The show us your tools thread.

[rhinochopig]

The last few years I have gone from buying new bikes to buying frames and then building them. It's more expensive typically, but a lot more fun, and the end result is unique to you.

I've always struggled through with home made tools or innovative uses of existing tools. Last year / this year I've had enough so I decided to gradually invest in some proper kit as I needed it. Never has the adage 'the right tools for the job' been more right when it comes to bike building.

So my new acquisitions comprise the following:

Headset removal tool - two bangs and the cups are out. No more faffing with a screwdriver inside the head tube or between the head tube and the frame.


Mech hanger alignment tool. These are really easy to make, but I just don't have the time, and it beats tweaking by eye.



Headset press. Sooooooo much quicker than doing it the incorrect way. Marvellous invention worth every penny.



So chaps, show us your tools!

[tuffer]

I want a bike stand but don't want to spend c£100......Any ideas?

[rhinochopig]

Decathlon used to do a very cheap ~ 50-60 quid bike stand which is brilliant. Two big legs, adjustable height and a big padded clamp, and a red plastic tray on the vertical post for keeping bolts etc in.

ETA This is it http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/showpart.asp?part=BO...

Edited by rhinochopig on Wednesday 15th February 10:55

[StoatInACoat]

I want that mech hanger alignment tool! The HOURS of my life I have wasted on the little dangly bastids!

[rhinochopig]

StoatInACoat said:

I want that mech hanger alignment tool! The HOURS of my life I have wasted on the little dangly bastids!

I looked at it this way. They're 50 quid, a mech hanger is 10-20 quid and I must kill one a year. Also even when new they're never perfect. So in two to three years it will have paid for itself.

I totally share you sentiment though. The hours I'm spent trying to index gears after bending a hanger in an off/bike falling over.

[Rouleur]

tuffer said:

I want a bike stand but don't want to spend c£100......Any ideas?

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Workstands-Bike-Tool-Aluminium-Workstand/BIKEWORK200000000000

These are great

[tuffer]

^^^^ Ta

[Sam the Mut]

rhinochopig said:

Headset press. Sooooooo much quicker than doing it the incorrect way. Marvellous invention worth every penny.



So chaps, show us your tools!

Just had to change a headset made both of them tool, worked really well and saved a fair few beer tokens

[aspender]

Park PRS 20 as it comes:



and in use:

[caiss4]

tuffer said:

I want a bike stand but don't want to spend c£100......Any ideas?

Clas Ohlson do a good stand. Folds down and is portable too. I got mine last Summer £45 with a £10 discount voucher. Problem is that current stock is £75 or £70 on-line. Link http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?i...

[rhinochopig]

This tool added to the collection



Used once and it damaged the race and one of the bolts seized. So it's going back.

I think I'll get the park version as that has a puller element too.

At this rate I might open my own bike repair shop.

[itsnotarace]

Thanks to Merlin cycles 15% off sale prices I have just added a Park CT4.2 master chain tool http://www.parktool.com/product/master-chain-tool-... and a TW2 3/8ths Torque Wrench http://www.parktool.com/product/torque-wrench-tw-2 for about £80

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Search/park

PARK15 at the checkout

[rhinochopig]

Just ordered the CRP1 - Universal Crown Race Puller. Cheapest I found it was - and I was utterly stunned given their rep for motorsport parts - demontweeks (or an off-shoot of them, tweekscycles)

108 quid inc delivery - it's 200+ at a lot of places.



Thanks for the heads-up INAR; sadly they didn't stock this tool.