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My grandfather passed away at the end of last year and I've been told I have some money coming to me that needs to be spent on something that I will use but will also remind me of him. He was a touch mechanically-minded so I'm figuring a full toolkit would be a good thing to go for - I've got a fair amount of tools just now but most are showing signs of age and not quite as good as they used to be (mainly due to my toolkit starting at the age of 14 and I didn't really look after the tools as a kid!). So I reckon a toolkit would be the answer and I've got it down to 2 kits - Pedros MTK 3 - seems to have everything I'm likely to need for my existing bikes and comes in a box OR the Bench in a Box toolkit - no box but does have all the tools and then some. Only thing missing from that would be a headset press (at present I'm not needing a vice as brute strength and ignorance seem to do just as good a job).
Out the 2 which would be better? Money isn't an object (well it is but both are within budget) - the Bench in a Box probably has a lot more tools than I'm likely to actually need, the MTK probably has everything I'm likely to need but comparing it to the Bench in a Box, it feels like it is lacking somehow...
Also, I'm looking at a new set of wheels but not sure of which ones...I can get my hands on some DT Dwiss EX1750's (which might look too much on my Marin Mount Vision in white!) or a set of Crank Brother Cobalt wheels (Black and Gold) - I know the DT's are very good but the Cobalt's look slightly different but are they strong and durable like the DT's - I'm not a heavy rider but I'm not light either...I'm wanting strong wheels and both of these wheelsets weigh about the same...priced not that differently and both can be converted to run 15QR (which I need).
The wheels are likely to be bundled in with my grandfather's money - so I'm intending on keeping the wheels for as long as I physically can as well.
Sentiment aside, I would appreciate your thought sas I'm slightly stuck.
Good God!
I'm used to buying automotive tools with lifetime guarantees, and that kit looks seriously, seriously overpriced. My advice would be to buy a selection of tools from different makers.
Halfords do a good range of tools called "Professional" which have lifetime guarantees. They tend to replace stuff even when it's fairly obviously been abused with a lump hammer. I'd go there for a set of combination spanners, screwdrivers and allen keys. All Halfords stuff eventually goes on offer - they're like Dell - only buy the stuff that's on a deal.
If you want a torque wrench and socket set, Sealey often has good offers - £20 for a 3/8th socket set, and mine's stood up to abuse for several years. Norbar make good torque wrenches (often on ebay at good prices), but I've always relied on feel without any ill effects.
Knipex make the best wire cutters I've ever had. Get long handled ones if you can - bike cable housings are damned tough. A dremel is far easier for cutting housing, and makes a cleaner cut.
A lot of the bike specific tools are pap - big spanners cut out of sheet steel. They're up to the job, because most bike jobs do not require brute force at all (worst I can think of is undoing old pedals, for which you crack out the proper spanners). But they're not worth spending big money on - buy one of the tool kits that Parker International sell or wait for the same thing to come into Aldi / Lidl for £20. FWIW a lot of Park tools appear to be made by Bondhus, who also offer a lifetime warranty.
Then buy any specific tools you're lacking seperately - I reckon you'd be short of a Hollowtech crank extractor and some sockets for modern bottom brackets, but that'd be about it.
Then buy a nice toolbox - £20 for a plastic one, £60 for a steel one with drawers.
And you'll most likely still have £300 in your pocket. Until you decide you want a workstand, which I definitely would with that kind of budget.
Cheers for that...wasn't quite what I was looking for but makes a lot of sense and has a lot of useful info...my investigations will continue...still liking the look of the Pedros stuff though...but I can see what you mean about price...other avenues to go explore now.
I for once agrees with the man that makes vans look like toy.