Third Hand Tools

wheelsgoround said:

I would like to hear your thoughts/experiences regarding 3rd hand tools.

Barnett's Manual says the Park BT-5 is "not truly universal" and that the United Bicycle Tool one
is better. I don't seem to be able to find a source (I'm in the UK) for this. The Park BT-5 is,
needless to say, readily available.

The only one I've used looks similar to this (can't rememeber where I got it from (years ago)):
www.sjscycles.com/store/vIndex.htm?item1794.htm ....fits all the side pull & dual pivot calipers
I've tried it with (with various brake blocks). You don't need a more sophisticated tool if the
cable adjuster is set right (which can be tricky to gauge I must admit). It helps to pull on the
cable with pliers to ensure there's no slack.

SJS also sell a "4th hand tool".

~PB

I use a 4th hand tool just like this (the park BT-2 looks to function similarly but appears better
built) and find it works much better than the bent-wire third hand tool, which I also have. Much
easier to set the initial adjustment and worth the extra cost...

sjscycles.comvIndex.htmOpen ↗

"wheelsgoround" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I would like to hear your thoughts/experiences regarding 3rd hand tools.

Barnett's Manual says the Park BT-5 is "not truly universal" and that the United Bicycle Tool one
is better. I don't seem to be able to find a source (I'm in the UK) for this. The Park BT-5 is,
needless to say, readily available.

I bought a 3rd hand tool years ago but found I hadn't used it much in the last 10. The reason is
that with dual pivot sidepulls I didn't really need it. Now I have renovated my tourer with centre
pull brakes the tool sees a new lease of life. It was fairly cheap and worth it.