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There’s a whole lot of joy and satisfaction to be had in fixing and making things. Some would even say it provides them purpose (my hand is up). Tools will always be a critical part of that, and if you’re reading this, then you have more than likely experienced the joy that a new tool can provide. So with that, it’s time for another instalment of New Tools Day!
In this somewhat premium edition, you’ll read my thoughts on a little and affordable disc brake piston spreader that’s gone somewhat viral on Instagram, learn about an impressively nice tool case from VeloColour in Canada, and a wholly new one-handed tyre inflator from Arundel. Plus there’s an intriguing adjustable bearing cup remover from Birzman, Enduro Bearings has a new larger press kit, Alt-Alt is getting further into the bearing puller game, and I take a bite of humble pie on a previously covered tool.
Lastly, I wrap up this edition with a round-up of various tool-based Advent calenders that I’ve shown great restraint from buying.
Threaded
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Built with the travelling mechanic (or enthusiast) in mind, VeloColour’s new Pro Bicycle Tool Case is quite the snazzy thing.Unzipping the case reveals a modular design with all major panels secured via heavy-duty Velcro. Additional flaps help in keeping tools in place during transport, but the use of them is optional. Meanwhile there are additional zippered pockets for stashing longer tools, smaller tools, and/or small parts. In its stock form the case comes with one each of those additional pockets, but more can be added at the time of ordering.All folded up and ready for closing (those aren’t magic twigs, the case is empty in this photo). Without tools, the case weighs 1.6 kg. Made from a durable and water-resistant 1000D Cordura, the interior tool pallets are designed to carry a range of tools that a mechanic is likely to need at a race or when covering an event.Based in Toronto, Canada, VeloColour has grown to be a highly regarded name in both bicycle paint and bicycle bag production. See Escape‘s tour of VeloColour’s facility.The case makes extensive use of upcycled material. For example, the exterior is made with “dead stock” vinyl from a fabric recycler nearby to VeloColour. “These are rolls of material with too little left to be useful for large manufacturers. Otherwise headed for landfill or incineration. Colour is unpredictable but we can collect enough similar tones for a steady supply. It’s durable, water-resistant and easy to clean,” explained VeloColour’s cofounder Noah Rosen.A better example of how modular this case is. Each panel can be moved, removed, and even replaced. It’s a clever design that means this case should last for a very long time, and is easily repairable should anything ever go wrong.
As you may expect, such construction doesn’t come cheap, with the Pro Bicycle Tool Case selling for CA$295 (approx US$215), with additional zippered pockets adding marginally to the price. The price will scare off many, but I consider it perfectly reasonable given the quality, design, and what similar pro-level cases can cost.VeloColour designed the bag to stand up and allow easy access to commonly used tools without needing to lay it all out. It’s a feature I greatly appreciate. The pallets are given rigidity from a briefcase stiffener material (Texon) and can be removed from the case and hung up on a wall when in the workshop. VeloColour isn’t the first to offer a case that has such functionality (Pedro’s Burrito case comes to mind), but it’s still great.With still plenty of room to grow, here’s how I filled the case. At 43 (L) x 31 (W) x 11 (D) cm, the case is perfectly sized to handle common bicycle tools all while still being small enough to fit under most car seats. Longer tools such as shock pumps, hammers, pedal wrenches, or chain whips can (and are) stored in the long zippered pocket (bottom right). Pictured are all the tools (and more!) that I suggested in the past two editions of Threaded, including the 12 starter tools and 12 more for an intermediate kit.
I did experience some minor tool migration in travel which is expected for pallet-based tool storage. On this, it’s worth noting that VeloColour are able to make customisations on request, so adding an elastic loop for a shock pump or replacing all of removable folding sheets with zippered pockets is doable.
Overall there’s a whole lot to like about this case. It’s not for carrying the kitchen sink, but it will hold the most commonly needed tools while remaining compact enough to stash in the car or squeeze into a suitcase. All things considered, this case rocks.
Best known for its bottle cages and bartapes, Arundel now also dabbles in a few inflation-related products. The company began with its Pro Presta inflator for use with an air compressor, and while the push-on valve head was good, my previous testing showed the inflater inhibited airflow and offered so-so gauge accuracy.
