FredMau

Bought a super-cheap set of "Bike Tools" some years back. Nice roll-up pouch, allen wrenches, tire spoons, etc. Certainly not "Top Quality" but "good enough" for a casual rider like me and I can add to the pouch more stuff.

But it also came with this other tool, and I can't for the life of me figure out what it might be for except that because the opening is somewhat wider than my tires it might have something to do with tires or brakes? And it's probably some el-cheapo imitation of a real tool. I'm tempted to keep the useful parts of the kit and toss this piece in the recycling bin... except that the laws of nature dictate that the day AFTER I do that I'll suddenly need it and realize what its for.

Any ideas??? The thing circled in red...

Iride01 

Might be a roach clip for that really big doobie that Cheech & Chong rolled up in "Up in Smoke".

davidad

It holds the brake pads against the rim for adjustment.

smd4

Cheapie "fourth hand" for adjusting brakes.

Ross200

Maybe "Third Hand" tool?

smd4

Yes--"third hand" is probably a more accurate name (I'm used to calling any brake adjusting tool a "fourth hand").

Crankycrank

+3 for holding brake pads against the rim when attaching the brake cable or adjusting pads. I bought one about 30 yrs. ago and haven't used it in the last 29 yrs. Might be useful to some but most don't need it.

Troul 

the reacharound rim brakie handi tool.
Cheap, but adds some value if you're trying to work a touchy setup.

smd4

If you want to make working on your rim brakes really easy, get a Hozan Fourth Hand. You can find them on eBay for cheaper, but even at full price, well worth the money.

This is a shop-quality tool that is far superior than the Park or Pedro's version. Works great on zip ties, too!

SoSmellyAir

Is this thing or another third hand tool really necessary? I just installed new carbon wheels and new rim brake blocks using these steps:

1. Remove the old wheel.
2. Install new brake shoes with new brake blocks in roughly the same spot as before. Loosely tighten the mounting bolts.
3. Loosen the brake caliper pinch bolt and let the brake caliper spring open all the way.
4. Tighten the cable adjustment nut all the way down, then loosen it by one full turn.
5. Install the new wheel.
6. Close the quick release lever of the brake caliper.
7. Squeeze and hold the brake caliper tightly against the wheel with my right hand, leaving no space between the brake blocks and the rim.
8. Firmly pull the brake cable taut with my left hand, pinching cable with my left thumb and index finger while wedging both digits under the metal block in which the pinch bolt is screwed.
9. Grab the hex key with my right hand and loosely tighten the pinch bolt.
10. Adjust the brake shoes so that the brake blocks sit 2 mm below the edge of the rim and flush against the brake track. (I don't toe in the brake blocks.) Tighten the mounting bolts.
11. Loosen the pinch bolt and let the brake caliper open slightly. Loosely tighten the pinch bolt.
12. Check the gap between each brake block and the wheel.
13. Further adjust the brake cable and/or the cable adjustment nut if necessary.
14. Fully tighten the pinch bolt.

smd4

Nothing is necessary! If I had to, I could do it your way. But having the right tool sure makes things easier.

Kai Winters

Winna Winna Chicken Dinna

HillRider

No, it's a "third hand tool". It clamps the pads of caliper brakes against the rim while you align them and pull the slack out of the brake cable. A "fourth hand tool" is a plier-like tool that clamps onto the brake cable (or shift cable) and pulls out the slack. I have both and have never really needed the third hand tool but the fourth hand tool (a Hozan C-356, btw) is super useful for taking the slack out of shift cables and for pulling zip ties really tight.

smd4

Did you even read any of my other posts??

SoSmellyAir

Walking through the steps I listed above in post #10 above, I would say that a fourth hand tool (or cable puller) would be more useful than a third hand tool (or brake caliper clamp).

HillRider

Sure did but repeating (reinforcing?) what another poster said is standard practice here.

smd4

Very good then. Carry on!

tcs

I was given a third hand and fourth hand years ago, so I guess I got them second hand.

smd4

Give that man a hand!

Iride01 

At least it's not a third leg!

smd4

Why would you use a fourth hand on shift cables? It’s just not necessary. With rim brakes you need to tighten the cable while at the same time compressing the calipers. Thus the need for the fourth hand.

HillRider

Getting all of the slack out of shift cables before tightening the clamp bolt can be difficult, particularly if not wanting to use a lot of the adjustment barrel's travel. The fourth hand tool lets you get it just snug enough. Actually tightening rim brake cables by hand is easier than shift cables as the acceptable range is wider.

smd4

What? Difficult? That's nonsense.

You don’t need a fourth hand for shift cables. A needle nose pliers to pull the cable taught will suffice. Using a fourth hand will run the risk of moving the derailleur.

HillRider

Not if you use it properly. I said it's to remove all the slack, not to tension the cable. The fourth hand is a subtle and controllable version of needle nose pliers. It's certainly not an essential tool but, since I already have it, why not use it?

LV2TNDM

Swing and a miss! Dude, really?

The origin of the name you used is the key... this tool is the THIRD HAND brake tool! It's the predecessor of the, you guessed it, FOURTH HAND!

The Fourth Hand tool completely eilminated any and all need for the THIRD HAND. It was a godsend. Still enjoying my 35 year old Fourth Hand tool! It's great for getting zip ties REALLY tight too. And snapping them as well!!!