Going “All Allen Key” on C&V
Riding some time back with friends who now ride modern bikes, I was impressed with one guy’s tool kit in his seat bag. A tiny folding tool with a ratchet handle and Allen Key bits and IIRC a screwdriver. It would adjust most anything he’d encounter on a day’s ride, as long as it wasn’t a bottom bracket or hubs. On my C&V bike, I’d need a lot of 8/9/10mm wrenches, and more besides. Too bulky and heavy, I bookmarked a MTB tool online and far too heavy to buy.
Hmm, how hard to “update” and not dramatically affect the C&V aesthetic? Anyone done this, or thought through thread sizes and bolt lengths? On my latest, the Masi (pic in another topic finally), most look doable except the headset, and the brake pivot bolts and brake shoe bolts. The chainrings, sten, seat post bolt and seat post are already there. What looks “fixable”: (A) Rear Nuovo Record derailleur, the cable fixing bolt and the pulley bolts, (B) Front Record derailleur, clamp bolt and cable fixing bolt, (C) Record brakes, the cable fixing bolts and, I expect more difficult, the brake lever attaching nuts, (D) crankset, crank arm fixing bolts which I figure must be readily available. Hmm, readily available? I would avoid simply trying to match up bolts at Home Depot due to bolt quality, they seemed to have mastered how to chrome-plate Styrofoam. |
The alternative would be carrying something like this with you. Looks like a PITA to use though.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...604cb84364.jpg |
I carry this: https://www.parktool.com/product/rescue-tool-mtb-3
It's bailed me out on most all of my bikes, new and old. Worth the >1/2 lb of weight. |
... friends who now ride modern bikes ... one guy’s tool kit ... would adjust most anything he’d encounter on a day’s ride Poor guy needed a set of tools with him just to ride his modern bike? Sounds like he might be better off on an old bike that stays in tune. :thumb: |
Originally Posted by TenGrainBread
(Post 21076966)
The alternative would be carrying something like this with you. Looks like a PITA to use though.
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
(Post 21077037)
Poor guy needed a set of tools with him just to ride his modern bike? Sounds like he might be better off on an old bike that stays in tune. :thumb:
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an Original
Hi. I still have, use and love my Retrotec Cooltool.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...74300b1aaf.jpg |
Originally Posted by tiger1964
(Post 21077104)
EXACTLY what I'm trying to avoid!
Ha! You should hear this guy blasting me for riding C&V! That said, he bailed me out when I needed to adjust the seat post once. And, I recall adjusting the spring tension on SPD pedals. I want to be self-sufficient. |
I have on of these.... which fits most of the bill you've described https://www.leatherman.co.uk/mako-ti/ltx3.html
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...369141f9c3.jpg |
Originally Posted by 20grit
(Post 21077006)
I carry this: https://www.parktool.com/product/rescue-tool-mtb-3
It's bailed me out on most all of my bikes, new and old. Worth the >1/2 lb of weight. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e91ed9a949.jpg |
I can't see why anything would need adjusting on a day ride. Multi-tools are heavy because of the handles. There are more tools than you need and there is always one nut that the tool won't reach. (Edit: that Park MT-1 looks like a winner, though.) I carry a loose 4 mm Allen (because there are so many of those even on my 1970s-80s bikes) and a loose 5 (in case I want adjust saddle height à la Eddy Merckx) but almost never use either on the road. OK, I can't adjust the tilt of a Super Record seat post or wrench a quill stem, handlebars, or old-school headset but those can all wait till I get home if I decide I'm not happy with them. They shouldn't ever loosen on a ride. I've never broken a chain on a single bike -- the tandem is another story. Brake cables dodgy enough to break should have been replaced electively long before. If a derailer cable breaks, the bike still goes, and with downtube shifters (and Ergo) you can feel the first broken strands at the head to warn you to shift gently the rest of the ride. Can't imagine needing to do tool work on a derailer or brake during a ride. If you really think you'll need to turn 8-mm nuts/cap screws, slip a little 8 mm combo box- and open- end wrench into your jersey pocket with the two Allens. With your tools in your shirt and not on your bike, they are "stealth" weight, invisible to any weight-weenie who hefts your bike. :D Those, plus a spare tube and a couple of levers, you're good. As Tom Cuthbertson (Anybody's Bike Book) said, "What to take with you on your ride? Ideally nothing. Fix your bike before you ride."
OK, I do carry my el simplo Swiss Army knife just because. It has my house key clipped on it and some of the blades make passable screwdrivers. |
Originally Posted by davester
(Post 21077142)
... has the critical 8, 9 and 10mm wrenches.
I'd think a 5/16" socket driver would be a little more popular... |
Originally Posted by conspiratemus1
(Post 21077144)
I can't see why anything would need adjusting on a day ride.
Anyhow, you could convert the brakes to recessed nuts, but why? It's a fair amount of trouble. You still need cone wrenches to adjust them. Unless you crash, you won't need to on the road. The star washers on record brakes are very effective and they keep their center indefinitely. However, if you simply like the extra feeling of security from being prepared to make repairs on the road, my suggestion is to keep it C&V. MAFAC tool kit are available on ebay for little money, and they are surprisingly useful, yet quite compact and fairly light. And they are just cool. If you want something more modern, making up a kit with 4, 5 and 6mm allen wrenches, a mini crescent, and a swiss army knife will be good enough for most stuff. |
Anyone tried one of these?
https://pedros.com/wp-content/upload...hromeBlack.jpg Pedro's Trixie I'm pretty sure it was designed for the hipster crowd (as demonstrated by the bottle opener). Most of my C&V bikes are modernized enough that a modern mini tool will serve, so I'm not sure how many of the options here are C&V useful. It's hard to see from the picture, but the open center section is graduated to serve as a series of box wrenches. The wing nuts are to attach it to a water bottle mount. I suppose that part isn't very C&V relevant. ;) |
Originally Posted by Salamandrine
(Post 21077257)
.....
