Pinkbike Poll: Which Tools Do You Own?

Oct 14, 2022
by Seb Stott  
Unior Tools Factory


As home mechanics, we've never had it so good. For almost any task you can find detailed instructions online from manufacturers and amateurs, in written or video format. But so often these instructions call for specific tools which the average rider might not own.

Adjusting the position of your carbon bars? You'll want a torque wrench for that. Changing a volume spacer in your shock? That usually requires a strap wrench, a tool that neither my local hardware shop nor bike shop sells.

Of course, you can often do these jobs without the proper tools (a pair of stout gloves or an inner tube can be used to remove a shock's air can, for example), but doing so can be tricky at best and risky at worst. As a result, official manufacturers' instructions rarely acknowledge any way of doing the job without the ideal tools.

Given some of these tools aren't cheap, can be hard to find and are often only needed once or twice, I'm sure I'm not the only one who's been forced to improvise or admit defeat on more than one occasion. It seems to me that bike designers and product managers could be doing more to make bikes easier to work on with the basic tools almost every rider owns.

So, which tools are in your toolbox?

Which tools do you own?



Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Polls


Author Info:
seb-stott avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2014
299 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64525 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
46363 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44365 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
44238 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39444 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38089 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38081 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37151 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

256 Comments
  • 585 3
 After seeing Jack Moir repair his rim with a rock, I threw out all my tools and just use a rock for everything.
  • 284 0
 I'm waiting for Park Tool to release their branded blue rock so I can whack my bike with the best the industry can provide.
  • 251 1
 @HankHank:
Park Tool RCK-1
  • 36 1
 But do you have all the various size of rocks for the specific components day each need to address? And are your rocks Park tool blue , Abbey green, Pedro's yellow?
  • 39 0
 Yep. And all Sam Pilgrim needs is the concrete to de-burr his freshly cut steerer tubes.
  • 5 3
 @jalopyj: *Approved by Jesus
  • 9 0
 @ct0413: His bike builds/repairs are wild.
  • 6 1
 @jalopyj: I heard they are coming out with a package deal, you get the dummy fork and rock for $399.99.
  • 8 0
 @HankHank: Park Tool Blue Ball BB-1 for rough rides…….
  • 19 1
 @HankHank: I can do you a good deal.

www.pinkbike.com/photo/23547697
  • 4 0
 @HankHank: retail price is $225.
  • 5 0
 They forgot the patented Sam Pilgrim curb for sanding fresh cuts
  • 8 0
 @poleczechy: That's for the Home Mechanic edition. I think the Pro version is $895 and includes a power-operated lift to meet OSHA lifting requirements in shops.
  • 4 1
 Never forget the SPK-1 exists.
  • 2 0
 @HankHank: The Big Blue Rock of Bicycle Repairs
  • 5 0
 I'll wait for the yellow Pedros Rock that's half the price and works just as well.
  • 7 0
 @HankHank: Only plebs would be caught using a blue rock. Abbey rocks or gtfo.
  • 3 1
 @st-lupo: I had to Google this.... I need this!! Big Grin
  • 2 0
 You may need a bigger headtube to squeeze it into.
  • 2 0
 Smooth rocks for precision work
  • 3 0
 I used a small pyramid shaped rock as an Allen key once to tighten chainring bolts. Worked awesome couldn't believe it
  • 4 0
 Reject modernity, embrace rock
  • 9 0
 The definition of a BMX bike is: If a hammer is the correct tool to fix your bike, you have a BMX bike. My dad's old Volvo was a BMX bike.
  • 1 0
 @KK11: Isn't the BB-1 for when you haven't ridden in awhile?
  • 1 0
 Rock n Roll
  • 1 0
 @HankHank: It'll be $89
  • 4 0
 "Good ol' rock - nothin' beats rock!"
  • 1 0
 Yea Pedro’s stuff Rocks. err
They’re great@iamamodel:
  • 3 0
 @bman33: I have the wera color coded rock set!
  • 2 1
 @mikemax99: you are doing it right sir. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Tools, hmpf, I only need 2
m.pinkbike.com/photo/23552141
  • 2 0
 @HankHank: I’m just waiting for the kashima coat rock for extra strength
  • 1 0
 @HankHank: and of course, they’ll produce rocks in different sizes, too.
  • 1 0
 Pffft. Truing a wheel to rideable with a rock is basic McGivery. Try repairing a broken chain with a rock in a swamp full of mosquitoes.
  • 1 0
 @mgrantorser: it's Canada, when aren't there mosquitoes.
  • 137 1
 Add: Various wrenches/spanners/sockets for lockrings & bottom brackets (Shimano, Sram, RF, Wheels mfg), bleed kits for both DOT and mineral brakes, suspension fork cap/component removal/service tools.

