Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Don't do what I did (buying a park lockring wrench)

I ignored all advice to the contrary and purchased a park tools lockring wrench. I needed one immediately, and it was all the LBS in town carried. This was the worst 16 dollars I have spent in a long time. The thing was barely willing to grab the lockring. The tooth on the end seems like it is actually curved in some way. I am also fairly certain that the metal is so soft that I thought I was going to break it.

Whatever you do, don't buy this wrench.

Yep, that thing is a real POS. Not even a very good paper weight. Park tools are overpriced, and often of marginal function. I don't understand why they seem to have such a loyal following.

get the wrenchforce one, or if you're having a rich moment, some lockring pliers.

Yeah the Park ones suck some serious ass.

You can, however, make them serviceable.
if you stick a penny/washer/something else thin and flat between the curve and the lockring, the Park wrench tends to suck a bit less.

Get the Hozan lockring pliers from Business Cycles - probably the best tool I own.

Anyone have any experience with the Hozan Hook Spanner (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools/fixedgear.html)? Sheldon seems to think it's a pretty good tool, and I don't have the $$$ for a set of pliers.

the pliers are awsome. I'm getting a pair when I have the extra cash flow. They will get any lockring off, including ones that were locktite on. They go hand in hand with the wheel manufacturer chain whip.

Get the Hozan lockring pliers from Business Cycles - probably the best tool I own.

Honestly, I could spring for the pliers at the price John is selling them, but I'm a bit suspicious as to why they're only $37 and sheldon's pliers are $80...

I really like the Hozan lockring hook-wrench. I got one for $5 from one of the LBS in SF that was selling off the tools from a store they closed.

Anyone have any experience with the Hozan Hook Spanner (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools/fixedgear.html)? Sheldon seems to think it's a pretty good tool, and I don't have the $$$ for a set of pliers.

A piece of the hook end of mine broke off in a blaze of bloody glory. Up until that point, I liked it alright :o . Go with the pliers. Seriously. It's what I should have done in the first place.

i've never had any trouble with my hozan wrench -- i'm a fan.

some day when i get an obscene amount of money, i'll get the MAKINO PRO TOOL SUPER:

http://www.businesscycles.com/graphics/protoolsuper.jpg

If you get the Park lockring wrench w/ the 3-tooth side (for low-end Campy BBs, I think), it works pretty well.

i should clarify that I wasn't trying to slam the hozan wrench. it worked well for me, for a long time, and the breakage and bloodiness were definitely brought on my a bit of stupidity on my part. I'm just offering the advice that with the pliers, you have the guarantee of no surprise slipping. Which is nice. And I wish I had gone that route.

its seem like the wrench that sheldon sells is different from the Hozan wrench that business cycles sell. I can vouch for the hozan one. I've seen it in action plenty of times and that thing is solid.

Yep, that thing is a real POS. Not even a very good paper weight. Park tools are overpriced, and often of marginal function. I don't understand why they seem to have such a loyal following.

I have to agree with you. The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.

I have to agree with you. The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.

??? That's the one that I use, and I've never had any problems with it...

I've got the Hozan lockring tool (not the pliers) and have been really satisfied with it. The LBS that I ordered it from had it in their DIY shop, and I was really impressed compared to the Park, which is what I'd used before. I asked them to order the same wrench, but they accidentally ordered the Park instead. I sent it back and made sure that they got me the Hozan ;)

I have to agree with you. The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.

What are you talking about? That tool is the shop standard for removing standard square tapered cotterless cranks. I've personally removed more cranksets than I can count with that specific tool. The only reason I don't suggest buying it is because you can get one of the ones without a handle that uses an allen key to wrench the crank off, and it's 1/4 of the size and 1/2 the price.

What are you talking about? That tool is the shop standard for removing standard square tapered cotterless cranks. I've personally removed more cranksets than I can count with that specific tool. The only reason I don't suggest buying it is because you can get one of the ones without a handle that uses an allen key to wrench the crank off, and it's 1/4 of the size and 1/2 the price.

not to mention that the handleless one works on octalink/isis cranks too.

so for someone who is building up a tool set, what brands/tools should i get? what should i spend the money on?

maybe that should be its own thread.

You usually can't go wrong with Park. Pedros makes some nice tools too.

However, Park tools that suck (feel free to add to this list):
1. Tire Levers
2. Lockring Wrench.

i have the wrenchforce one. its good enough.

I have to agree with you. The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.

I fourth [?] this veto. That tool has pulled many-a-crank, and I bought it used as hell. I actually think it's one of my favorite tools behind my hammer.

Yup, love the crank puller.

#1 useless is the brake toe-in tool. I think it's discontinued now, which is fine because a) modern brakes have a screw to adjust toe-in on the pads and b) if they don't, you can use a pliers or vice grip to accomplish the same damn thing.

But the track lockring wrench does suck.

You usually can't go wrong with Park. Pedros makes some nice tools too.

However, Park tools that suck (feel free to add to this list):
1. Tire Levers
2. Lockring Wrench.

Chainwhip sucks, too.

The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.I've probably made at least 100 crank extractions using that same tool since the early nineties. I never had a problem using this tool. Are you sure you were using it properly??

BTW, why/how the transformation from lockring tool to crankpullers...??

i've had the same park crank puller for over ten years. never a problem.

yeah, same gripe here with the spanner. my dad has a good number of box wrenches and the best spanner I've ever used, made by a company called X Axis, who I can't seem to find a website for right now...

I have that crank puller too. It works alright. I almost prefer the portable versions, since you can line up your wrench better w/ the crankarms to lever them against each other, but I haven't had any problems with it.