If you want something more modern, making up a kit with 4, 5 and 6mm allen wrenches, a mini crescent, and a swiss army knife will be good enough for most stuff. A very basic folding tool with the basic allen wrenches and maybe a phillips (for the derailleur limit screws, I guess), complemented with a 4" adjustable wrench. Seems like that would handle the readjustments or tweaks that might result from a mishap. I'll note that I do have a Cool Tool on one bike. Rather heavy, but there is a certain piece of mind knowing that I could tighten up the crank bolt or tighten a loose pedal. Steve in Peoria |
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
(Post 21077037)
Poor guy needed a set of tools with him just to ride his modern bike? Sounds like he might be better off on an old bike that stays in tune. :thumb: Tighten loose handlebars, re-center seatpost, adjust brake tension screw, true a wheel, etc. As for my own bikes, my older bikes are no more or less 'in tune' than my modern bikes. I have less creaks for sure with modern frames, due to a few guessed reasons. Modern wheelsets seem to be more true than 30-40 year old wheelsets too, in my experience. I dont seem to use my multitool for my bikes though. Historically, its carried to help others. |
Originally Posted by 20grit
(Post 21077006)
I carry this: https://www.parktool.com/product/rescue-tool-mtb-3 It's bailed me out on most all of my bikes, new and old. Worth the >1/2 lb of weight.
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
(Post 21077208)
I understand the 10 (nutted brake calipers and 2-bolt campy seatpost clamps), but what are the other two used for?
Anyway, (a) I bookmarked the Park MT-1 (better get it before THAT is discontinued too!), and (b) I presume no one has converted hex bolts on C&V bikes to Allen Key (was hoping someone had diameter/thread/length specs, and a source). Not a big deal but I might drag a few derailleurs and calipers to Home Depot one day, just to check sizes and then think about sourcing. |
I considered that allen key maneuver on my vintage bikes at one time, but decided it would be way too OCD.
My bikes range from a 1978 Motobecane Super Mirage to a 2014 Surly LHT, but mostly 1980s era. I set up my bag to carry whatever I might need for non-tour riding, without having to switch things in and out. I just move the bag from bike to bike, depending on the day's ride. I've used everything I carry, at one point or another, and have not gone wanting for something I didn't have on the road. Topeak Mini 9 for the allen keys Generic 2" leatherman type pliers 4" adjustable wrench (Proto) Park SW7.2 triple spoke wrench VAR tire levers Rema patches/glue Spare tube (gets swapped out, depending on tire size used) Small bladed screwdriver Soda can flip tab, which perfectly fits that bolt on Suntour Barcons and weighs nothing Duct tape, wrapped around a plastic card A few zip ties |
Originally Posted by Nu2Miele
(Post 21077109)
Hi. I still have, use and love my Retrotec Cooltool.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...74300b1aaf.jpg A little on the heavy side, it hangs out in the garage with the fleet now, but still gets used fairly regularly. |
Originally Posted by tiger1964
(Post 21077356)
And, like some other tools cited... discontinued. And rather heavy. Especially for someone who does not do multi-day touring.
8mm Campy brake/derailleur cable bolts? Don't some Japanese derailleurs use 9mm? Perhaps if a cable slipped I could reattach, but I don't carry spare cables. Anyway, (a) I bookmarked the Park MT-1 (better get it before THAT is discontinued too!), and (b) I presume no one has converted hex bolts on C&V bikes to Allen Key (was hoping someone had diameter/thread/length specs, and a source). Not a big deal but I might drag a few derailleurs and calipers to Home Depot one day, just to check sizes and then think about sourcing. A while back I wanted some much longer 2 bolt Campy SP bolts, the guy at the best oldschool store we have initially laughed out loud, then said "let me make a call" the other guy had a good laugh too. :roflmao2: McMaster Carr is the solve for this but not cheap and you have to know exactly what you need to get it right. ;) |
Originally Posted by Andy_K
(Post 21077269)
Anyone tried one of these?
https://pedros.com/wp-content/upload...hromeBlack.jpg Pedro's Trixie I'm pretty sure it was designed for the hipster crowd (as demonstrated by the bottle opener). Most of my C&V bikes are modernized enough that a modern mini tool will serve, so I'm not sure how many of the options here are C&V useful. It's hard to see from the picture, but the open center section is graduated to serve as a series of box wrenches. The wing nuts are to attach it to a water bottle mount. I suppose that part isn't very C&V relevant. ;) |
Originally Posted by tiger1964
(Post 21077356)
8mm Campy brake/derailleur cable bolts?
|
I put a Park MT-1 in every bag I have. Why not.
|
Originally Posted by 20grit
(Post 21077006)
I carry this: https://www.parktool.com/product/rescue-tool-mtb-3
It's bailed me out on most all of my bikes, new and old. Worth the >1/2 lb of weight. EVER... (he said, walking home.) |
Originally Posted by mstateglfr
(Post 21077352)
I ride with a group of adults and kids for much of the year ...I dont seem to use my multitool for my bikes though. Historically, its carried to help others.
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
(Post 21077498)
If we're talkin' vintage, those are 5/16", right? Like all the Nuovo Record anchor bolts
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