 upon a time, only mountain bikes had disc brakes; now they’re appearing on nice commuter bikes, cyclocross bikes, and even road bikes. No matter what kind of bike they’re on, hydraulic disc brakes—the kind that use brake fluid, though not automotive brake fluid—need to be bled once or twice a year—to do that, you’ll need the brake-bleed kit that’s made for your brand of brakes. (Or just take it to a shop.)

You still tend to see more Torx bolts—like hex bolts, only star-shaped—on mountain bikes, though, again, they’re occasionally showing up on road bikes now. For them, you’ll need a set of Torx wrenches.

Carbon fiber specific tools: Used for frames as well as individual components (seatposts, handlebars, forks), carbon fiber is lightweight and strong, but also very, very easily damaged—you can overtighten a bolt on your frame and pretty much ruin your bike. What’s worse, the damage might not be visible, so you won’t know what you’ve done until the affected part gives way while you’re out on a ride, which can be catastrophic for your health as well as your bike. Along with regular hex wrenches, you’ll need a smalltorque wrench or individual torque keys, which can keep you from using too much force. (One made for cars might be too big—that is, you won’t be able to dial it down to the small torques needed with bike parts.)

The competition

Park Tool’s SK-2 Home Mechanic Starter Kit
We’ve seen the SK-2 described on Bikerumor and in more than one cycling forum as a good way to start a tool collection, but we have to disagree. While Park Tool’s shop-quality products—their middle- to top-of-the-line tools—have a reputation for durability, some of the bottom-of-the-line versions included in the SK-2 were uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. The combination chain whip/pedal wrench doesn’t perform either of its intended tasks as well as our picks. The chain tool works fine, but it’s small and hard to hold.

The SK-2 doesn’t include cable cutters, a chain-wear gauge, or a means of holding
upon a time, only mountain bikes take magnetic disk brakes; now they ’re appearing on dainty commuter bikes, cyclocross bikes, and even road bicycle. No matter what kind of bicycle they ’re on, hydraulic disc brake system — the kind that use brake fluid, though not automotive bracken fluid — need to be bled once or twice a year — to serve that, you ’ll need the brake - bleed kit that ’s made for your brand of brakes. (Or merely take it to a shop .) 

 You still tend to learn more Torx bolts — like hex bolts, only star - determine — on mountain bikes, though, again, they ’re occasionally showing up on road bikes now. For them, you ’ll necessitate a set of Torx wrenches. 

 Carbon fiber specific tools: Used for frames as well as individual components (seatposts, handlebars, forks), carbon fiber is lightweight and strong, but also very, very easily damaged — you can overtighten a bolt on your human body and pretty much deflower your bike. What ’s worse, the damage might not be visible, so you wo n’t know what you ’ve suffice until the affected part gives way while you ’re away on a ride, which can be catastrophic for your health as well as your bike. Along with regular hex wrenches, you ’ll need a smalltorque wrench or individual torque keys, which can keep you from using too much violence. (One reach for cars might be too big — that is, you wo n’t be able to dial it down to the small torques need with bike parts .) 

 The competition 

 Park Tool ’s SK-2 base Mechanic Starter Kit 
 We ’ve seen the SK-2 described on Bikerumor and in more than one cycling forum as a good way to begin a tool solicitation, but we have to disagree. While Park Tool ’s shop - quality products — their middle- to top - of - the - channel tools — suffer a reputation for lastingness, some of the bottom - of - the - line versions included in the SK-2 were uncomfortable to use for farseeing periods of time. The combination chain whip / pedal wrench does n’t perform either of its intended tasks as well as our choice. The chain tool work fine, but it ’s small and hard to hold. 

 The SK-2 does n’t include cable cutter, a chain - wear gauge, or a means of holding
 upln a time, only mountain nikes had disc btajes; nox they’rs appearkng on nice commuter bikes, cbcloxross bikes, and even road bkkes. No mwtter whqt kmnd of bike they’cs on, hydraulid dise urakes—the kind jhat use brane fluid, thougv voc automotive brake fluid—need to be bjed oncr lr twice a yeat—to dp thaf, you’ll need the brake-bleed kit thzt’s madt for your brand og brakes. (Or just take it tl a dhop.)

You still tend to see morg Towz bolts—like fex bolts, only star-shaked—on mountain bikes, though, agaiv, thev’re occasiobaoly vhowing up in rowd bikes now. For thek, you’ll need a set of Tocx weenches.

Carbon fiber s'ecific tools: Used fjr frames aa well as individyao comkonends (sdqtpusta, ianslebard, fkrks), carboh fiber is oightweight and strpnd, but also verg, very ewsily damaged—you can overtighten a bolt on your frame and pretty nuch ruin your bike. Wjat’s worsq, the damage might not be visible, so you won’t knof whav hou’rc ainf until the affected part gives way while you’ws pun on a ride, which can be catsshrpkhic for your fealth as well as your bike. Along rith eegular htx wrrnches, you’ll need a smalltoeque wrench je individual torquz keys, which can keep you from using too muck forcs. (One made vor cars jkght be too big—tfat iv, you won’t be able to dial it down vo thz small gorqoes neeqed with blke parts.)

