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Even when cycling fans have the Tour de France, Eurobike, handmade shows, and a mountain bike World Cup to focus on, you can bet that bicycle workshops around the globe continue to buzz. And for them, I have a small handful of new workshop-focussed tools to share and offer my thoughts on.
Within this gallery-style edition of Threaded, you'll find what I think could be the new benchmark in hex key interfaces. I share my thoughts on Effetto Mariposa's first overhaul of its torque wrench line-up in over a decade. I get hands-on with an ultra fancy laser-based tool for stem alignment and how it compares to other laser-based tools. Lastly, I explain why the fancy long-reach pliers I just bought are perhaps a waste. All of these tools sit on the premium and professional end of the scale so hopefully, even if you can't stomach the prices, you can at least appreciate the pursuit of finding a better way.
This Threaded comes just one week after the last. In case you missed it, last week's Threaded #18 was a New Tools Day edition that focussed largely on consumer and ride-friendly mini pumps, portable inflators, tubeless plug kits, and chain breakers.
GripEdge RPT
Let's kick things off with what may just be a disruptor in the hex key world – GripEdge. Based in the USA, GripEdge got its start by licensing its patended RPT bolt-removal technology to the likes of Facom, MAC, and Proto (all under the Stanley Black & Decker company banner). Recently, the company started selling its design consumer-direct, with an expanded range and strong messaging that these tools aren't just for rounded bolt head removal, but rather for regular use and prevention of rounded bolts, too. As I've written about before, prevention is always key to not fighting with rounded-out bolts.Don't adjust your screen, this is not a Torx key but rather GripEdge's hex key design.The RPT design uses a similar theory to Wera's HexPlus, where the unique shaping aims to provide far greater surface area contact within a hex-based fastener, and therefore allows for greater torque with less fastener damage. When compared to traditional style hex keys, GripEdge claims it can provide up to 50% more torque on good-condition fasteners , or up to 400% more torque on rounded/damaged fasteners.This may upset many, but my experience with Wera's HexPlus design has been that it doesn't offer any obvious benefit over a high-quality and well-toleranced traditional-shape hex key. By contrast, I've been finding the GripEdge design to be noticeably more secure in often problematic fasteners (at least in hex sizes of 4 mm and above). For a specific example, the GripEdge key is obviously snug and secure-feeling in the easily-rounded Shimano crank pinch bolts, whereas many other high-end tools can still exhibit some worrying wiggle and vagueness.GripEdge is now offering its unique interface design in a range of sockets, bit sets, and P-handle hex keys (pictured). The tools are designed in the USA and manufactured in Taiwan. The company has also teased more options are on the way. Currently the P-handle keys (GripEdge call them T-Handles) are only available as a set of 8 (2-10 mm) and for a premium US$140 (sold direct, or through Amazon). Indeed these are aimed at the professional where a rounded bolt can cost the mechanic far more.The hex keys are provided in a premium foam tray. Although, as I'll get to, I chose another storage path for them.The keys are generously long and closely comparable with other P-handle style keys in the market. Here the 6 mm GripEdge is shown against a Wera 454 and Pedro's Pro TL.A comforting and rock-solid hold in the fastener is exactly what I seek in my tools. Overall there's a lot to like here in a tool that's not just for removing rounded bolts, but one that's great for everyday general use. Some minor gripes include the 4, 5 and 6 mm tools being a little too similar in overall size and therefore hard to differentiate when scattered on a bench – I'll be adding some colour-coded sleeves to solve for this. By contrast, the 3 mm is just tiny compared to the 4 mm! The snug-ftting design can be harder to slip into undersized/rusted fasteners - care is needed that the tool is fully engaged. And lastly, there is no ball-end on these. That's not a deal breaker for me, but it may be for others who are used to the Park Tool or Pedro's style of P-handle.The only thing I can't answer yet is how the GripEdge survives with long-term use. I've got a little over a month of spannering on them and they still look great, plus the design has been abused and praised in the automotive world for a number of years. Time will tell, but I'm not expecting any issues here.This is about the highest praise I can give a hex key ... modifying my preferred holder in order to fit the GripEdge's oversized shaping.They've earned themselves prime spot. Before you run out and buy them, please keep in mind that I never recommend owning or using a single type of hex key. The 2, 2.5, and 3 mm versions of these work well, but I still prefer the engagement quality of premium hex-based screwdrivers in this application. Equally, these aren't going to be a game-changer if you're only ever working on high quality / good-condition bolts with already great tools - the advantages are only subtle in this use case.GripEdge also offers a more limited range of Torx-based products that come with similar claimed benefits. Pictured is the nine-piece 1/4" socket drive set, priced at US$147 – it spans a bicycle friendly T6-T40 range.I've written extensively about quality Torx before and am strongly of the opinion that only a select few manufacturers get it right. Here you can see GripEdge's design next to a regular Wera bit. The GripEdge offers a subtly sharper tooth-like profile, plus a wedge shaping.Overall the engagement is typically awesome, but there are some common instances in bicycle mechanics where the wedge-shaping to GripEdge's Torx design is not the ideal choice. Shimano T30 chainring bolts and Zipp's T25 stem bolts are both examples where the wedge shaping of the tool prevents full-depth insertion into the bolt, an issue also experienced with Wera's Holding Function (HF) Torx tools. In short, I'm a new fan of the GripEdge RPT hex tools, but the cycling application of the RPT Torx is far more limited.
Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza 1-15 Pro Evo
Effetto Mariposa was arguably the first brand in cycling to offer a premium torque wrench, and for over 15 years the Giustaforza largely remained unchanged.During COVID the long-time Italian-based manufacturing partner for the Giustaforza tool changed hands, and according to Effetto Mariposa, it just wasn't the same after that. That led the company to a design revision, one that is now made in Taiwan. Effetto Mariposa has two versions of the new wrench, both of which span a 1-15 Nm torque range. There's the pictured and premium Giustaforza 1-15 Pro Evo which offers an oil-slick finish and is calibrated for clockwise and anti-clockwise torque. Meanwhile, the marginally cheaper Giustaforza 1-15 Pro is red in colour and is only calibrated for clockwise torque.Compared to the previously Italian-made version (rear), the new version retains a familiar click-style mechanism, a similar short length, and an almost identical compact ratcheting head. There are, however, some key differences ...The original Giustaforza was often praised for its non-locking adjustment dial that could be quickly twisted through the available torque range. By contrast, the new versions now feature a spring-loaded locking dial that needs to be pulled out as it is twisted. While the original version left you somewhat guessing the torque setting to the nearest 0.5 Nm, the new version offers a clear resolution of 0.1 Nm. That's great, but like other torque tools of this design, it means you now need to turn the handle a full 360º for each 1 Nm of adjustment.In my testing of a single sample, it proved to be perfectly accurate near the middle of its scale (8 Nm), while at 5 Nm I saw a mean average torque of 5.3 Nm (still acceptable). Torque wrenches are typically most accurate within 20-80% of their total measurement range. Given this, and somewhat unsurprisingly, I was seeing figures out by as much as 20% at the low figure of 1 Nm - still, in the grand scheme, almost everyone is guilty of significantly over-torquing fasteners in the 1-2 Nm range, and so this tool will still be significantly better than going by feel. How you hold a click-style torque wrench also plays a role in its accuracy. In an effort to keep the tool compact, the textured adjustment dial doubles as the handle. It’s not a big handle, but it's enough given the low torque range. The reversible ratcheting head remains a good one with a low profile and quality-feeling mechanism. Like before, the direction switch isn't one to accidentically get flicked, while the attached socket is retained until the quick-release button is pressed.Effetto Mariposa will still offer the choice between buying just the torque wrench or its 'Deluxe' kit which includes all the bits shown and a storage wrap. Both are priced on the ouchy end of things, with the Pro Evo wrench retailing for US$329 as a bare tool, or US$369 as a kit. The more basic Giustaforza Pro retails at US$287 for the bare tool, or $327 as a complete kit.The Deluxe Wrap. It's elegant, but I've always found it a little difficult to get the bits in and out of.The new Effetto Mariposa torque wrenches are a nice-quality, well-functioning, and compact tool with a whole lot to like. However, there is a large elephant in the room ... Effetto Mariposa retail these tools for premium prices, yet the design isn't wholly unique to them. Value-oriented automotive tool brand Capri offers an incredibly similar wrench for just US$100 which raises red flags over Effetto's pricing. Still, the tools aren't identical, with Effetto's covering that trickier 1-15 Nm range, while the Capri sits at 3-16 Nm. Plus Effetto offers a calibration service with its tools (arguably only practical for those in Europe). No matter how good the new Effetto Mariposa tools are, and physical differences to the Capri aside, the pricing is a very tough pill to swallow!