I swear every time I add a new bike to the collection, I have to buy at least a few more specialty tools just to service it.
That said, in the long run, if you do your own work, tools will always be vastly cheaper than paying for service.
  • 60 0
 That, and on a Saturday night, if you need to fix something, you aren't reliant on a shop to get a ride in Sunday.
  • 25 0
 *laughs in Fox X2 tool set*
So many specialty tools for servicing a single shock
  • 9 0
 @nickfranko: lol. Looking up the service instructions made me decide I'll get it serviced at 125hr then just sell it
  • 33 0
 Yeah, after filling out the poll I was like: "Well that is the top tray in my toolbox, what about the rest?"
  • 18 0
 @st-lupo: yeah, my fridge is a very important part of repairing bikes too.
  • 7 1
 @mechatronicjf: You service your shocks?
  • 7 0
 I have, I believe, 5 different bottom bracket tools.
  • 14 0
 @mechatronicjf: $45 for rebuild kit, $30ish for oil (granted, this will last a few rebuilds), $80-100ish in tools if you're frugal, plus the fun of manually bleeding the oil with a glove. Oh, and not all of the tools carry over between X2 generations, so if you buy the 2020+ model you need to rebuy the clamp and such. If they decided to go to a 12.5mm shaft on the next gen like they did on the new X, that's yet another set of tools.

And the icing on the cake: with how high modern leverage ratios are plus yoke designs they sometimes don't even last a full season. Meanwhile, I rebuild my Rockshox shock with a single $9 air adapter, some $5 oil, a crescent wrench, and a strap wrench.
  • 3 0
 @wobblegoblin: I have a bunch of random BB tools that I bought on ebay, but were misidentified and weren't the size I needed. Does that count?

The poor man pays twice, as they say. Or even several times...
  • 7 0
 @mechatronicjf: if you make it to 125 hours...
  • 8 0
 @nickfranko: wish I could upvote this more. Rockshox FTW. All the manuals, rebuild tools and parts available aftermarket.
  • 14 0
 @p0rtal00: I've also found it's plenty helpful to have two tap sets when working on the bike. One tap to re-thread a stripped out bolt-hole, and the second tap to fill a glass with chill-juice to keep me from blowing a gasket over stripping out a bolt-hole.
  • 7 0
 @mechatronicjf: spoiler alert: it's not going to make it.to 125 hours.
  • 1 0
 @p0rtal00: word.
  • 4 0
 @dkidd: you're right. I rebuild all my RS fork and shocks with minimal specific tools needed (and when needed, they are not very expensive).
And the documentation is very well made, cant really do anything wrong if you follow the manual.
Plus services intervals are around 200h instead of 125h for Fox. At the end you save a lot of money over the years.
  • 1 0
 @dancingwithmyself: @zanda23 I've heard. Another reason I'll be getting getting something different
  • 1 0
 Yeah, there is a good lot more than what's mentioned in the list. But there is also quite some for which I see no point having. A headset press? Isn't that just a one-time job (per frame) unless the headset doesn't survive a full season or the frame is so soft that it ovalizes and needs regular reaming. But otherwise, I don't see the point. Same for a full set of torx tools. I need T25 for quite a few brake bolts and for my (pre 2010 Magura) reservoir caps I need a very small torx tool. But a full set of torx tools is overkill for the bike.

And yeah, there is a lot of bike/component specific stuff out there. I'd consider that part of the product. You buy the product, you're also going to buy the tools you need service it.
  • 2 1
 @boozed: The poorer man uses tools he already has lying around. Porsche wheel bearing press? Doubles as a headset press remarkably well
  • 1 0
 I think that is the intention.. I have stuff arriving all the time, just so I can fix things.. endless....
  • 1 0
 Now if only someone made a tool that could remove a DTSwiss hub lockring that didn't require 8k nm, a 2x4 and likely blowing up my rim or spokes lol.
  • 1 0
 @Svinyard: How is removing a lockring difficult? It isn't subject to a lot of force (it just needs to keep the sprockets in place) so it shouldn't be super tight in the first place. I never had issues with a lockring remover and a regular chainwhip.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Lol dude, it’s insane. The hub lockring to get at the hub bearings. You are talking about the cassette lockring.

