Very Nice!
Nice kits here! Iāve built up my toolkit over several years, only buying tools when I know I need them.
Thereās tools I probably should buy, but find Iāve been able to get the job done without them. A few examples: I change cassettes, but no chain whip; build/true wheels, but no truing stand; set up all bikes tubeless, but no compressor. My next test will be changing a pres fit BB, without a rocket/press. So will see how that goes
.
I hide a Carmex in my bathroom, my backpack, my car, and my toolbox. Lifeās too short to have chapped lips ![]()
Iāve got a station opposite my trainer where I store and work on the bikes. Iām pretty happy with the layout, and Iāve got the tools I use most often on the bench. My work stand is right behind the bench, so everything is right handy. Just to the left of the work stand is where my trainer and bike sit when Iām doing indoor workouts.
Bench
I use these Silca hex tools more than anything probablyā¦they are sooooo nice.
Hub and cassette maintenance here
Rim, spoke, and tubeless stuff here
The drawers hold older or less commonly used tools, like the 15 different bottom bracket tools you need those daysā¦
These bins hold seasonal riding gear, and extra hard parts.
Stand and Hardtail
Charging station for lights and Di2
Shoes, helmets, riding and yoga gear here.
Old frame, and caps.
Itās not as well known in the US, but Papaw Ointment is a cure-all for all skin conditions, but is the king of lip restoration. If your current extreme-intense-no sugar-organic-rehydrating lip balm just isnāt cutting it, give Papaw a go.
https://www.amazon.com/Lucas-668680-Papaw-Ointment-25g/dp/B0076K07DC?th=1
@mellowdave those Silca hex tools are a thing of beauty. Good investment!
Iāve got a pretty complete toolsetā¦one comment on Allen keys - Iāve actually moved toward getting cheaper ones and replacing them more oftenā¦I had the park tool set for a while and even they round off eventually. So now I buy the 8.99 folding set at Loweās and just replace them every 12 mos. or so.
Im not so worried about my tools rounding off, and much more concerned with soft tools damaging expensive bolts!
disclaimer: Iām not a āhomeā mechanic so itās not worth me ruining other peoples componentsā¦
I keep a cheap set around in the drawer for dealing with crappy or questionable heads, but I donāt have any problems with newer and well maintained hex or torx fittings rounding my tools if make sure they are fully inserted and work carefully. Weāre never talking about a lot of torque on bike parts. Iāve got ratchet hex tools in a different tool box for the motorcycles and car parts.
100% agree with this. Tiny titanium screws get threaded so easily and are a pain to fix. I have the small screws on my brake thread and they had to get drilled out at the LBS, requiring the brake to need replacing. Very expensive lesson.
I completely agree, I really only commonly work on my own bikes, but I have four kids, parts are expensive, I donāt like spending money due to ham fistedness.
Iāve gotten a few things from Silca and theyāve all been of almost obscene quality. Iād like to pick up their new tri-tool for the mobile kit in the car, and I keep the roll up torque tool in my seat pack on the bike.
My workhorse tools come from Unior, and I love 'em⦠This pic was taken of them after 4 years full time, daily use in a busy workshop. Iāve just replaced them this month with a new set and these have gone into my āon the roadā toolkit (sorry I know its not home maintenance but I wanted to play!).
Your picture brings up a good point on storing small parts. Youāve got them in little jars, for quick access, and I keep mine in magnetic spice holders from IKEA stick to my bench. I can then move them over to the work stand and stick them to it if Iām say replacing all the cables on a bike, and want my cable ends at the ready or something like that.
They have clear screw off lids so I donāt need to label them or anything.
I reckon most folk will think youāve got the thing nailed! ![]()
@nico_synergy, what cable cutters are you using? I have the park version, but I have a hard time keeping it cutting square, I hear thatās a common complaint with them.
Thoughts?
Yeah, I own a set of Park cutters and after 18 months they were next to useless, causing cables to fray.
My goto cutters now are by Jagwire, theyāve lasted well so far.
Interesting. How much cable changing do you do?
Iāve found my park cutters excellent and they tend to do maintenance work on 4-5 bikes between me, wife, brother and a friend I do occasional bits and pieces for.
I seem to have acquired quite a collection over the years, realised earlier this year that I have 4 different BB tools as all my bikes have different types of BB. Park tool stuff is great, but X-tools make some good stuff, I couldnāt justify buying the park tool headset press due to the price and how infrequently Iād use it. Bought the x tools one instead and itās been great, a well made tool
As I alluded to earlier, I probably shouldnāt be commenting in this thread as Iām not a āhomeā mechanicā¦
On average, I probably replace and cut about 12 inners and 5 or 6 outers a day so my tools get a good amount of use.



















