[MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION] - I assume your are referencing the NWT in the folder forum. No, I don't have it, almost wish I did. It was to much for commuting. Other folders are more conducive for that purpose. I was impressed with the NWT but also impressed with needing to buy a computer for my daughter in college at the time. The investment in the NWT was about $300 inclusive, and sold for $925 sans a couple of parts I liked!

Looked pretty good when I sold it. I managed to fix the fender line after the pic.
[IMG]P1010804, on Flickr[/IMG]

Do you even know how the Park FFS-2 works? It isn't controlled in any sense. It isn't a precision tool. Its totally subjective to the force the mechanic YANKS on it with. If the mechanic is pulling up along with out, he doesn't just spread the chain stays out, but he incrementally bend thes dropout "up" along with what he was trying to do in moving it out.

The Park FFS-2 is a terrible tool to use to cold set a frame. All you want to do when cold setting a frame is spread the chain stays as equally as possible, in a plane, without introducing all kinds of other dynamic bends that have to be corrected.

Park makes some really crappy tools. The FFS-2 is like using a hammer and duct tape. Its the wrong tool for the job.

Don't feed the troll.

Bike Fridays (except for the Tikit) aren't made for commuting. I'd get a Dahon, or, for more money a Brompton if I needed a folder for that purpose. I used mine for awhile on Caltrain (SF peninsula), they have 2 bike cars front and back, so I almost never folded it. If a train went out of service due to accident or other mechanical failure, you'd get twice the number of commuter bikes on one train, and only folders were allowed on. I took advantage of that exactly twice, but by the time I had it folded down to something that would fit in a nook or cranny, it was time to get off!

You did a nice job in rescuing that poor little bike, and were handsomely rewarded to boot!

I keep mine in the suitcase it came in, ready to go on a moment's notice. I've done a couple of week long tours on it recently with a friend that has a 66cm Rivendell. We just call it "the clown bike". I get 5X more comments than he does,so perhaps he's just jealous.

...actually, this is about the first thing you've said with which I agree. Some of the newer Park tool introductions are headscratchingly poor designs. The # 2 bending thingie is not one of them, however. The part about "spread the chain stays as equally as possible, in a plane, without introducing all kinds of other dynamic bends that have to be corrected" made me laugh so hard I pee'd a little bit.

...he followed me home, mom. Can I keep him ?

Still won't answer the question?

And what if he applies a gentle pressure.

You should get a stand up act. Hilarious.

Well, I have to warn you, he's not house trained.

Pretty sure no one could tell their wheelbase has been shortened by ~.25mm. That's about 10 mils.

I looked at this thread hoping to see about any shops in my area that I am not familiar with, but instead got to read the content above. I did get curious why anyone who is mechanically inclined would think it a good idea to take that tool, obviously made to spread, and apply other random forces to it, like yanking.....

...all the internet porn has absolutely ruined this country.

If nothing else, it has made shaking a strangers hand questionable....

Ouch!

You might not be doing it correctly.....

Not to mention that practically all bikes that have and will have their dropouts spread are vintage steel horizontal dropout bikes...

Listen, the guy thinks that large diameter aluminum is the only way a bike should be built, yet he comments on steel frames as if he's the expert. Did you know that you can yank a chainstay out of a lug if you try and spread a frame without his approved method? Just ask him...

Exactly... means less than nothing when I can go ahead and adjust the wheelbase for real with my horizontal dropouts.

I've been meaning to cold set my frame for some time and this thread has convinced me to do it while being grateful my bike isn't aluminum.

I would love to try one of those Cannondales, but without the ability to ride 650b, forget it.

Hey, I've got nothing against those Cannondales. They'd be a good frame for a big, tall rider. But I hear you, you're limited on tire size on the road bikes, as I recall, the big, fat chainstays don't give enough room.

Be careful, take your time, and sneak up on the "spread". Everytime you give it a tug, measure drop out width and center.

You can do it!

it's a good thread with a lot of good, strong opinion. and i learned of both aaron's and angle lake shops.

not that i'll ever go down there. 'white center'? that sounds too much like where i'm from originally.

Yawn

170 posts and that's all you've got?

I think the yunguns say something like "you've gotta work on your game".

Yawn^2

Working on your creativity may help. After nearly 600 posts, I would expect more.

Hey, if you're tired, go take a nap.

White Center, is where I'm from.
More affectionately know by the locals as "Rat City".

Aaron's is a great shop, he works on my bikes,
but be aware, he can be a little gruff, and opinionated.
He also has a tendency to think out loud.
So if he says something that seems off or if he tells you
you need to upgrade your old bike,
just flip him back ****.