That damn DTSwiss hub lockring tightens every time my 200lbs pedals it. I didn’t service it for 2+ years and will now have to literally send the hub (likely disassemble the wheel) back to DTSwiss so they can do whatever it is they do. Plenty of people have broken thick steel adapters. There is a way to do with a 4ft+ 2x4 and straps etc but you risk destroying your wheel with so much torque. My Uber bike shop gave it back to me and said they weren’t comfortable reefing on such a nice hub.
  • 1 0
 @Svinyard: Ah, seems like I don't know what you're talking about. I have built a wheel around a DT 350 Hybrid hub (just because I wanted a steel freehub body, I don't have pedal assist) but I haven't yet tried to reach the bearings, just looked at their ratchet system. Wasn't aware there is another lockring somewhere.
  • 83 2
 Bikes have a built in trueing stand. It's called spinning the wheel in the frame, closing one eye, and seeing where the tire rubs the chain stay.
  • 40 2
 strap a zip tie to each side and cut them to the right length and boom. also does less damage to your fancy carbon rim than the metal pieces on a fancy park tool stand.
  • 5 1
 @adrennan: Genius, I have not heard of that one before.
  • 18 0
 @adrennan: I think you're doing it wrong...the idea of a truing stand is to NOT let the metal guides touch the fancy carbon rim Wink

Also, where did your rubber boots go?
  • 4 0
 Yes. That’s why the only tool listed in the poll that I don’t own is a trueing stand.
  • 1 0
 I have recently experienced working with both one day apart. Truing stand is much more comfortable to use, but it's probably not worth the cost for a typical cyclist. Still don't regret the purchase, but next time I will be building a wheelset will be 10 years later.
  • 5 0
 @jenksy: that is assuming your fancy rim isn't comically out of true lol
  • 2 1
 @jenksy: also the last time i used a egit truing stand was in the college bike shop that had very much lost its rubbers. probably should have sent it by the health center to pick up some new ones Wink
  • 9 4
 This Summer I visited my old LBS in Croatia because my front wheel was a bit out of true.

He didn't even try to put it on a truing stand. He said it's just for roadies and xc crowd and that wheels on enduro bike shouldn't even be 100% straight. That it would be unholy.
So, a hand on the fork leg and his thumb did the job. At least 99% of it. As it should be..
  • 1 0
 @adrennan: Park Tool stands have covers on the calipers, and if you're running an old TS-2 you can upgrade the calipers for $15. But, the zip tie trick works, too. It's even better with a set of reusable zip ties, that way you don't have to struggle to cut them off.
  • 1 0
 @nickfranko: Klein flush cutters. Best $8 you'll ever spend, and never worry about cutting zip ties (either the ends or removing them) again.
  • 2 0
 @adrennan: If your trueing stand has metal touching the rim,its not very fancy..
  • 2 0
 @radarr: BRO....so your telling me I need a special tool for...wait for it...cutting Zip Ties. Lol. This is the most "I'm a bike mechanic" thing I've ever heard. I just looked looked them up on Amazon. About 13$. I'm probably buying some now...
  • 1 0
 @Svinyard: I have some housing cutters that I use for snipping zip ties, but that's just because that is what I have. if you ever change your own cable and housing, housing cutters are nearly essential.
  • 1 0
 @adrennan: yeah I love those things. I have some Pedro’s and they are amazing
  • 61 0
 I own enough tools to botch a wide assortment of repairs or maintenance I set out to accomplish. If any "hack" is going to do the job wrong on my bike, I like that hack to be me.
  • 6 0
 I like to send with the confidence of knowing that my bike has been maintained by my trustworthy self, after I've had enough cold beers to quench my thirst after a ride of course.
  • 29 0
 My headset and bearing press is homemade out of threaded rod, washers and milled Delrin plastic. Your list doesn't include a star nut setter, which I finally broke down and bought after some dicey attempts at installing a nut without one back in the early 2000's. I have a hacksaw, but I have no need to cut carbon at the moment. Also, you didn't specify if I knew where all of the Allen and Torx keys were at the moment. The whole set is in there somewhere... I think.
  • 18 0
 Also missing from the list: brake bleeding kits, BB- and cassette removal tools, internal cable routing kit, deburring tool, picks, spanners, FH tools, spoke wrenches, tire levers, chain whip, and most importantly - brushes and sponges!
  • 4 0
 Upvote because I just spent 45mins tring to install a star fangled nut straight.
  • 2 0
 @woofer2609: Star nut setting tool was one of the best investments I’ve made. Saves a lot of anger and cursing.
  • 3 0
 @mrosie: I think a better investment is a Oneup tap. Screw a star nut.
  • 3 0
 ive been pressing all my bearings and headset cupswith a big'ol vice for ages.
  • 1 0
 @txcx166: I love me some OneUp tools, I carry the edc in their small pump, but I can’t stand that preload system. What a PITA!
  • 3 0
 Stick the bearing cups in the freezer for 10 minutes. Then install them before they warm up. They pretty much fall in.
  • 2 1
 Why would you possibly need a star nut setter.

