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I find myself in an odd predicament. I have withdrawal symptoms without new tools, while my bank account suffers withdrawal symptoms when I do have new tools. Oh yes, it's time for another edition of New Tools Day!
In this round-up I share my thoughts on Silca's entry into the shock pump game, there's some new tools from 711L and Straz Components, I explain why I purchased yet another Vessel electric screwdriver, and I share a tool for when you need to torque in the sub-Nm range.
You'll also find a deep dive on some of the latest professional bottom bracket and bearing tools from Enduro. As usual for Enduro tools, there are some incredibly clever features to be seen here and I detail why I consider them to be the benchmark in the category.
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Got a Leatherman with a flat bit-driver but want to use regular 1/4" hex bits with it? Taiwanese company 711L has a few options to consider. For a little background, Leatherman makes its own compact (flat) bits to fit its proprietary holder on certain multi-tool models. As the bits are flat in profile I've found them to eagerly round whatever they touch and so it's not a feature I put to use outside of desperation. 711L offers a selection of EDC (Every Day Carry) bit ratchets and bit-adapters to fit into Leatherman's own bit holder. They work as you expect, but the challenge is to store and carry them neatly with the multi-tool. Given that challenge, I'd personally sooner carry a seperate bit-based tool along with a Leatherman, but hey, that's just me. 711L sent me the three shown to test out (these are predominantly sold through Amazon, prices starting from US$18). Quite simply, the tools adapt familiar and well-proven designs with a different shank. Those ratchets feature the same 60T ratchet mechanism as countless other nice bit-ratchets, while the simpler bit-holder/extension serves two purposes ...That non-ratcheting bit adapter is what's known as a 2-in-1 adapter, where it can hold either 1/4" hex bits or 1/4" square sockets. Here, 711L's Leatherman version is pictured against a generic brand extension of a similar concept (711L offers similar, too). Sockets or bits in a single adapter. It's not something I've found a regular use for, but could be an option for those with more minimalist kits.
Silca Ultimate Shock Pump
Too many shock pumps are disposable, and after years of Silca being asked to make something that lasts, the brand has finally entered the space with what is arguably its first dedicated mountain bike product. Silca provided this sample for review upon request. Built on a familiar form factor, Silca's pump packs in a bunch of fancy features and finishing. For example, the gauge (300 psi max) can swivel and there's a large CNC-aluminium handle to hold the pump from. There's a high-pressure braided hose with a two-stage Schrader connector designed to prevent pressure loss upon removal. First, you thread down the silver part onto the outside of the valve. Then the red part is threaded down which depresses the valve pin. You're now locked and ready to pump. Silca claims that shock pumps with digital gauges may have good resolution, but actual precision is poor, and therefore, you’re better off with a good analog gauge, like what it offers. My personal experience doesn’t align with that, where multiple digital pumps of the Giyo variety (Fox, RockShox, etc.) have shown accuracy within 1 psi against a benchmark gauge and have been repeatably precise. There are, of course, outliers. For example, the Lezyne Digital Shock Drive had poor accuracy and precision across multiple samples. With a 5 psi resolution, Silca's gauge is already at a disadvantage in making fine pressure adjustments. Additionally, my sample reading was on the high side (approximately 2 psi), and so the pump failed to offer the 2-3 psi precision I often require when setting up modern suspension.Silca's Ultimate shock pump is loaded with features that are arguably a culmination of what other brands have done previously. For example, the likes of Topeak have long had shock pumps with that two-stage valve head, while Zefal's pump also offers a gauge that swivels for easier sighting. Still, the Silca does bring a higher-quality feel to the package. In my experience, it's the swivel hose or hose itself that's the common failure point on many of the same-same digital pumps. I had hopes of buying Silca's nice braided hose and plugging it into my preferred digital pump. While the design is similar, Silca's hose swivel is far larger in diameter and is therefore not compatible. No dis on Silca for this, but also, darn. Currently, Silca doesn't have replacement hoses listed on its website, but the company has stated that spare parts will be available. In a world of largely throw-away shock pumps, access to such spares would be the biggest reason to consider this. Here's a random tip I discovered while removing the hose on the Ultimate Shock pump. The 11 mm size of the Park Tool OBW-4 offset brake wrench fits perfectly. I'd happily pay a premium for a shock pump that's built to last and is more precise, but I'm just left wanting more from this US$125 / AU$220 pump. It largely still feels and works like the sort of pump that used to be given free with a new mountain bike purchase, just with nicer finishings. Give me the option of a gauge with better resolution, plus offer spare hoses and gauges, and I'd immediately like this thing a whole lot more. However, as it stands, I'm not seeing the value (and this is coming from someone who previously bought and continues to enjoy Silca's US$289 SuperPista Digital floor pump).
