So following on from the 'Lets see your tool boxes' thread, what are the essentials to put in one.
I'm looking to make up a separate bike specific tool box to separate all my tools out as my huge box is a PITA to sort through.
So, thinking it should have:
Hex keys
Torx keys
Screwdrivers
Cable cutters
Pliers
BB tool
Torque wrench & bits
Spanner for brake fittings
Cassette tool
Tape measure
Chain checker
Chain splitter
Hacksaw
Cutting guide
Strap wrench
26mm Flat socket
Picks
Circlip Pliers
Quick link pliers
Possibly pop these in if there's enough room:
Small Tyre sealant
Small Brake fluid & syringe
Chain lube
Anything else I should include?
Chain whip - cassette tool ain't much use without it.
Pedal spanner - depends on your pedals, I've some that don't have a hex socket to the inside of the crank arm.
Rotor tool
Torque wrench - depends on your bike, probably best if you've a carbon frame and/or bars.
Grease and Copper Ease, possibly carbon paste. Unless you regard them as separate but in the same area of things to grab when you grab your toolbox for a weekend away...
It's a slippery slope of what counts as spares and live outside, but my toolbox always has a couple of gear inners and a few feet of outer along with some ferules.
Waterpump type pliers often prove useful.
SPD bearing collar tool?
Oh, and one of those hatefull wonky bits of metal for when a chainring bolt back half is more inclined to grip the front half of the nut than stay still in the chainring.
Ooops re chain whip lol
Thought there was something missing lol
Rubber mallet
Big adjustable spanner
Shock pump
I've only got stuff that fits mine or my girlfriends bike. I don't even carry an 8mm allen key.
Also I've got 2 of these top cap spanners instead of a big heavy socket and wrench.
Gloves.
Selection of microfiber cloths.
Selection of zip ties.
Bulk buy cable ferrules and end caps.
Clean bucket/pan for collecting drips and fluids.
Why a big adjustable spanner?
Having just tried to change the bb on my Arkose this afternoon,I would add a stupid pointless plastic adapter which allows the use of your existing bb tool with the new stupid pointlessly smaller bb. Oh and Merlin XT Bbs dont come with one so you'll need one to finish the job which you cant do when you haven't got one.
Can you tell I'm irritated!
Why a big adjustable spanner?
To turn the cassette lockring / BB tools if nothing else.
What's the use case? Are you some sort of weirdo who just has one bike or have you XC bike / gnarpoon / road / cheap commuter / kids bikes to maintain too? Are you the mechanical one who usually has the toolkit when meeting your mates? Variations on BB tools, crank extractors and so on are probably needed if so.
Good point - no point if I haven't got a spanner for them.....
It's mainly for my own use and just to keep all my bike specific tools in one place.
Also handy to throw in the car for days/weekends.
And usually someone will need something out of it at one point in the day/weekend.
Lots of tyre levers. Did you include crank extractor, ISIS spline tool and holotech bb and crank spanner.
Also cone spanners and some ball bearings. Outer cable cutters? Brake bleed stuff. Spoke key and weird nipple screwdriver.
All our main tools are in an Aldi tool bag, enough compartments inside and out for everything. It sits on a shelf in the garage for easy access and can be transferred to the camper so We have every thing to hand
Bottle opener, most important.
