Favorite Tools
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Marty
Jul 25, 2011, 12:18:11 PM7/25/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Darrin's headset post got me thinking about the tools I've collected over the years, and the ones I could not do without. Here are my "don't scrimp on these" favorites by far:
Campagnolo "big three" wrench set - Headest/Bottom Bracket/Pedal (30+ years old and and have done hundreds of overhauls) Of course, we're talking square-drive BBs and 32mm locknuts here.
Park pro workstand. Another 30+ year old workhorse that can't be beat.
Park cable cutters
Park chain tool
Park wheel truing stand/spoke wrenches. (getting very little use now that Rich is building my wheels)
It's not that I'm a Park/Campy fanatic, (well, maybe a little) it's just that I bought most of this stuff years ago and it never wears out! This could be the start of the "RBW Owners Toolbox". We need a "in the shop" list, and an "on the road" list. The above are obviously the former, and represent my top 5. What are yours?
Campagnolo "big three" wrench set - Headest/Bottom Bracket/Pedal (30+ years old and and have done hundreds of overhauls) Of course, we're talking square-drive BBs and 32mm locknuts here.
Park pro workstand. Another 30+ year old workhorse that can't be beat.
Park cable cutters
Park chain tool
Park wheel truing stand/spoke wrenches. (getting very little use now that Rich is building my wheels)
It's not that I'm a Park/Campy fanatic, (well, maybe a little) it's just that I bought most of this stuff years ago and it never wears out! This could be the start of the "RBW Owners Toolbox". We need a "in the shop" list, and an "on the road" list. The above are obviously the former, and represent my top 5. What are yours?
Marty
Jul 25, 2011, 12:29:52 PM7/25/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Sorry, Darin = one "r"
And BTW - my favorite grease has to be Campagnolo - the creamy cream-colored good-smelling stuff.
And BTW - my favorite grease has to be Campagnolo - the creamy cream-colored good-smelling stuff.
Brewster Fong
Jul 25, 2011, 1:35:19 PM7/25/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Marty wrote:
<BTW - my favorite grease has to be Campagnolo - the creamy cream-colored good-smelling stuff>
If you gotta have Campy grease:
As for tools, if you have Campy or Shimano hubs or any other with ball bearing and cup & cone, then you must get Campy cone wrenches:
Good Luck!
Tim McNamara
Jul 25, 2011, 7:15:50 PM7/25/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
My favorite tool is my old Campagnolo T wrench (6 mm Allen with 8 mm socket). With that and a 5 mm Allen wrench you could do everything to a Nuovo Record group except overhaul the hubs, headset and BB.
Jim Cloud
Jul 25, 2011, 7:25:12 PM7/25/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
I have pretty much all of the Campagnolo Record era type tools that
would be useful for a home mechanic with a Campy Nuovo Record equipped
bike (not including the tools to tap a bottom bracket, etc.). My
favorite Campy tool is, like you, the Campy "T" tool. Unfortunately,
my Campy saddle spanner (useful for adjusting a Campy Record seatpost)
was "lifted" from my seat bag by a sticky finger employee at an LBS.
Lesson learned, don't leave a seatbag on a bike when the bike is left
overnight for repairs and you're not present!.
Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ
would be useful for a home mechanic with a Campy Nuovo Record equipped
bike (not including the tools to tap a bottom bracket, etc.). My
favorite Campy tool is, like you, the Campy "T" tool. Unfortunately,
my Campy saddle spanner (useful for adjusting a Campy Record seatpost)
was "lifted" from my seat bag by a sticky finger employee at an LBS.
Lesson learned, don't leave a seatbag on a bike when the bike is left
overnight for repairs and you're not present!.
Jim Cloud
Tucson, AZ
cyclotourist
Jul 25, 2011, 8:25:27 PM7/25/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I have the Campy 5mm wrench which was possibly my first purchase from Rivendell 18 years ago. Have been using it near weekly and works perfectly. Hard to beat!
--
Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA
...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would probably benefit more from
improving their taste than from improving their performance. - RTMS
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Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA
...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would probably benefit more from
improving their taste than from improving their performance. - RTMS
EricP
Jul 25, 2011, 8:47:29 PM7/25/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
Only Campy item at my place is a 15mm, aka peanut butter wrench. It's
nice, but unless (until?) I buy a SimpleOne and the budge wheels,
probably won't have much use for it.
Probably my favorite tools are a set of Bondhus allen wrenches. They
sit out on my bench get used weekly, or more if tinkering.
Do have a basic set of Park Tools and they were used to build my
Hillborne, as well as some of my other bike builds and later
conversions.
Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN
> *...in terms of recreational cycling there are many riders who would
> probably benefit more from
> improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS
nice, but unless (until?) I buy a SimpleOne and the budge wheels,
probably won't have much use for it.
Probably my favorite tools are a set of Bondhus allen wrenches. They
sit out on my bench get used weekly, or more if tinkering.
Do have a basic set of Park Tools and they were used to build my
Hillborne, as well as some of my other bike builds and later
conversions.
Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN
> probably benefit more from
> improving their taste than from improving their performance.* - RTMS
charlie
Jul 25, 2011, 9:55:00 PM7/25/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
You'd want a stubby 15mm box end ratchet/ open end combo wrench then
for your SO I purchased one and its really handy for changing gears
without rounding the axle nuts. Its about 5 inches long and perfect
for the purpose. This is my favorite tool for now but I admit to
liking my Y shaped 8,9,10 socket wrench and my screwdriver handle
bondus wrench for water bottle/fender bolts etc. Can't forget to
mention my Park chain tool and crank puller. The nicest tool I have is
a bicycle specific cable cutter/ end crimper that my friend gave me. I
always buy my own tools and have nearly everything I need short of a
truing stand or frame reamers and taps which I plan to aquire
eventually. A Phil Wood spoke threading machine would be nice too as
would frame building jigs and a nice mill and lathe.
for your SO I purchased one and its really handy for changing gears
without rounding the axle nuts. Its about 5 inches long and perfect
for the purpose. This is my favorite tool for now but I admit to
liking my Y shaped 8,9,10 socket wrench and my screwdriver handle
bondus wrench for water bottle/fender bolts etc. Can't forget to
mention my Park chain tool and crank puller. The nicest tool I have is
a bicycle specific cable cutter/ end crimper that my friend gave me. I
always buy my own tools and have nearly everything I need short of a
truing stand or frame reamers and taps which I plan to aquire
eventually. A Phil Wood spoke threading machine would be nice too as
would frame building jigs and a nice mill and lathe.
Lynne Fitz
Jul 25, 2011, 11:49:01 PM7/25/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
My Park Tools master link plier. And the Park Tools cable and housing cutter. And the Park Tools...
Mark Fredrickson
Jul 25, 2011, 9:09:41 PM7/25/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
No doubt about it: Park 4th Hand. I still hate adjusting brakes, but
now I hate it less. Also great for derailleur adjustments and pulling
cable ties ridiculously tight (read: breaking a lot of ties).
http://www.parktool.com/product/cable-stretcher-bt-2
I also really like my stand (Park PC-10), but I think I just like
stands in general. I've used a Pedro stand on occasion that worked
just dandy. I really think every bike owner owes it to his/herself to
buy or build a stand.
-M
now I hate it less. Also great for derailleur adjustments and pulling
cable ties ridiculously tight (read: breaking a lot of ties).
http://www.parktool.com/product/cable-stretcher-bt-2
I also really like my stand (Park PC-10), but I think I just like
stands in general. I've used a Pedro stand on occasion that worked
just dandy. I really think every bike owner owes it to his/herself to
buy or build a stand.
-M
Zack
Jul 26, 2011, 9:23:50 AM7/26/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
The bondhus screw driver handle allen wrenches are my favorite too Eric, have made adding and removing water bottle cages and racks much easier.
PATRICK MOORE
Jul 26, 2011, 9:52:21 AM7/26/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com, internet-bob
If anyone is interested in the grandaddy multi-tool, the Cool Tool,
complete with headset, bb (old cup 'n' cone type) and crank bolt
socket in the cutest little leather pouch (home made), I have one I'll
sell for a reasonable price -- and don't ask me to define reasonable
here; we shall have to work it out by cooperative negotiation. But I
will say that y'all can have it cheap (ish) since it has been idle in
my box for several years -- I've thought that it is too nice to toss
but having no use for it.
complete with headset, bb (old cup 'n' cone type) and crank bolt
socket in the cutest little leather pouch (home made), I have one I'll
sell for a reasonable price -- and don't ask me to define reasonable
here; we shall have to work it out by cooperative negotiation. But I
will say that y'all can have it cheap (ish) since it has been idle in
my box for several years -- I've thought that it is too nice to toss
but having no use for it.
Complete and vg. Please make offer.
benzzoy
Jul 26, 2011, 11:26:35 AM7/26/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
On Jul 25, 5:35 pm, Brewster Fong <bfd...@gmail.com> wrote:
> As for tools, if you have Campy or Shimano hubs or any other with ball
> bearing and cup & cone, then you must get Campy cone wrenches:
>
> http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I4Snyzw2IMM/TQzmirh_XRI/AAAAAAAAFqY/rzL26lZ...
> As for tools, if you have Campy or Shimano hubs or any other with ball
> bearing and cup & cone, then you must get Campy cone wrenches:
>
Unfortunately, the last two generation of Campagnolo Record and Chorus
hubs (from '99 on) do not require cone wrenches to work on. At least
that's the excuse I provide to avoid having to spend $$$ for a set of
Campagnolo cone wrenches. (Shimano hubs don't require anything more
than Park wrenches, especially since at least a couple require the
17mm that Campagnolo do not make)
-B
Marty
Aug 7, 2011, 2:36:31 PM8/7/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Had to take a photo of my favorite "tool":
Maybe I should just admit that my fingers qualify as a favorite tool, especially when they are used with the above.
