Bicycle repairman

[dimwit]

I debating whether or not I should buy a decent set of tools for repairing my bicycle. Generally, I use my bike alot 20-30 km a day so I do have to make repairs occasionally. The downside is that I don't have a lot of space to store them and having a son around the apartment means that I could expect to have some of them disappear.

[Blah Pete]

Buy a set of tools. Bicycle tools don't take up that much room compared to what you would need for a car or motorcycle.

I can't believe people here can't fix basic things on their bikes, not even repair a flat. When I was a kid if you couldn't fix a flat tire your were in for some ridiculing.

[Ketou]

I can't believe people here can't fix basic things on their bikes, not even repair a flat. When I was a kid if you couldn't fix a flat tire your were in for some ridiculing.

Agreed. Two shifters, a couple of screwdrivers and Bob's your uncle.

[Greji]

I debating whether or not I should buy a decent set of tools for repairing my bicycle. Generally, I use my bike alot 20-30 km a day so I do have to make repairs occasionally. The downside is that I don't have a lot of space to store them and having a son around the apartment means that I could expect to have some of them disappear.

Just take it to the Koban and ask the friendly fuzz where you kind find a good shop to fix up this neat bike you found in the park. They will tear it completely apart checking all the numbers and registration so they can charge you with theft.

When they find out it is actually registered to you, they will have to put it back together in working order. Problem solved.

If you did find it in the park, don' take it in!

[AssKissinger]

20-30 km a day

Damn! That's some serious milage (meterage?). How old are you?

[soul stitch]

Do it yourself or better yet, get your son to help you out. I always enjoyed working on stuff with my dad! The tools will probably be equal or less to the cost of repairs and youll then have tools for future projects! and a son who can fix a bicycle on his own!

Good luck!

[FG Lurker]

When I was a kid I did all my own repairs... Now the time is far more valuable to me than the cost of the repairs so I pay a bike shop to do any work needed.

[Charles]

You didn't say what kind of bike you have. Is it one of those clunky POS Japanese bikes with an internal hub gearbox? Or is it a nice modern 10 speed with a good deraileur?

If you have a modern 10 speed, you really need to be able to do routine maintenance. The required tools are small enough to fit in your pocket, I used to have a nice kit that tucked under my bike seat, with enough room to spare for an extra tire tube and patch kit.

If it's one of those "maintenance free" sealed hub 3-speed bikes, well, when it breaks, you should just throw it in the trash. No, strike that, you should just throw it in the trash, period.

[dimwit]

You didn't say what kind of bike you have. Is it one of those clunky POS Japanese bikes with an internal hub gearbox? Or is it a nice modern 10 speed with a good deraileur?

If you have a modern 10 speed, you really need to be able to do routine maintenance. The required tools are small enough to fit in your pocket, I used to have a nice kit that tucked under my bike seat, with enough room to spare for an extra tire tube and patch kit.

If it's one of those "maintenance free" sealed hub 3-speed bikes, well, when it breaks, you should just throw it in the trash. No, strike that, you should just throw it in the trash, period.

It is a clunker. Generally if I were cycling for pleasure I would have a proper racing or mountain bike but I need something with a big basket and that is not likely to be a target of bicycle thieves as this is my job. I haved of a patch kit but the kind of tools I'm looking at are for replacing broken cranks, trueing wheels replacing broken spokes etc.

FG Lurker, I am sometimes of the same mind and perhaps this is one of the reasons I am debating it.

[Ketou]

I need something with a big basket and that is not likely to be a target of bicycle thieves as this is my job.

You're a bicycle thief?

[dimwit]

Er, ah, No:oops:

Damn, I've got get into the habit of reading what I typed.

[Charles]

It is a clunker. Generally if I were cycling for pleasure I would have a proper racing or mountain bike but I need something with a big basket and that is not likely to be a target of bicycle thieves as this is my job. I haved of a patch kit but the kind of tools I'm looking at are for replacing broken cranks, trueing wheels replacing broken spokes etc.

Aw, well that's too bad, those old clunker bikes suck. If I was in your spot, I'd get a modest looking 10 speed touring bike, add some non-flashy upright handlebars, and spray paint it that ugly grey color, so it looks like all the other POS mama chari. Add a serious lock and you'd probably be safe from theft.

Anyway, you don't really need that many tools to work on bikes. I used to have one of these universal wrenches and it covered 90% of everything I needed to do. Cheap too, I think I paid $2, but that was like 25 years ago, with inflation now it's gone all the way up to about $4.