Now the company has introduced a wholly new range of Presta-only inflators for use with air compressors. They’re called the CNC Nugget, and shown here is the “CNC Nugget + Digital Gauge.”Arundel is offering its CNC Nugget in three configurations. There’s the straight up Presta-only inflator without a gauge (US$99), the CNC Nugget + Analog Gauge (US$125), or the CNC Nugget + Digital Gauge (US$160). It’s quite literally sold as the CNC Nugget, plus a gauge. Installing the gauge is simple, although I highly recommend using a couple wraps of Teflon tape to ensure against thread leaks.A 5 mm hex key removes the placeholding grub screw, with the gauge then attaching to that hole. Tape applied and no leaks. Also bonus points to Arundel for giving the gauges a rubber protector. The Arundel CNC Nugget is impressively small compared to the competition. The press-on design is easy to use single-handed and the angle valve head closely matches that of my benchmark EVT 2-in-1 inflator (pictured top right and sells for US$179).
My test sample of the digital gauge version is precise and accurate, sitting within half a PSI of my control inline test gauge across a range of common pressures. Airflow seems competitive, and it works with Presta valves whether the core is in or not.
However, I do have two minor complaints related to the digital gauge version. Firstly, it lacks auto-start functionality and so you’ll need to press the button to get started. Secondly, the gauge goes blank during inflation and so you must release the trigger in order to see where you’re at (the flipside of this being that the gauge is protected from the flow of air). I previously praised Alt-Alt Bike, a small Canadian tool brand, for its highly adaptable and modular cartridge bearing press system. Initially designed for home mechanics, Alt-Alt has now added premium aluminium versions of its bearing drifts and puller sleeves for professional users. I’ll cover the details of this kit in a future edition of New Tools Day, but for now, I want to focus on the equally new Alt Extractors.Alt-Alt already offered a clever and affordable bearing extractor in the way of its Alt Drift Kit (pictured at bottom). This creatively uses an eccentrically placed drift that sits behind the cartridge bearing and simply winds it out. I actually love the system, but it does require space behind the bearing to work, and some bearing spacers (for example preload tubes, such as those found in most freehub bodies) can prevent its use. That’s where the new Alt Extractors come in (pictured on top).The new Alt Extractors are available in an extensive size range, covering inner bearing diameters of 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20 and 25 mm. These are premium tools at premium prices, with Alt-Alt offering them as a full kit (approx US$425), in individual sizes (approx US$66 each), or a variety of smaller kits (including some that reuse repeated components). The Extractors must also be combined with appropriate size puller sleeves/cups that are used to leverage (pull) the bearings smoothly out of place.The Extractors feature a four-sided wedge that expands a collar within the bearing. Each tool is sized for a particular inner diameter of bearing.Meanwhile the tool needs to be matched to the bearing width, something done by moving the circlip position. It’s certainly not the fastest tool to use (unless already set up for the bearing size being removed), in fact, it can be a little fiddly to get dialled, but the design allows you to smoothly pull a bearing from a blind position without damage to anything – such as when a bearing spacer tube is pressed tightly against the back of it. If this all sounds or looks familiar, that’s because the design is heavily inspired by that of Noble Wheels’ bearing extractors, a design that has since been acquired and put back into production by Abbey Bike Tools. There is, however, one small but key difference between the two.The Noble/Abbey design (left) has an expanding collet that solely grabs the backside of the inner race. By contrast, the similarly priced Alt-Alt version (right) has a collet that expands within the inner race of the bearing and behind it.In theory Alt-Alt’s design tweak will help to create a more secure hold on the bearing with less chance of slippage.
However, and not to get too into the weeds, but an argument can be made that expanding on the inner race of the bearing can tighten its fit within the bore and make it harder to remove – this is something I have personally experienced in using Wheels Manufacturing’s expanding bearing removers.
Time will tell which extractor wins me over. Sometimes a big old hammer is just the right tool for a job.
As discussed in a recent episode of the Geek Warning podcast, that’s certainly the case for removing headset cups or some press-fit bottom brackets (mainly where there’s no external surface to press against). For this task, a pronged tool like the Park Tool RT-1 would snap in behind the cup, and then you’d drive that sucker out. Park Tool offers two sizes of its “Removal Tool,” one for cups with a diameter of 27 to 38 mm (pictured in the middle), and a second tool for cups beyond that (pictured at top).Birzman’s Universal Head Cup Remover (US$55, or a lot less in other markets) takes those two tools and merges them into one.A long bolt runs through the centre of the tool and is connected to a wedge. Tighten the bolt (with either a 6 mm hex wrench or an adjustable spanner) to splay the tool further apart for larger bearing cups or loosen it off to knock out old school 1in headsets.Turning two tools into one is great, but I mostly appreciate the ability to fine tune how splayed the tool is. This can make getting it into (or out of) position less of a fight. I covered the Clever Standard Chain Barrel portable chain breaker in a previous edition of New Tools Day. There was a lot to like in this 36 gram tool, but my early testing had the tool splaying apart under load.