Put an Allen key through it. Hit Allen key with hand/rock/hammer until star nut at appropriate height. If it's a t handle, it sets the height for you.
  • 3 0
 @continuity: If you’ve done this and it went in straight without difficulty, I’m happy for you. I’ve used this exact method (t-handle with a deadblow) and it’s not as easy as you’re making it sound.

There’s a reason these types of tools exist. Sure you CAN set a star nut with an Allen wrench, just like you CAN cut brake cables with a box cutter, but once you’ve tried the specialty tools and made your life way easier, you won’t mind shelling out 20 bucks for the privilege. Just my experience.
  • 15 0
 Doesn't matter which tool I own, you can be sure when I need it one of my two teenage sons will have taken it and not put it back.
  • 16 2
 The Best Mechanics require the least tools. True Bike Wizards can perform all of those functions with just a Deadblow Hammer.
  • 31 0
 "When the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems become a nail."
  • 7 0
 @woofer2609: And when you ask yourself whether you did it correctly, you can always tell yourself that you nailed it.
  • 9 0
 Does a diy headset press count? A length of threaded rod, some scraps of timber, nuts and washers = headset press for a few bucks.

Also have a length of pipe for setting crown races. A puller would be nice, but going gently with a screwdriver and a hammer will also do the trick (might scuff up the very top of the crowns though)
  • 4 0
 I’ve only ever used my threaded rod for the headset and a hammer/screwdriver for my race with zero issues.
  • 8 0
 My favourite DIY headset install was with a phone book* and a claw hammer. Also, if you're careful you can cut your crown race before installing and you won't need a race setter or removal tool. A few companies ship their headsets with cut crowns [Hope?], which is where I got the idea. Works great as long as you line up the cut to the side instead of fore/aft.

*A phone book is an old-school hard copy contact list for a specific geographical area, with a basic version that lists land line numbers for residents and companies in alphabetical order, and a yellow version that primarily lists businesses and allows for advertising.
  • 3 0
 That is fancier than my headset press. It consists of two pieces of 4x4 wood, some grease and two mallets (one metal and one rubber).
  • 1 0
 You can gradually wedge razor blades under a crown race to remove it. My buddy tkolbo has a video on YouTube. I got it done with just the handful I had stored in my exacto knife.
  • 4 0
 A piece of 1.5 inch PVC pipe works perfectly for setting crown races and only costs a couple bucks at the hardware store
  • 2 0
 @chize: I used a 1.5" hole saw that I already owned, and a chunk of 4" x 4" lumber from my scrap pile, to make a crown race setter. Smack the fork upside down into the block of wood sat over the jaws of a bench vise, with the fork steerer going between the jaws.
  • 2 0
 @chize: and it has the added benefit of being softer than anything else you'll hit with it.
  • 10 0
 A Park DAG was a game changer for me. I use it way more often than I'd use any kind of press. Top two tool investments for me were a bike range toque wrench and the DAG.
  • 2 0
 Agree 100% with the Park DAG.
  • 4 0
 Bought a cheap Amazon version. Won't stay put, all loosey-goosey. Wish I'd splashed for the DAG
  • 1 0
 I realigned my hanger after skinnies practice with the QR axle screw-in trick. Worked just about perfectly.
  • 3 0
 DAG is my all time favourite tool hands down. It's like giving your derailleur an exorcism.
  • 2 0
 @mountainsofsussex: I'm cheap, but coughed up the coins for a park one after way too much research. Also it was 30% off when I finally pulled the trigger.

With an eagle drivetrain I swear it's a necessity. The mech hangs out the side so far and it's super picky about being straight. I'm pretty certain my Norco hanger was made out of Kraft singles with a coat of black paint.

