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SCENE: A naturally but dimly lit classroom filled with hand-painted drawings, tiny chairs, and marginally bigger tables hosts a teacher and a handful of next-generation thinkers. The small humans sit orderly on the floor: it’s time for the weekly show-and-tell.
A curly haired boy named Dave steps up, nervously looking down at his scuffed shoes. He pulls something shiny out from a Pelican safe case. The teacher audibly sighs. It’s yet another new bicycle tool. The boy begins to gleam, and suddenly, he’s filled with equal parts excitement and confidence as the eyes of his peers begin to glaze.
Oh yes, it’s time for another edition of New Tools Day!
Threaded
Tools and techniques for all the mechanics out there. Enter your email address to have Threaded delivered directly to your inbox!
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PrestaCycle recently updated its range of Pro Torqkeys with colour coding for the various pre-set torque figures. PrestaCycle sells the full set as shown for US$145 / AU$220 / €135. Alternatively individual tools are available at US$25 / AU$38 / €18 a piece.Like other “Torqkey” branded tools, these will click when the labelled torque figure is reached in a clockwise direction, and unlike most other torque tools, they are safe to use for undoing bolts in an anti-clockwise direction. The pictured Pro version (left) offers a larger handle for more comfortable use when compared to the more common regular Torqkey (also rebadged by the likes of Ritchey). My dainty wrists like the larger handles of these Pro Torqkeys for up to 6 Nm, or 8 Nm at a push, while the higher-torque options (10 and 12 Nm) get a little uncomfortable under repeated use. Your results may vary.PrestaCycle has long offered small and portable ratchet-based torque wrenches, and now there’s one more model in the range – the TorqRatchet Go. This new model increases the torque range from the previous 2-10 Nm up to 3-12 Nm (which now gets you into the range of Shimano crank pinch bolts among other tasks). This one sells for US$55 / AU$90 / €55.The tool is comparable in size to many multi-tools and it can be used as a regular bit-ratchet (without torque function) in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions.Meanwhile the beam-type torque wrench is activated by pressing on the black end component with your thumb (clockwise-direction only). The tool is accurate so long as you carefully apply pressure and keep a close eye on the gauge. You’re done as soon as the white indicator appears at your desired torque figure.
I’ll be returning to this category of pocket-sized torque wrenches in a future edition of Threaded. First revealed at the Sea Otter Classic, Presta Cycles’ new Pro Presta Head is quickly proving to be one of the nicer options out. It works by simply pressing onto the valve, where an automatic mechanical lock is engaged and ready for secure inflation.To release, merely presss the big red button and the whole head seamlessly lets go. It’s wonderfully simple and efficient.
While I’m teasing future Threaded editions, the topic of Presta pump heads is on the list. It was also discussed in this week’s Geek Warning episode with mechanic Brad Copeland.Pictured are the Pro Schrader (left) and Pro Presta (right) heads. Both simply attach to an existing Schrader pump head or threaded Schrader attachment. The Pro Presta head sells for US$39 / AU$59 / €36, while the Schrader version is US$25 / AU$38 / €23.Both work in the same way, press on to engage, push the button to release.PrestaCycle is also offering the new Pro Presta Head as a package with some of its tyre inflators (for use with an air compressor). It’s still early days in me testing this new pump head, but so far the only significant compromise I’ve found is that you need to hold the pump head in place if trying to seat a tubeless tyre with the valve core removed.Lastly from PrestaCycle is the new PrestaFlator Mini Pro (US$49 / AU$75 / €37). This is a fairly bare-bones shop-style Presta and Schrader push-on inflator. Designed for use with an air compressor, it works somewhat like a CO2 inflator head where pressing down on the valve allows the air to flow.It’s most comparable to something like the EVT Bam-Bam Inflator (Presta-Only inflator pictured) in that it’s designed to be operated with one-hand and has no delicate gauge to worry about. Just be warned that the Presta-side doesn’t work with the valve core removed, while the Schrader seems to inhibit airflow. In other words, avoid this one if you’re trying to seat a stubborn tubeless tyre. Runwell is a Japanese manufacturer of high-end bicycle tools largely focussed on the track and fixed-gear side of cycling. The company recently released a small range of T-handle hex wrenches which sparked the interest of many tool geeks beyond Runwell’s usual customer base (guilty!).Runwell currently only makes its Genex T-handles in 4, 5, and 6 mm sizes (US$34-$36 / AU$38-$40 each). Each one offers a unique single-sided T-end and a handful of classy details.There’s a wonderful level of quality to these made-in-Japan and forged hex wrenches. Most notably the hex ends offer a snug fit in the fastener. That said, mine showed some minor variance when measuring between the three opposing sides that make up the hexagonal tool. It’s a common occurrence in many hex tools, and in the case of these Runwell tools, it’s certainly not enough variance to cause concern.Knurling near the base of the tool is another quality detail.
