Tools & Maintenance
Obviously I need the right equipment to get my bikes built and services. Most of the work can be done with household tools but there are a few specific tools that are needed to get certain jobs done. I'll attempt to list below as much as possible.
Repair / Workshop Stand
This is an item that I have recently purchased but haven't picked up yet. The reason I bought it was because for awhile now I have been using a bench mounted stand. Due to renovations happening soon to my house I will no longer have my workbench or my garage. Yes I am losing my garage! It will be turned into a sitting room. My bikes and tools will be relocated to a shed outside. I have bought this stand because I can take it out and assemble it anywhere anytime. It also comes with a bag for storage which is good because it will be stored in the shed outside. Park do sell a few workstands, which in my opinion are abit over priced. You can also buy cheaper stands that do the job just fine online or on ebay new for around AUD$70. I bought this one second hand for $100. It is a Bontrager Cycle Pro Repair Stand. It's a quality item. Some stands come with two legs, others have three. I prefer three. It also has a handy mount on top where you can rest the bike before clamping it on. This then doesn't make you have to hold the bike while clamping it on.
Bike Hand Workstand - Bench Mount
Originally I wasn't fussed about a full workstand which included the tripod and legs etc. Plus I didn’t want to pay the money for a decent one, now I have though! This was mounted to the side of an old bench in our garage and it can take up to 35kg in weight so it is also sturdier and stronger than some free standing units. It will help with the headset, wheels, brakes & crankset install and it can also be used for servicing and fixing our other bikes too. This was $49. To date I have used it to build and service all our bikes. I’ll be selling this online soon.
Park Tool Head/Crank Spanners (32mm/30mm) x2
These things are huge! They were old stock from a supplier near my house. Park have since brought out newer models. The 32mm ends are handy for installing the headset and the 30mm end will be useful for taking apart the cranks on older bmx type one piece cranksets / bb’s.
Crown Race Installation Tool (1" & 1-1/8")
The prices I got quoted for a full headset install and fitting were $60-$85. Even thought I was supplying the parts! I thought I would do it all myself. This tool is cheap off ebay. I have installed a few crown races with this tool This crown race tool works for older and newer style headsets. Just needs a bit of muscle to use.
Weldtite lithium Grease
This is used for all headset installs, seatpost install and also for the bottom bracket install. Also every nut and bolt will have this stuff on it. Looks like white putty. Its amazing how many bike shops do not sell this stuff. Most said to just go to an auto shop and buy HTB (high temperature bearing) grease. That stuff was goldy coloured. I wanted the proper white lithium grease. Cost $8 for this little tube. Online you can buy a 1kg blue tub of Michelin Lithium grease for $21 delivered. I only need a small amount for now and it is still lasting.
Super B Bike Tools - Used
I was looking to get a pair of cable cutters as I had been using regular pliers and my cables have been fraying from not being cut properly. A Park tool cutter would have cost me $54, and that was a sale price too. So I got online to look for a set of cheaper branded cutters as I don't really use them all that often. Even checked out used ones. Found a guy in Victoria that was selling a complete bike tool kit. The brand was Super B and it is made in Taiwan. He had a complete tool kit with a tool box, which when new, would have cost $150, and it is still sold new today. I have some of these tools but there are a few there that I do not have such as the nylon brush, chain cleaner, cable tensioner and of course.. a cable cutter! The tool box is pretty sturdy too. All up, I picked it up for $65 which included the postage! They're abit dirty and could do with a clean. Even included a little spider that made the trip all the way from Melbourne! Crawled out of the box when I first opened it. I have better quality tools in my arsenal due to buying them when I needed them, but this was just such a good bargain. Now I'll be ready for anything. Until something breaks of course!
Here is what's included: The Plastic Tool Box, Chain Whip, Chain Cleaner, Spline Tools and Wrench, Tyre Repair Kit, Numerous Spanners for all Bike Applications, Allen Key for cranks, 3 Different Sized Spoke Tools, Tyre Leavers, Nylon Brush, Chain Ring Tool, Cable Cutter, Cable Tensioner & 2 x Multitools with Screwdriver ends.
Here is what's included: The Plastic Tool Box, Chain Whip, Chain Cleaner, Spline Tools and Wrench, Tyre Repair Kit, Numerous Spanners for all Bike Applications, Allen Key for cranks, 3 Different Sized Spoke Tools, Tyre Leavers, Nylon Brush, Chain Ring Tool, Cable Cutter, Cable Tensioner & 2 x Multitools with Screwdriver ends.