The Bicycle (Specialty) Tools Thread

[MarcSeattle]

Thought you guys would find this interesting/funny.

$75 DT Swiss "lock ring" tool welded onto a 3/4 to 1/2 impact adapter. My aircat that can do Honda crank bolts with its eyes closed still failed. 3/4 to 1/2 adapter also failed. This was after plenty of heat + penetrating oil + the vise and pipe strapped to the wheel + two guys on it. We actually managed to deform the end of the DT swiss tool with a large Bahco Swedish pipe wrench before welding the adapter onto it. Currently trying to cut and chip the ring out of the DT 350 hub now... The new DT swiss 240 does not have this horrid ratchet ring design anymore...

Has anyone used an impact gun to remove pedals? Obviously, the first step would be very sure about the direction of rotation.

Impact guns seem like they would work really well, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want the impact force to crack the carbon on a $700 carbon crank.

 

[Beerhippie]

Found these while cleaning out my road tool box that's lived in every rig I've owned:



I think one of those crank pullers is for a Stronglight! 23.3 X 1 mm. It's been a while....

Somewhere in storage I have an entire tool box full of bicycle tools. These were just the ones I used to lug around.

 

[Odd-job]

went to assisted bikes and trikes that propell themselves with little peddleing.

I've pretty much embraced all technology except the electric assist, but maybe that's the only logical progression for me?

Has anyone used an impact gun to remove pedals?

I only use impacts in bike applications as a last resort. I prefer using a 15mm pedal wrench than the allen on the spindle as it always felt like there was more material to grab onto. Also would feel better on an 8mm allen vs a 6mm and also how far I could sink the allen in the spindle.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Has anyone used an impact gun to remove pedals? Obviously, the first step would be very sure about the direction of rotation.

I generally don't use impacts on anything, but I have used a 1/4" driver to run brake disk bolts down prior to hand torquing. Crank/pedal threads vary in quality, so I like to feel them out by hand. Corrosion and galling seem to be most prevalent in that interface (along with threaded bottom brackets).

 

[shibertus]

Has anyone used an impact gun to remove pedals? Obviously, the first step would be very sure about the direction of rotation.

Impact guns seem like they would work really well, but on the other hand, I wouldn't want the impact force to crack the carbon on a $700 carbon crank.

Not on pedals but I have used an impact as a last resort on seized threaded bottom brackets. I would not bring an impact near anything carbon. Too easy to spin out the threaded metal inserts.

 

[pizza]

i got a new presta chuck and am quite pleased with it: JACO Lightning XP





it comes with two pieces: a 1/4" FNPT x F schrader adapter and the QC presta head.
the adapter has a swivel in it. the M schrader part of the presta head is pretty short, so it might not seal very well on other accessories.

for example, the M schrader part of the head can't just be snapped into my LockNFlate QC schrader chuck because that tool relies on the face of the M schrader pressing against a rubber washer that is set inside too deep to reach. i was disappointed at first because it feels like i'm forced to keep a redundant accessory, but turns out i actually prefer having the swivel feature anyways



so that's what it looks like all together. the jaco head, jaco swivel adapter, a brass 1/4" x schrader, my locknflate, a second brass 1/4" x schrader, and then my inflator hose.

it looks like a lot of **** stacked together, but it grabs the presta valve so well that it doesn't leak even with some torquing from gravity. also, a lot of it's aluminum, so it's not as heavy as it seems. i'm very happy with it.

i have the dewalt DCC020I inflator which has a compartment on the side for a cigarette lighter cord that lets you use the inflator if you don't have a battery plugged into it. i never use it that way, so i took the cord out and keep the jaco presta in there:



i also have the silca hiro side-lever preta chuck:



franky, this thing ***** ***. it's fiddly, and you have to adjust the gasket preload so that it doesn't leak but is still possible to slide it on. i think it's a tight window, the lock lever itself gets in the way of spokes, and it also doesn't handle torque very well. if the hose is torquing/tilting it due to gravity, it leaks. i have to hold it straight on there while filling to get it to not leak sometimes.

i see silca also makes a QC style one (SILCA ALUMINUM PRESTA CHUCK):



i should have gotten that thing instead of the lever one. have no idea why i didn't. maybe since the lever one is more expensive, i figured it would be the better tool. idk.

does anyone have both the silca QC and the jaco lightning xp? i wonder which one's better just in terms of QC action and not leaking.
even though i have't tried this silca, i think i prefer the jaco because 90° + swivel works better for me and seals well enough for me.

 

[MarcSeattle]

The Silca Hiro side lever is the gold standard for bicycle pumps. Maybe yours needs a new gasket.

