BEST CONE WRENCHES?
Polly
I wanted to get different opinions on what the best cone wrenches you have
used and why.
I have been using a set of park wrenches for a while now, (maybe 14 years
the light blue with chrome) although they have been through many repairs. I
dont think im so keen on getting any more from park as I notice they dont
seem to fit very well, and they newer ones dont seem to fair that well in
the shop much like their pedal wrench.
Polly
Jacobe Hazzard
> Hey there everyone on rec.tech
Hey Polly, this is Adam who worked for you last year. Didn't know you were
on the newsgroups.
I decided to sort out my old bike last month instead of buying a new one,
but I'm finally gonna build up that track bike I've been planning. I'm
going north in a couple of days so I'll come and see you when I get back.
Have a good summer!
MikeYankee
handles, are a wee bit too thick for Campy hubs (but work OK on Shimano). The
cheaper double-ended Park wrenches are thinner, and work better. Go figure.
Mike Yankee
(Address is munged to thwart spammers.
To reply, delete everything after "com".)
John Everett
wrote:
Many years ago, on the advice of a career bicycle mechanic, I bought a
set of Kingsbridge cone wrenches. I've never been sorry. Unfortunately
they seem to be hard to find these days.
jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3
Qui si parla Campagnolo
have
used and why. >><BR><BR>
Pedros..the yellow handle gets dirty is the only 'bad' thing...
Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"
Sheldon Brown
> For some reason the "good" Park cone wrenches, the ones with blue plastic
> handles, are a wee bit too thick for Campy hubs (but work OK on Shimano). The
> cheaper double-ended Park wrenches are thinner, and work better. Go figure.
You can push harder on the "good" Park wrenches, due to their longer,
padded, handles, without hurting your hand. As a result they need to
have stronger jaws.
Peter Chisholm recommends Pedro's, which I haven't yet tried, but I just
learned that Pedro's tools come with a lifetime guarantee, so I will
give 'em a whirl. Other Pedro's stuff I've used has generally been quite
good.
However, I'm surprised that "Qui si parla Campagnolo" didn't mention
Campagnolo cone wrenches. These are in a class by themselves. They're
forged, not stamped nor laser cut like the others, and are made of
amazingly tough steel (allowing them to be thinner than most.) They are
not very comfy on the hands, but they outlast all others in my experience.
Unfortunately, they come only in 13/14 and 15/16 sizing, rather than the
much more useful 13/15 combination, so you need to by 3 or 4 of them at
big bucks.
Another thing about Campag cone wrenches: They have nicely radiussed
edges, and they make _great_ tire irons for the toughest, tightest
tires, better than any purpose-built tire irons for the snuggest
tire/rim combinations.
Sheldon "Qui Anche Parla Campagnolo" Brown
+----------------------------------------------+
| My mind is aglow with whirling, transient |
| nodes of thought careening through a cosmic |
| vapor of invention! --Mel Brooks |
+----------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com
John Dacey
wrote:
>Hey there everyone on rec.tech
Hozan C-57
http://www.hozan.co.jp/cycle_e/cycle_catalog_e/hub/C-57.html
Tough, forged and long enough for good leverage. There are certain
Campagnolo hub models for which their venerable "Q" tool is still the
best choice, but I'm otherwise quite happy with the Hozan C-57 sets
(you'll need two).
-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
http://www.businesscycles.com
Now in our twenty-first year.
Our catalog of track equipment: eighth year online
-------------------------------
A Muzi
I have no doubt that Kingsbridge cone wrenches are the best.
They are coined (punched from both sides simultaneously)
for a durable edge and made from a good steel that's hard
but not brittle. Whatever their warm colored plate is, it
doesn't chip like lesser brands. My own are quite old but
still a good fit with crisp edges.
I've stopped using my nice ones on new Taiwan or Chinese
hubs. As you may have noticed, the cones on new cheap bikes
are all maddeningly 14-1/2 millimeters. If someone would
send a caliper to Sovos, KingKong, JoYou and their ilk,
mechanics worldwide would be happier. Undersized wrench
flats just eat tools - especially when breaking into a hub
assembled aggressively with air tools on dry threads. And
since hub makers don't grease new hubs, we have to open
every one.
Of late, Kingsbridge has been out, so they're in short
supply. My second choices would be Sugino(discontinued) or
J&N (ditto) or Campagnolo #Q (same). All of those share
tough material and that odd color plate that doesn't get up
and walk away. They are just not as tough as Kingsbridge.
Var has two offset models. A regular double-ended one and a
stepped-slot version with two sizes per end. Var's OK,
better than Famous Brand IMHO. Some new products (Pedros,
Lifu) look promising but I haven't used them enough to know
about wear.
So I don't have a snappy answer as the best ones are
unavailable.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971
bfd
"A Muzi" <a...@yellowjersey.org> wrote in message
news:109at53...@corp.supernews.com...
