What is your most trusted tool?

[Steve in SLO]

Mine is a CYCLO chain tool which I have had for 35 years.
Shortly after I bought it I got it too close to a leaking tube of Clement red, which it wore proudly for over 30 years, until I finally chipped it off a few years back.
It's been the great unsung hero of my toolbox: Never thought about but always there.
It's seen dozens upon dozens of chains and has never let me down and remains smooth as silk today.

Yours?

[Louis]

I also have one of those, and I still keep it in the little green box it came in. But I think I may have lost the extra pin that came with it. Happily, they don't wear very quickly.

[ultraman6970]

My spoke wrench, got that one when i was like 14 y/o... like 30+ years old...

[ctcyclistbob]

I have one of these, not real old, but it sure comes in handy :

[avalonracing]

Quik-Stik

[shovelhd]

Probably my Campy T-handle 8mm wrench.

[eddief]

my first novice el cheapo bike tool kit. This is 6 wrenches in a little plastic carrier; the ones with the ball type end at one end. I have built and de-built a zillion bikes with them and they still do the same job the same way. I also have a set of Pedros keys, but the el cheapo set is more convenient due to small size and L shape.

[Cat3roadracer]

I'm not certain i can post a picture of my most trusted tool here. Certainly not enough bandwidth for such a large photo.


I can't believe I'm the first to respond with such an off color response.

[BumbleBeeDave]

I'm not certain i can post a picture of my most trusted tool here. Certainly not enough bandwidth for such a large photo.


I can't believe I'm the first to respond with such an off color response.

. . .(said the moderator while trying to stifle laughter) . . .

BBD

[Cat3roadracer]

But seriously - Park 4,5,6mm wrench; Park pedal wrench. Use them both frequently.

[rice rocket]

Since everything on a bike is allen wrenches nowadays, I got myself a nice pair of t-handle allens. 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 ran me about $120 I think, but they're indispensable. I've never rounded out a bolt using one, even using the ball end.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/Images/L/BT-000960695.JPG

They're about double the price of the Snap-ons, but the Snap-ons only have one end, so if you want ball hex and regular hex, you have to buy two sets. :butt: The Beta handles are much nicer too.

[oliver1850]

6" Nicholson mill bastard file.

[Fishbike]

I like my cable cutters. Every time I use it I think about the first time I tried to cut cables with regular shears. Wasn't pretty.

[slidey]

Glad someone thought of it :)

I'm not certain i can post a picture of my most trusted tool here. Certainly not enough bandwidth for such a large photo.


I can't believe I'm the first to respond with such an off color response.

[rice rocket]

I like my cable cutters. Every time I use it I think about the first time I tried to cut cables with regular shears. Wasn't pretty.

Which cutters? I've been looking for a pair. Park's CN-10s seems like what everyone knows and recommends.

Knipex also makes one specific for Bowden cables (which is what bike cables are), it's their 95 61 150 model, and all my Knipex stuff rocks. They harden the edges with induction heating. Made in Japan.

[oliver1850]

These cut SIS housing with ease, make a nice square cut.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Channel-Lock-369-9-Inch-Linemens-Plier-Pliers-Channellock-9-/271135781400?pt=Pliers&hash=item3f20f3b218

[Chefrider]

Defiantly My alien tool, at home and on the trail. It shares much better that cat 3's tool !

[Louis]

Flex-shaft driven cut-off wheels also do a good job on cables and housing.

(Pic is not of mine)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pjWkrlPOwI0/Twe4ijUnIwI/AAAAAAAAAEc/-_SEwE8eVQk/s1600/dremel+with+flex+shaft.jpg

[pinkshogun]

the big ole' Park cotter press is my favorite tool. im fortunate that im able to use it about 30 times a year

[pbarry]

Probably my Campy T-handle 8mm wrench.

+1
6mm Allen and 8mm hex. Best tool made since the Industrial Revolution. If you don't own a bike old enough to use this this on, it's time to purchase one.

[Tony]

A round spoke sharpened to a point. Use it for many things!

Tony

[xjoex]

I'd have to say my favorite all time is an old Topeak ratchetting 8/10mm wrench. http://robonza.blogspot.com/2008/08/cool-tool-topeak-810mm-ratcheting.html . You don't need them as much as you did in the days of cantis...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Aks8olSyn14/SJ0GvWvoG5I/AAAAAAAAA3M/CtoTL-K3Xwk/s912/100_2203.JPG

Or maybe the Knipex cable cutters.
http://robonza.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-knipex-cable-cutters-95-61-190.html
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zc_Gny9424I/TnU5vLY1XGI/AAAAAAAAD14/TFhDzKbsh-Y/s720/IMG_1653.jpg


-Joe

[Steve in SLO]

I'm not certain i can post a picture of my most trusted tool here. Certainly not enough bandwidth for such a large photo.


