Bicycle Mechanics - 3wrencho

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/files/3wrencho_coated.html

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/files/3wrencho_coated.jpg

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/files/3wrencho_coated.html

http://www.pedalconsumption.com/files/3wrencho_coated.jpg

The colour of that metal makes it look like a low quality wrench...

Probably aimed at the fixie crowd. High price, low quality, hip.

been thinking about grabbing on of these, need a lil tool like that and I like to buy local (made by portland design works). anyone used one? I'm seeing skepticism but seems like neither of you have used it so imma just ignore your opinions unless you actually have, I'm not going to assume low quality from a picture, nor will I assume high quality.

Probably aimed at the fixie crowd. High price, low quality, hip.It's specifically aimed at them, and no one else.

Only 25 bucks to combine a $4 wrench and a $4 set of tire levers. skinny wristed hipsters are gonna need more leverage than that do get the nut off.

I can't find a single negative review people seem to like it...

It really should have a bottle opener on it. And come in different colours

it does have a bottle opener, and it comes it coated and not coated, thats sumthin

Tire levers which can't hook onto spokes are a pain to use. Get something like this instead:

http://media.rei.com/media/985953.jpg

I don't think you understand a multi tool... its not about quality its about convinience
I would rather drop 20 bucks than carry this around
131495
and That can't even spread peanut butter...

Also if your just using a single lever (and I don't know what people are talking about I don't find it a pain at all to use just one) having it hook onto a spoke would just be beyond stupid

how about lets stop making assumptions with no basis in reality, "for hipsters" is not a solid argument, nor is "looks cheap", no mechanic, regardless of skill can assess quality via a picture

Get a craftsman combination wrench.

Get a craftsman combination wrench.
This is just getting more and more stupid

I understand tools. I talked about the convenience of having hooks. I did not mention anything about quality. I do not use my bike tools to spread peanut butter: I use utensils. You can change kevlar bead road tires with one (or sometimes no) lever , but not other tires.

I understand tools. I talked about the convenience of having hooks. I did not mention anything about quality. I do not use my bike tools to spread peanut butter: I use utensils. You can change kevlar bead road tires with one (or sometimes no) lever , but not other tires.

My comment on quality was directed at operator, what I am saying is you are criticising a multi tool and suggesting a singular purpose tool instead.
I'm not gonna go out and trow away the tools I have at home to replace it with somthing that is not designed primarily for performance, I in noway and implying that the 3wrencho will out perform even my crappy allied combo 15mm wrench, the purpose of a multi tool is to save space! jesus if I want the ultimate in performance i will mount a ****ing toolbox on my bike, but Im not going to carry a 15mm wrench and a set of tire levers in my pocket, II would however put one of these in (assuming anyone can ever get off their ****in high horse (I guess tall bike in this enviroment) and provide useful feedback on the how the tool actually performs all I see here is people criticizing the wrong aspects of the tool and making wild leaps about the quality and usefulness of the tool, and how "hip" it is, its bull**** I'm not gonna say that buying a campy tool is bull**** cause its "bike hip" and "*looks* cheap"

I have one because it was the best tool I found to combine a tire lever and a 15mm axle nut wrench in one compact package. It works fine.

For those of you passing judgment based on a picture - care to elaborate on the "low quality"?

I like to buy local (made by portland design works)

I feel the same way, but I seem to remember it actually being made in China along with almost everything else. Just like Milwaukee Tools at Harbor Freight Tools, Chicago Cutlery, etc.... all just another bunch of companies who think that making more bucks for a select few was more important than keeping their neighbors employed.

You can carry this tool, but you would still need an adjustable wrench for all the non 15mm bolts on your bike. You might as well just carry regular tire levers and an adjustable wrench. Your bike only has 15mm bolts? You must be riding a fixed gear without brakes.

Don't you also need a set of hex keys? What about a pump? Spare tube and patch kit? I don't understand why you'd want to or how you could possibly keep all your tools in your pockets. Get a saddlebag already.

why would you need one of those when you can have a tire lever and adjustable wrench? :p
or ditch the wrench and use a QR.

as far as I can see, that thing doesn't have enough arm to get proper leverage to torque down the axle nuts.
I'll keep my 6" adjustable, thank you.