 

[pizza]

The Silca Hiro side lever is the gold standard for bicycle pumps. Maybe yours needs a new gasket.

i've removed, inspected, and reinserted it. it doesn't look worn.

it works but is just a bad tool imo. it is cumbersome. the lever gets in the way of spokes. it doesn't grab the valve very well and will leak if gravity's pulling on the hose (tilting/torquing the chuck). you can tighten up the preload to where it grabs a little better, but then it's harder to push it onto the valve, and having it too tight puts premature wear on the gasket due to the friction when you attach/remove it. etc.

 

[MarcSeattle]

I've never had a problem with mine. Works perfectly. I know of several others who have the same experiences. I've never read of anyone having those problems in the cycling forums. Anecdotes don't equal data, but I wonder if you got a dud.

 

[Odd-job]

Upgraded to the Silca from a Jaco ironically. The Jaco really had to be jammed onto the valve which grew annoying. Maybe it needed to be broken in a little more.

On the lever getting in the way of the spokes, what's the spoke count on your typical wheels? I can see 36 spoke wheels being a tighter fit vs 24h.

 

[Stubby1743]

I have this 1997, 136 page, multi-lingual VAR tool catalogue. I can post specific pages if anyone wants to see a particular tool.

 

[Stubby1743]

Campagnolo tools of various time periods.

 

[pizza]

i got a new presta chuck and am quite pleased with it: JACO Lightning XP

i spent some more time using it, and it's not actually bulletproof. one of my bikes has different presta stems that stick out a bit more, and they do leak with the chuck unless i have the wheels rotated so that the valves are at the bottom (six-o-clock) or i hold the chuck with my hand.

it's still the best thing i've used so far, though. the only other chuck i've seen that might be better is that silca "aluminum chuck". as much as i'd like to try it, this chuck is good enough, so i can't justify getting the silca on a hunch.

 

[4woody]

Nobody has mentioned the Phil Spoke Machine. Obviously not for a home mechanic, but if your shop builds a lot of wheels...

I sold my shop a few years ago, and with it went my Phil Machine. It was serial #003. At Phil they said that is the earliest one they've seen, but I know where there is one even older...

I hear they've gone from outrageously expensive to ridiculously expensive nowadays.

 

[qdvuu]

i also have the silca hiro side-lever preta chuck:



franky, this thing ***** ***. it's fiddly, and you have to adjust the gasket preload so that it doesn't leak but is still possible to slide it on. i think it's a tight window, the the lock lever itself gets in the way of spokes, and it also doesn't handle torque very well. if the hose is torquing/tilting it due to gravity, it leaks. i have to hold it straight on there while filling to get it to not leak sometimes.

I don't have any problem with my Hiro and it's superior to the QC types. I've had it for a few years and it works great, with no torque probs and the way I slip it on doesn't result in the lever getting in the way of the spokes.

 

[MarcSeattle]

A thought on the Hiro air chuck: I've never liked the tubes that have threads on the air stem. The threads eat the rubber on the chuck head and it leads to leaks. I prefer latex tubes anyway, and those have smooth brass air stems (well, the Michelin and Vittoria do, and I see no reason to use anything else). Could that be the problem here for the OP?

 

[Pexto]

Nobody has mentioned the Phil Spoke Machine. Obviously not for a home mechanic, but if your shop builds a lot of wheels...

I sold my shop a few years ago, and with it went my Phil Machine. It was serial #003. At Phil they said that is the earliest one they've seen, but I know where there is one even older...

I hear they've gone from outrageously expensive to ridiculously expensive nowadays.

I don't have one, but I worked in a shop with a Phil Wood spoke cutter. I thought my boss was crazy when he paid $700 for it (this was back in the 1980s). But after a little while I was a convert - we went from stocking a zillion spokes to just a few long (straight, butted, and bladed, in various gauges), and I could cut and thread the spokes for any wheel build in just a few minutes.

They cost $7050 now! =-O https://phil-wood-co.myshopify.com/.../products/spoke-cutting-and-threading-machine

 

[qdvuu]

I don't have one, but I worked in a shop with a Phil Wood spoke cutter. I thought my boss was crazy when he paid $700 for it (this was back in the 1980s). But after a little while I was a convert - we went from stocking a zillion spokes to just a few long (straight, butted, and bladed, in various gauges), and I could cut and thread the spokes for any wheel build in just a few minutes.

