Re: [CR]Cotter Pin Press, v. Cinelli BiValent skewers

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2007)

Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 20:58:11 -0500
From: "HM & SS Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, mark@bikesmithdesign.com
Subject: Re: [CR]Cotter Pin Press, v. Cinelli BiValent skewers


Let me suggest that $50 ain't bad for Mark's "bespoke" (custom-made) cotter pin press. I spent $75 each to have some Cinelli BiValent skewers made this summer (have one left, at cost). That is much less weight, but that's not what costs: the Cinelli has three different threadings, some flats and a bunch of other time-consuming "features." Even with CNC, small runs cost real money.

As important, if I didn't have my VAR pin press, I'd buy Mark's. The VAR is a brute-force approach, and Mark's seems much more elegant.

harvey sachs mcLean va

+++++++++++++++++++++++++======== Mark Stonich wrote about his cotter pin presses:

"Threads are 1/2" x 20tpi vs 7/16" x 20tpi for the now extinct Park. Even stronger, and 3/4" or 19mm wrenches work fine on the hex. I had a batch of 20 CNC'd by a couple of bike nut machinist friends. Still got a few left.

Price is $50. With this small a run you don't get "economies of scale" so the price isn't as low as I'd hoped.

S&H comes to $10 in the Continental USA. Priority mail, delivery usually 2-3 days.

Payment; PayPal, to mark@bikesmithdesign.com Check payable to Bikesmith Design Money Order payable to Mark Stonich Cash (or barter if you're local)

Address; Mark Stonich 5349 Elliot Ave S. Minneapolis. MN 55417 USA

BTW Toni.Theilmeier tells me the bolt is either too long or too short for some Chater Lea cranks that have the chainring quite close to the arms. The bolt head can hit the chainring, so shorter or longer bolts are needed to clear the ring. Let me know if you need the longer bolt. Plenty of clearance on everything I've tried.

Mark Stonich;
Minneapolis Minnesota
BikeSmith Design & Fabrication LLC
http://bikesmithdesign.com