So far my 12 speed xt seems a lot easier to keep smooth, but it's tucked in further and I haven't got any good bashes in yet.
  • 1 0
 Gotta be honest I just use the wolf tooth one but just the main part and align by eye. Pretty much just a long stick attached to the hanger but I find it works better than the the park tool aligner. Anyone know of an even longer stick with derailleur threads? Tempted to have someone weld something.
  • 2 0
 @eh-steve: I did spend far too long trying to get the hanger straight as I could not get decent shifting. Figured the GX mech was actually just all worn out - replaced it with SLX for a SRAMano hybrid, and it now shifts beautifully
  • 2 0
 @mountainsofsussex: the GX eagle derailleur really needs an XO1 b bolt kit to tighten it up. Same with NX of course
  • 4 0
 @mountainsofsussex: I had a cheaper one from Cyclospirit that I got from Amazon on the recommendation of Hardtail Party. It worked okay.

I upgraded to the Abby HAG though and it's amazing to use. It's a rare tool that makes an often annoying task into something I now look forward to. It's so well made that it's just fun to use. I used to only check the hanger if it looked really bad, but now basically every time mine or a friend's bike has imperfect shifting it's the first thing I check.
  • 2 0
 @nowthatsdoomage: What is this magic trick of which you speak?
  • 4 0
 @andyw101: A QR axle (not the skewer) is the same size bolt as a derailleur, so you can screw a wheel into your hanger and get an ok realignment using the wheel as leverage. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnwreRrorIA
  • 1 0
 @CFR94: Thanks for the advice. GX was fine when new, but got increasingly finicky. I'd never heard of this hack/fix, so I think I'll pop the old der back on and see if that's where the wobbling is coming from. SLX is working nicely, but much noisier over impacts than GX, so I'm half tempted to go back if it works
  • 3 0
 @mountainsofsussex: Yup. Plus you’ll get that cage lock back and a clutch that doesn’t need to be serviced.
  • 2 0
 @nowthatsdoomage: Thanks for the tip
  • 3 0
 @CFR94: Lack of a cage lock drives me nuts. I'm ok with servicing a clutch, but no cage lock is awful.
  • 1 0
 Abbey
  • 7 1
 I learnt the hard way that, with the current trend of shaving weight here and there, a torque wrench is almost mandatory. You don't need a specific superpump if you have strong arms and fingers, so I got myself one. Game changer.
  • 4 1
 I just under torque everything!
  • 21 0
 I use a back-yard mechanic's torque wrench, tighten until it strips then back off a quarter turn.
  • 5 1
 torque wrenches are for people who ride bikes made of plastic.
  • 1 0
 @bb8: or 'tighten til it goes soft and never touch again'
  • 5 1
 Everything except suspension Bleeders and a Truing stand. From Oiling a chain to Servicing my suspension is all done at home - The best part is, Friends Get me to do their bikes and suspension and I get a small fee for it - It's Cheaper for them and they dont have to wait for the 23-60 year old pinkbiker whos got up to 40 years of working on old bikes experience to still f it up.
  • 13 0
 "My LBS mechanic knows what he's doing", well I'm sorry to inform you that your brakes still need to be bled correctly.
  • 10 0
 This is the way Smile

My mate is a heating Engineer. When he turns up and asks if my boiler needs a service I know his forks need work. I do his bike while he fixes my bike. An awesome trade!
  • 6 0
 @Brave1i1toaster: I do get a little tired of bleeding Sram brakes that have apparently been "bled by a professional"

LBS mechanics dont get paid enough to care haha
  • 3 0
 Ugg- especially not in the "taperbore" era of Sram brakes... nobody was paid enough to care to properly bleed those things.
  • 3 0
 @diggery : Replying to myself - that should, of course, say "while he fixes my house"!
  • 4 0
 I needed to swap out a cassette the other day, the chain whip broke in my hand as the chain on it was so rusty. It took me a much much longer to fix it (finding an old 9speed quick link) than the actual bike fix... I also have a spoke tensioner that is 100% guaranteed to ruin every nipple it comes in contact with...

