One thing I've learned while working on bikes is that nothing's straight forward, particularly not on Viscounts. They're quite something. Try getting those sealed bearings out of a hub without damaging either. Or even worse: the bottom bracket. Equally challenging is putting everything back together.
Or maybe that old skip-tooth freewheel I have on my blue Sport. Yeah, if you don't have the right remover tool, you're basically fucked. Or, if you choose to use brute force, then most likely your freewheel or/and hub won't come out of it that pretty. Personally, I try to treat my bikes with kids' gloves; it's possible to do that even with a hammer, trust me, but I always keep in mind that Viscounts are rare.
Now, I know where to go when I need my freewheel off the hub, but I'd rather have that freewheel remover tool in my big bicycle tool box. Or better: the one I'm going to get myself in the near future. At the moment my tools live in a cardboard box, together with grease, parts, and lubricants; possibly not the best place as my ever growing collection needs more space. And I need more storage for parts, too. Let alone for the bikes, but that's a different matter. (If you know a place with a garage or large shed in Hackney area or N4, please get in touch. I'm looking for a quiet place with a decent landlord.)
Anyway, back to tools. I think I've got the basics for a tune up service for Viscounts or other bikes, but I'm still far from having all the tools I want. I'm soon getting a--drum roll, please-- a Profikurbelschraubenschluessel/Ratsche. Yep, that's quite a mouthful and I'd like you to try pronouncing it after four pints. In short it's a socket ratchet wrench 14/15mm. Not that I necessarily need it for my Viscounts as they're all quick release, but my mamachari has 14mm front and 15mm rear nuts, just as most other bikes have. I do have the Icetoolz (see pic.) non-ratchet version, but I'd like to go more 'profi' and since the Hozan, which would be my favourite, is far too expensive to get here, I looked around for an alternative. The Unior doesn't look too bad either, but it's still too expensive. I expect the VAR to be of excellent quality; after all, I want to work on bikes all day and if I can make life easier for me, then I'll do it. I have a list of tools I'm planning on getting, but since money's a bit tight right now, I'll have to collect them bit by bit. Quality costs, unfortunately for me, but it's well worth spending the money. On my list are:
Handy all round tools:
T-handle allen key, this one is particularly useful for adjusting front derailleurs as it gives good leverage and, since it hasn't got a ball end, it's a great all-rounder. Good quality, too; I've worked with it for months. There are cheaper alternatives, which may work equally well, but I have an emotional attachment to this particular brand as it's the one I borrowed from the shop for my last assignment of my level 2 bike mechanic course--I believe it brought me luck. I'm getting this one very soon.
Park Tool hex wrench tool again, another all-rounder of superb quality. I want this in the sizes 6, 8, and 10mm. The first is great for adjusting headsets, and/or seat posts (clamps) and the latter is useful for crank arm bolts. Due to the angle, it comes in handy whenever you need more leverage working with other tools. Again, I've worked with it in the past month and it's a must for my collection.
Hozan cable puller (or otherwise known as forth hand) another amazing work of quality from Japan. Great to work with. I've tried Pedros, but here's where splashing out makes all the difference. I've failed finding anything that compares to the Hozan.
Cone wrench set Mainly for cap & cone hub adjusting. The Park Tool ones are great, but every time I look at the price I faint.
Shimano cable cutters In this case I'm trusting Noah, who said he'd tried plenty, but nothing seems to work as well. They have this little blue pin attached, which serves the purpose of widening either end of the cable Very practical. We also used it for digging out objects from tyres when repairing punctures.
Large adjustable spanner Okay, here I'll try to go with a no-name product. In the shop we had Park Tool's, but I'm willing to try something else. A very important and handy tool to do all sorts of bending on a bike, particularly centre pull brake arms to toe in the pads or when tending to bent chain rings.
File set A necessity for any workshop. There's always something to file, be it bolts, drop outs or brake pads. Not sure if these are any good. By the time I'm getting a file set, there's probably another offer. I'll report.
Bike chain rivet extractor There are different ones on the market, I'll have to look closely and see. Preferably something with a bigger handle. VAR has one, for two sizes of chains, but it's not quite as perfect.
All common freewheel tools I only need Shimano ones, but I'd like to collect all of them.
Park tool CC-3 chain wear indicator If you click this link and read the review, you know why I want it. I've worked with it in the shop and it's a great device. Unfortunately, Park Tool has discontinued this model and all avenues I've tried were unsuccessful. Even Park Tool said they don't have one knocking about anymore. Truly sad news.
