I’m looking for some advice from anyone who has potentially gone through a similar downsizing. We are going to be moving countries in the next 6 months and I know that where we are going, there won’t be dedicated bike space, so I’m trying to consolidate things down to a b&w jumbo 6700 that could live in a closet when not in use.
Currently have a dedicated bike room, with tool chest, and all the tools to do the maintenance across my whole fleet of bikes (sram, shimano, mtb, beater, disc, rim brake, etc.) and have prided myself in always having the right tool for the job.
I’ve looked to places like toolboxwars for inspiration, but those toolsets are usually designed around supporting one type of bike, and designed for frequent travel.
I’m hoping to find answers to some of the questions that have been bumping around in my head like:
Would I regret getting rid of the T-handles and only having an ball end L key set and bit+ratchets?
Do I really need the breaker bar I use for removing sram cranks and stuck bottom brackets?
Are there any 3rd party bleed kits that could reduce the footprint of my sram and Shimano kits?
Could a pliers wrench actually replace my entire set of wrenches?
Do I actually need a preload cap adjustment tool when there is one of the back of the feedback screwdriver I own?
Should I just get rid of everything that isn’t on the Threaded tool kit articles?
I’ve already set aside my obsolete chain checkers, old bb tools, and worn duplicates, but I’m struggling to get myself to refine further
Oops, I should have clarified that point. I’ll be taking my mtb (sram t-type), road bike (shimano di2), and one gravel bike (sram axs). So leaving any mechanical shifting, or rim brake bikes behind
I only have an L set and haven’t felt a need to have T handles (want is a different story)
No. Remove the cranks and clean before you leave. If you need, buy a breaker bar abroad.
I think there is a Threaded article about bleed kits?
Depends on where you are using the wrenches and if you can fit the Knipex there. I only have adjustable wrenches (again, need vs. want)
I don’t see why you’d need two
Probably, lol
Honestly, my recommendations would be tailored based on how close you’ll be to a bike shop. A block away vs. an hour away would change my calculus a lot.
Couldn’t find anything on bleed kits, I could definitely use a threaded article on the subject.
Will likely be in pretty close proximity to bike shops, but am a bit worried about the cost based on what I know about where I’ll be moving (Switzerland).
Appears as though I wishfully imagined in. This is a possible option for bleeds covered in Threaded #2. Probably enough to get you rolling and have the shop do a yearly flush.
Bleed kits is just a big mess of a topic. It’s something I covered at CyclingTips, but haven’t yet returned to the topic in Threaded (just the Geek Warning podcast).
Some thoughts/opinions…
Would I regret getting rid of the T-handles and only having an ball end L key set and bit+ratchets? - Depends on how much you love them. Perhaps consider just taking the 2-3 sizes you use most.
Do I really need the breaker bar I use for removing sram cranks and stuck bottom brackets? – You probably do need it. However, will you need to do those tasks while away?
Are there any 3rd party bleed kits that could reduce the footprint of my sram and Shimano kits? – Generally speaking, no. There are universal kits, but it’s normal (expected) that you have one kit for mineral oil, and another for DOT fluid. There are some rare kits that claim to do both, but you have to be extremely thorough about washing the fluid out of them and I’d expect them to not last so well.
Could a pliers wrench actually replace my entire set of wrenches? – Depends on the tasks. Like the T-handles, I’d pack the wrenches you often use, and then have a Pliers Wrench to cover the other sizes.
Do I actually need a preload cap adjustment tool when there is one of the back of the feedback screwdriver I own? – You just need one.
Should I just get rid of everything that isn’t on the Threaded tool kit articles? – Ha, no. Still plenty of things to cover in the series!
One can improvise when lacking a breaker bar. They are lovely to have, but you can slip the metal tube of a vacuum cleaner’s wand, a pipe or something as a “cheater bar” over the ratchet wrench, L key, etc. (does take some finesse).