I've been riding with hardly any repair tools, and with my last ride consisting of a broken chain, I think it's time to get some repair gear. The bike mag I checked out last week didn't contain any comparisons on tool kits, so I'm hoping you guys could tell me what kit your using, and share their pros and cons. I've heard TOPEAK is a good brand to go with. I looked at their Alien. I believe it had 23 tools, including the chain tool. The problem I see with these type of folding tools is space. My friend tried to help a rider with a bake lever issue a few months back, and his TOPEAK had trouble turning the allen head once inserted. All because of the bundle it was attached too. I also looked at a box kit where everything was separate, but it only contains 16 tools. What tools get used the most in your opinion. I might just focus on thoses for now. In my experience it's been tire tools, and allen, and now a chain tool. Anyway, that gives you a long winded idea of my situation, and hopefully you can provide input on what direction I should take.
Yep, It's funny because I did a search and found that that is the most, if not the only recommended tool. The tire levers would probably be one tool I'd need to be reliable. Thanks!
Oh no...I must be getting the low post ignore treatment. Unless of course several people ride with out repairs tool like me.
Tires come off if you know how to roll them, unless it's a DH rim/tire combo. I set my chain up so I have two SRAM quick links and I can shorten it to run single speed in a pinch. A couple extra sets of quick links comes in handy now and again too. Only other tool you need on a mtb is a flathead screwdriver for the limit screws, and you can use a car key for that.
I have been riding 10 years and i have a lot of experience wrenching bikes. I'm the guy on your local ride who people are always asking to adjust this or help with that on the ride. This is the tool kit i carry with a couple of additions of 2 and 2.5mm allens, a mini pump, a Co2 shooter w/3 canisters and 2 tubes.
The PPM-2 features an improved spoke wrench; lighter tire levers; 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm open end wrenches; a bottle opener; a tire boot; and a smaller tool wallet to house it all, the PPM-2 Park Pack Mini Tool Kit isn't just another set of emergency tools. It's a collection of high quality tools that are small and light enough to take along for the ride. Also includes CT-5 Mini Chain Brute tool, MT-1 Multi Tool, and 3 GP-2 glueless Super Patches. All the tools are made in the U.S.A. and fit neatly into a neoprene tool wallet that can be easily tucked into a jersey or seat pack.
I saw who posted and the thread title and I thought to myself......I bet it is N8, then I maybe it is me
I have metal tire irons b/c I kept breaking the plastic ones... best investment I ever made.
I jsut picked up a set of the Pedros tire irons (almost MX size) but I also want to get s cheap set of small steal ones so I can carry them in a Hydropack.
Good call on the tire irons....you never appreciate them until you NEED them. :o:
Hey I think I like the Park Tool the best so far. I like the chain tool it comes with better than the Alien. Does the Alien separate like the Park?
statorjso what stand do you use? I've actually been thinking of getting one of those too. I've actually been using my Hitch rack to work, which can be a pain.
Have you heard of the Spin Doctor Essential Workstand. It's relatively cheap, but looks to be a little different from the normal stand.
Thanks for the input thus far guys. I was unaware of some of the tools mentioned.
my fave 'tool' would have to be my home-made exstension bar, nothing amazing i know, but has seen me out of sooooo much trubble what with me not having the strongest arms in the world
I just carry a 4mm and a 5mm allen wrench, tire levers and my swiss army knife. I've found that anything that breaks on a trail can be repaired with these tools. If I need more tools than this it probablly means that I've broken something that will need replacement parts that I wouldn't have on hand anyway. I've only broken one chan and that was almost 10 years ago, I recently bent my derailur but was able to ride out in one gear and in this case no amount of tools could have fixed the problem, I needed a new derailur. Other than that I've never been stuck, really it's not like you're going to rebuild your hub on the side of the trail or install new cables and housing because you missed a shift (although I could do this with the few tools I carry.)
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Originally Posted by mandown
maybe it is me 
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