Papa Tom

A large bike shop in my area is having its End-Of-Season Sale today and I just got back with a couple of tools I am having second thoughts about.

I needed to replace the chain whip I use to remove my 7-speed cassette, so I took the first one the salesman handed me, which I thought was the only one out there. It's a Park FR-18, which, upon closer inspection of the package, is designed for freewheel removal. I Googled it a few minutes ago and found that the FR-1 and FR-11 are both listed as "cassette removal" whips. Is there a problem using the FR-18 on my Shimano HG 7-speed cassette? I don't see much difference between this and any other chain whip.

I also bought a new FR-5 Lockring Remover. It's actually the FR-5G, the one with the guide pin through the middle. Of course, not until I got it home did I have that "duuuuuuh" moment when I realized I cannot use this on wheels that aren't quick-release. I guess that's OK, as this won't affect our main bikes, but it means I have to use my old (semi-stripped) FR-5 anytime I do a favor for someone with a non-quick-release wheel. Anyway, the question is: I initially wanted a lockring remover with a long handle attached so I don't have to screw around with a lock wrench or vice. Is there a lockring remover out there (doesn't have to be Park) for standard Shimano cassettes that fits this bill?

HillRider

Chainwhips are universal and there is no such thing as one dedicated to a freewheel or a cassette. One size fits all. The FR5G can be converted to a non-pinned FR5 by driving out the centering pin. Place the FR5G, pin up, over a vise opened just far enough to clear the head of the pin assembly and drive out the pin with a mallet.

Papa Tom

Or I can just exchange it for the FR5. But now that I've made chopped meat out of the FR5G package, I've got to put on my sad puppy face to return it.

Thanks for confirming what I suspected about the chain whip.

Andrew R Stewart 

The only spec differences that chain whips do have is the chain size. Some will use 1/8" chains, some will use 5,6,7 speed width chains and some likely now have 10, 11 speed chain widths. Cramming a wide chain onto the middle cogs of a narrow spaced cassette is a pain but better then not having a whip with a wide enough chain... Andy.

Papa Tom

The SR-18 (sorry, I've been calling the "FR-18") only says that it will "fit 1/8" Fixed Gear Sprockets." It makes no mention of chain size, but I did notice that the chain segments appear a little wider than my 7-speed chain. When I brought this up with the salesman, he barked at me like I had insulted him. "It fits any chain, man!"

HillRider

OK, chainwhips aren't as universal as I said. A chainwhip for a 1/8" singlespeed/track/fixie chain is going to be an excessively tight fit if used for cogs using a 3/32" derailleur chain. You need an SR-1, SR-11 or SR-2.2. The salesman was wrong too. Take it back and have the shop give you the right one.

Papa Tom

I've Googled it a little further and the general consensus (I did not say "the truth") seems to be that the SR18 is OK for a 7-speed chain, as long as you use it on the largest cog, which provides the best leverage anyway.

I just returned the FR5G and took home an FR5, even though I had already ordered a lockring remover from Nashbar that seems to fit all my original specs (attached handle). So now I'll have two of these, but I didn't have the heart to take a refund from the store where the salesman had spent so much time with me.

At least it was only $5 on sale.

Kaze6

For $5, I would have kept it, especially if you have the other tool on the way.

I discovered a long time ago that the tool you expect to never use turns out to be one you wear out.

_ForceD_

I will concur with that! Conversely, I purchased a Park chain whip a few years ago and have never had the need to use it.

Dan