Reddit mentions of Pedro's Bicycle Cable Puller

You'll probably want a park tools repair stand (i have that one, it's cheap and it gets the job done), and the big blue book.

You'll also probably need a bottom bracket tool depends on your type of bottom bracket though. You might want to get a breaker bar as well (leverage is very important when removing these bottom brackets).

You'll need a chain whip and lockring spanner.

If you are going threaded fork, you'll need the relevant spanner wrenches.

Make sure you have a good multi-tool/allen wrench set. A nice tube of waterproof grease, and some triflow or other chain lube, and a degreaser. Also a good pedal wrench is good to have.

A 4th hand tool is really good to have if you are running your own brakes, plus you'll need a good housing/cable cutter.

If i can think of anything else, i'll get back to you, but that should pretty much cover it.

3 tools that I would recommend getting are a cable cutter made for bikes, a cable puller and a pokey spoke. Without a proper cable cutter you will just crush the cables/housings when trying to cut them. Even with a proper cable cutter you will slightly deform the housings- which is why you want a pokey spoke. Use the pokey spoke to make sure you have rounded out the cable housings nicely after cutting em. The cable puller is invaluable when adjusting tension on the brakes and derailleurs. Sure, you can bumble along fine without one, but holy hell it is a headache. Also- Make sure you have ferrules and cable ends. You can pick these up at your LBS for next to free.

Remember- Derailleur cables/housings are smaller than brake cables! They are not interchangeable. I usually just start with the shifter cables and run those, then do brake cables(this is definitely dependent on the bike). Don't cut the cables until you have tested your brakes and shifters/derailleurs. Sorry for the wall of text. Hope it helped a tad, tho.

3rd/4th hand tool


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000IZGF6A/

looks to be a mid-70s Frenchie, so 2x5 friction gears, probably a Sachs-Huret rear derailleur and (this is the bad bit) weird french dimensions and threading on the BB. That's not necessarily a deal breaker if everything is in place, it just means replacing bits can be a little bit difficult.

It probably is worth a $100 or so if everything works and there's minimal rust, but if you do buy this, you'll need a 4th hand tool to set the brakes up properly, and I would also suggest some modern brake pads.

Or Amazon UK.

OK, I'm thinking we do this in stages.

Stage 1 which will allow you to get it riding now and will be perfectly capable of a 4-5mi round trip.

Cable Cutters ($20) stick to the better units but probably no need to go for Park Tool. BBB make a nice one, although I currently have an IceToolz cable cutter because I can't find my good ones.
For the brakes you will need a 4th hand cable stretcher like this Pedros ($17) unit which is a third the cost of a Park Tool unit.
Will also need cables, easiest way is to grab a DIY Jagwire ($24) kit which has both brake and shift cables.
These Vittoria Zaffiro tyres are a good compromise of value, durability and performance. I use these a lot and they're on my training bike. Will also need tubes, and being a commuter, flats are not your friend so these Schwalbe tubes are a good idea. ($60)
Arundel cork bar tape ($20)
A new chain for your bike is probably the only way forward, and this KMC is perfect ($6)
The brake pads on your calipers will now doubt be old, and also a 30yo pad compound, so not overly efficient. Would strongly recommend these Kool Stop Continental brake pads as a starting point before we get to Phase 2 ($10)

Grease for the Bottom Bracket and Headset (and wheel hubs) is also needed, but there's absolutely no need to buy bike-specific grease, so this Valvoline tub as an example would be ideal ($10) .
The chain needs to be lubed, and in dry conditions I like Finish Line dry lube. Others will have their own preferences, but this is a good starting point.

Also should think about replacing the saddle, but this is very subjective and not something that can be recommended in terms of which saddle to buy. Maybe scoot around Craigslist for your area and see what comes up..

In terms of learning the skills, the Park Tool video channel is surprisingly good although heavy on product placement and endorsement although this is to be expected. There are lots of alternatives to Park Tool tools though, including Pedro's, BBB and others. None of the skills associated with your era of bike are all that difficult, and refurbishing this to be usable in your context is completely feasible in your garage.

May also want to consider buying one of the entry-level bike toolkits like this tool kit as a starting point ($40) although this is just an example however is the same kit as others sell just rebranded.

So phase 1 (not including the tool kit) is about $160-ish and watching a bunch of videos.

sorry for the essay, but once I started it just sort of kept going. Phase 2 is removal of existing driveline, and upgrading to a Shimano 2x8sp indexed group with modern dual pivot calipers and modern alloy wheels. But we can cover that later.

Shucks, your barrel adjuster looks pretty backed out already. Screw that guy back to a mid point, put your wheel back on so the caliper can bite the rotor and buy a tool to complete the job. This is kind of a bargain brake so there are limits on how perfect it will become without modulation.

May be time for some new pads also :)

Bicycle cable puller (11-45$), rarely need to use them but very handy for a pinch like this.

With the cable puller one one end and squeezing your brake lever on the other , you can see if maybe it is a cable housing issue (if it doesnt slide easily, water and debris can get in the line). Cable and housing is inexpensive 3-5$ cable, housing less than 1$ per foot. Jagwire makes teflon cables that seem to slide on anything (upper end).

Should help :)

If its still fussy after all of this , get a new brake 35$.
Never heard of your brand before.

https://www.rei.com/product/808779/avid-bb5-disc-brake-160mm?sku=8087790013&store=13&cm_mmc=PLA_Google_LIA%7C404_174403%7C8087790013%7Cnone%7C_kenshoo_clickid_%7Cpla-453412225845&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA%7C404_174403%7C8087790013%7Cnone%7C_kenshoo_clickid_&kclid=_kenshoo_clickid_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItpSw0q_85AIVsx-tBh2cxA0EEAQYBSABEgIFvPD_BwE


https://www.amazon.com/Pedros-138900-Bicycle-Cable-Puller/dp/B000IZGF6A/ref=asc_df_B000IZGF6A/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312125954623&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17308526862538999545&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032926&hvtargid=pla-442155551981&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63589537658&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312125954623&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17308526862538999545&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032926&hvtargid=pla-442155551981