Are 'Bike Tools' really different from 'Tools'?

Plenty of bike tools would be hard to live without, like a cassette tool. However, do you need bike specific hex wrenches? Screwdrivers? Hmmm, looks like we need to take a closer look!

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[georgewagner]

Spoke wrench doubles as a valve core tool. Learned this by accident and has been my go to ever since.
Cheers!

[somethingfatal]

Biggest tip I heard is buy the cheaper version of every tool first and when it breaks, then buy the expensive one. That way you only spend the big money on tools you use a lot. Poorly worded but you get the idea.

[martysoulard]

Some of the tools are definite game changers like the bottom bracket tool or crank arm puller. I am 56 years old and still have specialty bike tools I bought in my teens.

[samwilcox]

What I really appreciate about you Seth is you're constantly thinking about what works best for all the rest of us normal people. You're not out to sell a product to us or act snobby with all the nicer tools that are specific to mtb. You single handedly got myself and my wife into mountain biking a month ago I really appreciate you dude 🙏.

[vladstu]

Seths wife: "why do you keep buying tools?"
Seth: "these tools do things kinda the same, but kinda different, here's why"

[collier]

I’ve worked at a bike shop for years and seen a lot of customers get by with the simple tools that they have in their garage. The problem is with the non bike specific tools is they end up doing more damage to the bike. Which can be more expensive to fix overtime. Bike parts and components are all made to very fine measurements. Bike specific tools are made to fit those measurements. Just buy the good bike specific tools that you use a lot. The stuff like hex wrenches and screwdrivers are fine to buy at your local hardware store. As long as they are name brand they don’t seem to cause issues. Hope someone found this helpful.

[tomcarney]

For the head set cups I used a 1"×4" piece of wood and a big c clamp, and it works great. You can get the c clamps at harbor freight

[timmyfranks]

You never know when you need to pull out the jackhammer on the ol’ frame

[clintchapman]

Before I bought a set of master link pliers, I did find using the right set of circlip pliers worked really well for breaking the masterlink apart.

[damonwheeler]

My dad was a machinist and mechanic since 1958, and the one thing he always taught me, NEVER use an adjustable wrench on anything, unless you have no other tool to be able to use.

[deusexaethera]

There is no substitute for a cable housing cutter. I've tried. The design of the cutting jaws is critical. It doesn't need to be a _bicycle_ cable housing cutter, but it does need to be a cable housing cutter. Having said that, the cleanest possible cut will actually come from a Dremel because it won't crush the housing, but you will need to flush the housing with spray cleaner to get the metal dust out.
Regarding wrenches, every tool kit should include Knipex pliers-wrenches. They are astoundingly useful in any situation where they physically fit, much better than normal adjustable wrenches.

[olx]

The people telling you they can take master-links apart with their fingers are not lying to you. They are just using very worn master-links.

[Finnspin_unicycles]

That shoelace masterlink trick is neat! I've always managed to get them apart with various pliers and not too much time, but this seems easier.

[jacksunstone]

A wise man told me when I was very young, " Buy Quality tools and they will last forever. I'm 63 and still have tools I bought when in my 20s.

[sepherus]

You can always add chunks of 2x4 or other scrap wood under the washers on the faux bearing press. I've also successfully used wood scraps and a clamp to press in cups and bearings.

[scottshipp]

This was a better ad for Park Tools than any other video I've seen. Obviously you want the right tool for the job and there's just no getting around the fact that your common household tools are not bike-friendly

[Cynyr]

@12:10 My homemade cup press used some 1x6 boards cut into squares with a hole in the middle for the cup sides and then a stack of 2 or 3 washers on the nut side. worked "ok". for the number of times i've needed it (once) it was worth the money.

[davebrown]

I just went to my local hardware store, got a 1 foot chunk of 1/2" all-thread and they had thick nylon washers to fit inside the headset cups, plus some steel washers & nuts, got a perfect headset press for less than $10. The bike tool versions will keep the headset cups straight, this can be tricky with the hardware store version. For master link pliers, I bent the tips of some junk needle nose pliers into hooks the size of chain rollers & ground them narrow enough to fit the links, a quick squeeze and master link open.

[cliffsangelsphotography]

I used your shoelace hack years ago when you first put it on video, and it worked like a charm. I still keep a shoelace in my pack to this day

[KujoA]

The smallest size Knipex pliers wrench is not only enormously useful for all kinds of things, it is also a better cable crimper than the one in the park needle-nose pliers.