Bike tool recommendations

[dpk501]

So my parking garage storage unit in my building was broken into. They took all my tools. Now I have to replace them. Do you guys have any suggestions?

Does anyone know about Birzman?

Here's what I'm thinking to get me going:

Hex/Torx wrenches: King Tony with ball end or Bondhus

Torque wrench: CDI adjustable (2-8) or Park tool

Rachet set: craftsmen or snap on

Chain tool: park master with peening anvil

Freewheel/ BB remover: campy

Pedal wrench: Park

Any thoughts or suggestions on brands?

[Louis]

Bummer about the theft.

I've been happy with my CDI torque wrench, but it doesn't get a whole lot of use.

From what I hear, Craftsman is a mere shadow of it's former self. Also, these days the Sears stores carry only a fraction of what they used to offer. That doesn't mean that the tools are bad, just that they're not what they used to be.

Other than one poorly designed tool for Campy BBs, I've been very happy with all of my Park stuff.

It will be interesting to see what other folks say. Craftsman used to be my go-to brand for hand tools. Easy to find and good quality. So far I haven't been able to find a similar replacement.

PS Find a more secure place to put the new stuff.

[DRZRM]

I like the Pedro Universal Chain tool more than the Park. But I have to say, though I love my Bondus hex set, if I were starting over from scratch, I'd likely buy the Pedros Master Tool Kit 3.0 and be done with it.

[EPIC! Stratton]

I'm in the "Bench in a Box (http://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/bench-in-a-box/)"/"Master Tool Kit (http://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/master-tool-kit-3-0/)" camp. Essentially I picked up the Bench in a Box kit and then bought the MTK case (http://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/master-tool-case-3-0/) for storage/transport. Worked out very nicely, and have some additional tools I've picked up and placed in the case as well (for example, I sold the chain tool and picked up Tutto (http://pedros.com/products/tools/cassette-and-chain/tutto/)).

Bench in a Box:
http://pedros.com/wp-content/uploads/Bench_in_a_Box_feature.jpg

MTK:
http://cdn.bicyclehero.com/catalog/product/cache/1/image/650x/040ec09b1e35df139433887a97daa66f/p/e/pedros_master_tool_kit_3.0_2.jpg

But like I said, make it your own (not mine, but a good example of what these type of cases end up looking like).
http://ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb8675720/p5pb8675720.jpg

[bfd]

Bummer about the theft.

I've been happy with my CDI torque wrench, but it doesn't get a whole lot of use.

From what I hear, Craftsman is a mere shadow of it's former self. Also, these days the Sears stores carry only a fraction of what they used to offer. That doesn't mean that the tools are bad, just that they're not what they used to be.

Other than one poorly designed tool for Campy BBs, I've been very happy with all of my Park stuff.

It will be interesting to see what other folks say. Craftsman used to be my go-to brand for hand tools. Easy to find and good quality. So far I haven't been able to find a similar replacement.

PS Find a more secure place to put the new stuff.

The big change with Craftman is they went from US produced tools to sourcing them from China. Big turn-off for a lot of people, especially those on garage journal forum.

So where you once got good value, made in the USA tools for a very reasonable price, what you get now is made in China with questionable quality at the same price.

I believe this may have a negative effect on Sears as many like myself now have no interest in going there, at least for tools. Good Luck!

[Slow Eddie]

I'm a big fan of Wiha for hand tools - I have two sets of their metric hex wrenches, one with ball ends and soft grip screwdriver handles, and the other with flat ends and hard plastic t-handles. My bondhus ball-end L wrenches now live in the travel toolbox or when I need excessive amounts of torque. The freebie set of precision screwdrivers that came with my order see a lot of use with limit screws, reflector brackets, and the like. Good stuff.

[MattTuck]

Sears' problems started way before this craftsman business.

I have some park and pedros stuff. They both seem pretty good.

I picked up a set of stanley screw drivers (not cycling specific) They are terrible.

[rnhood]

I'm in the "Bench in a Box (http://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/bench-in-a-box/)"/"Master Tool Kit (http://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/master-tool-kit-3-0/)" camp. Essentially I picked up the Bench in a Box kit and then bought the MTK case (http://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/master-tool-case-3-0/) for storage/transport. Worked out very nicely, and have some additional tools I've picked up and placed in the case as well (for example, I sold the chain tool and picked up Tutto (http://pedros.com/products/tools/cassette-and-chain/tutto/)).