Following a comment from member Blake Roberts, it’s time to eat my own hat.It turns out I was using the tool incorrectly, and that it’s a two-stage process for breaking a chain with this tool. While my sample tool was initially stuck, learning of my mis-use had me grab some pliers and break free the pin-driving bolt from the chain-holding bolt. The result is that the Clever Standard Chain Barrel actually does work as intended and is capable of pushing even the tightest of chain pins. With a removable handle it’s light and compact. It’s compatible with common chain types, including new SRAM Flat Top. And yes, I was wrong.
Head to the previous (and now updated) coverage of this Clever Standard tool for more information.While best known for its bearings, Enduro Bearings has long offered an impressively great range of professional-level workshop tools for installing and removing all kinds of bearings and bearing-related components.
Inside this compact tool roll hides a tool you’d normally associate as being bulky and taking up most of a toolbox drawer – a headset press. While an older version did exist within a larger press kit, Enduro has now introduced its first standalone headset press in the BRT-058, aka the “Linear Headset Press Kit with Guides and Zipnut.”Priced at US$189, this headset press kit provides a handful of double-sided drifts for common headset sizes. It makes light work of pressing through the use of a thrust bearing (like many other pro-level headset presses), its form is kept tiny with easily-removed handles, and it offers a quick-release function.The little handles simple snap into place. For absolute portability, a hex key can also be used at one end of the tool, and an adjustable wrench (or Pliers Wrench) can be used at the opposite end. In terms of size, the nearest competitor is the Modular Press from Abbey Bike Tools.
However it’s worth noting that the 3/8 inch (10 mm) Acme threaded rod is on the skinnier end for a headset press (more likely to flex if its alignment is tested), and its length may be limiting for the longest of headtubes. Still, there’s a lot to like in this compact and smooth-turning set.The set includes Enduro’s new Zip-Nut, which saves you from running the full length of the thread to close and open the press. This 3/8-inch Zip-Nut is a marginally larger version compared to the previously covered PT-011 designed for Enduro’s more common 5/16″ ACME threaded presses.If you follow any bicycle mechanic-related content on Instagram then chances are high you’ve been fed an ad for this mini-sized screw-based disc brake piston press. The tool initially went decently viral with “Sumart” branding, and we’re now starting to see other brands selling it, too. Australian online tool store Beaut Bike is the provider of mine. The Mini Disc Brake Piston Press sells for a reasonable AU$39 (approx US$25). The tool offers a minimum thickness of 6.5 mm, with the provided washers adding 2 mm to better fit wider-gap calipers, such as SRAM Code.The construction is impressively simple. Magnetic plates sandwhich a simple threaded wedge. Pictured is Version 1, with Beaut Bike’s Version 2 featuring a new wedge nut that has a profiled leading edge for easier insertion into calipers. To date I’ve found it plenty effective at pushing back pistons by merely turning the knob by hand, but it can be turned with a 3 mm hex key should you come across some stubborn pistons. How mini is mini? It’s smaller than a Pedro’s tyre lever, and it’s straight up cute when put against the SRAM Ultimate Piston Press (US$94 / £91 / AU$162!) or even Chris Heerschaps’ 3D-printed wedges.The SRAM Ultimate Piston press is too wide to fit into Shimano road calipers. By contrast, the Mini Piston Press fits with no issue.
However, that narrower width does make the Mini Piston Press slower to use in four-piston calipers where it’s only capable of doing two pistons at a time.It’s 20 mm at its widest, meaning it’s still too wide for Magura MT5/MT7 calipers, and I presume SRAM Maven (yet to test). While it works well, it’s important to note that the standard metric thread pitch makes it somewhat slow to use. It really does take a lot of repeated winding to fully reset pistons.
