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I can’t believe I almost made it to March without an edition of New Tools Day. That's especially shameful given the new tools haven't stopped and I’ve been playing with some fun new things since the last show and tell in 2024. Time to fix that.
In this edition of Threaded, I share my thoughts on a few new small hand tools from Feedback Sports, I test out an interesting and little-known tyre installation and removal tool out of the UK, I take a look at the new and affordable two-bolt cleat installation tool from Crank Brothers, and I break loose a few overly snug crank bolts with CeramicSpeed's latest creation.
Plus, you’ll discover a few new tools from outside the cycling world that I’ve spent my money on as of late. And there are a few teasers of tools I’ve only just begun to use and test.
Sit back with your favourite chainbreaker, ratchet, or other fidget spinner, and enjoy.
Feedback Sports has been steadily expanding and updating its line of well-priced tools. While hardly anything revolutionary, they’ve now added L-shaped hex and Torx key sets to the range (US$30 each). These made-in-Taiwan S2 steel wrenches seem to offer good fitment within fasteners (decently toleranced) and have a solid feel in the hand. I haven’t used them long enough to know how the machined ends will hold up, but early signs suggest these will be a good value pick-up.The holders work well and the hang tag gives a storage option at home. The tools are easy to get out, while little rubber inserts help to keep them contained when you want them to stay in the holder.Sizing is generally pretty good in the Hex wrench set, with the goal to be just slightly shy of the quoted number (4.985 mm measured for a 5 mm hex size). As I’ve often found to be the case, the fitment of the Torx just doesn’t hold a candle to my preferred European options (little does). There is a noticeable wiggle in the interface on common sizes, such as the T25. The hex set seems like a good value pick, while the Torx set doesn't offer the level of fitment I personally seek. One further thing to note on the medium length of these – they're a bit short for me, given I'm accustomed to using longer-length keysFeedback Sports has new tyre levers made with biobased nylon (which can also be curbside recycled). A pair of these levers sells for US$6. I went straight to comparing them against my benchmark – the Pedro's tyre lever. By comparison, the Biolevers don't slide as easily, but the narrower and more angular hook end can be easier to fit into ultra-tight tyre gaps. They feel strong too, although only time will tell on that one. Then we get to Feedback Sports' third new portable torque wrench, the Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver (US$35). This new tool (left) came out the week after I'd just wrapped up a big comparative review of portable torque tools. It represents Feedback Sports' most affordable and compact torque tool option, but also, the most limiting for where and what it will fit. Four 1/4"-sized bits and a 5 Nm preset torque bit are stored within the small handle. By contrast, Feedback Sports' Reflex Fixed Torque Ratchet Kit (US$70) offers a more versatile bit-ratchet, regular extension, and 10 bits. The Reflex Bit Driver (left) versus the Reflex Ratchet Kit (right). The full Reflex Fixed Torque Bit Driver weighs 89 grams, while the whole Reflex Fixed Torque Ratchet Kit sits at 205 g. Feedback Sports isn't the first to this design, with the likes of Pro Bike Gear offering similar. While Feedback's design is better, I still find it too easy to accidentally drop the contents. As a reminder, don't try to undo bolts with the torque feature in place. That does limit where this style of tool fits, and for that reason, you won't find me carrying it. Feedback Sports is also now offering its Reflex Fixed Torque bit extensions as standalone products. Available in 4, 5 and 6 Nm variants, these sell for US$25 a piece (not as a set, as shown). They'll work with any 1/4" bits and bit-based tools which makes them a great addition to many pre-existing tools. Accuracy testing of this design was done in the previous pocket-sized bicycle torque wrench shootout, the short answer being that I trust them. A recent impulse purchase of mine was this Makita High-Pressure Dust Blower (#DAS180Z). Very much inspired by Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale's mechanic Luis Lamas, I got this as an alternative and more portable option to using an air-compressor-based blowgun to dry off washed parts. With the narrowest nozzle installed, it packs a punch with 194 g of force (measured by literally blowing it onto a kitchen scale from 5 cm away). By comparison, my air compressor with 85 psi line pressure generated 188 g of force. Not wanting to invest in yet another battery platform, I went to eBay in search of an 18 V battery adapter. This one fits a Milwaukee battery to a Makita tool. It adds some bulk, but otherwise works fine for the task. There's a whole new world of electric pressure blowers, and while this isn't my first one, I still don't feel ready to write in-depth on the topic. One to come, maybe, but I also think the likes of Torque Test Channel and Project Farm on YouTube (say goodbye to the weekend!) have already done a good job of covering cheaper alternatives in this category.
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