> Of late, Kingsbridge has been out, so they're in short
> supply. My second choices would be Sugino(discontinued) or
> J&N (ditto) or Campagnolo #Q (same).
>
longer available? If so, that's too bad, they excellent wrenches.
carl...@comcast.net
wrote:
>I have no doubt that Kingsbridge cone wrenches are the best.
> They are coined (punched from both sides simultaneously)
>for a durable edge and made from a good steel that's hard
>but not brittle. Whatever their warm colored plate is, it
>doesn't chip like lesser brands. My own are quite old but
>still a good fit with crisp edges.
>
>I've stopped using my nice ones on new Taiwan or Chinese
>hubs. As you may have noticed, the cones on new cheap bikes
>are all maddeningly 14-1/2 millimeters. If someone would
>send a caliper to Sovos, KingKong, JoYou and their ilk,
>mechanics worldwide would be happier. Undersized wrench
>flats just eat tools - especially when breaking into a hub
>assembled aggressively with air tools on dry threads. And
>since hub makers don't grease new hubs, we have to open
>every one.
>
Dear Andrew,
What looks like a 14.5mm cone is probably actually a 9/16ths, using
25.4mm / inch.
14mm = 0.55118"
9/16 = 0.56250"
14.5m = 0.57086"
15mm = 0.59055"
Carl Fogel
A Muzi
> news:109at53...@corp.supernews.com...
>>Of late, Kingsbridge has been out, so they're in short
>>supply. My second choices would be Sugino(discontinued) or
>>J&N (ditto) or Campagnolo #Q (same).
bfd wrote:
> The above is not clear, are you saying that Campagnolo cone wrenches, are no
> longer available? If so, that's too bad, they excellent wrenches.
AFAIK they are no longer being made. They don't fit any
current Campagnolo product.
But have heart!
As with so many useful things ( British 3-speeds for
example) there will be enough, for those who desire them,
for a good long while in the secondary markets.
A Muzi
> wrote:
>>I have no doubt that Kingsbridge cone wrenches are the best.
>> They are coined (punched from both sides simultaneously)
>>for a durable edge and made from a good steel that's hard
>>but not brittle. Whatever their warm colored plate is, it
>>doesn't chip like lesser brands. My own are quite old but
>>still a good fit with crisp edges.
>>
>>I've stopped using my nice ones on new Taiwan or Chinese
>>hubs. As you may have noticed, the cones on new cheap bikes
>>are all maddeningly 14-1/2 millimeters. If someone would
>>send a caliper to Sovos, KingKong, JoYou and their ilk,
>>mechanics worldwide would be happier. Undersized wrench
>>flats just eat tools - especially when breaking into a hub
>>assembled aggressively with air tools on dry threads. And
>>since hub makers don't grease new hubs, we have to open
>>every one.
carl...@comcast.net wrote:
> What looks like a 14.5mm cone is probably actually a 9/16ths, using
> 25.4mm / inch.
> 14mm = 0.55118"
> 9/16 = 0.56250"
> 14.5m = 0.57086"
> 15mm = 0.59055"
I measured three no-label steel hubs at 14.76 and one KK
aluminum one at 14.8. The wrench flats on that sort of cone
are pressed, not cut, and IMHO are not intended to be
14.2875 (9/16"). If they were, they are still off!
carl...@comcast.net
wrote:
Dear Andrew,
You just need a well-stocked toolbox that includes a thin 37/64ths
open-end wrench (14.6843 mm nominal, but usually a tiny bit bigger) .
They're sold at hardware stores next to the 1/7th inch drill bits.
Carl Fogel
Sheldon Brown
> I've stopped using my nice ones on new Taiwan or Chinese hubs. As you
> may have noticed, the cones on new cheap bikes are all maddeningly
> 14-1/2 millimeters. If someone would send a caliper to Sovos, KingKong,
> JoYou and their ilk, mechanics worldwide would be happier. Undersized
> wrench flats just eat tools - especially when breaking into a hub
> assembled aggressively with air tools on dry threads.
These hubs, however, often also have _taller_ than usual flats on the
cones. This means that you can often fit a _pedal_ wrench on 'em.
Pedal wrenches are much more durable, and have nice long handles to
break apart the air-tightened (loctited?) cone/locknut interface.
Sheldon "Use The Wrong Tool For The Job When It Works Better" Brown
+-------------------------------------------------+
| Men have become the tools of their tools. |
| -- Henry David Thoreau |
+-------------------------------------------------+
carl...@comcast.net
<capt...@sheldonbrown.com> wrote:
>Andy Muzi wrote:
>
>> I've stopped using my nice ones on new Taiwan or Chinese hubs. As you
>> may have noticed, the cones on new cheap bikes are all maddeningly
>> 14-1/2 millimeters. If someone would send a caliper to Sovos, KingKong,
>> JoYou and their ilk, mechanics worldwide would be happier. Undersized
>> wrench flats just eat tools - especially when breaking into a hub
>> assembled aggressively with air tools on dry threads.
