Bike Tools, Pumps & Puncture Repair

A real blast for £15

Advantages: Well built, dual action pump, compact size
Disadvantages: none so far

I've been mountain biking for several years now, and although I wouldn't class myself as the most hardcore rider out there I still seem to get countless numbers of punctures, thankfully this little pump has been with me the whole time. I bought it a few years ago from a local shop for something around £15 and have been using it since. This MiniMasterBlaster features dual action pumping (i.e. it pumps on both actions, in and out). This greatly reduces ...
...is always helpful to get riding again after a puncture. The handle is made of sturdy plastic with small ridges on to help grip in wet weather and doesn't hurt your hands at all when in use. The pump features connections for both Presta & Schrader valves which can be swapped over in a matter of seconds, simply by unscrewing the retaining cap and flipping over the plastic insert to alter the size of the hole to fit the other valve. There is also a ...

Massey42 26.03.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Topeak Mini MasterBlaster

Clean my Claggy bits!

Advantages: Cleans chain, environmentally friendly
Disadvantages: None

...Gang Chain Cleaning System from Park Tools, is just what it says on the box, a system that allows you to clean your bicycle chain, it can be used on all types of bikes, Mountain, Road and BMX. It comes in a box about 160mm x 160mm on the front is a picture of a hand holding the ?ChainGang? system. The box contains detailed instructions on how to use it, a ?GearClean? Brush, the Cyclone Chain Scrubber, and a 236ml bottle of Citrus ?ChainBrite? ...
...engineering! It is large reservoir, with rotating brushes in it, and a sponge, at the bottom is a magnet, so if there are any metallic particles there are held by the magnet. The rotating brushes help to get all four side of the chain clean, the sponge soaks up the fluid as you clean. It has a top which clips on, and holds in on to the chain; this is held in place by two wire locking clips. *** How do you use it? *** I always turn my bike ...

lazza123 19.02.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Park Tools ChainGang CG-2

It's all Go-Go-Go for this handy tool

Advantages: Cheap, Sturdy, Easy to Use
Disadvantages: None

The Company Park Tools are an American company manufacturing bike tools for the home and professional mechanic. They claim to be the largest bike tool manufacturer in the world. From personal experience I have found that while Park Tools are more expensive, they tend to be of higher quality than their competitors. Despite being an American company, most of their tools are actually manufactured in the far east. Why would you want a Chain ...
...suck. What about the Park Tool Chain Checker? The tool is simple to use. Position the concave semi-circular end around the roller, and then let the tool drop onto the chain. If the tab on the other end slots inside the roller, then the chain is worn to the limit marked on the tool. The Park tools chain checker allows you to check for both 1.0% and 0.75% wear. The 0.75% marking allows you to plan chain/sprocket/chainring replacement. Quality ...

fred_redwood 12.09.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Park Tools Chain Wear indicator

Park PFP-3 Track Pump

Advantages: Inflates tyres with ease, robust, easy to use
Disadvantages: None

...wrong was I. The Park pump is a very robust unit that pumps to about 140PSI. there is a small gauge that tells you what pressure your tyres are inflated to which is very accurate. The ease I now have in pumping up my tyres makes changing a flat inner tube a pleasure rather than a chore. The bonus of this pump is that you can inflate your car tyres with it. I had to inflate a car tyre from 20PSI up to 30PSI, it took me about 60 seconds!!!! rather ...

EasyExercise.co.uk 30.08.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Park Tools Home Mechanic Floor Pump

Smart Little Fixer

Advantages: Good variety of high quality tools in a compact and lightwieght package
Disadvantages: Tyre levers are average, no ring spanners for older bikes

Why would you want one? Multi-tools have been around for almost ever - I have a turn of the century mutli-tool, complete with knives, a hook for doing up bootlaces, and amusingly a spike for removing stones from horses hooves. The Hexus has a similar design to the ubiquitous swiss army knife, although rather than blades it has allen keys, and screwdrivers. The Hexus is your get out of jail free card when you need to carry out an emergency ...
...it is possible to use this for general maintenance, I generally prefer to use proper tools for this purpose. MInd you, popped in a pocket, I find it handy for tweaking when test riding the bike after an overhaul. On modern bikes, you will come across 3 types of bolt/screw. 1) allen head - the vast majority of bolts. 2) philips/slot head - typically used in adjusters for derailleurs, and brakes. 3) torx - used for mounting disc rotors. The Hexus ...

fred_redwood 25.06.2008 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Topeak Hexus Multi Tool