So yeah, I have tools, but they ain't pretty.
  • 4 0
 It's far more satisfying and usually more cost-effective to buy the tools you need to fix your bike than to pay someone else to do it. I am more motivated to take the time to do the job correctly than any bike shop mechanic is. It's usually much quicker and less hassle too.
  • 4 0
 When you've reached the stage of frame alignment tools in your collection its more often a case of what tools don't you own that needs to be the poll options. Also strap wrenches are commonly found at auto part stores.
  • 4 0
 I'm kinda in love with the bottom drawer of my tool chest which emanates a beautiful blue glow whenever I open it. Music, a beer fridge and some maintenance work on my bikes is my happy place.
  • 7 0
 Sam Pilgrim: An ax
  • 2 0
 Oh God I own all the tools. Thinking about it you can group them in to 3 types. 1. Tools to build a bike 2. Tools to fix a bike 3. Tools to fully rebuild suspension. PLUS Greases, lubricants and spare parts to get jobs done. The only tools I don't have is a truing stand. I'm fairly light on wheels so just having some spoke keys and a spoke tension gauge gets me by. I will lace up a wheel then have my LBS finish of the build. Oh yeah 7 years ago I got into amature watchmaking, so I have those tools as well. I definitely have a problem, I just love learning how to fix things and are luckily enough to have the time and resources to figure these things out. I definitely don't see eye to eye with my wife on all this!
  • 1 0
 Can you start a YouTube channel for your shock rebuilds?
  • 2 0
 I have a bunch of crappy homemade tools because I have more time than brains. DIY headset press and rocket thing, various bearing presses, including one made out of a toilet paper holder. I use the strap of the strap wrench for my "soft-jaws"

I want to learn how to fix wheels this winter, so I'm going to buy an actual truing stand and not build one out of a random crap I have around the house.
  • 1 0
 check out wheelpro.uk he has an excellent online book and I've built plenty of wheels using it
  • 2 0
 They used to think that man was the only tool using animal. But that turned out to be wrong, it turns out that a wide variety of animals use tools in their daily lives. But man still holds one distinct characteristic that has been observed in no other species. Man is the only animal that will use the wrong tool for the job...
  • 5 3
 Owns torque wrench? Yes
Uses torque wrench? Eh...
I have a knack for knowing just how tight I can torque something without breaking it. Honed that skill over many years of breaking stuff.
  • 4 1
 You should use the torque wrench a couple times a year just to remember how little 9 lbs is.
  • 3 0
 Tighten it until it cracks and then back it off a quarter turn, job done! (credit to AvE)
  • 2 1
 A vice is the beer one drinks when they have a seized part clamped in their vise. In other words, a vice (beer) is an essential tool, especially when using a rock to set a star nut in a steer tube that's been de-burred on the pavement!
  • 3 1
 I got an 8" USA wilton bullet vise from the 90s for super cheap on Craigslist. Honestly probably in the top 5 list of things in my garage. Including the restored 70 beetle and 14" bass boat. A good vise can change your life.
  • 6 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: A 14" bass boat would look great sat next to the Stonehenge replica from Spinal Tap.
  • 1 0
 I use my cassette chain whip and cassette tool quite often. Another odd one (on top of all the bb lockring tools) was a 30t star adapter to unscrew SRC ratchet rings. The only thing I don’t have on the list above is a truing stand, which would be handy… but I’ve made it by with zip ties, spoke wrenches, the park tool tensionmeter and the wheel building app.
  • 4 1
 i just have adjustable/crescent wrenchs in all sizes because standards keep changing
  • 13 0
 Any suggestions for a decent Metric Crescent wrench? Been looking for one for a while....
  • 6 0
 @woofer2609: knipex
  • 4 0
 @Velocipedestrian: As a motor mechanic Knipex wrench and side cuts are simply the best you can buy .I foolishly bought Park Tools side cuts for my bike tool box at home and they were just about ok at best .
  • 1 0
 But did you grind the jaws to 2.5mm on one set so they fit on damper head seals and other cone wrench thickness things....because I did. They're great for random dampers...and other stuff.
  • 2 0
 @Velocipedestrian: Knipex are excellent @woofer2609
  • 3 0
 I'll repeat @njcbps, @Velocipedestrian, and @rideronthestorm1: Knipex pliers wrenches are incredible. There is a reason they're in every single EWS/DH/XC pro mechanic's tool box, and they're worth every penny.
  • 1 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: Now that’s a good idea.
  • 1 0
 @Reno233: yeah, but only if you do it to the harbor freight or Irwin knock offs. I would never bastardize knipex.
  • 4 0
 @woofer2609: I have one right next to my spray can of add-a thou and the square hole drill bit set.
  • 3 0
 You want tools??? See: readers who actually read and thoughtfully commented on the chainstay article.
  • 3 0
 Two types of riders. Those who have a workstand and those who will get one eventually
  • 2 0
 Yup. Around 25 yo flipping the bike upside down on the kitchen table gets stale.
  • 4 0
 I own just enough tools to halfway complete most jobs
  • 4 0
 Which of these tools do you own?