Straz Components sealant funnel and valve core tools
Covered previously, Straz Components is a young American company that started with a single product: the Sealant Funnel (for Presta valves). Now the company has added more options to the range, including a funnel for use with Schrader valves. Pictured here is the new Sealant Funnel PT, which stands for Partially Threaded. This tweak on the original was designed to accomodate tubeless valves of non-traditional design (such as Reserve Fillmore, Stan's ExoCore, etc). Like the original, a full funnel is 30 mL of sealant. Presta or Schrader options are now catered for. These funnels are priced at US$18-19 each. Also new from Straz are stainless steel valve core tools. If you've ever wanted a valve core tool that would hurt someone if thrown, this is it. The small company sought to bring more comfort and leverage to the common shop task of pulling valve cores. Both Schrader and Presta valves are catered for, with each one selling for a premium US$35. I agree that US$35 for a valve core tool is excessive (especially when you'll likely want to buy both), but I also suspect a number of mechanics will appreciate these 25 mm diameter, knurled, and US-made objects. I could see the Schrader version being especially popular with suspension service technicians who pull valve cores all day long.
Threaded is an ongoing series created for professional mechanics and enthusiast home mechanics in search of continuous improvement, or at least ways to bring more efficiency, precision, or just joy to the work.
It’s photographed, written, and created exclusively by me, Dave Rome. With approximately 20 years of experience on the tools, and more than a decade of documenting others doing it, I aim to share my passion for finding quality tools and tips on how best to use them.
This series takes many hours in the week to create and I feel the information shared is worth paying for. You will hit a paywall soon. It's merely through the support of our members (readers) that this content exists.
If you're seeing this, just know that below that paywall sits a whole lot of good stuff you won't find elsewhere.
Schrader on the left, Presta on the right. The Presta version has a bit of a looser fit than I had expected, but Straz confirmed that's intentional due to variable sizing of valves and that they can be covered in dried sealant. Either way, they work exactly as you may imagine and I do really like how they can be stored upright with the valve core inside.They're lovely to use, but spending US$70 for something a US$10 tool does quite well is a hard pill to swallow. Straz cites professional-grade durability and comfortable leverage as unique features, but I've found a tool like Park Tool's VC-1 to be plenty durable over the years. A feature commonly missed is that a 10 mm spanner can be added to the Park Tool VC-1 in the event you need more leverage. That being said, although it's overkill for the task, I also wholly understand the appeal of Straz creating a fancy tool simply for the sake of creating a fancy tool.
Enduro Bearing bottom bracket and bearing service tools (BBT-044, BRT-060, BRT-040)
Enduro's new BBT-044 splits the bottom bracket into two pieces. Joining the gold-anodised machined aluminium sockets are modular drive inserts (black pieces), which double as stabilisers in the bottom bracket bearing. Currently, Enduro is only catering to a few common sizes, including 41 mm x 16 notch, 44 mm x 16 notch (the common one shared with external centerlock lockrings), 46 mm x 12 notch, and 52 mm x 16. There are four drive interface pieces, including 24, 29 and 30 mm to match the most common bottom bracket bearing sizes, plus a fourth blank one. Each socket can be turned with a 3/8" square drive tool. You can use Enduro's own selection of bottom bracket shims/spacers if you need to space out the cup from contacting the frame (a useful feature with some T47 bottom brackets). And if you want to lock the socket in place, you can do so with a threaded bearing press and then drive the socket with a 32 mm spanner or adjustable wrench. The complete set of four sockets retails at US$159, but Enduro also offers individual sizes of these bottom bracket sockets (US$44 a piece, including one drive insert).Pedro's Pro BB Socket Set (top left) is another modular option, but where the same socket is used across all sizes. Enduro's more costly approach keeps the external dimensions of the socket compact which can be important for some frames with limited clearance (such as select Santa Cruz and Yeti full suspension bikes). Meanwhile, my previous favourite socket to use with SRAM DUB bottom brackets was the Enduro BBT-029 (bottom right), but the new BBT-044 has it beat with increased compatibility and a smaller external profile. Overall, these made-in-Taiwan sockets are solid with nice fitment. The interchangeable alignment guides are a nice touch and add notable stability to the tool in use (preventing cam-off). I'm now eager to see them add more fitment sizes to the range in order to maximise the value of that modular design. I’ve long been a fan of Enduro’s bearing tools, back from when they were one of the only press options on the market, through to today, where they have one of the most comprehensive ranges of tools for smoothly removing and installing cartridge bearings. With the latest updates, I’d say they’re the benchmark option for professionals where price is no issue (Alt-Alt's kits would be my next pick, which tend to cost a little less). I say "price is no issue", as while individual tools are quite competitively priced, it can be a huge expense to buy into the entire Enduro ecosystem to do it all. Today, Enduro’s tools are a bit like battery-operated power tools, where you buy into the battery system and then you can get tool skins to build on that functionality. However, instead of batteries, Enduro’s base purchase would be the pictured Linear-Press Bearing service toolset with Zip-Nut (BRT-060-Z kit, US$349). Fortunately, you can also purchase individual pieces.