I have to agree with you. The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.

if you're just pounding on the crankarms with the tool then it probably won't work.

I'm also a satisfied user of the Park crank puller. I am also happy to report that it can be used easily and effectively as a bottle opener.

some day when i get an obscene amount of money, i'll get the MAKINO PRO TOOL SUPER:

http://www.businesscycles.com/graphics/protoolsuper.jpg

I dont think this bad boy works with any cog over 16 teeth. Sorry Shants your out.
Love You

Oh yeah I got a Gios with full record, but it has gears.

park crank puller = good for me.

5th veto... My friend uses that crank puller all the time. We've never had any issues with it.

5th veto... My friend uses that crank puller all the time. We've never had any issues with it.

OK. I surrender. Maybe it's just me. Do you guys use a cheater bar on the thing? Neither I nor any of my friends have ever been able to get enough leverage on the thing to pull a crank.

I find that towards the very end, I have to use it two armed (on hand on the crank one hand on the tool) and really work to squeeze them together or push them apart, but no, no cheater bar. It could use a more substantial handle, though, I'll give you that.

I always use a rubber mallet on the crank puller handle if you can't get it started.

so for someone who is building up a tool set, what brands/tools should i get? what should i spend the money on?

maybe that should be its own thread.

For me.. these are tools that I use to take apart my bikes component
Lockring tool ---> Hozan lokring plier
Crank remover ---> Park
Chain tool ----> Park but looking for a better tool if anyone would suggest... the pin bit always unscrew.
Headset tool ----> VAR solid
Headset crown press --> Hozan
BB tool -----> VAR solid

Anyone have any experience with the Hozan Hook Spanner (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools/fixedgear.html)? Sheldon seems to think it's a pretty good tool, and I don't have the $$$ for a set of pliers.
i have one (i think its the modified one, with the machined edge) it solid. This is pretty much my only bike specific tool so not really an expert, but seems like it will last longer than my bike. also had to pay more than the $25, but it was probably the only option at the time.

I have to agree with you. The one most useless piece in their crankset tool: http://www.parktool.com/tools/CCP_2.shtml
I don't know anyone who has ever been able to remove a crankset using one of those.

You're obviously an idiot who shouldn't be working on bikes. Turn in your tools, roll down you pant legs and throw away the spoke cards.

Chainwhip sucks, too.

Seriously? How so?

I've taken off freewheels, road cassettes, and track cogs, and never had a problem with mine...

Seriously? How so?

I've taken off freewheels, road cassettes, and track cogs, and never had a problem with mine...

Yeah, I use the Park chainwhip every day, and although I haven't used many other chainwhips, I wouldn't want anything different. It's easy to use, no functionality problems.

Yeah, I use the Park chainwhip every day, and although I haven't used many other chainwhips, I wouldn't want anything different. It's easy to use, no functionality problems.

Most of the Park tools work great. For some reason the best lockring tools seem to be Asian: I use the Tanaka hook spanner all of the time.

It's been my experience that most tools work poorly or fail when used wrong. You should see the damage I did to some tools while apprenticing :)

OK. I surrender. Maybe it's just me. Do you guys use a cheater bar on the thing? Neither I nor any of my friends have ever been able to get enough leverage on the thing to pull a crank.

You're obviously an idiot who shouldn't be working on bikes. Turn in your tools, roll down you pant legs and throw away the spoke cards.

If you have a crank that's on there pretty tight, that thin handle sucks for leverage. Throw a rag around the end, or put a pipe over the handle for easier leverage. If that doesn't give you the leverage, put a foot on it, or use a rubber mallet to get it going. All tools suck when you're using them incorrectly. Anyone who hates on someone who's learning how to work on their own bike is a maladroit. Miracle Whip, roll up your pant legs and put some cards in your spokes, you’re as fake as the rest of em’. Least he’s turning a wrench or two.

General tool preference, by manufacturer:
1) Var
2) Hozan
3) Park
Exceptions abound; sometimes the best tool for a specific job is made by one of the three, and the other two are next to useless.

For lockring spanner, I use either a Var or the Hozan, depending on the job. The Park tool is pretty bad. I've got one, it's at the bottom of the toolbox with the brooks saddle tension wrench. I'll say I don't much like the park third hand tool (the 4th hand one is excellent, though)-- a pedal strap works better. And I'll prolly get flamed for this, but the Park truing stands are pretty much over complicated junk ... give me the relative simplicity and bombproofness of the Hozan stand or a Var Atomic any day (opinion, folks, but I've used all three, currently use the Hozan, couldn't afford the Var)... those two stands will true wheels after armageddeon...

Somebody get me out of the dark here - VAR tools? Who? Where? etc

www.biketoolsetc.com - i love this place

You're obviously an idiot who shouldn't be working on bikes. Turn in your tools, roll down you pant legs and throw away the spoke cards.

Mom, I hate it when you call me an idiot in public.

Var is a French toolmaker. Very heavy duty, sturdy tools, although like Park and Hozan both they make some junk. Like I said, the best toolmaker depends on the job. It can be any one of three, or even another manufacturer altogether. Getting hard to find Var tools, tho; I don't think the exchange rate is vary favorable. Their cone wrenches and HS wrench are the best I've used; the Var 30 fixed cup tool has no equal, the Var Atomic is an amazing truing stand.

I dont think this bad boy works with any cog over 16 teeth. Sorry Shants your out.
Love You

Oh yeah I got a Gios with full record, but it has gears.

the makino has a 16T!