At 22:49 1/10/2001 -0500, Roy H. Drinkwater wrote:
> I surprised that nobody mentioned this.
>"Var #232 Chainring bolt tool.This is the ultimate weapon for stuck
>chainring bolts. The tool grabs the two notches in the nut, with perfect
>alignment, while also the T handle engages the Allen bolt. When you need
>this tool, nothing else will do. $39.95"
>
>It's on the Harris Cyclery web site,
>http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools.html#crank
I have some wonderful old Var, Eldi, and even Hozan tools that I cherish and use. I largely agree with Roy's sentiment, but would like to modestly offer a different perspective:
When I was a starving grad student and a newly wed, I decided that bike tools could be divided into three classes:
1) Essentially, gotta have this to do the job. This included things like the right freewheel remover, chain splitter, and good cone spanners. Between this and the next category came the really nice v-groove cable cutter, which lowered blood pressure. Beloved spouse never begrudged these, as tightly defined: More pasta, Harvey! But, she's an engineer :-)
2) Tools that made the job a whole lot easier, but weren't absolutely essential. One (controversial) example was bb tools. For years, I did my adjustments w/o proper lockring and adjustable cup tools, and did relatively little damage. I trued a lot of wheels in frame. Ugly, but we got along. The ugly wood stand, top surrounded by a radiator clamp to keep it from splitting, to support cranks while hammering out cotter pins (a two person job).
3) The right tool for the job. This is pure esthetic pleasure. At times, I wish I had more bikes with cotters, so I could more often use the great Var tool with almost infinite leverage. All the right ball-headed allen keys.
Mostly, I've been able to assemble tools that give satisfaction in use. I'm still not ready to spring for the Var chainring bolt tool new, but I'll sure watch for one at the swap meets...
Your mileage may vary!
Harvey "still scrounging" sachs
>Roy "the right tool for the job" Drinkwater
>Lititz, PA
>
>
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