All Things Bikes and Tacos! (...and every vehicle imaginable)

About $1k for 4 at the local Discount Tire. It's SL rated since the truck is no longer loaded as it used to be.

 

Transmission is really good and super easy to install. The only thing I'm not in love with is the controller. I actually prefer the original AXS paddles.

 

Just got my brand new bike in a box, and I’m gonna be tackling my first frame up build here soon. What do you guys recommend for stands, tools, etc?

For reference, I have zero bike specific tools other than what goes out with me on a ride (tire pressure gauge, multi tool, etc.). I definitely would like to get to the point where I’m doing all of my own maintenance and upgrades, so I’m willing to invest a bit in good tools. I do have plenty of good auto mechanics tools, but I don’t know how much overlap there is with bikes.

Also, if you guys have any resources you’d recommend, like websites, YouTube channels, books, whatever, I’m down to learn as much as I can. The last thing I want is to screw something up and have it be a safety risk.

Thanks!

 

Entry level standard: https://www.jensonusa.com/Foundatio...BkjayJl6BDJNFWM1LPUqcA6CfsiKIMMQaAvGHEALw_wcB

Also get yourself some top quality Hex tools to save yourself some headache down the road. You'll be keeping it forever so worth the premium:

$39 Wera Tools 05073593001 950 SPKL/9 SM N SB Long ARM HEX Key Set, One Size, Multi

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ODV0OE?ie=UTF8

 

My GF rides AXS exclusively and has never had an issue. I personally don’t care for the lever feel.

There is a small learning curve to transmission. Some people really let up between shifts which to my understanding can negatively impact shifting with Transmission.

Is she able to test ride the bikes?

 

For stands, I like Feedback Sports. For tools, you can get kits that have most of what you need for regular bike maintenance (Park sells kits from $200 to $8k). I prefer to build my tool kits piece by piece but it's more expensive this way but at least you get to pick and choose the tools you really need and who makes it. I personally prefer Abbey Tools because I'm a tool whore.

 

You're right about shifting under power with Transmission. It doesn't give AF. It's the like the honey badger of derailleurs.

 

On top of good quality hex key’s some of the tools I can think of off the top of my head.

1. BB install socket - specific to the BB.
2. Cassette tool - HG/XD use the same tool, not sure of micro spline.
3. T25 hex bit for brake rotors, I have a 1/4” ratchet setup. Or if you have center lock - the tool for that.
4. Tubing cutter for bars and fork steer tube.
5. Files for #4
6. I have a Jenson tool for setting star nuts into steer tubes.
7. Cable/Housing cutters, I prefer park tool.
8. Chain tools - whip, master link pliers, chain break tool.
9. Various lubricants and cleaners, gloves and safety glasses depending how much you care about PPE.

 

Love to see 2 wheels and Tacos

 

Not this brand, as it’s direct-to-consumer. Ironically Sea Otter is less than an hour away but we’re out of town. Even if that brand isn’t there (which I doubt) she could try another Transmission bike without wasting an LBS time. But since I’m also getting tempted by a new bike maybe we should just go …

 

Yeah I would expect it is diminishing returns jumping up from 1/1 but hadn't considered any real cons to go to higher engagement. On the used market at least, I don't think there is a hug price difference between wheels with hydra and wheels with 1/1, so seemed like a no brainer. If I was paying to build some new wheels I'd probably go 1/1 again or maybe the new Hope Pro 5 with a bit more research. As an engineer I dig their seal design but also love the hydra design and they sound bonkers.

 

bike in box sounds kinda vague. most bikes come mostly assembled so you just put on the front wheel, seat post, handle bars, pedals, then adjust. Borealis was one of the few brands that sent everything in the box not partially assembled when i was working at a bike shop.

minimum is a hex wrench set and maybe a screw driver for derailleur adjustment (idk how the electronic stuff gets adjusted for high low stops).

if this is a full on build, you'll need a ton more tools like Dr Doom Says said, plus maybe a bleed kit for your brakes.

but if you're doing your own maintenance in the future buy tons of stuff. it will most likely buying the tools as needed unless you buy those park tools packs flipnidaho mentioned.

 

I’m a big fan of my feedback sports stand.

Like @neatoneto said, a nice tool set is helpful, wera makes a bike specific kit with a mix of hex and torx wrenches that covers everything ive needed for a bike. I also like this kit:

$35 Prestacycle Pro T-Handle Ratchet (Wallet Case Kit with (12) S2 Hex Bits)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082H5TSPN

a torque wrench is also a good idea. Either those cheapish single value torque things like below or some companies make like torque bits but I’ve never used those.

$18 Prestacycle Mini TorqKeys Preset Torque Tool w/6 Bits & Holder – 5Nm

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JG8K1GZ

 

Ooo totally forgot about cassette tool, chain whip, master link and cable cutters.

Cable cutters I just got at home depot or lowes, just make sure they are cable cutters and notdiagonal cutters or whatever those are, I think I have these: Crescent Wiss 8-3/8 in. Flip Joint Cable Cutter with Wire Cutter and Sheath Knife 0890CSFW - The Home Depot

Master link tool - wolf tooth without a doubt - might be some cross over with other tools but even if it's just the master link tool with spare link storage. When you need it, you really need it.

 

I assembled bikes in a bike shop for a while, and I’d put ball drivers at the top of the list of tools that are rarely needed for cars, but essential on bikes. Too many screws don’t have the straight shot access needed for hex, and or there isn’t room to spin a T handle or three-way hex wrench. I first got them for motorcycles, but now use them far more than my other hex wrenches for bikes. I also use a cheap tubing cutter for aluminum handlebars, quicker and more accurate than a hacksaw unless you have a guide. I’d use a saw on a fork steerer or seatpost of course. And a fine mill file to clean up the cuts, or a dedicated deburring tool.

 

Good list here. I would add a quality 1/4" torque wrench (inch pounds) that does both right-handed and left-handed bolts.

 

I knew this crew would be clutch and you guys delivered! Thank you SO MUCH!

Also, @mrtonyd , yep, it’s a bike in a box. I should have led with a NBiabD pic

Knolly Tyaughton steel XT/Factory 36 build

Gonna rock pretty much all the stock parts (since I paid for them haha), but I do have a cart on Jenson with a little bling in the form of a Deity Copperhead stem in bronze to match some new bronze Deity Bladerunner flats

 

that's a sweet bike! I got to test ride one in the shop parking lot, only a few minutes but it was sweet!

 

This is really interesting.

Did you buy that as a kit from somewhere? Did you spec all the parts and buy everything from the same place, so it all came in a box like that? lol. Never seen anything like it!

Usually they come mostly assembled or just a frame and you get about 50 boxes in the mail over the next month while you buy everything you need to build it.

 

i would guess you need a hex set, the wera one is ideal, i got one earlier this week.
grease
a bottom bracket tool depending on what you have, (dub is super easy)
crown/race set (i would just take this to a shop and pay the $10 or whatever)
something to cut stems and bars if you want. (you could probably pay the shop for this too)
maybe some torx bits (i think the sram bar clamps use a t25?) looks like a 6 bolt pattern for your rotor too so idk what that is a t10 or t15?
a bleed kit if you need to shorten your brake hoses, along with the barbs if the brakes you have are pre assembled. looks like external routing so you could get away with having a glob in your cockpit.
cassette tool for your hub type
tire pump, sealant and tape if your wheels arent pretaped.
cable cutters.
a six pack
maybe a rubber mallet?
*probably a chain cutter too. you should be able to set a master link without a tool, but definitely need one to take it apart

good luck with the build. its always fun putting a bike together