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Snapring pliers

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Snapring pliers
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flag shami
Posted: Dec 31, 2022 at 7:37 Quote
Hey all, I'm a home mechanic that does most of the maintenance on my suspension. I've been using some crappy old snap ring pliers that aren't always the right tool for the job. I want to start buying good ones but don't have the extra cash to buy a full set and don't want to buy sizes I might never use. What are the most commonly used sizes and angles to start the collection with? I know knipex is well liked, any other suggestions?
Thanks
flag BenLow2019
Posted: Dec 31, 2022 at 16:27 Quote
Park Tools make a nice set. Buy as a set or individual.
flag muddytreker
Posted: Dec 31, 2022 at 17:51 Quote
I bought knipex Snapring pliers as and when I needed em, have an extra plier
as at the time didnt realize theres compression and extension versions
flag Branmuffin
O+
Posted: Dec 31, 2022 at 19:59 Quote
You can buy a cheap set from home depot that will work for most applications on a suspension service.
flag shami
Posted: Jan 1, 2023 at 20:51 Quote
I appreciate everyone's input. I already have the cheap interchangeable head ones and am looking to get into something a bit higher quality. The Park ones look decent but you can find knipex on sale for a bit les $$. I was more looking for suggestions on what models of knipex would be best to start the collection. Do people find they use angled or straight more often and what tip diameters are most common?
flag ka81
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 2:15 Quote
for example, to work with snap-rings in some sram brake levers you\ll need only the kind I posted, so ..
flag BenLow2019
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 6:44 Quote
shami wrote:
I appreciate everyone's input. I already have the cheap interchangeable head ones and am looking to get into something a bit higher quality. The Park ones look decent but you can find knipex on sale for a bit les $$. I was more looking for suggestions on what models of knipex would be best to start the collection. Do people find they use angled or straight more often and what tip diameters are most common?

I think your best option is to have a look at your bike and see what snaprings you actually have and then get the tool that fits best for that component and the way you will work on it. The way a person likes to work on things will change the way they hold a tool so one person's preference may not suit another person.

Or you could have a look at the Park tools and, knowing that they are good tools made for people who work on bicycles, use them as a guide for finding similar tools with a price that meets your budget.

Good luck.
flag adm750
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 7:47 Quote
Good ideas from all but definitely follow the first suggestion by BenLow....then the second one.

you need to figure out what you are looking to manipulate (ie...what snap rings are on the bike...) then start to look for the proper tool and determine the quality level / tool style you prefer.

I do my own work (on everything...) as well. If I'm going to use something quite often, I will typically get the best version possible (requirements: durability, longevity, consistency and reliability).

If it's limited use, I might go for a cheaper tool or even make it myself. One example is the 34mm socket for the top cap on my older Fox forks. I could have bought the specialty tool, ranging from $8 to $25, and I'd have had to order it. Instead I went to Grainger's on my lunch hour, bought socket p/n 429P34 (34mm - 3/8" drive) for less than $3.00, and ground the end flat on my workbench.
flag shami
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 8:57 Quote
BenLow2019 wrote:

I think your best option is to have a look at your bike and see what snaprings you actually have and then get the tool that fits best for that component and the way you will work on it. The way a person likes to work on things will change the way they hold a tool so one person's preference may not suit another person.

Or you could have a look at the Park tools and, knowing that they are good tools made for people who work on bicycles, use them as a guide for finding similar tools with a price that meets your budget.


Good luck.

Thanks, I was actually thinking about just matching the sizes of the Park tools like you said. Without pulling apart multiple forks and shocks at the same time I can't really get a good overview of everything I need. So I was hoping someone on here was familiar enough with knipex to say which models they find they use the most for routine fork and shock maintenance.
flag shami
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 9:04 Quote
ka81 wrote:
for example, to work with snap-rings in some sram brake levers you\ll need only the kind I posted, so ..

Thanks, that's good to know. If you look at my original post though I was asking more about sizes most commonly used for suspension maintenance.
flag Slizger
O+
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 14:11 Quote
Would not recommend the park ones. They are cheap and flimsy compared to knipex.
flag ka81
Posted: Jan 2, 2023 at 22:37 Quote
Slizger wrote:
Would not recommend the park ones. They are cheap and flimsy compared to knipex.
woh woh, don't ruin the agenda... )
flag iiman
FL
Posted: Jan 17, 2023 at 15:50 Quote
In suspension and bearing retainers you'll only find internal circlips.
Is nice to have bent ones for some aplications like forks, and straight for things where the circlip is deeper, like some freehub bearings.
If you only wanna buy one type, I'd say straights are more polivalent.
I don't think there are sizes, really.
Google told me a pair of knipex is £16 so go for it.
flag adm750
Posted: Jan 18, 2023 at 6:15 Quote
Slizger wrote:
Would not recommend the park ones. They are cheap and flimsy compared to knipex.

I have yet to meet a bad plier from knipex tup
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