You can carry this tool, but you would still need an adjustable wrench for all the non 15mm bolts on your bike. You might as well just carry regular tire levers and an adjustable wrench. Your bike only has 15mm bolts? You must be riding a fixed gear without brakes.

Don't you also need a set of hex keys? What about a pump? Spare tube and patch kit? I don't understand why you'd want to or how you could possibly keep all your tools in your pockets. Get a saddlebag already.

Damn I never thought of that, I can't rebuild my bike on the road with one tool, ****!.
Guess I'll give up and just carry 20lbs of tools, worthless to try and get a tool thats light that compact and does *most* of what I need.
FYI I actualy carry more tools than most in my bag, including a 15mm wrench and set of levers, but I don't like taking a bag with me purely for tools when I have noother reason to take my bag.
lets get real on the road repair kits will never cover all the things that can go wrong. switch to a QR? short sited and just a bad argument
Also You still critisized a singular tire lever for not hooking onto the spoke...


@kmcrawford11
Thanks for saying somthing relevant to the thread, and yes I'm sure its manufactured in china just like every other tool but I at least know that some of my money is going to my own community.


@AEO
"as far as I can see, that thing doesn't have enough arm to get proper leverage to torque down the axle nuts."
it specificaly addresses this by saying to step on it, not the best option but you know what I don't really give a **** its small it does what ti needs to and I've only heard good things, at least no one bad talking it has any idea what their saying as their all just guessing then using the amazing power of the internet to inflate their egos to the point where they think their first reactions to a *picture* of the tool are worth more than the opinions of a bunch of "hipsters"

The name of the tool alone suggests this tool is designed for the fixed gear crowd of all types. Four inches will give you plenty of leverage. I carry a chopped down Craftsman 15mm closed end wrench which is about 4" long in my fixed gear seat bag.

When I commute by bike, I carry:

* Two tire levers
* Pump
* Spare tube
* Patch kit
* Adjustable wrench
* Multitool which includes hex keys, philips, flathead
* Chain tool

Clearly I'm not a hipster (however I do ride a Brooks saddle).

imma just ignore your opinions unless you actually have, I'm not going to assume low quality from a picture, nor will I assume high quality.

I fix bikes for a living, I know a shop quality tool when I see one. Most people who don't use tools on a daily basis wouldn't know a good tool if it bit them in the ass. You want to see a quality "mini" 15mm?

http://surlybikes.com/uploads/parts/TL1620.jpg

I am however, totally open to being wrong still.

^^^ That Surly tool is beautifully forged.

My seat bag(s) belonging to my regular geared bikes do not contain a 15mm wrench, obviously. Only my fixed gear seat bag contains a 15mm wrench among other usual road tools.

When I bring my tools I carry

tire lever set
pump
spare tube/tire
patches
2 spare spokes & spoke wrench (although I have been leaving these at home unless I'm going on a really long ride)
15mm wrench
3 way socket
3 way allen
screwdriver (I don't ahve any flathead screws on my bike)
chain breaker
chain whip
lockring spanner
chain breaker

Clearly I am a hipster (however I do ride with a brake, gears too when I want em!!)

and operator, if you were holding the tool in your hand, or even looking at it on your desk I would be more inclined to beleive you, I know you are a quality mechanic I see your advice all around this forum and rarely (if ever) have I ever taken issue with your advice, but pictures deceive, end of story

I am most definitely not a hipster and I own a singlespeed, not fixed though, freewheel with brakes :D I am kinda considering selling it to raise money for a road bike but if I decide to keep it for summer I may get such tool. It looks like the Surly tool doesn't have tire lever though?


When I bring my tools I carry

tire lever set
pump
spare tube/tire
patches
2 spare spokes & spoke wrench (although I have been leaving these at home unless I'm going on a really long ride)
15mm wrench
3 way socket
3 way allen
screwdriver (I don't ahve any flathead screws on my bike)
chain breaker
chain whip
lockring spanner
chain breaker

Clearly I am a hipster (however I do ride with a brake, gears too when I want em!!)

