Which Chain Tool?
04-13-11, 10:33 AM
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Cottered Crank
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Which Chain Tool?
I almost bought a Park CT-3 today. I had it ordered through Amazon and everything as it was on sale for $25.01 with free shipping but then I realized it didn't do 1/8" chains so I cancelled it right away.
Right now I'm using a Pedro's Six-pack chain tool for everything and it works on everything but is a bit small for shop use. It's a portable tool for emergencies really.
I probably do 80% of the chain work on 1/8" chains since I'm a 3-speed/IGH freak. The Sixpack tool has never not worked for me on any chain but it is a bit small to use in the shop and since it is always packed away in my tool roll it's a pain to drag out every time I want to work on a chain much less is a tiny little bugger to operate.
I thought $25 would be a good price for a quality tool but if I have to buy TWO tools I might as well spend the cash and buy one good all-chain tool and save the room in my toolbox. I came up upon the Pedro Tutto as the ultimate do-everything shop chain tool but it seems nobody has it online. Everyone is out of stock. Is that because pedro's is having an issue, is redesigning it (they seem to do this quite a bit as they improve their line) or it is just that popular?
Are there any other good options in the under $80 range for a chain tool that does any nearly any common chain? Or should I just buy a 1/8"-only tool for the shop to do what I do most and suffer digging through my tool roll whenever I need to work on a derailleur chain? Anyone have any experience with the Tutto? Other options?
Right now I'm using a Pedro's Six-pack chain tool for everything and it works on everything but is a bit small for shop use. It's a portable tool for emergencies really.
I probably do 80% of the chain work on 1/8" chains since I'm a 3-speed/IGH freak. The Sixpack tool has never not worked for me on any chain but it is a bit small to use in the shop and since it is always packed away in my tool roll it's a pain to drag out every time I want to work on a chain much less is a tiny little bugger to operate.
I thought $25 would be a good price for a quality tool but if I have to buy TWO tools I might as well spend the cash and buy one good all-chain tool and save the room in my toolbox. I came up upon the Pedro Tutto as the ultimate do-everything shop chain tool but it seems nobody has it online. Everyone is out of stock. Is that because pedro's is having an issue, is redesigning it (they seem to do this quite a bit as they improve their line) or it is just that popular?
Are there any other good options in the under $80 range for a chain tool that does any nearly any common chain? Or should I just buy a 1/8"-only tool for the shop to do what I do most and suffer digging through my tool roll whenever I need to work on a derailleur chain? Anyone have any experience with the Tutto? Other options?
04-13-11, 11:01 AM
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Park's CT-7 is a specific BMX and 1/8" chain tool. It looks a lot like the CT-3 and should cost about the same.
04-13-11, 11:30 AM
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So I could probably get by with just the CT-7 and if I find myself in the future doing more derailleur chains I could spring for a CT-3 as well...
I might do that if I can find the CT-7 for that $25 mark -thanks.
I might do that if I can find the CT-7 for that $25 mark -thanks.
04-13-11, 07:37 PM
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The CT-3 will do quite a bit of 1/8 chains as well. It's only the really beefy 1/8 chains that it cannot handle.
04-13-11, 08:44 PM
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So you are saying that the CT-3 will work on most of the old Raleigh 3-speed chains I encounter and most of the cheaper 1/8" chains I pick up to replace them when they are worn?
04-13-11, 08:52 PM
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I love my CT3 chain tool, but I work on derailleur bikes only. I had a Nashbar/Spin Doctor chain tool prior to that, and it was a POS.
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