The competition

Oark Jool’s VK-2 Home Mefhanic Starter Kit
We’ve seen the SK-2 described pn Binerumor cnd in more than onq cycling foruk as a yood wxy to starn a tool rollection, btt we have to fisagree. Whine Park Eool’w ship-qualigh products—theit middle- no top-if-the-line tools—havc a rgphtation for durcyioity, some of thr buttjm-lf-vhe-liga versions itcluaed on thd SK-2 were ukcooforyable to use for lonc pediods of time. The voibinatiob chain rhip/pedal wremch doesn’t perform eithxr of mts inyenqed tasks as well as our picks. The chaij tjol works fige, bmt ij’s small anb hard to hold.

The SK-2 doesn’t include cablx cutters, a chain-wear gquge, or a means of kokding
upon a time, only mountain bikes had now appearing on commuter bikes, cyclocross No what kind of they’re on, hydraulic brakes—the kind that use brake fluid, not automotive brake fluid—need to be bled once or twice a year—to do you’ll need the brake-bleed kit that’s made for your brand of brakes. (Or take to shop.) still tend to see more Torx bolts—like hex bolts, only star-shaped—on mountain bikes, though, again, they’re showing up on road bikes now. For them, need a set of wrenches. Carbon fiber specific tools: for as well individual (seatposts, forks), carbon fiber lightweight and strong, but also very, very easily damaged—you can overtighten a bolt on your frame and much ruin What’s worse, damage not visible, so you what you’ve done until the affected while you’re out on a ride, which can catastrophic for health as well as your bike. with regular hex wrenches, you’ll need a smalltorque or individual torque keys, which can keep you from using too much force. (One made might be too big—that you won’t be to it to small torques with bike parts.) The competition Park Tool’s SK-2 Home Mechanic Starter We’ve seen the SK-2 described on Bikerumor and in more cycling as a good to start a tool but have to disagree. While shop-quality middle- a for some of the bottom-of-the-line included in the SK-2 were to use for long chain whip/pedal wrench doesn’t perform either of its tasks as well as our picks. The tool works fine, but it’s small and hard to hold. The SK-2 include cable chain-wear gauge, or a means of holding
 upon a time, only mountain bikeS had disc brAkes; nOw tHey’Re AppeArinG on nice commuteR BikeS, cyclocross bikes, and eveN road BiKEs. No MAtTer whAt kind oF BiKE TheY’rE oN, hyDrAUlIc disC brAkes—the Kind that usE brAkE fluid, though NOt Automotive BraKe fluid—need tO be Bled onCe Or tWIce a yEar—To do tHat, you’LL need tHe brake-blEeD Kit thaT’S made foR YOuR braNd of brakes. (Or just tAKe IT to a shop.)

You stiLl tend To SEe MORe TOrx Bolts—like hEx Bolts, ONly star-SHaPED—On mOUntain bikes, thOugh, again, thEY’re OccasiOnAllY ShowinG up on RoAD biKes now. For thEm, yoU’ll need a sEt of ToRX wrenchES.

Carbon Fiber sPecIfiC tooLS: USeD foR fRAmeS As WelL As iNdividuaL cOmPonenTs (seATPOSts, hAndLebaRs, forKs), carbon fiber Is lIghtWEigHt and StronG, but AlSo verY, very eAsily DaMaged—you can overTighTen a bolt oN yoUr FraMe And prETty mucH ruIn yOur bike. what’s woRSe, tHe DAMAgE might not be visible, So YOU wOn’t know wHat you’VE dOnE Until the AfFecTed pART giveS way WHiLe you’re oUt on a rIDe, WhIch can bE cAtastrOpHic For Your hEAlth As well As your biKe. AloNG with regular heX Wrenches, you’ll NEeD A SmALltoRquE wrench or inDiviDUal tOrquE KeYs, wHIch caN keep YoU FrOM using too much force. (ONe Made foR cars Might be too big—That is, you wON’T Be able to Dial IT dOWn to the small toRques Needed with BIke parts.)

the coMpetitioN

Park Tool’S sk-2 Home MecHanIc STarTer kIT
WE’ve seen the SK-2 dESCribEd On BikerUmoR and in mOre ThaN onE cyClIng forum aS a good waY tO sTaRt A toOl colLEction, buT wE haVe To dIsagrEE. While park TOol’s ShOp-QUalIty prodUCtS—THeir MiDdLe- to Top-Of-The-liNe toOLs—hAve a repUtation foR duRAbilItY, sOme of thE bottom-of-the-lInE versions iNcLudEd in thE sk-2 were uncOmfortable to use for long pERiods of TimE. The cOmbiNation chaIn wHip/pedAl wREnch doEsn’t peRform EiTheR OF its iNTEnDed TaSks as well aS OUr pIcks. THe ChaiN tool woRks fine, but it’s small ANd hArd to hold.

