We could use some help with our road and bmx teams as well.

The list can be found here: Team Mechanics.

While we are talking about compact tools, what is your mini or multi tool of choice? Leave us a comment below.

I remember years when I felt like an old school janitor with a large quantity of keys. The house key, the truck key, the trailer hitch key, the key for the lock on the trailer’s side door, the key or keys for the trailer’s rear door locks,  the key for the tool box, the key for the cable lock, and many more keys.  Now, due to a product line called BOLT, those time may be changing.

BOLT, or Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology, allows you to use your car or truck key on multiple locks. Using the BOLT system, you can discard  multiple trailer specific keys and stick with your one vehicle key.

While not a solution for every situation, this sounds like the answer for many time consuming or cumbersome experiences for the race mechanic:

* less keys in ...]]> Or maybe the pocket savior?

I remember years when I felt like an old school janitor with a large quantity of keys. The house key, the truck key, the trailer hitch key, the key for the lock on the trailer’s side door, the key or keys for the trailer’s rear door locks,  the key for the tool box, the key for the cable lock, and many more keys.  Now, due to a product line called BOLT, those time may be changing.

BOLT, or Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology, allows you to use your car or truck key on multiple locks. Using the BOLT system, you can discard  multiple trailer specific keys and stick with your one vehicle key.

While not a solution for every situation, this sounds like the answer for many time consuming or cumbersome experiences for the race mechanic:

* less keys in the pocket

* less weight hanging from the belt

* less time spent locating the key ring with the trailer keys

* less time spent determining which key fits which lock

* less keys to carry when ditching the vehicle and gear for a ride

* less confusion as to who has which set of keys

Imagine locking the trailer to the truck, locking the trailer, locking the bikes and then locking the truck, all with a single  key.

For more information visit boltlock.com

For a review of the product, visit Tools in Action.

Following James’ lead, let’s chat about sleeping hubs.

First off, what is a sleeping hub? A sleeping hub is a chain keeper designed to replace the hub or wheel when cleaning. In most cases, a ‘sleeping hub’ is mounted to the drive side drop out and includes a shoulder for the chain to reside. The intent is to allow the mechanic to continue rotating the drive train while preventing the chain from dragging on the frame. It also provides ...]]> James Huang kicks off the year for Bike Radar with a review of one of the pricier sleeping hubs from Butter, the b1. As mentioned by James, at $50 this device is pricy. However, if you are seeking a tool that should last longer, this may be your solution….and it has a unique appearance (unless you are carrying around Calvin’s home made revolver model).

Following James’ lead, let’s chat about sleeping hubs.

First off, what is a sleeping hub?
A sleeping hub is a chain keeper designed to replace the hub or wheel when cleaning. In most cases, a ‘sleeping hub’ is mounted to the drive side drop out and includes a shoulder for the chain to reside. The intent is to allow the mechanic to continue rotating the drive train while preventing the chain from dragging on the frame. It also provides the mechanic with access to smaller spaces on the bike such as behind the bottom bracket and behind the crank and chain rings. In same cases, these sleeping hubs can also be used when packing the bike for transport.

Are there other options?
Besides Butter, we have seen sleeping hubs in stores from Morgan Blue, Birzman and Pedros. The Pedros Chain Keeper is one of the more popular due to it’s low cost, availability and ease of use.

Are you one of the creative types?
Looking for something unique? Try making one yourself. As mentioned above, Calvin Jones of Park Tool has a ‘sleeping hub’ made from the barrel of a revolver. Yes, by revolver we mean hand gun. Many of the mechanics on the circuit are using models like the one shown at right. What about yours? Leave us a comment below with a link to your favorite sleeping hub. Or, send us an image through Twitter.

Looking for some inspiration?
Try one of these websites:

• a mechanic at Problem Solvers mounted a pulley wheel on a shortened skewer.
• here is an Instructable for a chain keeper using a clothes line pulley on an axle

So…let’s see yours.

………………..

Since posting this article we have received numerous suggestions and images. Here are just a few:

• Chain Tension Device from Pro – this looks similar to the model from Birzman and includes an adapter to convert from 130 to 135mm.
• There is a discussion in the USA Cycling Mechanics’ Facebook Group on sleeping hubs where some are suggesting using old hubs so you can shift the derailleur and not derail the chain.
• 

  Bill McPherson’s sleeping hub

  Bill McPherson, Bissel Pro Cycling’s mechanic, sent us this image of his custom unit using a Powertap axle and a plastic sleeve from Ace Hardware.