>
>These hubs, however, often also have _taller_ than usual flats on the
>cones. This means that you can often fit a _pedal_ wrench on 'em.
>
>Pedal wrenches are much more durable, and have nice long handles to
>break apart the air-tightened (loctited?) cone/locknut interface.
>
>Sheldon "Use The Wrong Tool For The Job When It Works Better" Brown
>+-------------------------------------------------+
>| Men have become the tools of their tools. |
>| -- Henry David Thoreau |
>+-------------------------------------------------+
>
Dear Sheldon,
Eggxactly.
A bicycle is only a tool salesman's way of making new sales.
Samuel...@Erewhon.com
carl...@comcast.net
<capt...@sheldonbrown.com> wrote:
Qui si parla Campagnolo
<< However, I'm surprised that "Qui si parla Campagnolo" didn't mention
I have a set of these and use them on a lot of Campagnolo hubs where a thin
cone wrench is needed...but w/o a padded handle, they sometimes hurt me dainty
little hands...
Capt Bike-<< Another thing about Campag cone wrenches: They have nicely
radiussed
edges, and they make _great_ tire irons for the toughest, tightest
tires, better than any purpose-built tire irons for the snuggest
tire/rim combinations. >><BR><BR>
Also use to take off slotted crank bolt covers..
rosco
news:4kca90tvqsbr3vpdb...@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 2 May 2004 00:18:23 -0400, "Polly" <po...@cyclescanada.com>
>
> Hozan C-57
> http://www.hozan.co.jp/cycle_e/cycle_catalog_e/hub/C-57.html
>
> Tough, forged and long enough for good leverage. There are certain
> Campagnolo hub models for which their venerable "Q" tool is still the
> best choice, but I'm otherwise quite happy with the Hozan C-57 sets
> (you'll need two).
>
I didn't see these among the Hozan products in the QBP catalog. Who sells
them?
John Dacey
<reverse-the-following"ocsor_g"@hotmail.com> wrote:
>"John Dacey" <jda...@businesscycles.com> wrote in message
>>
>> Hozan C-57
>> http://www.hozan.co.jp/cycle_e/cycle_catalog_e/hub/C-57.html
>>
>> Tough, forged and long enough for good leverage. There are certain
>> Campagnolo hub models for which their venerable "Q" tool is still the
>> best choice, but I'm otherwise quite happy with the Hozan C-57 sets
>> (you'll need two).
>>
>
>
>I didn't see these among the Hozan products in the QBP catalog. Who sells
>them?
Mine came through United Bicycle Parts. Likely there are others, too.
-------------------------------
John Dacey
Business Cycles, Miami, Florida
Since 1983
Our catalogue of track equipment: online since 1996.
http://www.businesscycles.com
A Muzi
> "John Dacey" <jda...@businesscycles.com> wrote in message
> news:4kca90tvqsbr3vpdb...@4ax.com...
>>Hozan C-57
>>http://www.hozan.co.jp/cycle_e/cycle_catalog_e/hub/C-57.html
>>Tough, forged and long enough for good leverage. There are certain
>>Campagnolo hub models for which their venerable "Q" tool is still the
>>best choice, but I'm otherwise quite happy with the Hozan C-57 sets
>>(you'll need two).
rosco wrote:
> I didn't see these among the Hozan products in the QBP catalog. Who sells
> them?
Of a couple hundred wholesale distributors, that
particular one has a very "retail" catalog, giving the
impression of thoroughness.
As with mail-order catalogs, one's impression is lots of
choice- until you consider that many smallish LBS ( Sheldon,
Peter, us, etc) actually stock way more SKUs than even the
big MO outfits.
here are some cone wrenches:
http://www.bicycletools.com/pdf/45.pdf
S o r n i
mechanic?
CONE WRENCH!
Bill "heading nowhere (AND showing age)" S.
Chalo
> I wanted to get different opinions on what the best cone wrenches you have
> used and why.
The brand new ones, of course. The others tend to be all %&$*ed up.
Like Mr. Muzi says, Kingsbridge cone wrenches seem to be the hot
ticket. They eventually get %&$*ed up too though, alas.
BTW, that's nickel plating, more ductile than chromium.
Chalo Colina
David L. Johnson
> "Polly" <po...@cyclescanada.com> wrote:
>
>> I wanted to get different opinions on what the best cone wrenches you have
>> used and why.
Way back when (1970 maybe), I got a set of Campy cone wrenches, along with
a few other Campy tools. They still work perfectly. Maybe there is
something you get for the outrageous prices they charge for tools.
--
David L. Johnson
__o | Become MicroSoft-free forever. Ask me how.
_`\(,_ |
(_)/ (_) |
Rick Onanian
Not necessarily showing your age. Classic SNL is now shown on a
couple cable channels, and there was a Coneheads movie in the 1990s.
Me, I'm heading out for a ride in a few minutes.
--
Rick "Don't want to hone my cone alone" Onanian