While not recommended for everyone, experienced users will be more efficient with a plastic tyre lever rather. Meanwhile a dedicated tool like the Beaut Bike Mini Piston Press is arguably best used when pistons are being stubborn to move or fear of damaging them (such as Shimano ceramic) is high.Beaut Bike has historically been a reseller of tools, but the small Australian company is starting to branch into its own creations. One such example is this Ultimate Nipple Tray, a shuffle box for spoke nipples when building wheels with a few added features compared to other tools of its kind.The wooden Wheel Fanatyk shuffle box was the first of such tools (that I’m aware of), and it’s since become a fairly crowded market of 3D-printed versions (some free for download, others only available for purchase). As a newer release and with input from Australian mechanic Brad Kelly (among others), Beaut Bike’s version aims to build on the idea. Printed in PETG, the shuffle side offers more depth for longer nipples and can fit 13-15G sizes.
Like other shuffle boxes, you give it a quick shake and the nipples will point backside upright. The big unique trick is the nipple washer ramp, allowing you to easily slide a washer into place. Like so. Another nice addition are the silicon gripper feet to ensure you’re not chasing the whole thing around the bench. Beaut even designed dedicated left and right-hand versions of its Ultimate Nipple Tray.
Such well-considered design doesn’t come all that cheaply. Expect to pay AU$79 (approx US$52) for the tray or AU$135 with shown BSC Nipple Loading tool. Stan’s No Tubes and premium multi-tool maker Daysaver recently collaborated on a new handlebar-stashable Dart tubeless plug kit. This one has some neat features, but as I just got my hands on it, we’ll treat this as a tease for a review to come.
Advent fun
It’s that time of year where many begin to countdown a few days (or weeks) off and perhaps celebrate with loved and unloved ones. Given this is Threaded, and more specifically a New Tools Day edition, I figured it’s a great time to introduce you to the world of tool-based Advent calenders. Oh yes, there’s more than one, and this year, I’ve bought myself none.
What’s an Advent calender you ask? Ignoring the historic and religious roots, today Advent calenders are used to count down each day of December leading into Christmas Day, awarding you with a small daily gift along the way. The fun is high, as is the packaging waste. Chocolates are a common thing to find behind the cardboard doors of a commercial Advent calender, but the theme has since grown to include all forms of goods, including adult beverages, rubber ducks, dog treats, Nespresso, Lego, and of course, tools.
In no particular order, here are a few tool-based advent calenders.
By far the most popular of the lot, each year the Wera advent calender provides a series of small tools that make up a small tool kit. A bottle opener is a common theme, and for a first, this year’s calender gives a set of Wera-themed salt-and-pepper shakers. The 2024 edition isn’t the most cycling-friendly kit the German company has provided, but you’ll surely find a use for some of the pieces. Expect to pay under US$100 for this one.
German autotmotive tool brand Stahlwille took 2023 off, but 2024 sees them return to the fierce Advent calender game. Priced at under US$160 and boxed like Harry Potter’s tool chest, the completion of this calender will see you own a ratcheting screwdriver and small 1/4-inch ratchet set, including a Torx bits and sockets you probably won’t need for a bicycle.
You may be seeing a theme, but Hazet is another automotive-led tool brand out of Germany that plays this game. Priced at approximately US$220, and a little more upmarket than Stahwille, the Hazet Advent calender provides a bit-based screwdriver handle, a bunch of bits, a few extensions, and Hazet’s own copy of my beloved Knipex Pliers Wrench. Can’t say this one represents great value, but hey, purchase regret can be the 25th gift.
You won’t believe this, but there’s another one from a German tool manufacturer. This one is a bit of a bore, but within the Gedore you’ll find a series of bits, a bit-ratchet, and an accompanying screwdriver handle. This one is tougher to find and carries a price of around US$112, and it’s worth noting that it’s from Gedore’s cheaper “Red” line of tools.
Not enough German advent tool calenders for you? Ok, thankfully Bosch has you covered. For US$80 you get 33 pieces of Bosch’s cheaper green-colored line of consumer tools (Bosch blue is aimed at professionals). Of course there are bits, a screwdriver handle, a ratcheting T-handle thing, and even a corkscrew that’ll probably cause Shiraz-based grief. I’ve been a little underwhelmed by Bosch’s green hand tool range in the past, but perhaps being gifted one for each day of December will overcome that disappointment.
American tool brand Milwaukee provides a strong example of what happens when a non-German company gets involved in the tool-based Advent calender game. Milwaukee’s 2024 Advent Calender provides six tools that look like the sort of thing given in a promotional showbag. For those still reading, six is not 24. What the hell Milwaukee? You ruined Christmas!
Anywho, there are many amazing new tools to buy yourself that should prove plenty more useful than 2024’s Advent calender options. Either way, happy wrenching!