Continuing Continental teams are:

The three women’s teams are:

For more detailed information see  USA Cycling.

As a reminder, please send us your team employment updates. There are fewer professional teams and we would like to keep track of you.

Earlier today the UCI released the final* list of 2013 Professional Continental teams, the second division in ranking below the Pro Tour teams. Included are two North American teams:

That’s one less team due to the loss of Spidertech.

For the full list, see Union Cycliste Internationale.

Mechanics: As a reminder, please let us know of any changes in your team employment based on these updates.

* almost refers to the fact that there are still three teams who potentially may appear in this division

First off, the UCI released their final list of Pro Tour teams earlier today. According to the list on their website Katusha is out, Argos-Shimano are in and questions regarding both SaxoBank and RadioShackNissan are answered.

The UCI also issued a statement that they have been talking to the owner of Omega Pharma-QuickStep regarding the development of new professional road racing calendar. Their statement can be seen here and stay tuned for more information to come this spring.

Not to be left out of the news, USA Cycling announced 2013 professional mountain bike schedule. They’ve announced a start date of March 2nd in Texas followed by three events in California ...]]>

Union Cycliste Internationale Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s been a busy start to the week with notice of a shorter offseason for those who ride in the dirt and announcements of who is in or out of the Pro Tour.

First off, the UCI released their final list of Pro Tour teams earlier today. According to the list on their website Katusha is out, Argos-Shimano are in and questions regarding both SaxoBank and RadioShackNissan are answered.

The UCI also issued a statement that they have been talking to the owner of Omega Pharma-QuickStep regarding the development of new professional road racing calendar. Their statement can be seen here and stay tuned for more information to come this spring.

Not to be left out of the news, USA Cycling announced 2013 professional mountain bike schedule. They’ve announced a start date of March 2^nd in Texas followed by three events in California and then back east. What does this mean for you, the team mechanic? A shorter offseason. Most US mechanics will be preparing mountain bikes for the upcoming season while still maintaining bikes and caring for athletes for Cross Nationals and Worlds. For more details on the upcoming season, checkout USA CYCLING.

Per Chris on Facebook:“Système-D Neutral Racing Service Friends, our wonderful little NRS outfit may well be shutting its doors. We’ve got gear, we’ve got races, and we’ve got more and more interest. The trouble is, I’ve taken a new day job that will keep me from running Système-D. Do you want to run it? Do you want to buy the gear? Chime in.”

For more details, see these sites:

Consider the following:

* the coverage provided by USA Cycling is only secondary insurance and only covers you during activities supported by USA Cycling.

* USA Cycling’s insurance does not cover your personal vehicles and might not cover your equipment.

* with many teams your employment as a contractor might not provide you with coverage for health or liability for yourself or your equipment

* part time work with a team or neutral program will most likely not provide you with coverage

* some home-ownership insurance plans will cover your personal equipment. Check with your insurance rep to clarify.

There are many plans available and numerous websites capable ...]]> It’s been a while since the topic of health insurance has popped up on ProMechanics. With the recent passing of Swiss mechanic Erwin Wildhaber we are putting out the reminder for the need for both health and liability coverage.

Consider the following:

* the coverage provided by USA Cycling is only secondary insurance and only covers you during activities supported by USA Cycling.

* USA Cycling’s insurance does not cover your personal vehicles and might not cover your equipment.

* with many teams your employment as a contractor might not provide you with coverage for health or liability for yourself or your equipment

* part time work with a team or neutral program will most likely not provide you with coverage

* some home-ownership insurance plans will cover your personal equipment. Check with your insurance rep to clarify.

There are many plans available and numerous websites capable of offering you assistance in your search. Try searching for “health care plans” and “liability insurance” in your favorite search engine.

For more information on USA Cycling’s program and insurance options, see: http://www.usacycling.org/usa-cycling-insurance-programs.htm

Our hearts go out to the Wildhaber family and to the Scott-Swisspower athletes hurt in this incident.

Stay safe out there.