Kid#2 needs tools

Time to buy kid#2 some tools. He's off on his own at school, doesn't really have anything, and just bought a bike. 

Seems like modern bikes are all torx and metric allen. My plan was to get a full set of both of those from Wera, a set of Knipex Cobra pliers and Pliers Wrench, a multi bit driver with a handful of bits, and a needlenose with a wire cutter. That should get him started. My question to you guys, is what am I missing? The plan was to add a code reader and wrenches/sockets later when he gets a car. 

English wheel, couple kinds of welders, shrinker stretcher, shear, brake, lift, tube bender, milling machine, belt sander, bandsaw....

I could go on.....

Pete

That plan makes sense. Add tools as they are needed. That's how I've been getting mine.

Don't forget to get a tool box, or tool bag, to keep this new collection of tools collected together and easy to store.

pedros or park make good bike specific tool kits

https://pedros.com/products/tools/tool-kits-and-sets/starter-tool-kit/

Seems like some kind of stand would be sta-handy.

No clue, haven't ridden a bike in close to 20 years, and when I did the extent of any repairs were inner tubes and WD40 on the chain.

Here's a bunch of repair stands though.

 

In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :

i'm a nerd with bike tools. what kinda bike does he have?

made in the usa, that's a plus

yes, you will 70% of those one time or another

heres a whole set only downside these is that those fold out Allens are hard to use.

you will need philips as well

and torx

edit: don't forget a cheap stand off of amazon

We're talking bicycles, yes? Park Tools. There are a bunch of clever multitools that will make your life easier. Metric allens are not optional, if in doubt it's a 5mm.

A cable fourth hand tool is really useful especially if the bike has cable actuated brakes.

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

He has a Kona something or another 27.5 with just a 12 (I think) rear casette and a single front. Eventually he would like a more downhillish bike but this was in his price range for now and he's happy and up to shenanigans with it. I'm just happy that he's getting out and doing things. 

For a good comprehensive list.  I wrench on bikes several times a week just for the lulz.  Keep a pretty decent fleet on the road and on the trails and wont pay a shop to do anything.

• Set of T handle metric allens
• Set of T handle torx
• Set of metric allens in a plastic holder
• Set of metric allen bits for a 3/8 socket
• Set of torx bits for a 1/4 socket
• 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets
• 3/8 and 1/4 extensions
• Inch/lbs torque wrench 
• Ft/lbs torque wrench
• Tape measure that reads english and metric
• Sharp wire cutter
• Pick set
• Small soft faced deadblow hammer
• Flat blade screwdriver
• #2 Phillips
• Metric tap and die set
• 12" Crescent wrench
• 6" Crescent wrench

Only special bike tools I have are Park, and you really only need a few "generic" specialized bike tools.  Everything else can be bought or borrowed as needed.  No sense paying the juice on standard Park hand tools which are nothing that special.

The proprietary bike tools I have that there is a real cost/benefit and there is no substitute

• Chain Whip
• Pedal Wrench
• Tire Levers
• Pump
• Cassette Tool
• Chain Breaker
• Spoke wrench

Stuff like cone wrenches are hardly used any more with modern hubs and thru axles, bottom bracket tools are all very specific to a specific bike so no point buying them till you need them, and "specialty" bike allens are more cumbersome than valuable in most situations.   You can go down a rabbit hole pretty fast, I have a truing stand, spoke tension gage, a bunch of different bottom bracket drivers and installer tools, brake bleeding kits, frame straigtening and measuring tools, etc etc etc.  

I also have a gram scale, its fun to weigh parts and make stuff lighter if you are a weight weenie.  

Lastly for a stand I recommend the Feedback Sports Pro Elite.  Buy once cry once.  Dont clamp on the top tube....

mazdeuce - Seth said:

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

He has a Kona something or another 27.5 with just a 12 (I think) rear casette and a single front. Eventually he would like a more downhillish bike but this was in his price range for now and he's happy and up to shenanigans with it. I'm just happy that he's getting out and doing things. 

any pics? kona is my go to brand right now

Okay, I've got a little more time. I used to be a paid bike tech back in the day, now I'm unpaid. The kids these days have hydraulic brakes and stuff :)

The tools I use 99% of the time:

Metric allens
Phillips (or preferably JIC) screwdrivers
Fourth hand tool
Cable cutter
Chain breaker
Spoke wrench
Chain lube
Tire levers
Cassette tool (mostly only used when I'm building wheels or replacing spokes)
I don't think any of my bikes have Torx, but if this one does obviously you'll need it.

Some of these show up in the various multitools. I think I have a Crank Brothers one in my riding pack. Having a chain breaker on the trail can be a lifesaver.

My older bikes need a few different tools like a 15mm wrench to remove the pedals, cone wrenches and various things to adjust headsets. I also build my own wheels so I have that kind of stuff. But as long as the bike is newer than the kid that shouldn't be necessary.

You can do pretty much anything without a stand, honestly. I didn't have one at home for the first couple of decades. Just flip that thing over.

In reply to 93gsxturbo :

That's a fantastic list. Many thanks. 

In reply to Keith Tanner :

i think if you have disc breaks (i.e. 6 bolt) they come with torx bolts. maybe its just mine but idk

In reply to Keith Tanner :

Thanks, I alwasy forget about the chain breaker. I'm probalby going to let him grab his own trail/pocket tools. Once he knows what he needs it should be easy. 

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

No pics but I checked through my emails and it's a Kona Blast. It will be interesting to see how he learns about hydraulic brakes. I've never ridden a bike that has them. 

mazdeuce - Seth said:

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

No pics but I checked through my emails and it's a Kona Blast.

I think I had one of those at Disney World.

Be aware there's more than one type of chain breaker and using the wrong one can damage a chain.

Dieselboss15 said:

In reply to Keith Tanner :

i think if you have disc breaks (i.e. 6 bolt) they come with torx bolts. maybe its just mine but idk

Could be. I haven't pulled one for a while.

In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :

I have a Kona lava dome. Whish I had ponyed up for the blast. Good bike. 

mazdeuce - Seth said:

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

No pics but I checked through my emails and it's a Kona Blast. It will be interesting to see how he learns about hydraulic brakes. I've never ridden a bike that has them. 

oof. i feel for you. riding hydro brakes than mechanical actually scared the E63M3 outta me. he has a great beginner bike for really getting into real mtb

In reply to Dieselboss15 :

I love the hydro brakes on my 29er,  such a much smoother system.   

Sidenote,  panic grabbing them will pull the backend up higher than anticipated.

In reply to Grtechguy :

yup lol. or riding down a hill with one hand and using them can also do that. 

I've never actually ridden a bike with disks of any sort. My last new bike was right at the cusp where frames came with mounts for rim brakes or disks. I'm looking forward to taking the kids bike for a spin at some point. 

Thanks for the recommendations everyone, time to tool shop!

In reply to mazdeuce - Seth :

watch out. they're touchy if you ae used to riding mechanical brakes

All the kids are riding with PowerLink chains these days (or something similar).

In theory, you can remove and replace them without tools, but sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's impossible. A pair of chain pliers will ensure that it's always easy.