Best Beginner tool kit for $50?

[burnedthetoast]

I'm looking to get someone else a really basic set of tools for $50 or so (so not Park). I have a basic set I got for ~$40 10-12 years ago and I still use a couple of the things from it pretty regularly.

Anyone have recommendations for the best bang for the buck? Anything you'd stay away from?

[sasquatch rides a SS]

Anything around $50 is going to be like this Sette kit on pricepoint.com

Sette ST-21 Tool Kit

It's going to have all of your basic tools in it, nothing special, but will get the job done for the basic maintenance/beginner mechanic. It shows that it's on sale right now, too. I have no personal experience with Sette or similar tool kits, but I've heard good things about them from coworkers and customers.

For basic maintenance I would also suggest these:





Your LBS should have the socket 3-way for only a couple bucks. I'd suggest going with a Park or similar quality hex 3-way, though. I use these tools at work and at home all the time.

[Toff]

Yup, get that Sette toolkit.

Years ago I got a similar one from Nashbar I believe and still have most of the original tools in my bike toolbox along with all the other misc stuff I have added to it thru the years.

[Dirty $anchez]

Buy specific tools as the need arises. 3 way hex wrench, chain breaker, chain whip, cassette lock ring tool etc. That way you don't get saddled down with tools you don't need and can spread the cost over several purchases. Also have a look at the "Homemade tools" thread that is in here somewhere.

[sasquatch rides a SS]

I was going to mention that, AZ, but he mentioned getting it for someone, which I was assuming as a Christmas gift.

[burnedthetoast]

I was going to mention that, AZ, but he mentioned getting it for someone, which I was assuming as a Christmas gift.

Yes, this.

I already have my own set of tools (not totally complete, but I'm in the stage of buying things one at a time as the need arises now). I started with a basic set kinda like the Sette sasquatch mentioned above (which I'll probably end up getting). I was more trying to figure out if that type of thing was still the best deal, or if anyone had any really good/bad experiences with a particular brand recently.

[SoCalAl]

My wife got me that Sette kit probably 8 years ago and it appears to be unchanged and I use many of the same tools to this day. The headset wrench will probably go unused, but you never know. The worst in the set is the spoke wrench, I don't think I used it more than once before buying the Park. I also had to replace the crank puller at some point and I don't remember why, but most new bikes won't need the tool anyways. After getting this set and supplementing it a bit I've taken my bike to a shop for repairs maybe twice in the last 6 or 7 years.

[burnedthetoast]

SoCalAl - Thanks, glad to hear that since I got the Sette!