Why chain whip?

A.

Damn I never thought of that, I can't rebuild my bike on the road with one tool, ****!.
Guess I'll give up and just carry 20lbs of tools, worthless to try and get a tool thats light that compact and does *most* of what I need.
FYI I actualy carry more tools than most in my bag, including a 15mm wrench and set of levers, but I don't like taking a bag with me purely for tools when I have noother reason to take my bag.
lets get real on the road repair kits will never cover all the things that can go wrong. switch to a QR? short sited and just a bad argument
Also You still critisized a singular tire lever for not hooking onto the spoke...


@kmcrawford11
Thanks for saying somthing relevant to the thread, and yes I'm sure its manufactured in china just like every other tool but I at least know that some of my money is going to my own community.


@AEO
"as far as I can see, that thing doesn't have enough arm to get proper leverage to torque down the axle nuts."
it specificaly addresses this by saying to step on it, not the best option but you know what I don't really give a **** its small it does what ti needs to and I've only heard good things, at least no one bad talking it has any idea what their saying as their all just guessing then using the amazing power of the internet to inflate their egos to the point where they think their first reactions to a *picture* of the tool are worth more than the opinions of a bunch of "hipsters"

no, it's a piece of ****.
You say 'you've heard good things' well, have you ever tried it yourself? I haven't, but I can tell you that my 6" adjustable is barely enough for me to torque down my axle nuts with my hands. And this POS requires you to step on it? that's a seriously good way to round off and marr your nuts. It's no ego inflation, you're getting too defensive. My opinion is straight forward, from someone who actually wrenches on bikes and likes to use tools that don't destroy parts.
You're inflating your ego by holding your 'hipster' opinions higher than what people who actually have the audacity to say 'it's ****, no way I'll use it'. what do you want? yes-men? you might find those at yes-men.net, but this is mechanics.

If we don't like it for whatever reason, we'll tell you why we don't like it, based upon our experience.
stepping on a tool to get it to work is a serious design flaw, but hey, if you like the dexterity and finesse of your foot over you hand, then by all means, go find more yes-men.

I am most definitely not a hipster and I own a singlespeed, not fixed though, freewheel with brakes :D I am kinda considering selling it to raise money for a road bike but if I decide to keep it for summer I may get such tool. It looks like the Surly tool doesn't have tire lever though?



Why chain whip?

A.

if you break a spoke on the drive side, you'll need it to get the cog off and insert a new spoke in the hub.
or someone who rides at the track wants to ride to a velodrome and change cogs to track gearing...
or if you're unsure of the work you did on properly tightening down your cog...

I can tell you I don't carry one because my cog and lock ring are on properly and I don't do brevets that require self support and maintenance in rural areas.

A bottle opener is an important tool for some. This nicely machined titanium bottle opener comes with a 15mm wrench.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P10_BT0002_1.jpg

The name of the tool alone suggests this tool is designed for the fixed gear crowd of all types. Four inches will give you plenty of leverage. I carry a chopped down Craftsman 15mm closed end wrench which is about 4" long in my fixed gear seat bag.

I have noodle arms so I need 6".

no, it's a piece of ****.
You say 'you've heard good things' well, have you ever tried it yourself? I haven't, but I can tell you that my 6" adjustable is barely enough for me to torque down my axle nuts with my hands. And this POS requires you to step on it? that's a seriously good way to round off and marr your nuts. It's no ego inflation, you're getting too defensive. My opinion is straight forward, from someone who actually wrenches on bikes and likes to use tools that don't destroy parts.
You're inflating your ego by holding your 'hipster' opinions higher than what people who actually have the audacity to say 'it's ****, no way I'll use it'. what do you want? yes-men? you might find those at yes-men.net, but this is mechanics.

