I'm looking to create a home workshop in my garage to do all of my bike maintenence - and probably most of my friends too ;) I would consider myself a beginner but have plenty of misc. repair experience from over the years.

I need to stock this workshop with a solid starter set of tools and a good stand. I do have plenty of "regular" tools but not much specific to bicycles. I was looking at Park's 32 piece set and their PCS-4 stand. I will also need to get a decent truing stand to start.

I'm looking for any suggestions because I'm not really sure about the bicycle tool market. What are good brands for the money, where to buy, etc. Once I have a good base, I will buy additional tools as needed.

Thanks

I am doing the same thing. I have a rideculous amount of tools/parts in my home shop. Definitely go with park tools. For the price, they are the best. You can find them online (check www.qbike.com).
For a stand, I recommend the ultimate stand. I have used most of the park models and I think the the ultimate is at a new level. It's great and seems to be quite durable so far.
For a truing stand, go with Park as well.

Good luck!

Chris

I think the 32 pc Park set is a nice starter kit for sure and you get a decent tool box to take on the road as well. Park tools in general cover everything you need to do with bikes but they won't be the cheapest, altho in my experience their quality is generally better than the competition. Their website is helpful too and their tech guys are very helpful.

Bike stand I'd go with the Ultimate Pro for stability, working height and portability (or if you're getting a particularly good deal on getting Park stuff, the PRS 5 is portable whereas the PCS 4 isn't); portability is a nice thing to have in something you'll have for a long time like a good stand. I recently went to the Ultimate Pro from a Park consumer stand (their first one I think; I used it for 13+ years) and I love it so far but time will tell. I have a Park TS2 truing stand and it's great but not very portable; I think Ultimate has a decent truing stand attachment but I have no experience with it.

One thing that may be a bit of a luxury but comes in handy for all sorts of tasks is an air compressor. A beer refrigerator is nice, too!

Thank you for the response. I had been looking at the Ultimate Pro Stand and purchased one last night. I'm starting with the Park AK-32 tool set and I'm purchasing the Ultimate Truing stand as well.

I did my first XC race this weekend and will definitely be bringing some of this equipment along with me - so the 12lb portable stand is nice.

Don't forget:

Zip ties
rags
C-clamps
duct tape
electrical tape

Don't forget:

Zip ties
rags
C-clamps
duct tape
electrical tape

You forgot WD-40!

You really only need 2 tools. The WD-40 and the duct tape. If it moves and it shouldn't, use the duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use the WD-40.

More seriously, I also like to have Permatex anti-seize compound on hand. I use in on threads that are likely to get wet, like pedals and stem, seatpost and handlebar bolts. It never seems to dry out, wash out or get gummy like grease can. Thanks to a tip from Mike T., I also use it on spoke nipples.

Old toothbrushes are great for cleaning cogs and derailleurs. Q-tips can also be used to cleaning tight spots.

A 4 1/2" or larger bench vise is a handy item too. I've used mine for pressing in new shock eyelet bushings and straigtening slightly bent derailleur hangers among other things. Got a decent one for about $20 at Lowes.

Kathy ;^P

I'm looking to create a home workshop in my garage to do all of my bike maintenence - and probably most of my friends too ;) I would consider myself a beginner but have plenty of misc. repair experience from over the years.

I need to stock this workshop with a solid starter set of tools and a good stand. I do have plenty of "regular" tools but not much specific to bicycles. I was looking at Park's 32 piece set and their PCS-4 stand. I will also need to get a decent truing stand to start.

I'm looking for any suggestions because I'm not really sure about the bicycle tool market. What are good brands for the money, where to buy, etc. Once I have a good base, I will buy additional tools as needed.

Thanks

I started with the roll-up Park tool kit (BK-2) and added:
- Park consumer workstand
- a large sturdy plastic toolbox
- derailleur hanger alignment tool
- Minouri/Spin Doctor truing stand with alignment tool
- cable cutters
- cable stretcher
- Pedros, Performance, and Bonhus metric allen wrench sets
- Craftsman metric wrench sets
- Craftsman metric socket & ratchet set
- Performance cone wrench set
- Craftsman screw driver sets
- 2 soft-face mallets
- freewheel tools (cassette and freewheel removal)
- BB tools
- crank pullers
- numerous tire levers (Specialized, Park, generic)
- on-bike chain cleaner
- tubs for degreasing & cleaning chains, parts
- large Park chainbreaker
- pedal wrench

Also good to have:
- zip ties
- wire ties (to hold brakes during pad positioning)
- housing ferrules
- brake and derailleur housing
- cable ends
- brass rod (for tapping off headset races, etc).
- wire cutters
- pliers
- lithium or premium grease (Phil Wood)
- wet lube (Pedros Synlube)
- patch kits
- small stand (fits under BB, to hold a second bike or for quick repairs)

I've made some tools for myself:
- oil level tool for Marzocchi Xfly forks (for setting oil height, uses syringe to remove excess oil)
- damper holders and drifts for AMP dampers
- homemade headset press

On my wish list are:
- Park headset press
- torque wrench

Have fun - JMJ