They cost $7050 now! =-O https://phil-wood-co.myshopify.com/.../products/spoke-cutting-and-threading-machine

Back in South Florida in the 80s there was a great bike shop (I believe it was in W. Palm or Lake Worth) that was legendary for building wheels, and word was that they stocked $40,000 worth of spokes! I built wheels for myself and my riding buddies and would go up there to get what I needed, but I've forgotten the name of it. He stocked spokes from DT, Wheelsmith, etc., but I wouldn't be surprised if he had a Phil machine.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Any of you guys have favorites in the offerings by prestacycle? I got oldest kiddo the PB Swiss compact bike tool. I would like to put something small under my saddle of similar ability, plus tubes. So I am looking.

 

[bherren]

Love this forum and just found this thread so here's my basement setup.

Bike stable:

kppolich - Pedal Room

www.pedalroom.com

Main room, SteadyRack Storage, and assistant Marley

https://imgur.com/iUeUjOq

https://imgur.com/Fbdq9zK

Kickr/Zwift setup w/ 3D Printer

https://imgur.com/NM74xxK

Toolbox and homemade wheel stand

https://imgur.com/4CsCFf8

https://imgur.com/ZAMDRLw

Fold down bike stand

https://imgur.com/zYpP282

Second room kit storage and gf's bike/cross wheels

https://imgur.com/JbrnobP

https://imgur.com/N1Hxivw

I would love to have the details on the wheel stand. Seems incredibly useful but I cannot bring myself to fork out the $$ for the Park tool one. Shop looks great! I am a Golden fan for sure as well. Recently had to say goodbye to my assistant Jesse. He was 14.

 

[kppolich]

I would love to have the details on the wheel stand. Seems incredibly useful but I cannot bring myself to fork out the $$ for the Park tool one. Shop looks great! I am a Golden fan for sure as well. Recently had to say goodbye to my assistant Jesse. He was 14.

The wheel stand is desktop monitor clamp with (2) 12mm bolts welded to it and spray painted black!

 

[Wamsutta]

I scrolled though this thread. I'm surprised nobody is talking about bike stands. I need to get one for both my bike and my weed eater.

 

[fishwatcher]

Any of you guys have favorites in the offerings by prestacycle? I got oldest kiddo the PB Swiss compact bike tool. I would like to put something small under my saddle of similar ability, plus tubes. So I am looking.

I have the PrestaCycle t-ratchet bit set with wallet holder. The quality of the tool and bits is great. The novelty of the way it all fits together is strong as well. I went down a rat hole comparing it to Icon, Wera, and other bit holders.. but picked PrestaCycle because it was bike-specific. I’ve had select bits of the set it in my saddle bag for about half a year, and haven’t had to use it yet on the road.


I probably will not be keeping it in my saddle bag as a multitool going forward. It will be great in the bit / driver drawer of my toolbox.

On the road, the ability to use the ratcheting feature is not important to me. I need a simple tool to make minor adjustments, that doesn’t have a bunch of parts to drop or lose. I think more conventional bike multi tools are better for that. No parts to drop or lose, no putting in the right tiny bit, no extension/T bar, no need to switch the direction of the ratchet.

I even bought the PrestaCycle chain breaking accessory that works with the ratchet and the extension bar. While very clever, it results in more parts to mess around with.

The Silca Venti has a bunch of tools including a chain breaker. All in two pieces. I like that in my saddle bag. In another bag I have a smaller multi tool and a separate Park Tools chain breaker. Over the years, I’ve accumulated other multi tools, but they don’t have torx t-25 which is necessary for modern bikes with disc brake calipers.

 

[kppolich]

Here's my every day ride flat kit.
I custom sew these Thomson pouches in various sizes. My lining is a Crown Royal bag.
Overall, super light and carries everything I need for Road, Gravel, and MTB rides around here. Cell phone for emergencies that this pouch and its contents can't handle.

I have since added a coin cell battery case to the CO2/Dynaplug/Presta adapter 3d print for my AXS shifters/Powermeters just in case.

 

[kppolich]

Also, figured I'd post the new basement bike space as we moved to a new house in October 23'.

I'm till toying with placement of bikes and the work stand before I add some soundproofing insulation and drywall so I can add blocking between studs to keep things as secure and compact as possible.

Feedback work stand clamp (used) and a exterior antenna mount from amazon looks to be a nice compact option and under $75.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5ZR63BY?tag=atomicindus08-20

Overall, I want to try to keep that hallway area as clear as possible and I will eventually putting a wall/door there for permanent storage.

 

[gleman]

I scrolled though this thread. I'm surprised nobody is talking about bike stands. I need to get one for both my bike and my weed eater.

I ended up mounting mine to a 2x6 and 2x4 for dual height in the workmate.







I also got the Duratech set from Amazon.





I'm not a fan of blowmold cases but this seems pretty nice.

