Which one am I supposed to get? The Park Tools website says to use the HCW-17, but I thought I read somewhere that the HCW-5 works as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-HCW-...0867125&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Park-Fixed-loc...0867125&sr=8-1

I have both actually. HCW-17 gives a tighter engagement with the lockring. The HCW-5 works too but it might slip and ruin your lockring.

If you want to remove the lockring around older bottom brackets then you want HCW-5. If you want to remove the lockring from a fixed gear wheel you do NOT want HCW-5(which can make the process an unnecessarily miserable experience). The HCW-17 will work fine for that though. I have the Hozan version which works really well. Even the Pedro's Trixie tool has a lockring spanner if you want something portable. However, ideally what you want if you are going to change cogs frequently is this:

https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-TL-SR2.../dp/B002P78X0A

I think there are places where you can buy it cheaper than Amazon though. Rotafixing is good in a pinch but a proper chain whip works much better and is much nicer to the threads of your hub. The shimano chain whip has a built in lockring wrench.

I just ordered the HCW-17 from Amazon. The reviews look good enough for what I need it for. The Shimano one looks nice, but I don't want to drop $50 on a tool I'll use a couple times a year at the moment. I don't plan on changing cogs a whole bunch. I want to try a 17t and 19t to find a ratio that's good for commuting, but once I find what I want I'll probably just stick with it. Plus, I figured I might as well buy a $17 tool to use rather than pay my LBS $5 every time I wanted to try something new.

Btw, free 2 day shipping via Amazon Prime is why I usually buy from Amazon.

I have the HCW-17. Solid tool at a solid price. Does its job well.

Hozan all the way

Wasn't there already a thread about this 2 weeks ago?

Yes, yes there was. The search button is an amazing feature on this board that no one tends to use. Its a shame.

there are certain topics that occur bi weekly. you must have missed the memo.

For me, aside from wheel trues, headset work, maybe full overhauls, or if you're VERY in with you LBS, just buy the tool. At most shops (around here at least), the tool itself is either cheaper than the cost of service, or using the tool maybe twice would pay for itself.

Even if you're unfamiliar with the work being done, fixed gears are simple enough. With enough grease, the proper tools (if not, you're going to break stuff), and occasionally double checking which threads go which way, plenty of work can be done at home.

Hell, I'd almost rather buy the tools just to use them once. I understand that some people come into a shop and say "something's wrong, fix it," but it really stings when you go into a shop knowing exactly what you need, knowing that it will take them 5 minutes at most, and still hearing "ok, that'll be 12 bucks, please."

/thread

Last time that thread came up I followed it for a bit, and someone said to get the HCW-5. This thread says to get the HCW-17. So. Take that as you will.

pretty sure they make a lockring specific version of this... it's better by FAR than any of the friction versions above.

Holy sheeeet thats a badass tool. What is that a vice...whip? Yeah I just use a HCW5, i've never had an issue but then again I only work on 3 different fixed gears with all the same lock rings so it may be different for others. I did have it slip once and gouge one bikes but it was no big deal.