Park tool offset brake centering tool A must for anyone with caliper brakes. And that goes together with this one. I never used the latter, to be honest, but it's a thin wrench, so while holding the brake in centre position with one tool, you can tighten the nut with the other.
And most wanted: the bearing puller tool that will hopefully be made for me at some point.
Okay, I'll stop here. There are more tools I desire, but just thinking about the costs makes my head explode.
I already have a power drill/screwdriver and angle grinder. However, I will need a work stand, a bench with swivel vice, a wheel truing jig and dishing tool for all the work. And how about the bottom bracket facing tools and headset press? Let alone my wishes for a bench grinder and polishing wheel, and I think if I get to that stage I may as well look for a workshop to stick up a sign saying 'Stella & the Viscounts'.
Or maybe that old skip-tooth freewheel I have on my blue Sport. Yeah, if you don't have the right remover tool, you're basically fucked. Or, if you choose to use brute force, then most likely your freewheel or/and hub won't come out of it that pretty. Personally, I try to treat my bikes with kids' gloves; it's possible to do that even with a hammer, trust me, but I always keep in mind that Viscounts are rare.
 |
| My hammer and mullet are still hiding in the kitchen |
 |
| Bursting tool and parts box |
Handy all round tools:
T-handle allen key, this one is particularly useful for adjusting front derailleurs as it gives good leverage and, since it hasn't got a ball end, it's a great all-rounder. Good quality, too; I've worked with it for months. There are cheaper alternatives, which may work equally well, but I have an emotional attachment to this particular brand as it's the one I borrowed from the shop for my last assignment of my level 2 bike mechanic course--I believe it brought me luck. I'm getting this one very soon.
Park Tool hex wrench tool again, another all-rounder of superb quality. I want this in the sizes 6, 8, and 10mm. The first is great for adjusting headsets, and/or seat posts (clamps) and the latter is useful for crank arm bolts. Due to the angle, it comes in handy whenever you need more leverage working with other tools. Again, I've worked with it in the past month and it's a must for my collection.
Hozan cable puller (or otherwise known as forth hand) another amazing work of quality from Japan. Great to work with. I've tried Pedros, but here's where splashing out makes all the difference. I've failed finding anything that compares to the Hozan.
Cone wrench set Mainly for cap & cone hub adjusting. The Park Tool ones are great, but every time I look at the price I faint.
Shimano cable cutters In this case I'm trusting Noah, who said he'd tried plenty, but nothing seems to work as well. They have this little blue pin attached, which serves the purpose of widening either end of the cable Very practical. We also used it for digging out objects from tyres when repairing punctures.
Large adjustable spanner Okay, here I'll try to go with a no-name product. In the shop we had Park Tool's, but I'm willing to try something else. A very important and handy tool to do all sorts of bending on a bike, particularly centre pull brake arms to toe in the pads or when tending to bent chain rings.
File set A necessity for any workshop. There's always something to file, be it bolts, drop outs or brake pads. Not sure if these are any good. By the time I'm getting a file set, there's probably another offer. I'll report.
Bike chain rivet extractor There are different ones on the market, I'll have to look closely and see. Preferably something with a bigger handle. VAR has one, for two sizes of chains, but it's not quite as perfect.
All common freewheel tools I only need Shimano ones, but I'd like to collect all of them.
Park tool CC-3 chain wear indicator If you click this link and read the review, you know why I want it. I've worked with it in the shop and it's a great device. Unfortunately, Park Tool has discontinued this model and all avenues I've tried were unsuccessful. Even Park Tool said they don't have one knocking about anymore. Truly sad news.
Park tool offset brake centering tool A must for anyone with caliper brakes. And that goes together with this one. I never used the latter, to be honest, but it's a thin wrench, so while holding the brake in centre position with one tool, you can tighten the nut with the other.
And most wanted: the bearing puller tool that will hopefully be made for me at some point.
Okay, I'll stop here. There are more tools I desire, but just thinking about the costs makes my head explode.
I already have a power drill/screwdriver and angle grinder. However, I will need a work stand, a bench with swivel vice, a wheel truing jig and dishing tool for all the work. And how about the bottom bracket facing tools and headset press? Let alone my wishes for a bench grinder and polishing wheel, and I think if I get to that stage I may as well look for a workshop to stick up a sign saying 'Stella & the Viscounts'.
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