Tools to work on bikes?
 

Other than what someone would have to do anything on a Euro auto, what specialty tools are required to service bicycles nowadays? Back when I worked on bikes if you had some thin wrenches, Allens and a couple of spanners, aside from typical shop tools, you were in business. Now with suspension in the equation, there has to be a lot of unique tools. What does it take?

A Park tool catalog, just kidding, but I do have some Park tools for my bikes, just the typical, cone wrenches, chain tool, caliper too, ect & a few Park stands..

I have enough to get by. what do you need to do? for older bikes or modern ones? You are more then welcome to use them.

Bottom brackets are different, better in my estimation, much easier to get on and off. You'll need a big spanner for that; A lot of what you have should still do the job.
Freewheel remover and whip are still needed; although everytone has gone to cassettes, the tools are the same; third and fourth hands still apply for rim brakes; the same two or three allen wrenches still work everywhere; my brake disks are held on with torx and one of the adjusters uses the same torx driver. (But I have cable brakes, not juice, so I don't bleed 'em, just make a pad adjustment)

I use my "normal" metric auto tools mostly, but do have a few specialty bike tools to take care of the normal stuff:

- Freewheel/cassette removal tool
- Chain whips (for holding the cassette to remove it)
- Bottom bracket removal tool
- Crank-arm puller
- Cone wrenches
- Cable cutter/crimper
- Spoke wrench
- Chain rivet tool

Park tools are still the best.

I've always bought bike tools as needed and always Park.

Park makes some nice tools. There's some items that are better but not many. For cable cutters but Knipex ONLY cut cables with them. Spoke wrenches buy DT they're made by a company called UNIOR who made ELDI tools for years and there's some items that they make that kick Parks butt however are hard to find here. Hozan has a few tools that rock

Wiha allen wrenchs are my favorite as well as their screwdrivers and torquevario torque wrench.

Jim, I am due for a new cable cutter. YOu really think the Knipex is the way to go? I had a Shimano that were far superior then Parks. I know Knipex make a great tool, but are hard to find. I ran across them at my local tool supply and actually bought some of their stuffs, but had no idea they made a cable cutter.

Let me double check on the cable cutter Yes the Shimano are better than the park


Funny story on Park tools. They OWN the color Blue on tools, pumps and several other items here in USA. So one day at interbike I'm teasing a buddy of mine who ran Kryptonite at the time and I'm telling him that he's not smart since he didn't trademark the color black for U-Locks for Kryptonite like that SOB at Park tools. Well In the crowd was Eric, the Owner of Kryptonite! OOPS!

That's funny. I am trying to go to Interbike this year. I have never been, so it should be lots of fun.

I've gone evey year but once since 1984.

Ever see the movie Groundhog day?


If I go this will be a wierd one for me since I've shuttered my company.

Its like me going to all the kitchen and Bath or construction trade shows. they are all the same after 20 years.

Let me know when kitchen and bath shows come up! I'm working on a new design for garbage disposals an I need to walk a show!

You want to go down south? The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show | KBIS
They will be in Vegas next year. Hell they used to be in Anaheim. It was nice and didn't have to do the long drive. Let me know if you need to get in. Trade only, I will get you in under our co. name. Just promise me you won't run that damn card so I get a bunch of junk from the vendors in the mail.

The National Hardware show might be of interest to you? I have never been but interesting to see all the new tools and stuff.

National Hardware show is excellent. It's been a few years for me but the last ones I noticed the Asian invasian section were littered with copy-cat tools. Especially multi-tools. Also recall some former bike component maker (out of AZ??) who were promoting a new CNC folding pocket razor/box cutter - anodized flashy colors, hired cute models too. The following year the Asian makers were pushing them to buyers. Now everywhere. I remember when Tim Leatherman himself was promoting his multi-tools. Everyone offers them today for cheapo.

Not sure if its permitted anymore, but a few years and on the last day, samples and some entire displays were sold off cheap. Once helped a friend load up big trailer after he bought out some suppliers displays. I have a few neat tools from there. Have fun.

I use to own a bike shop, depends what type of work you want done to your bike

if all you need is adjusting gears = metric allen key, pliers to pull cable

if you need to install or remove headset, BB, true a wheel = needs specialty tools

you can look at the park tool website

A dedictated workstand. Selection of very thin spanners. Spoke nipple tool. Park crank puller. You can true a wheel on the bike. The rest is probably sitting in your standard tool drawer.

What jtkkz said. Except for the headset-I know you're supposed to use a press, but for years I've managed to cowboy it on anything I've worked on-not for hire. But to pull a modern bb you need the correct tool, along with cassette lockrings. Cable cutters are indispensable, as is a chain tool, and one of those handy pliers for the newer masterlinks (still need the old fashioned chain breaker to size the chain).

A 1/4 in torque wrench is becoming mandatory for modern high end stuff.

Park sells a master tool set for not that much money, but there are a lot of mundane tools included. Doesn't seem that good of a deal if you already own the common stuff. Looks like a good set to take on a tour in the back up van.

Milt, are you driving in a van behind bikes wrenching on them now?:)