maintenance toolkit? And do i have to worry about the sizing of the tools like wrenches, are they generally one size fits all?

[find_bruce]

I started with that sort of kit, added a few things over the years & if I used a tool enough to replace it, I would buy a better quality replacement.

First thing I added was a chain wear tool

[Andy01]

That is basically like the Aldi one from a couple of years back (different tyre levers but very similar), but it was $40 - this year's Aldi special buy kit was a different - less pieces and same price.

I bought one in 2020 - I already had decent allen keys & screwdrivers, so I have never used those. The chain breaker was the typical cheapie - hard to use without the chain twisting or bending. I bought a little Park Tools CT-5 (I think from memory) chain tool, and it is MUCH better.

I have used the tools to change a BB cartridge and a cassette and they worked OK.

I would say that it probably is a decent option to start with but I would suggest a better chain tool and allen keys (especially the small sizes). I also bought a chain wear gauge tool separately - that gets used far more than the cassette tool or most others. I also bought a chain quick link pliers online.

The other tool that could come in handy is a derailleur hanger adjustment tool. The real thing is pretty costly (I think around $120), but I made one using this video as a guide and it works perfectly. I think the metre of 20x20mm steel tubing (only used half) cost me about $8 or something from Bunnings, and the bolt & nuts cost me about $4 from a specialist bolt supplier (it is a special thread size - not available at Bunnings or similar). So the whole tool cost me about $15 from memory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWdO4dnu18g

As with my previous replies, I would suggest waiting 5 weeks to Black Friday - bound to be some deals around then. The $70 seems a touch high to me. I think I have seen these BikeHand tool kits on Amazon as well - some time ago.

[bychosis]

I find that type of kit a good way to get started. The tools are cheap, but usually enough to see what you’ll really use. Can then replace items as needed.

I bought the aldi version a few years ago despite having already had most of the tools. It was half price though (I bought 2 and sold one so even cheaper!).

I’ve used a few of the items regularly. The chain brakes has been replaced with a park tool (which is a lot better) and I prefer my existing lock ring tool most of the time.

[ilovemybike]

Thank you all, yeah basically waiting for the Black Friday sales to pull the trigger but deciding what to get now so that I’m ready. 24 hours isn’t enough time to research it lol!

How about the size of the tools, does it generally fit all bikes? I can’t seem to find any specifications on what size bolts my bike has, it has the geometries but not the bolts.

That is basically like the Aldi one from a couple of years back (different tyre levers but very similar), but it was $40 - this year's Aldi special buy kit was a different - less pieces and same price.

I bought one in 2020 - I already had decent allen keys

What’s a decent set of Allen keys, I’ve seen the price range from $3 at the discount store to $80. Lol. I was going to pick up these Amazon ones

Amazonbasics 8-Piece T-Handle Hex Key Set - 2 -10 mm https://amzn.asia/d/2m8WTMM

Or

BIKEHAND Heavy Duty Precise Bike Bicycle Head Hex Allen Wrenches Set - 9 Pieces - with Long Arm Ball End -1.5/2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8/10mm https://amzn.asia/d/4cFEVZB

I saw the bike kit at Aldi a few weeks back but it seemed kind of costly for 12 items so I didn’t get it. From memory was $50.

[bychosis]

The recent aldi one is not the value of the old one.

Can go to a hardware shop and get Allen keys. Pick something mid range. My go to is still a park tool Allen key set. It’s like a Swiss Army knife design so you fold out the size you want. Always got all sizes at hand and you can’t lose a size. only rarely can’t do the job with it but I’ve got a gazillion different Allen keys collected over the years.

[Andy01]

Thank you all, yeah basically waiting for the Black Friday sales to pull the trigger but deciding what to get now so that I’m ready. 24 hours isn’t enough time to research it lol!

How about the size of the tools, does it generally fit all bikes? I can’t seem to find any specifications on what size bolts my bike has, it has the geometries but not the bolts.

That is basically like the Aldi one from a couple of years back (different tyre levers but very similar), but it was $40 - this year's Aldi special buy kit was a different - less pieces and same price.

I bought one in 2020 - I already had decent allen keys

What’s a decent set of Allen keys, I’ve seen the price range from $3 at the discount store to $80. Lol. I was going to pick up these Amazon ones

Amazonbasics 8-Piece T-Handle Hex Key Set - 2 -10 mm https://amzn.asia/d/2m8WTMM

Or

BIKEHAND Heavy Duty Precise Bike Bicycle Head Hex Allen Wrenches Set - 9 Pieces - with Long Arm Ball End -1.5/2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8/10mm https://amzn.asia/d/4cFEVZB

I saw the bike kit at Aldi a few weeks back but it seemed kind of costly for 12 items so I didn’t get it. From memory was $50.

These are reasonable allen keys that will probably fit everything on your bike. Not the best quality, but should be perfectly adequate for most DIY use, and certainly for a bike.

The allen keys in most of these cheaper tool sets (like the Bikehand) are probably more like the $3 set from the discount store you saw. They are like the free tools that come with Ikea flatpacks - single use only

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondhus-9-p ... t_p0382911 - $20

As I mentioned my Aldi kit is from 2 years ago (it looks very similar to the one you linked) and cost $40. I think last year's kit was basically the same, but this year's was very different - far less tools and more costly.

IMO the downside with the "multi-tool" type allen key sets is that if you damage one or wear it out (often the smaller ones - the "corners" of the hex round off and it slips in the bolt, and usually damages the bolt), it cannot be replaced on the kit. If, of course, you spend up and get a high quality set then this is less of a problem. They can also be a bit clumsy to use if you are trying to get into a tighter spot like under a saddle - especially if the light and whatever else if fitted to the seatpost is still fitted.

[ilovemybike]

These are reasonable allen keys that will probably fit everything on your bike. Not the best quality, but should be perfectly adequate for most DIY use, and certainly for a bike.

The allen keys in most of these cheaper tool sets (like the Bikehand) are probably more like the $3 set from the discount store you saw. They are like the free tools that come with Ikea flatpacks - single use only

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondhus-9-p ... t_p0382911 - $20

I did see this at Bunnings but it didn’t have the rounded end which I thought was convenient and something I was looking for.
I already have a multitool- I got a RockBros one but I only use it out on the ride as I find it’s not as strong or comfortable to use as my single Allan keys.

The ones from Amazon look longer which may be useful but more bulky.

I really just need some pedal wrenches and cassette removers. I’m going down the rabbit hole of bike tools, something I need but don’t know I needed. Lol