I can't believe I'm the first to respond with such an off color response.

Hey Cat,
Sorry, your slide on 'cheater bar' doesn't count.:no:

[trangalang]

These bad boys.

http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumblarge_602/1303916499178L67.jpg

[AgilisMerlin]

http://media.cdn.mountainbikesdirect.com.au/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/a/park-sw-0.127-black-spoke-key-wrench-tool-black-tools-_-maintenance-1-a.jpg

[rice rocket]

Or maybe the Knipex cable cutters.
http://robonza.blogspot.com/2011/09/review-knipex-cable-cutters-95-61-190.html
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zc_Gny9424I/TnU5vLY1XGI/AAAAAAAAD14/TFhDzKbsh-Y/s720/IMG_1653.jpg


-Joe

Huh. Those look a lot like the Felco cutters, I bet Knipex manufactures for Felco since Felco's bread and butter seems to be pruning shears.

The new 95 61 190s have crimps for ferrules and such. Good to see a nice review for them though, I haven't been disappointed by any Knipex tools yet. This is my next purchase.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31s7urle53L.jpg

[one60]

my dad has a great machine shop in the basement & some mad skills. He's currently machining an ultra torque bearing puller similar in design to the SBT version.

That will soon supplant my pedal wrench as my most trusted tool. I have 4 bikes but only a single set of speedplay pedals (for over 10 years) so the pedal wrench gets a lot of use. Maybe I can get dad to make me one of those too!

[jeduardo]

Well...sometimes, in season, I find myself passing semi-regular Sat nights struggling with "Boom Tube" internal derail cable routings.
During those nights, exercising/trying my patience, I keep my trusty/invaluable SS flask, with 4-6oz Woodford Reserve, handy on the work bench right next to my Streamlight Luxeon LED Jr.(gots 2 have light)
During the ECCC season (http://collegiatecycling.org/eccc/wiki/), on those hair-pulling weekends, this may be my most respected tool in my shop :D

[CaptStash]

220V Jet 5hp 10" table saw. Rips hardwood like buttah'

CaptStash.....

[bluesea]

My 23 yr old Felco is currently misplaced--haven't seen it for about 6 yr. I would rate my Campy headset wrench equally.

[sg8357]

Bike specific, Eldi pedal wrench, forged by Alberich himself.
Dead blow hammer, fixes most problems.

[choke]

Most trusted to me means the one that always works without a problem. In that case it would be a toss up between a Campy 'peanut butter' wrench and the Cyclo chain tool as mentioned in the original post.

The tool(s) I grab most often are a set of ball-end allen screwdrivers. They make getting into some places a lot easier and I can put enough torque on them for almost any fastener. They are awesome on Ergo levers (before they changed it to that stupid Torx).

[Gummee]

I like my cable cutters. Every time I use it I think about the first time I tried to cut cables with regular shears. Wasn't pretty.
I bought a pair of Shimano cable cutters when I first started working on my own bike. ...20-ish years ago. A few years ago, I noticed it was getting a little worn so I ordered a new one.

Still using the old one. I've got a selection of HS and BB tools from 'back when' too. Every once in a blue moon I need em.

M

[Tony T]

Leatherman squirt. On my keychain. I've used it at least once a day for the past 5 years:

http://www.leatherman.com/images/products/squirt-ps4/S_PS4_Open_black.jpg (http://www.leatherman.com/product/Squirt_PS4)

[SoCalSteve]

Dremel with all the attachments. Don't know how I lived without it for so long!!!

Oh, and a Park 5mm...

[jmoore]

Pedros tire levers - nice and beefy

Topeak Joe Blow floor pump. I bought it before my bike was delivered in 2001 and it's still going strong

Generic bottle opener mounted to my work bench

[mister]

http://youtu.be/4kU0XCVey_U

[ctcyclistbob]

Dremel with all the attachments. Don't know how I lived without it for so long!!!

They're cool and I'm thinking about one. What do you use it for on your bike?

[mktng]

not going to lie or joke.
this tool has helped alot over the years
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Images/Models/Original/18660.jpg

[DHallerman]

5mm hex tool.

But not just any 5mm hex, but the Campy one with the knurled side.

Stays hexagonal, no rounded edges, the knurled part just feels good in my hands.

And who doesn't use some 5mm hex tool a lot when foolin' with bikes?

This one:

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/24440195/campy_5mm_hex.jpg

[bfd]

Most trusted bicycle tool? Love my Campy Cone Wrenches!

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I4Snyzw2IMM/TQzmirh_XRI/AAAAAAAAFqY/rzL26lZRXsc/s1600/campagnolo.jpg

Good Luck!