Yes.
  • 3 0
 My repair shop rivals most bike shops. I show off photos of it more than photos of my kids.
  • 2 0
 Honestly I have a fair number of tools but probably 70% of the time I am mostly just using the $30 crank bros m17 tool I keep in my pocket for riding.
  • 4 0
 No option for a half inch impact? Pfft, ugga dugga all the things.
  • 3 0
 I used the strap wrench once for a shock rebuild and have used it countless times to open stubborn jar lids.
  • 2 0
 I got a set of two from Harbor Freight, one is in the tool box, one is in the kitchen drawer!
  • 1 0
 Working on bikeshas become a side hobby to riding them, especially since covid. So my home service course has every tool for every job short of a damper rebuild for my own bikes and my friends'.
  • 1 0
 Jokes on them, I've built my own truing stand and most tools I have are not from Bike specific manufacturers. f*ck you Parktool, most of your tools (especially your aluminium BB tools) suck ass.
  • 11 8
 Which tool do you find in the bag of the Mexican magician? A Magic Juan
  • 3 0
 All of them and way more!
  • 2 0
 I miss a bleed kit and whole set of propietary tools I need for different manufacturers in the list.
  • 3 0
 I have a bunch of reverb rebuild tools.. anyone want them?
  • 1 0
 I have custom delrin shaft clamps for the lower tubes of common size reberbs. And far too many other RS tools to do suspension from many generations...I will never use them again, but still can't part with them
  • 2 0
 Hey, anybody who wants to share photos of your workspace, I'm looking for inspiration!
  • 1 0
 @toolboxwars on instagram!
  • 1 0
 I can only offer what-not-to-do workspace inspiration.
  • 1 0
 Great idea!
  • 4 0
 I own all of my tools.
  • 1 0
 lol
  • 2 0
 I own all my the tools I've borrowed Wink
  • 1 0
 Just the same tool kit I had as a kid working on my crappy Huffy BMX. A pair of channel locks and the biggest crescent wrench in my dad's tool box.
  • 1 0
 It think there's space to broaden the poll (i.e. cassette wrench, set of greases like carbon, teflon, multi). Funny pole though.
  • 1 0
 I have quite a few tools but you can guarantee when I need one...it will definitely be the wrong standard for what I am trying to do.
  • 1 0
 I checked the box saying I own a h-set press, bb press, bearing puller and bearings tools. But I really just have three brass drifts and a soft dead blow. Presses are dumb.
  • 1 0
 All of the above and more way way more. I custom build all of bikes both past and new. Wheels included =)
  • 1 0
 Id love to know how the profit structure works for these polls @ outside mag ?
  • 2 0
 I’m in the market for a trying stand next.
  • 1 2
 I own a stand, but when traveling a piece of rope hanging from above looped around nose of saddle works really really good. So basically your bike is hanging off of saddle and front wheel touches ground, rear wheel up off ground. Has its limitations, but works in a pinch. Obviously need a sturdy ceiling hook, rafter or tree limb to attach rope.
  • 1 0
 Wheres the options for all the other tools i have?

I must confess i have a problem…I'm a tool whore.
  • 1 0
 A claw hammer and an old chain work great for a chain whip Yes, i have a Park chainwhip, but I don't think it a neccesity
  • 1 0
 How does you local hardware shop not sell a strap wrench?? Get a better local hardware store.Or go to walmart.
  • 1 0
 I doubt more people have headset presses than some other stuff on there. Maybe I need to look into cheap headset presses...
  • 1 0
 I got one off ebay for around 60$ a while back. Works great.
  • 1 0
 You can make one pretty cheap at Home Depot. All you need is threaded rod and 3 nuts, plus 2 grade 5 or better 2” washers. Double up the nuts on the opposite side you’re installing. You will need two wrenches, one to tighten the other to hold.
  • 1 0
 Now that my bike has an one piece stem/bar, motor, and integrated headset cables.....I just use a hammer.
  • 1 0
 90% tuneups doing with $2 multitool that already 10y old

