Tools you can'...
 

  You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more

[Closed] Tools you can't live without

48 Posts
47 Users
0 Reactions
148 Views
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

Does everyone else have one of those little bike tools whose practicality and usefulness far outweigh anything else to make them truly priceless?

I thought I'd lost mine the other day and spent an hour searching before praising the Lord that I had found it

Given to me by the Guys at hope years ago, it's done sterling work ever since, being used every time the bike has gone in the car, saving many a brake pad and opening many a beer, truly a tool of endless memories!

[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:29 pm
Posts: 11402
Free Member
 

external bb bearing extractor and installer.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:34 pm
Posts: 13741
Full Member
 

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:37 pm
Posts: 2180
Free Member
 

http://www.parktool.com/product/mini-chain-brute-chain-tool-ct-5

Tried many other larger units' multi tools etc. This little beaut can be used in the woods, in the dark with confidence and will never spit the pin out into the undergrowth like so many others I have used do.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:39 pm
Posts: 10942
Free Member
 

Yea, that Park mini brute is good.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:44 pm
Posts: 27
Free Member
 

my spam hammer.
called upon irregularly, but never fails to produce regardless of location and conditions. needs an expert hand to get the best out of it though.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:52 pm
Posts: 13330
Full Member
 

My track pump, it's always a pleasure to use compared to wearing myself out using a minipump.
My work stand, make all repairs seem sooo much easier.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 3:55 pm
Posts: 4381
Full Member
 

My ancient Park AWS-9 folding allen key set, had it since I was 17, it just keeps on going.

My late 90's CT-5 chain tool does push it close though.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 4:01 pm
Posts: 65918
Free Member
 

I've got a Thor hammer that I think my grandad stole from the RAF when he demobbed, so i feel it's appropriate that I stole it from him. It's just the perfect size, perfect weight, and nothing makes a handle fit like 70 years of use.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 4:50 pm
Posts: 43345
Full Member
 

5mm Allen key


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 4:51 pm
Posts: 13617
Full Member
 

The Wife


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 4:52 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Park powerlink pliers. No more grazed/cut knuckles or foul language.
Joe Blow track pump. No more tubeless woe or foul language.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 4:56 pm
 FOG
Posts: 2974
Full Member
 

Needlenose pliers. Amazing how any different jobs they make easier


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:02 pm
Posts: 8318
Full Member
 

[img] [/img]

One of these, current off road commute means this highly designed mud dislodger is used more than any other tool I own. I recommend you use someone elses rather than your own as even after washing they can retain a hint of the taste of sheep shit.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:11 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

park allen key sets, cable cutters and ct3 chaintool have been the best long term investments.

More recently however I can't work out how I survived without a set of chain link pliers, £5.99 well spent.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:20 pm
Posts: 7887
Free Member
 

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:22 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Rubber mallet is something that would prove difficult to live without. On a more luxury side it would be my Knipex multi-grip thingy.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:47 pm
 iolo
Posts: 194
Free Member
 

My penis.
I love it.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:50 pm
Posts: 13771
Free Member
 

+1 for the chain link pliers - real "how did I manage without one of these?" moment the first time you use it.

Eastwing hammer - another hammer that was handed down from a previous generation - brilliant thing.

Workstand - man, the amount of hassle saved is phenomenal.

And lately, having acquired a massive shed - the workbench I build myself.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:57 pm
Posts: 6235
Full Member
 

+1 for the Knipex plier-wrench. Been used for all manner of bike and household related jobs since I got it, and it turns out they're a very good set of nut crackers too.

The one tool that seems to keep on going is a no name, round, metal spoke key. Bought in a small bike shop in the Pyrenees when I was 18 - so had it for 21 years! Countless wheels built and trued with it, and it's never skipped a beat 8)

[img] ?v=1398680428[/img]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 5:59 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

iolo - Member

My penis.
I love it.

Yes yes - but is it a multipenis?


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 6:13 pm
Posts: 12507
Free Member
 

Totally manageable without but a starfangled nut installed has to be the most satisfying tool in use.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 6:16 pm
Posts: 2
Free Member
 

My 32 year old Stanley socket set ..........


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 8:07 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Not bike-specific, but:
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 8:17 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Continental tyre levers.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 8:57 pm
Posts: 50252
Free Member
 

I've also got a 20+ year old AWS9. Outstanding.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 9:00 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

That Bahco is a good bit of kit


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 9:17 pm
Posts: 187
Free Member
 

I can't live without my torque wrench... one of those things you never realise how usefel they are until you buy one.