Very nice and organized kit there. While its expensive, I believe I would go this route if doing it again. Its nice to have a comprehensive set of tools with everything organized, not to mention having top quality tools that do not have to be replaced for many years, if ever.

[malcolm]

Craftsman has not been the craftsman of old for some time. My new ratchets are kobalt from home depot. They are probably not snap-on or mac quality but nice and engage much quicker or over a smaller angle than new craftsman, by a long shot. Swing by a lowes and check one out. I was surprised.

[ontarget]

It's a shame about Craftsman. They used to be my default go-to tool brand. I've got a lot of their tools that I bought over 20 years ago and still going strong. Made in USA is always my preference.

[bfd]

It's a shame about Craftsman. They used to be my default go-to tool brand. I've got a lot of their tools that I bought over 20 years ago and still going strong. Made in USA is always my preference.

Agree, the majority of my tools are old craftsman and made in the US. Over the years, I have accumulated a lot of US made tools including Snap-on (SO), Proto, Bondhaus, Williams, Wright and a few others who also make tools for the big boys like SO and Mac.

That Pedro's tool set is really nice. But like Park, I'm not sure all of it is made in the US.

For bike tools, I have a wide variety including Park, Hozan, VAR, Campagnolo and Shimano. I find Campy cone wrenches to be the best!

Good Luck!

[FlashUNC]

Bondhus hex and torx wrenches. A thousand times. Amazing stuff.

The t-handle ones are the jam.

[Steve in SLO]

Bench in a Box:
http://pedros.com/wp-content/uploads/Bench_in_a_Box_feature.jpg


For some reason I can't look at a big Pedro's toolkit and not think of Lance Armstrong.:bike:

To the OP:
Bondhus--good stuff
Take Snap-On over Craftsman any day if you have the means, but remember: tools to be used on bikes are relatively lightly used, so anything mediocre and above will suffice.
Also, no need to go with a single line of tools for everything. If you are in doubt, go pick them up/fondle them at your LBS and buy which one feels best in hand.
Oh, and have fun shopping.

[mvrider]

This review just came out. Shame that it takes another hex key to adjust the torque setting.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/08/bikes-and-tech/reviews/workbench-park-tool-adjustable-torque-driver_381113

http://cdn.velonews.competitor.com/files/2015/08/park_adt-1-659x440.jpg

[sloanfiske]

The big change with Craftman is they went from US produced tools to sourcing them from China. Big turn-off for a lot of people, especially those on garage journal forum.

So where you once got good value, made in the USA tools for a very reasonable price, what you get now is made in China with questionable quality at the same price.

I believe this may have a negative effect on Sears as many like myself now have no interest in going there, at least for tools. Good Luck!

I'm so glad I bought my full mechanic's set before this happened. I know there is lifetime replacement, but come on. If you already have the tooling...

[ergott]

Rachet set: craftsmen or snap on

Chain tool: park master with peening anvil

Freewheel/ BB remover: campy

Any thoughts or suggestions on brands?

For ratchets check out SK. I have a couple a they've been punished for a couple decades. MAC is great as well.

Chain tool. I recently got the Pedros Tutto. I does everything and it doesn't feel like a compromise in function. Expensive, but worth it.

Freewheel/BB, check out the Abby Crombie. Once I got it I was overwhelmed at both the quality and practicality of not having to use the Campy socket plus wrench/ratchet combo anymore. Bonus it's dual sided.

[SlackMan]

Has anyone tried any of the Lifeline brand tools from Wiggle (here (http://www.wiggle.com/lifeline/tools-maintenance/))? They look like great bargains, and for everything I checked, they have great reviews. Any personal experience from forum members?

[dpk501]

Between you and OldPotatoe, there is so much information that should never be ignored. I will definitely look into that.

I've also decided to order a set of USAG T handles with ball end as a splurge instead of bondhus.

For ratchets check out SK. I have a couple a they've been punished for a couple decades. MAC is great as well.

Chain tool. I recently got the Pedros Tutto. I does everything and it doesn't feel like a compromise in function. Expensive, but worth it.

Freewheel/BB, check out the Abby Crombie. Once I got it I was overwhelmed at both the quality and practicality of not having to use the Campy socket plus wrench/ratchet combo anymore. Bonus it's dual sided.