Hex keys can be a highly personal and subjective choice. Personally, I still prefer T-handle hex tools with a longer T end that provides more leverage and greater weight for spinning. And even then they’re not my top choice for hex key style. Even the packaging sleeves are a little “extra” compared to how most tools are delivered. While ordering those Genex keys (bought through Gear Shop Brisbane for the Aussies), I couldn’t help but slip this fancy-looking Take56 hex tool into the cart.The Take56’s (US$26 / AU$48) functionality is as simple as it looks, offering a comfortable steel handle with a dual-sided 5 and 6 mm hex bit on the end. Technically it’s made with NJS (the governing body of Keirin racing) track bikes in mind, but those two sizes also make it ideal for a variety of bolt-up thru-axles on modern disc-equipped bikes. Runwell also offer 4/5 and 6/8 mm size combinations of this tool.Meanwhile the mirror-chromed steel handle offers a shape that’s said to mimic that of bamboo (which is what “Také” means). OK, so I already used an Abbey Bike Tools T-Way with 5 and 6 mm Wera hex bits for undoing thru-axles in the workshop. My poor impulse control means I now have a luxurious Runwell tool in the car for whenever I need to remove a wheel. Did I need it? Nope, but that’s also hardly the point. If you’ve been trekking through the Himalayan mountains then you may not yet have seen Silca’s Chain Waxing Station. Otherwise if you’ve had access to the internet, then you’ve probably seen this thing everywhere already as it’s been a huge hit for the company.
Indeed Silca has joined the likes of CycloWax in bringing a more professional plug-and-play product system to those looking to get into chain waxing. Priced at US$100 / AU$170 / €100 the new Chain Waxing Station doesn’t do anything a cheap slow cooker or body hair wax warmer can’t do with a little patience. That said, compared to my little 1.5 L slow cooker, Silca’s version introduces temperature control (useful with Silca’s various products calling for specific heats) and more rapid heating. It’s also a little more powerful and better sized to fit a chain compared to most cheap-and-generic body hair wax warmers.
Adding to that you also get a cable coupler for the chain and a drip stand.Silca sells the Chain Waxing Station separate to its Secret Chain Blend wax and related products. Those related products are part of a fast-growing range, including the previously covered Strip Chips and the newly announced Endurance and Speed chips.Without making this article about chain waxing, I do find that new Endurance Chip to be extremely intriguing. Adding one of these to the wax pot claims to nearly double the ride longevity of the wax between re-applications, and it does that with a rather neglible loss of efficiency. Some bold claims surround this one, but even if they prove half-way true it could be a big win for the wax-converted and wax-curious.That cable coupler proved far more useful than I first expected. No more accidentally losing the chain off a bent piece of coat hanger or old spoke and having to go fishing. Just a secure and fuss-free bundle of chain to dip, agitate, hang, and then leave to cool.
