That week I tried to save money with a $15 bottom bracket tool from Amazon

Last spring I ordered a cheap bottom bracket tool from Amazon for 15 bucks because I figured why pay 40 for the Park Tool version. First job on my old Trek went fine, but the socket stripped the plastic tool head halfway through the second bike. I wasted three evenings fighting with a stuck cartridge and ended up having to pay a shop in Columbus 35 bucks to extract it. Has anyone else had a cheap tool cost them more than just buying the good one upfront?

2 comments

2 Comments

amy_murphy157d ago

Ugh that exact same thing happened to me. I bought a cheap set of Allen wrenches from a hardware store once and the hex head rounded off inside a brake caliper bolt. Cost me a trip to the shop and a new caliper. What brand was the tool you bought? I want to make sure I avoid it because I still get tempted by those dirt cheap Amazon listings when I need something quick.

lucas_carr247d ago

Oh man, I mean is it really that serious though? I've definitely had cheap tools crap out on me too, but idk, sometimes you get lucky. I bought a $12 chain whip on Amazon two years ago and it's still going fine on my mountain bikes, even after a few sketchy cassette swaps. Maybe I'm just not hard on my stuff, but I feel like people act like you need a full Park Tool setup just to change a tire.