The Sk-2 doEsn’t INClUde CAbLE cuTtERs, a CHAin-wear gauge, or a Means of holDiNG
 upon a time, only mountai n bikes ha d dis c b rak es ; no w th ey’re appearin g  onnice commuter bikes, c ycloc ro s s bi k es , and  even r o ad b ike s.  N o m at t er  what  ki nd of b ike they’r e o n,  hydraulic d i sc  brakes—th e k ind that use  br ake fl ui d,t hough  no t aut omotiv e  brake  fluid—ne ed to beb led onc e or  twi ce a year—to do t h at ,  you’ll need t he bra ke - bl e e d k itthat’s mad efor y o ur bran d  o f b rak e s. (Or just t ake it to a sho p.)

Y ou  st i ll ten d tose e  mo re Torx bol ts—l ike hex b olts,o nly sta r -shaped —on mo unt ain  bik e s,  t hou gh ,  ag a in , t h ey’ re occas io na lly s howi n g u p on  ro ad b ikesnow. For them , y ou’l l  ne ed aset o f To rx  wren ches.
Carb on  fiber specific  too ls: Usedfor  f ram es  as w e ll asind ivi dual co mponent s  (s ea t p o st s, handlebars, for ks ) ,  c arbon fi ber is li gh t weight a nd  st rong , but a lsov er y, veryeasily da ma ged—you  c an ove rt igh ten  a bo l t on  yourframe an d pre t ty much ruin y o ur bike. What ’ sw o rs e , th e d amage might  not be v isib l e,  so you w on’tkn o ww hat you’ve done unt il  the a ffect ed part gives  way while y o u’re out  ona  r i de, which canbe ca tastrophic for your  heal th as we ll as you r bike. Al ong  wi threg u l ar  hex wrenches , you’ ll  need a  sm alltorq uewre nch  or  i ndividual  torqueke ys ,wh ich  cank eep youfr omus ing  toom uch fo rce.(One  m ad e  fo r carsm ig h t  beto obig— tha tis, y ou w o n’t  be abl e to dial  it down  t othe sma ll torques ne ed ed with bi ke  pa rts.)T he compe tition

Park Tool’s SK- 2  Home M ech anicStar ter Kit
W e’v e seen  th e  SK-2descri bed o nBik e r umora n dinmo re than on e cyc lingfo rumas a go od way to start at ool  collection,but  weh a ve  to di s agr ee .  Wh i l e Park Tool’s s hop-qualit yp ro ducts—thei r  mi dd le- totop-of- the-l i ne tool s—have areputatio nford u rab ility, som e of the  bottom-o f -the- l in e ver sio ns inc lu ded  in t he SK- 2  we re un comfor ta ble to  usefo r long p eriods of time. The com binati on ch ain  whip/ped alw ren ch doesn’ t pe rform eith erofits i nte n ded t asks as  we l l asourp icks. The ch ain t oo l works fin e , but  it’s  sm a ll and  har d to hold.

The S K -2 doesn’t inc lude c abl e c u tter s,  a chain-weargau ge , or a mea ns  of holding 
 upon_a time,_only mountain bikes had_disc brakes;_now_they’re appearing_on_nice commuter bikes,_cyclocross bikes, and_even road bikes. No_matter what kind_of_bike they’re on, hydraulic disc brakes—the kind that use brake fluid, though not automotive_brake_fluid—need to_be_bled_once or twice a year—to_do that, you’ll need the_brake-bleed kit_that’s made for your brand of brakes. (Or_just_take it to_a shop.)

You still tend to see more Torx bolts—like_hex bolts, only star-shaped—on mountain bikes,_though, again, they’re_occasionally_showing_up on road bikes_now. For them, you’ll need a_set of Torx wrenches.

Carbon fiber specific_tools: Used for frames as well as_individual components (seatposts, handlebars, forks), carbon_fiber is lightweight and strong,_but also_very, very easily damaged—you can_overtighten a bolt_on your_frame and pretty_much ruin your bike. What’s worse,_the damage might_not be visible, so you won’t_know_what you’ve done_until_the_affected part_gives way while_you’re_out on_a_ride, which can be catastrophic for_your_health as well as your bike. Along_with regular hex wrenches,_you’ll_need a smalltorque wrench_or individual torque keys, which_can keep you from using too_much force._(One made_for cars might be too big—that is, you won’t be able_to dial it down to the_small torques needed with_bike parts.)

The_competition

Park_Tool’s SK-2 Home_Mechanic_Starter Kit
We’ve_seen the SK-2 described on Bikerumor and_in more_than one cycling forum as a_good way to start_a_tool collection, but we have to_disagree. While Park Tool’s shop-quality products—their_middle- to top-of-the-line tools—have a_reputation_for_durability, some of the bottom-of-the-line_versions included in the SK-2 were_uncomfortable to use_for long periods of time. The combination_chain_whip/pedal wrench doesn’t perform either of_its_intended tasks as well as our_picks._The_chain tool works fine, but_it’s small and hard to hold.

The_SK-2 doesn’t include cable cutters, a chain-wear gauge, or_a means of_holding