If we don't like it for whatever reason, we'll tell you why we don't like it, based upon our experience.
stepping on a tool to get it to work is a serious design flaw, but hey, if you like the dexterity and finesse of your foot over you hand, then by all means, go find more yes-men.

excuse me, if you'll note I never said its a quality tool infact not a single post of mine in this thread has said ANYTHING about its quality other than "I will not assume by a picture"
I'm not holding any opinions about it, thats pretty obvious if you read my posts, actualy your pretty damn guilty of the exact thing you acuse me of, "no, it's a piece of ****.
You say 'you've heard good things' well, have you ever tried it yourself? I haven't"
so you say its a peice of **** and admit that you have no basis for thinking this.
and I also specificaly pointed out that these are not designed for quality, I don't buy ****ty tools, infact my allied wrenches are one of the few tools I own that are not park tools
I'm not defending the tool i've made no comments to its quality, I have simply stated that trashing on a tool based on a picture is a fools move. prove to me its a crappy tool. thats all I ask

I've only seen one person whos used the tool, they say it works well I have absolutely no reason to assume it is not top notch

I have noodle arms so I need 6".

For the most part if you use quality track nuts which can bite into the trackends you really don't need to torque those suckers down that much.

Oh and I carry a chainwhip just in case, I carry enough that it doesn't really matter I have a pretty light one that I carry with me and I leave my big heavy park whip at home

You can carry this tool, but you would still need an adjustable wrench for all the non 15mm bolts on your bike. You might as well just carry regular tire levers and an adjustable wrench. Your bike only has 15mm bolts? You must be riding a fixed gear without brakes.

Don't you also need a set of hex keys? What about a pump? Spare tube and patch kit? I don't understand why you'd want to or how you could possibly keep all your tools in your pockets. Get a saddlebag already.

The only wrench I consider as "needing" while riding is 15mm to remove the rear wheel on my Swobo Dixon. Since I feel that I need only a 15mm wrench, I prefer to carry a fixed one (for a perfect fit, and a zero-maintenance one-piece tool) that also has a tire lever instead of an adjustable. What other wrench would I "need" anyway - at least for anything I'd be fixing in the field? Especially with a little 6" adjustable? My brakes are (1) disc, with nowhere to use an open wrench, and (2) v - what's the worst that can happen there? A pad comes loose? I've never had that happen, and even if it did it's not like I couldn't ride.

Hex keys? Check, Topeak Toolbar, which also has two tire levers (though I lost one - another reason why I bought the 3wrencho).
Pump? Check, Topeak Turbo Morph G.
Spare tube, check.
Patch kit, check - Park GP-2.

Where did I ever say I keep my tools in my pockets? I have a small zippered tool pouch where I carry the above (sans pump) plus a spare taillight, a tire boot, a spare lock key, an alcohol wipe, a 3/16" allen wrench for my vintage Trek seatpost binder bolt, a spare o-ring for my Dinotte lights, and two spare mini bungee cords. This goes in the messenger bag I'm almost always carrying while riding.

I don't find that stepping on it is a requirement wither proper torquing - I believe the description says that to indicate that it's possible to do so.

Folks in this thread should relax a little. Getting out and riding would help. I'm feeling that way myself. Hope I can commute at least part of the way tomorrow, but there's a big snowstorm coming.

All my tools roll in this bag on the Steamroller: :D

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/SurlySteamroller.jpg

Soil Sampler, great thread. It's hilarious.....a pic is posted of a tool, no comments in the OP, no question, just a pic..... and so far we've got two pages of strong opinions, heated discussion, name calling, etc.

For the most part if you use quality track nuts which can bite into the trackends you really don't need to torque those suckers down that much.

chromed drop outs.

Soil Sampler, great thread. It's hilarious.....a pic is posted of a tool, no comments in the OP, no question, just a pic..... and so far we've got two pages of strong opinions, heated discussion, name calling, etc.Good thing it wasn't posted over in the FG forum...:p

chromed drop outs.

Won't bite! De-chrome!