Also, pair of pedro's tyre levers, only ever need one, can't recall ever using 2 and had them numerous years!


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 9:42 pm
Posts: 119
Free Member
 

Leatherman rebar or Thor plastic - rubber hammer and my favourite flat head screw driver


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 9:43 pm
Posts: 4027
Free Member
 

Victrinox Swiss Tool - had it for over a decade and it still looks like new despite being used at least once a day for something.

Its something that was an impulse buy and very expensive at the time but now looks very good value

I also love my track pump which I've had for more than a decade too.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 9:58 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
Topic starter
 

That Bahco is a good bit of kit

You would like my second drawer down:

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 10:03 pm
Posts: 6312
Free Member
 

I've just bought some birzman cable pliers. I'm a convert.

Other than that I have too many to list as I've boxes worth. As I'm motortrade.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 10:09 pm
Posts: 4027
Free Member
 

Jesus - £100+ bahco draw!


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 10:09 pm
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Britain First. They are a group that never fail to make me go WTF!

Oh and powerlink pliers.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 10:13 pm
Posts: 17209
Full Member
 

Good, well-made, high quality 8 and 10 mm ring spanners.
Good cable cutters. A revelation after pliers
External crank preloader. Try fitting Shimano cranks without one.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 10:44 pm
Posts: 20675
 

+1 for track pump and work stand.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 11:21 pm
Posts: 8669
Full Member
 

Headset remover. Just... Love it every time.


 
Posted : 27/01/2015 11:47 pm
Posts: 13240
Free Member
 

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 12:01 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Got a set of those Beta sliding allen keys a while ago and they're luuurvely! Good for spinning! 😀


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 12:49 am
Posts: 0
Full Member
 

For me it would have to be my [url= http://www.parktool.com/product/ratcheting-click-type-torque-wrench-tw-5 ]Park TW-5[/url] torque wrench and [url= http://www.acycles.co.uk/schwalbe-tyre-levers-blue-pack-of-3-1349.html?gclid=CJaVsfrctcMCFWjItAodcF0A6A ]Schwalbe tyre levers[/url].


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 3:18 am
Posts: 17
Free Member
 

Power link pliers, best thing ever invented.


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 4:00 am
Posts: 1975
Free Member
 

Wiha System 6. Work, bike and home. There is very little you cant fettle with a set.


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 6:03 am
Posts: 17915
Full Member
 

Just got myself one of these bad boys.
Got a feeling it's going to be one of those things I didn't know how I managed without before...

[img] [/img]

Already offered to cut a mates carbon bars down. He declined on this occasion...
😀


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 7:42 am
 IA
Posts: 563
Free Member
 

+1 on the Thor soft face hammer.

Perfect for ****ting things you shouldn't be ****ting but just need to.


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 8:28 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Pick & screw driver set, use them most days.

[img] https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTSSIv0gyJkuaIvqnFVBzco8wnOsBwXUQSsat4aRV5biQXblVxX [/img]


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 8:29 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Halfords professional 150 piece tool kit. Used and abused it for 10 years, broke some bits, mainly torx and allen keys but Halfords replace no questions asked.

Torq wrench, Gerber and Pedros tyre levers always get used.


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 10:20 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Mole grips; got many a stuck bolt and other seized things off. Also, a bit of wood and a hammer for inserting press fit BBs and headsets. There's great satisfaction to be gained from having trued a wheel perfectly so my Spokey is a bit of a favourite.


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 10:52 am
Posts: 0
Free Member
 

Proper cable cutters were probably the biggest revelation when starting work as a mechanic. Every since I've been an advocate for proper tools. I say that and I still don't own a torque wrench...

+ another for Park AWS9 and AWS10. Great bits of kit.

Leatherman Sideclip was a godsend while guiding. Absolutely gutted when I lost it somewhere between Tring and Kitzbühel. The newer ones just don't seem to have quite the same balance of practicality and size.


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 11:03 am
Posts: 11884
Full Member
 

I love a decent tool kit, and don't like to bodge or make-do with the wrong implement, but generally you can get by in an emergency with something not quite right.

Except my Multimeter. Nothing that can really replace that. Never really found a bike repair application for it thought.

Oh, and Bahco ring ratcheting spanners are better than shifters all day long. [img] [/img]


 
Posted : 28/01/2015 11:50 am

6 DAYS LEFT
We are currently at 95% of our target!