Originally Posted by
RubeRad
I think I get your original point, but in what way do you expect a tool to perform better than just using a stick, or just using a paper towel to grab the chain with your hand?
I'm basically looking for an unmounted device for switching chainrings. I don't know what exactly a good tool for this purpose might look like or how it might work.
Sticks, paper towels, gloves, 'O' ring hook/hose remover, popsickle sticks. Quite a few ideas, and definitely not as expensive as purchasing a presently unneeded FD.
Not to say that the alternative solutions aren't useful. Some neat ideas here: downtube shifters, seat tube shifters, modified FD, FD with barrel adjuster, suicide shifter etc. I didn't know that there were so many possibilities. If I decide to mount a FD I'll give all of these a thought.