Wednesday, July 30 2008, 12:00 AM
Bottomless CL Day!
Sick deals back to back all day long.
Crap. I thought we were saving dolphins. I'm outta here.
Are you checking to see who is paying attention!
I'm paying extra to buy it! :-)
My most used favorite tool is my Lux 5mm ball driver. I bought it in Germany several years ago and it's gone with me on nearly every ride since. The thing is nearly indestructible. The one quality tool that every cyclist needs is a good 5mm hex wrench.
My dad got it for me as a joke at a $1 store and it's worked so well. That's a good tool too.
That's probably my favorite. Also like my Wrench Force/Snap on screwdrivers. 10mm box wrench. I like a lot of my tools. The Chris King hub tool is really nice, so nice I almost hate to use it.
...my favorite bike tool. It works great in unison with a pedal wrench and a stubborn pedal, among a great many other things.
My mallet is of crappy quality, as are many of my tools since they came in a cheap ($40), convenient kit, and none have broken after years of light use. If I manage to break one, I'll likely buy a quality tool that fits in the handy kit's carry case. I haven't used those cone wrenches much... guess I'm not a real mechanic. *shrug* I have worked on at least a dozen bikes (my 5 and friends'), but don't claim to be a good mechanic. This extended blabber is hopefully useful feedback for someone.
only small mutant greens left, how sad. oh wait, their muted, not mutants....small mute green mutants
..over the years our mech box retain our tool gems: Bondhus "L" Balldriver Hex Set (never liked T handles) -"Do It Yourself" Hardware makes a decent set with a ballend. GOOD steel always, hence my now old Park cone wrenches remain working-perfect. Best screwdriver (for all those derail. adjustments) is left to a small Snap-on.
And yes, a high quality stand (pay the price!) is essential. Down the road you will thank yourself again and again for this particular purchase. Oh, and an awl, and...
What are your favs, the tools ALWAYS in an arm's reach? (if mine aren't around, I don't wrench if I can help it)
So, I've been reading up on biaxial wrist replacement prosthesis and wrist arthroplasty procedures... googled it. I'm feeling a little light-headed, a little queasy. I just remembered this is why I didn't go into medicine- I mean besides grades. Physicians are
freaks, Staypuft Marshmallow Cat- don't let them mess with your lovely wrists.
I found a discount wholesaler of prosthesis componentry in Sri Lanka... not sure about shipping, though...
Staypuft, I rarely see good deals on titanium wrists. But maybe you could get a bargain on some CF ones.
I think it's worth it to invest in a quality core set of tools- the things you're going to use all the time. If you're starting out I'd suggest a quality basic set. Then add tools specific to your needs and your bikes as you gain the skills and the confidence to take on additional tasks and find you actually need them.
With the comprehensive-type tool sets there's probably going to be some redundancy as far as what you already have and you'll almost inevitably be paying for some tools you're never going to need or use unless you are a wrench or you work on your friends bikes. You might not feel inclined to pay for tools that are not compatible with the actual parts on your bikes, however.
I also think that it's worth pointing out that if you're going to be working on your bikes you're going to want to get a decent bike stand. A good bike stand should be considered essential equipment for home wrenching as well as routine cleaning and maintenance.
Other than that... I'm sure that anyone reading today's thread will pick up on the fact that Park Tool is the gold-standard. Pedros' are also excellent quality. I think Oni's advice is particularly sage as well: high quality hand tools don't have to be bicycle specific. Craftsman, Snap-On, and others make/made good tools. The point is, beyond the ones mentioned quality can and does vary considerably and this might/will eventually become an issue if the tools are used on any regular basis.
Nicole, if you can find me new titanium wrists for 75% off, I'd be tempted.
But since knees & hips only seem to be able to last 10 years once replaced - I'm assuming it's similar for wrists and I should wait till I'm 60 before I start replacing them
Like the stuff you use ALL the time. But come on.. cone wrenches or allen keys? There are some parts that come in those Park sets that are just filler.
replaced a few tools with parks and the like but it's still been a better deal than a full park set. The one you're looking at looks pretty good. At the time I didn't and currently I don't have 300-400 to throw down on nicer tools. I spent it on the best stand around (another critical part to the home shop); the Pro Elite by Ultimate--- it's sweet! Now, whenever my buddies need work done, they come to my house and we have some beers. I'd rather do my own bike work even if I don't have the uber-nicest tools than take the bike to shop and get it back when for how much??
What about just getting new wrists? I've heard good things about the titanium ones.
I usually buy the Craftsman stuff for items I use a lot. There are certain tools I use a lot to maintain my motorcycles. However, I wasn't sure what tools I would need to maintain the bike and how ofter I would use them. Performance had this set on sale a while back for $89. It does have some pretty cool allen wrenches. It looks just like the Nashbar set to me. If I find a tool that I use a lot and it wears out, I'll replace it with a Park.
www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=24112&subcategory_ID=4218