I know what you mean well biked I never get to argue this much in the mechanics forum, I really was missing out, arguing in the SS/FG forum has gotten old.

excuse me, if you'll note I never said its a quality tool infact not a single post of mine in this thread has said ANYTHING about its quality other than "I will not assume by a picture"
I'm not holding any opinions about it, thats pretty obvious if you read my posts, actualy your pretty damn guilty of the exact thing you acuse me of, "no, it's a piece of ****.
You say 'you've heard good things' well, have you ever tried it yourself? I haven't"
so you say its a peice of **** and admit that you have no basis for thinking this.
and I also specificaly pointed out that these are not designed for quality, I don't buy ****ty tools, infact my allied wrenches are one of the few tools I own that are not park tools
I'm not defending the tool i've made no comments to its quality, I have simply stated that trashing on a tool based on a picture is a fools move. prove to me its a crappy tool. thats all I ask

I've only seen one person whos used the tool, they say it works well I have absolutely no reason to assume it is not top notch

operator is talking about quality

I'm talking about ergonomics of the design. 4" and they say 'use your foot'
the only things that should require you to use your foot are foot pumps, foot jacks and soccer balls. :p

how are you going to align your wheel in the drop out while having to pull this yoga position to use the tool?

operator is talking about quality

I'm talking about ergonomics of the design. 4" and they say 'use your foot'
the only things that should require you to use your foot are foot pumps, foot jacks and soccer balls. :p

I don't even think 4" is too short to get enough leverage I'm a big person, I was simply pointing out that they do address the lack of leverage for those who just don't have the muscle mass to do it

and I don't know what you mean by "operator is talking about quality" I know what operator is saying and I'm simply saying that I would rather have the opinion of someone who is less qualified than operator who has actualy used the tool.
if operator had the tool and was saying "this tool *is* of poor quality" it would be different but hes just talking about the picture, I appeciate his input I know hes a top notch wrench but that doesn't change the fact that I am just not gonna put stock in someones opinion based on a photo

"how are you going to align your wheel in the drop out while having to pull this yoga position to use the tool? "
I don't imagine this being hard at all

it almost seems like a clever idea to have it designed to be foot powered as the average cyclist is likely to have stronger legs than arms, I'm sure it would be a pain to have to do thoughk

oh yeah I neglected to mention I carry my park BO-2 in my toolbag, can't leave that at home (least til I get one of these)
its actualy the only park tool I carry with me on the road, thats kind of making me laugh at the moment

I like to buy local (made by portland design works).

I was just in Portland. No one there has heard of this outfit.
Top

Where did I ever say I keep my tools in my pockets?

My post was not in response to yours.

Nice Carradice Barley bag Roadfix. I have one too. You should get the Viva bag loops from Velo Orange.

Cute tool, cute name. No affiliation?


You can change kevlar bead road tires with one (or sometimes no) lever , but not other tires.Pff. I hate when I have to use one lever, let alone two.

Hardly ever need two. And I'm talking about almost everything but kevlar-beaded road tyres.

There is quite a bit of technique to it, though

I was just in Portland. No one there has heard of this outfit.
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Doesn't change the fact that they're local, I briefly met on of the fellows that works there nice guy (not that that says anything about the tool/company). They don't sell much I'm not really surprised that not many have heard of it but both the mechanics at the shop I go to had at least heard of them (I've been eyeing this tool for a long while now).

Top?

Soil Sampler, great thread.
It's hilarious.....a pic is posted of a tool, no comments in the OP, no question, just a pic..... and so far we've got two pages of strong opinions, heated discussion, name calling, etc.

you are welcome.

Get a delegated wrench for tightening/loosening axle-bolts. A 6 inch adjustable is fine for road use.

As for tire-levers, this is the last word, IMHO, in on the road tire-levers:

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=180244260661&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=VR-425

As for tire-levers, this is the last word, IMHO, in on the road tire-levers:

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=180244260661&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=VR-425

but it doesn't open bottles, and would you really trust france to manufacture anything?

why would you need one of those when you can have a tire lever and adjustable wrench? :p
or ditch the wrench and use a QR.

as far as I can see, that thing doesn't have enough arm to get proper leverage to torque down the axle nuts.I'll keep my 6" adjustable, thank you.

I was going to say that the fact that the wrench is short, makes it a good design. Its really easy to overtorque bicycle fasteners when using a standard combination wrench. Clean, oiled threads and the short handled wrench is just right.