Velonews’ Nick Legan provides image of tools that are coming our way.

Interbike 2011: Whatta bunch of tools.

Bikerumor.com shows some of Lezyne’s new tools including 3-way wrenches, an impressive pedal wrench and sweet interchangeable bottom bracket tool.

“The collection, as you’d expect from Lezyne, is gorgeous”

via Lezyne Shows Gorgeous New Shop Tools, Updates Bike & Shock Pumps – Bike Rumor.

On Bike Radar today: http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/repair-stations-pop-up-on-fresno-state-campus-29171?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRGENHOME

The Alternative Transportation Fund at Fresno State is setting up repair stations on campus in an effort to help cyclists make minor repairs and continue riding. It’s an interesting idea and could be very useful for the more savvy students. Will we see units like this pop up on other campuses?

Still looking for the right gift? Here are some options for you or the mechanic in your family:

The Nachteule
For those who work late into the night, shed some light on their projects with a handy LED light that clips onto a pair of glasses. At only 8 grams, you could wear it all day or toss it in your travel case and not worry about the added weight. More information at: http://www.leuchtkraft-gmbh.de/en/einsatz

Prestaratchet

A compact wratchet that can be used to replace standard hex and torx wrenches. Though this doesn’t replace a torque wrench, this is still a nice piece for the tool box. Also lightweight at only 28 grams. More information here http://www.prestaratchet.com and a quick review here http://www.roadbikeaction.com/fly.aspx?layout=content&taxid=122&cid=2534

The Nail Holder
There are a lot of options for preventing purple and sore fingers when setting nails. This is one handy version.
A discussion …

Its show time and that means new tools are being debuted. Though the show is still a couple weeks away, we are starting to receive some tool announcements:

XTools – aimed toward fishermen, these tools are a great option for those who could use a floating wrench. You might not need it now but the next time it rains or your buddy asks you to help with his boat…

Calipers, ruler and pen in one – The Messograf is this and more. Check them out at Passion4Pens.

BucketVac – turns a 5 gallon bucket into shop vac.

New Inner/Outer reemer – Its time to unload my trusty red barrel reamer for one of these from Ridgid. More cutting surfaces and they don’t look as ‘cheap’.

It-Clips – not a tool but a way to turn used tubes into a tool, such as a strap to …

By Bernard Kocis, 2001

I’ve been using a piece of luggage for the past 2 years that has proven itself to be invaluable…a hard-shell golf club case!

I bought mine at a local golf supermegaultrastore for less than I found online, it is made by SKB, measures approx.12″ in circumference and 52″ in height, has drag and lift handles, 3 locking latches and a padded interior on top end (about 12″). SKB offers FREE replacement hardware through their 800 number.

It traveled to the Sydney Paralympics loaded with 2 …

By Chris Clinton from Toe Clips Winter 94

The mileage on the Sachs support car is reading 110,000+ and the abuse it received has started to show in the upkeep costs. So it is time to retire this support car and acquire another. But what do we acquire? Should it be replaced with a newer model or a totally different vehicle?

The following is a summary on my research on support vehicles and which aspects helped me choose …

I had the opportunity to work the Cascade Classic this year and the folks running the technical aspect of the event were from OBRA, the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. One of their duties is to supply the vehicles in the race with a communication channel and devices to communicate with. Many events have pulled exotic programs together such as paying for a ‘corporate cell plan’ and supplying every vehicle and official with a Nortel cell phone. Communications …

Having spent some time watching OLN or viewing road racing films you have surely heard the funky horns the Euros use. Have you ever wondered where they get them?

A couple years ago the Mercury Cycling Team and Mavic USA acquired a few of these horns and have been blairing new sounds from their support vehicles. Now you can too! These programs have been using the Wild Turkey Wobbler air horns made by Wolo Manufacturing and they sounds like this.

With …

Calvin Jones of Park Tool compiled this montage of professional mechanics’ toolboxes. As you can see from the images, tool boxes vary as much as the personalites of the mechanics themselves. The lead image is the contents of one box.

Cofidis- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

AG- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

CVR- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Domina-Vacanza – 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Bougysestel- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Euskatel- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Gerolsteiner- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Gerolsteiner- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Lampre- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by Scott Debuert)

Liquigas- 2005 Tour de France (Photo by …

A regular topic for mechanics is the toolbox. We thought this might be a great place to delve into these questions and provide answers where everyone could read them.

What company is best? There isn’t one perfect box company, however many of us are using models produced in the United States by Ellis and Howe Industries. Their product is realiable and they have a great repair policy.

What size is best? This …

by Ric Hjertberg Wheelsmith, Inc. Circa 98

In the same way as a bicycle is to a competitor, tools are to a mechanic. These deceptively simple extensions of the human form enable us to work miracles. Any racer can recognize the bonding between a mechanic and his/her tools. Without them all the knowledge in the world leaves us helpless. With the correct use of the right ones, crowds are left applauding and tales begin that are passed down the generations. This …