And 100500 shimano BB tools
  • 1 0
 Add a lathe and a milling machine. Allows me to make most of the press tools and service suspension tools etc. I need.
  • 1 0
 You don't have the Park Tool Ball Gag BGG-1 which is a must have item these days for when you go to buy your new bike...
  • 3 0
 *BARREL SOLD SEPERATELY
  • 1 0
 Can we just pick either Allen or Torx and all stick with one of them please?
  • 1 0
 One of my most useful tools that I didn’t see mentioned: derailleur hanger alignment tool.
  • 1 0
 All the tools. It's a disease I know.
  • 1 1
 building out a good tool kit isn't as satisfying as using those tools to build your dream bike but it's not bad!
  • 2 1
 I own all the wrong tools like any bike bodge rider who else is like this
  • 1 1
 and queue the headset press and bike stand ads, and "must have's for the home mechanic"
  • 2 0
 “Top 10 tools to buy this Xmas”
  • 1 0
 Any else still use a coke bottle in a trouser leg as a compressor?
  • 1 0
 Tried the coke bottle thing before I got a compressor, but not with a trouser leg. Is that a safety feature in case of explosion?
  • 2 0
 @Freewheely: Safety first
  • 1 0
 My neighbor tested 2 liter pop bottles with a schreader valve cap in a safety cage to see what pressure they withstand. 200psi was pretty average within 10 psi.
  • 1 0
 @woofer2609: I got my up to 100psi (shitty old Hope rim) when it started making cracking noises and I got scared (hence the trouser leg and some duct tape).
  • 2 0
 The true advantage of a compressor is the nail gun that comes with it. Not bike related but a nail gun a a serious game changer
  • 2 0
 @woofer2609: I learnt the failure point of PET drink bottles when I was home brewing ginger beer. Woke up one morning to a sound like a shot gun discharging in the house.
  • 1 0
 I have some tools but no idea how to use them.
  • 3 2
 Why is my ebike specific voltmeter not listed?
  • 1 0
 I have a voltmeter and I specifically will never use it on any ebike.
  • 2 0
 broped isn't a bicycle.
  • 1 0
 That reminds me I need a pin spanner and another cone wrench
  • 1 0
 I’d like to introduce you to cartridge bearings.
  • 1 0
 @Reno233: I need the tools to strip Hadley hubs
  • 1 0
 @J1BB: Ahhh.
  • 2 0
 45 years worth
  • 2 2
 I don't own the tools I need, but I do own tools I don't use. Also vise is spelled VISE, not vice.
  • 2 0
 Don't you get tyred of arguing over regional spelling differences?
  • 3 0
 @barp: Welp... I think I just invoked Muphry's Law.
  • 1 0
 bearing puller? Pack it full of bread!
  • 1 0
 Hardware Sales probably has it
  • 1 0
 Got my Civic trunk turned into tool box
  • 1 0
 If Your Only Tool Is a Hammer Then Every Bike Looks Like a Nail
  • 1 0
 Just a curiousity what a full range of Torx bits?
  • 1 0
 Gotta have the $10,000 Snap-On roll cab too
  • 1 0
 10k in 1995, more like 30-40k these days
  • 1 0
 @takeiteasyridehard: ha true.

If anyone else loves a nice tool box: www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/lets-see-your-toolbox.466/page-588
  • 1 0
 Tools, hmpf, I only need 2
m.pinkbike.com/photo/23552141
  • 1 0
 dremel/rotary is missing.
  • 1 0
 I just recently got a really cool old vice
  • 1 0
 The only thing I don't own is a bike stand.
  • 1 0
 As JC...favorite tool is a Hammer
  • 1 0
 I was in toolboxwars. I've everything. Alpha to the Omega.
  • 1 0
 Does an angle grinder count as a pipe cutter?
  • 4 6
 I am currently a part time bike mechanic. A former automotive tech. A former aerospace tech. A fabricator and a home owner. I have a lot of tools.
  • 2 0
 I didn't see that as one of the options.
  • 17 0
 That's impressive and all, but do you have a BMX background?
  • 1 0
 Ya well I bet you don't have a left handed hammer
  • 2 0
 @Hotwheels09: hopefully not a pedalfile
  • 3 3
 How much money do you get from the industry for these polls?
  • 7 1
 Oh give up on the conspiracy. All of these questionnaires are fun & if it keeps PB free all good.
  • 1 0
 Not enough...
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.055383
Mobile Version of Website