Chuck's Multi Tool

The boys across the street at Dixon Dudes Metal Werks tacked a Shimano lock ring tool, Shimano BB tool, a Campi lock ring and BB tool, and an ISIS BB tool onto a piece of bar stock for me

Pretty neat, what?

Chuck's Tool Box - Chain Tools

I'd like think that I have had one of every chain tool that has come down the pike, knot necessarily "true" butt close!

If had to have just chain tool, this wood be it!

An IceToolz (ex Lifu) LF 61UO; what I like about it is that the threaded drilled out back plate will snug up on the inner chain plate and hold the chain link it sans bending when the chain pin is driven out, it will work with chains up to ten (10) speed (have yet to try it on eleven (11) speed chains yet, my guess it that it will work o.k.




(more on chain tools later)

Cardiff Saddle (pseudo Brooks)

New Saddle At The Shoppe

I'm trying out a "Brooksish" Cardiff Gull saddle on my SomaFab Smoothie ES, it tensions with an allen wrench pretty much like a Brooks, they come in brown and black

This saddle is showing up under different guises, Gyes, Velo Orange, and in several different models, avec springs etc., a' la Brooks

The rail section is quite long which gives it a bit of back-forth positioning

It measures "about" 155mm x 280mm; a bit longer and narrower than a B-17, probably the same saddle as Velo Orange's #6

Intro out the door @ $70

Chuck's Tool Box - Velora BB Tool

How 'bout this little jewel?

My Swiss Velora UN-* bottom bracket tool

The spring loaded center bolt threads into the spindle and secures the tool in the BB cups and keeps the tool from "walking" in the cups and chewing up the splines (screwed?)

The lever arm can slide through the cup holder/tool body and should more force be required a "cheater" can be slid over the lever arm; I have a four foot (4') piece of 2" square stock that hasn't failed to to get a reluctant BB cartridge or cups out of the BB shell (gonna paint it blue and call it a Calvin Bar

Velo Orange Cartidge Bottom Brackets

I got a couple of Velo Orange cartridge bottom brackets to try

Note on the top left, right BB, there seems to be a seal in the right unit's left cup (dizzy/confused yet, have a beer!) The observant amongst you readers might note that the right/drive side cup also has a seal

I can't remember the last square taper cartridge BB I saw with a cup with a seal in it, maybe a Real or RaceFace...........whatever

In any case, the fact of "an extra layer of protection" twixt elements and cartridge bearing is a nice feature, Phil W's BB units have been "criticized" for having the cartridge seals exposed!

The other BB unit is a Tange (Japan) that is a bit smoother turning than the Velo Orange and is more $ (this is knot say the Velo Orange unit is rough!)

(more later)

New Repair Stand Clamp

The top clamp is my old Ulitmate Pro after market clamp that I have been using on my shoppe Park FRS-1 and PCS-1 folding stands







The bottom clamp is Feedback Sports new after market Pro clamp







Feedback Sports "bought out" Ultimate's bicycle storage and repair line; they had a very nice booth/display at Inter Bike this year where/when I ordered the new clamp



I'll keep the old clamp on my PCS and the new clamp on the FRS at the shoppe; the clamp is quite robust and will accommodate bigger tube



Both clamps close on the tube being clamped simply by pushing the outer/movable jaw in and then securing with the knob

The clamp is released by slight left turn of knob and pull back (old clamp) and taping the red button behind the fixed jaw (new clamp)

I have yet to pinch a brake wire running along the top tube with either clamp

MKS M.M. Cube Pedals

MKS M.M. Cube Pedals

These are probably the best SPD type pedals that folks ain't herd of or tried!

Velo Orange sells them and touts them as being one of their favorite pedals

I've tried quite a few SPDs (and variants) Cranks Bros, Keywin Mudman and the MKS pedals top them all

This pic shows the EZY release crank attachment (like an air hose chuck thingy) which might be a nice feature to have on a spare bike to swap out pedals

These pedals are very easy in and out and have quite a bit of float

Cartridge bearings no less

Mrs D et self have been using these pedals with Shimano and Lake sandals year round; I also have a pear of Keywin Mudman pedals that are nice, Ti spindle and very lite butt $+; the Mudmans are the easiest of any pedal I've tried to get out of!