Obviously such a system is a big expense over a $20 slow cooker, but it does improve on the experience.Onto a few of the latest from Park Tool. First up is the new Fork Cap Tool, a little US$14 plastic cube that’s specifically designed for undoing stubborn (stuck) air, rebound, or compression caps on a variety of popular suspension forks.To my knowledge, Park is the first mainstream brand to offer such a tool. Meanwhile 3D-printed versions have existed for a number of years, but those commonly only offer two, maybe three, cap fitments (such as the 3D-printed tool for Fox forks in the background). The fitment is good for air caps, but the side for freeing the protector cap on Fox rebound dampers is a bit too shallow and therefore isn’t as secure-fitting as the 3D-printed tool I have. A cool tool that largely does as it claims, but it’s not quite perfect. Six sides equals six different fork cap fitments to suit various air and damper caps from Fox, RockShox, DVO, Marzocchi, and Ohlins. Here’s a simple thing that just makes so much sense. It’s a clamp adapter insert (#1971) for safer and more secure holding of D-shaped seatposts. Better yet, it’s only US$9. Before you run out and buy one, just know it’s sized and shaped to fit many of Park Tool’s repair stand clamps (including the Micro-Adjust clamps as used on the PRS shop stand and the portable PRS-26). A full list of compatible clamps is here. By providing a nice flat backing to the post it works largely as expected and is absolutely an improvement over clamping such D-shaped posts within a round-tubed clamp. Ideally the width of the insert would key with the width of the post to remove any possible movement, but that also opens up a whole lot of incompatibility restraints.
This product inspired me to 3D print some of my own inserts (for other clamps) with TPU. So far I still greatly prefer Park Tool’s version.For the thirsty there’s a new Park Tool bottle opener based on the company’s iconic Professional Pedal wrench. It’s a hefty little thing, and at US$35, it’s perhaps something to consider as a nice gift.Park Tool is no stranger to opening carbonated beverages. The new BO-6 is the fourth bottle-opening tool currently available for sale. I find that somewhat nuts, but hey, choice is a good thing? This thing should last forever, but I’m not wholly digging the orientation of the opening ends. Plus, I wish it had a hang hook in the centre like the pedal wrench it’s modelled on.
Right now, the Wera bottle opener is still the go-to for popping lids from soda and other drink varietals. And if you like blue tools, then I still think the BO-2 offers the better functionality. Lucky last for this edition is a new chainbreaker. Believe it or not, Park Tool has only now released a premium and pro-grade chainbreaker that works with SRAM Flat Top and other funky-shaped chains. The new CT-15 is simply named the “Professional Chain Tool.”It’s somewhat of a beast with a cast-steel body and a bunch of rebuildable/replaceable pieces.With a three-prong floating chain shelf, it offers open compatibility with every modern chain out, from 1/8″ track chains through to the latest 12/13-speed stuff.Simply place the chain on the shelf and it’ll slide itself into position. The floating shelf design which automatically adjusts to varying chain widths is something Park has used on its CT-3-series chain tools for a number of years.The handle is hollow and houses two spare pins (included) plus an anvil for peening Campagnolo chains.Like Park Tool’s Master chain tool, this one features a ball-bearing-backed floating pin. It’s packaged just how you would expect for a US$148 chainbreaker.Early impressions suggest Park has done its research on this one. It fit all the chains I could throw at it and gave no grumbles.
That said, out of the box it wasn’t quite as smooth or low in effort as I had expected, but it’s beginning to feel a whole lot smoother after pushing a dozen chain pins and with a bit of added chain lube on the main thread.The new CT-15 is sized similarly to most other pro-level chainbreakers. At this level of tool there’s a lot of nuance, preference to workflow, and subjective elements to consider. Yep, you can bet the topic of chainbreakers (of all price points) is on the list for a future edition of Threaded. Yup, I’m such a tease. Don’t miss future editions; sign up to the newsletter list!
Coming up
The next edition of Threaded is likely to tackle the topic of chain wear and related tools. It’ll be a few days later than usual, but hopefully worth the wait. Until then, happy wrenching!