Marty
Erik
Aug 8, 2011, 2:33:59 PM8/8/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
As a former (14 years) shop mechanic at numerous shops, I've had a chance to use a range of tools. Some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned are:
-Most mechanics who I know (myself included) prefer Felco cable/housing cutters over Park. If any of you are gardeners, you might be familiar with their pruning shears.
-For a while Trek marketed a pedal wrench under their Wrench Force brand. I believe that it was made by Snap-On, and it was(is) fabulous...quite a bit thicker than others and, most importantly, built with an offset bend so that your knuckles stayed clear of the chainrings.
-The Park PTS-1 tire seating tool, while a little expensive for home use, becomes a invaluable after one or two problem tires (Col de Vie's come to mind!).
-Although traditional spanner wrenches have been largely replaced by Allen wrenches (++ on the Bondhus recommendations, in a number of configurations), I still love a high-quality set of metric spanner/box wrenches (6mm--19mm). Sure you can mostly get by with just a 8, 10, 14, and 15, but they look great lined-up hanging from the pegboard! Look for quality castings that are longer than the common Craftsman sets. I prefer a satin grip finish over that pebbly finish that you find on cheaper sets.
-Wiha screwdrivers with a rubber grip.
-And finally, the ubiquitous sharpened spoke! Snip the threads off (don't use those expensive Felco cutters, though!) and sharpen on a grinding wheel. I always kept several different lengths and bends on hand. The most common use is for opening the lining in housing after cutting, but they have a multitude of other uses.
**special bonus 6th tool: Axle vice. Once you've used one, nothing is worse than chasing your tail to get a hub adjustment perfect without an axle vice.
That was fun, and somewhat nostalgic! Once I got going, it was hard to stop at five (I guess that I didn't). And I didn't even get into wheelbuilding tools, which each have their own specialized niche of efficiency.
-Most mechanics who I know (myself included) prefer Felco cable/housing cutters over Park. If any of you are gardeners, you might be familiar with their pruning shears.
-For a while Trek marketed a pedal wrench under their Wrench Force brand. I believe that it was made by Snap-On, and it was(is) fabulous...quite a bit thicker than others and, most importantly, built with an offset bend so that your knuckles stayed clear of the chainrings.
-The Park PTS-1 tire seating tool, while a little expensive for home use, becomes a invaluable after one or two problem tires (Col de Vie's come to mind!).
-Although traditional spanner wrenches have been largely replaced by Allen wrenches (++ on the Bondhus recommendations, in a number of configurations), I still love a high-quality set of metric spanner/box wrenches (6mm--19mm). Sure you can mostly get by with just a 8, 10, 14, and 15, but they look great lined-up hanging from the pegboard! Look for quality castings that are longer than the common Craftsman sets. I prefer a satin grip finish over that pebbly finish that you find on cheaper sets.
-Wiha screwdrivers with a rubber grip.
-And finally, the ubiquitous sharpened spoke! Snip the threads off (don't use those expensive Felco cutters, though!) and sharpen on a grinding wheel. I always kept several different lengths and bends on hand. The most common use is for opening the lining in housing after cutting, but they have a multitude of other uses.
**special bonus 6th tool: Axle vice. Once you've used one, nothing is worse than chasing your tail to get a hub adjustment perfect without an axle vice.
That was fun, and somewhat nostalgic! Once I got going, it was hard to stop at five (I guess that I didn't). And I didn't even get into wheelbuilding tools, which each have their own specialized niche of efficiency.
jandrews_nyc
Aug 8, 2011, 9:24:19 PM8/8/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
this is a photo of my favorite tool. A friend gave this to me from his motorcycle garage. Its a Mercedes Benz 8mm & 10mm wrench. It's heavy and says "Made in West Germany" stamped on the back.
Benedikt
Aug 9, 2011, 3:14:49 AM8/9/11
to RBW Owners Bunch
That's gotta be the chain whip. Just something sexy about it.
dweendaddy
Aug 9, 2011, 8:30:20 AM8/9/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I love the "dumbell" wrench that Riv sells.
My dad had an old one that I cranked and cranked and broke in half. I was so excited when I saw Riv had one.
tarik saleh
Aug 9, 2011, 10:39:33 AM8/9/11
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
One of my favorite road finds ever was half of one of these wrenches, the 10mm half, which I kept in my tool bag on my cross bike to adjust whatever canti's I had on there before I went to pauls. I still have it somewhere. I found it on the road in east Oakland, riding between my house in fruitvale and Kelly Bikes where I was working which was just eastish of lake merrit.
--
Tarik Saleh
tas at tariksaleh dot com
in los alamos, po box 208, 87544
http://tariksaleh.com
all sorts of bikes blog: http://tsaleh.blogspot.com
On Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 7:24 PM, jandrews_nyc <jasonas...@gmail.com> wrote:
this is a photo of my favorite tool. A friend gave this to me from his motorcycle garage. Its a Mercedes Benz 8mm & 10mm wrench. It's heavy and says "Made in West Germany" stamped on the back.
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Tarik Saleh
tas at tariksaleh dot com
in los alamos, po box 208, 87544
http://tariksaleh.com
all sorts of bikes blog: http://tsaleh.blogspot.com
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