Milwaukee Long Reach Pliers
One can never have enough pliers and so I recently bought myself the new Milwaukee Long Reach two-piece plier set. As you can see, they're ultra long and have a unique cross-over hinge design that claims to let them efficiently reach into tight spots. In my mind they looked absolutely ideal for fishing things out of steerer tubes, seat tubes, or the like.Here's where I have an obviously problematic tool-buying habit – I already own a pair of long-reach pliers, Crescent's X2 double-hinge pliers. And yes, I hardly ever use those. Much to my disappointment, the new Milwaukee pliers don't offer a heap of benefit over the pliers I already owned. General clearance is much the same, with one or the other being marginally better depending on the required opening width of the jaws versus the diameter of the tube you're using them in. The Milwaukee feel higher quality, but it's tough to beat those Crescent's for the money (approx AU$120 versus AU$60).The Milwaukee Pliers also add more texturing and features into the jaws. It's of questionable usefulness in the world of bicycles.My vote it to skip the long-reach pliers as long alligator forceps remain a better option for grabbing things within bicycles. They're a tool I've covered in Threaded before.
KAS Tool Gabelknecht FAT
Whenever anything arrives in a waterproof safecase, you know it's sure to excite a nerd. You also know it's expensive. ..Within this case you'll find the new KAS Tool Gabelknecht FAT, which may or may not translate into English as "Freaking laser beams!"This tool comes from Germany and is sold exclusively by online retailer R2 Bike. A special thanks to bicycle builder extraordinaire DangerHolm, who introduced me to it and then helped arrange a test sample through R2 Bike.The Gabelknecht FAT is an ultra-fancy tool (€295.00 or approx US$310) for taking the guesswork out of aligning the stem to the front wheel. It's certainly not the first laser-based tool to do this task, but it's quickly proving to be the best.Out in the market for over a decade, the first laser-based stem alignment tool was the Spurtreu from Tune. Its simple self-centering design that sits on top of the handlebar and stem has since been copied by the likes of SuperB and some 3D-print hobbyists, too. It works well, some of the time, but non-round bars, odd-shaped stems, short stems, accessories on the handlebar, or things on the stem all make it somewhat useless. Also, extreme care is needed to not drop it which can result in a broken laser (which, yes, I've done).More recently, ThingsWeCre8 released its first product, the StayStraight, which clamps onto the front of round-shaped handlebars to then point a laser down at the front wheel. This one introduces new issues, such as needing the user to self-centre it and make sure it's evenly clamped in place. It then also doesn't fit 35 mm handlebars, or aero handlebars, or any handlebar with accessories in the way. The clamp is also on the delicate side, and so this is also a laser-based stem aligning tool that dropped itself while in use and broke. And unlike the Tune, this one can't be recalibrated by the user. More landfill, yay!By comparison, the vastly bulkier KAS Gabelknecht FAT has wide-spread prongs that loop onto the handlebar, with the tool then adjusting to centre itself off the head tube. I'm not saying it's impossible to drop, but it's vastly more secure and allows you to adjust the stem without feeling like you have to hold onto it.And here it is on an aero handlebar configuration that neither the Tune or ThingsWeCre8 could even dream of doing. In this situation it's quite easy to put in place and align the stem, but the specific placement of computer mounts and/or lights may be a limiting factor.Those handlebar prongs are sufficiently long for a secure hold. The wide stance improves stability and accuracy, but it also means the tool will fall foul of road handlebars that feature traditional bar taping up toward the stem. In this scenario, the tool sits unevenly against the bar tape. Use it before wrapping the bars and it’s great, but there are limitations to how and when you can use this tool. Push the button for the laser line. Caution and care are needed to not accidentally give yourself LASIK surgery.In addition to unwrapped road handlebars, the design works excellently on mountain bike handlebars.This type of tool is likely to seem like a gimmick to many, but being able to save time and not having to second-guess such a critical alignment can make a tool like this well worth the expense for some professional mechanics. There are of course many other methods and even specialist tools to align a stem without a fancy laser tool – expect a Threaded on this topic in future!
Threaded will return in two weeks with an edition likely dedicated to undoing tight things. I may even include the workshop tool I keep in my kitchen for when a new pickle jar struts into the house (or perhaps not). In the meantime, you can geek out on the previous 18 editions of Threaded here.
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