 

[gleman]

Here's my every day ride flat kit.
I custom sew these Thomson pouches in various sizes. My lining is a Crown Royal bag.
Overall, super light and carries everything I need for Road, Gravel, and MTB rides around here. Cell phone for emergencies that this pouch and its contents can't handle.

I have since added a coin cell battery case to the CO2/Dynaplug/Presta adapter 3d print for my AXS shifters/Powermeters just in case.

Nice work on the bags!

 

[fishwatcher]

Here's my every day ride flat kit.
I custom sew these Thomson pouches in various sizes. My lining is a Crown Royal bag.
Overall, super light and carries everything I need for Road, Gravel, and MTB rides around here. Cell phone for emergencies that this pouch and its contents can't handle.

I have since added a coin cell battery case to the CO2/Dynaplug/Presta adapter 3d print for my AXS shifters/Powermeters just in case.

Are you selling those bags? They look sweet!

 

[acer66]

Since the mid 90’s I have a basic Park Tool stand.
Excuse the mess and it looks better right now.

 

[fishwatcher]

I ended up mounting mine to a 2x6 and 2x4 for dual height in the workmate.







I also got the Duratech set from Amazon.





I'm not a fan of blowmold cases but this seems pretty nice.

That’s a clever use for the multipurpose Workmate!

 

[gleman]

That’s a clever use for the multipurpose Workmate!

Storage space is at a premium in this garage and I didn't want to be tripping over a regular sized stand.

I'm a convert to the Workmate, I ignored them for a long time before realizing how useful they are.

 

[fishwatcher]

Storage space is at a premium in this garage and I didn't want to be tripping over a regular sized stand.

I'm a convert to the Workmate, I ignored them for a long time before realizing how useful they are.

My Park Tools stand is tucked behind my Workmate. It gets pulled out about a foot and rotated for use when I need it. If I didn’t already have the stand, I would be inspired by your set up to do something similar to save space . And yes, I am really focused on not sometimes tripping over my stand.

 

[Wamsutta]

I ended up mounting mine to a 2x6 and 2x4 for dual height in the workmate.

What brand is that clamp that you have fastened to the 2x4 ?

 

[gleman]

It is a Rockbros from Amazon.

 

[acer66]

Over from pinkbike.

Interesting Tools from 711L - Taipei Cycle Show 2024 - Pinkbike

A chance meeting in a Taichung tool shop (that's also a bar, hair salon, and golf sim) led us to some of the coolest things we found in Taiwan this year.

m.pinkbike.com

 

[kppolich]

Had a few questions about the flat kit and wanted to post one more update here on my setup that shows all the 3D printed pieces working together. Between the Dynaplug Pill, CO2, presta adapter, AXS battery, and Wolftooth pack pliers I'm set for another year of riding.

 

[HannibalLecter]

So, in typical Gj fashion some have a complete bike shop in their basements and a fleet of bikes.Ill share my most recent bike related purchase

 

[honcho]

So, in typical Gj fashion some have a complete bike shop in their basements and a fleet of bikes.Ill share my most recent bike related purchase

I have accumulated a variety of SKS pumps over the years, I'm partial to the leather plunger old school Rennkompressor (also sold for years as a Zefal) although the valve connection heads aren't great.

 

[Meursault74]

Metal Worker, welder and machinist I am not. My metal working skills are low.

I did manage to make a wheel holder based somewhat on what Park Tools has done. Flat Iron, a cut off QR skewer, some nuts , washers and some epoxy putty. I'm actually surprised it has held together. I made it last year. The epoxy putty stick I had was old, but I figured if it was no good and wouldn't stick I could just scrape it off and then I'd buy a fresh supply. It's stuck. I can't pull it apart with my arms. Doesn't look that great, but it holds the wheel and lets me spin it off the bike. Great for lubing ******* and cleaning rims without having to stoop down while my bikes are on the repair stand. I've also used it to hold the wheel while putting a cassette on and rim tape.

I've done all those tasks for years without this (sometimes using my truing stand). When I saw what Park had made, I thought it was very clever. Then I saw the price and thought let's see what I can make. The only material I had to buy was the flat iron, the rest I had already lying around. I think the Iron piece was in the $10-15 range. What cyclists doesn't have a worn out QR skewer to cut up?

 

[ChevyEFI]

Who is moving bikes in a 5.5' truck bed? Currently, I have L and XL hardtail 27.5 and XXL hardball 29 (3 total) I would like to move more elegantly. I gave a 4x receiver carrier to a friend and was pulling front and laying them in the bed. I was thinking continue pulling the front but bolt in something they can attach to in the bed.