Setting up a workshop

[cludence]

You'd think I was blonde! I have been sitting here thinking "what is this cable tensioning tool?" "I dont have one." Now I have seen a pic, I know I have one. I call it a third hand tool.

And Europa, no I cannot do them in my sleep. You would be faster than me! I might have heaps of bikes but I am still learning as I go. You never stop learning with such a broad range of bikes/styles and components.

Karen.

[sogood]

Karen, what are doing there on your computer at 7:20am? Shouldn't you be at the RedKite Man ride, the one you alerted everyone to?

[cludence]

Sogood you are a dobber! I couldnt make it this morning unfortunately.

Karen.

[sogood]

Well, I showed up, Bill from our club also did... And then the star of the show didn't!

[cludence]

Merrick didnt show? What happened?

Karen.

[sogood]

Merrick didnt show? What happened?

No, "star" as referring to you!

[cludence]

I'm not a star. Just a mad bike nut.

I would have been there if not for a gas problem here. Currently sitting here waiting whilst the plumber fixes it. He is also a bike nut so has been eyeing off my bikes.

Sorry you went and I wasnt there. I will make it up to you as I am due to head over to Tempe in the next few weeks to say hi and watch you guys train.

Karen.

[europa]

The cable tensioning tool not only makes setting up cables a doddle but is great for tightening zip ties.

Hi Richard

Is this the sort of thing you are referring to:



This one is pricey, around $45 ex c r c but I guess there are reasonable cheaper brands around the place.

Regards
Andrew

That's the beast. Mine's an unbranded variant that I got from a lbs for around $20. One of those "should I, shouldn't I ... oh why didn't I get one years ago" purchases

Richard

[sogood]

That's the beast. Mine's an unbranded variant that I got from a lbs for around $20. One of those "should I, shouldn't I ... oh why didn't I get one years ago" purchases

When do you need this 3rd-hand tool? I've now built three road bikes and have not found a need for a tool like this. Squeeze the brakes/FD/RD with one hand while the other tightens the securing bolt was all that's required. Guess the only situation where this may come in handy is if there's no tension adjusters along the cable. Or are they more critical with some of the MTB setups?

So I have not bought it nor have it on my purchase radar.

[Mulger bill]

I thought it was a 4th hand tool

The 3rd hand is used to hold the brake blocks against the rim, a $5, 150mm one handed bar clamp from Bunnies does the trick.

Shaun

[europa]

Mine get used for zip ties a loooot, but I'm a chronic over tightener of the things - this tool needs a real gentle hand because of the power it offers.

When adjusting brakes, sure, you can guess the brake setting and then use up all your barrel adjustment getting it right. I use the tool to get the cable close to right with the adjusters wound right in, then fine tune them with the adjusters so that as the cable stretches and the brake blocks wear, all you have to do is wind the adjuster out. Minor point perhaps but I have never believed in adjusters for gross adjustments.

When fitting a cable for the first time, especially with new outers, this tool makes it very easy to pull all the slack out of the cable and to seat the cables properly BEFORE clamping the cable. The alternative is to do your best, clamp the cable, squeeze the brakes a few times, then (maybe) unclamp the cable and pull it tighter. This tool reduces the number of times you have to clamp the cable, usually to just once.

It just makes cable fittings a lot easier and more straight forward. Sure, you don't NEED one, but there are a lot of things in life you don't need but which help to make the job a bit more enjoyable.

Richard

[sogood]

It just makes cable fittings a lot easier and more straight forward. Sure, you don't NEED one, but there are a lot of things in life you don't need but which help to make the job a bit more enjoyable.

Hence not a critical tool for someone starting out.

For the brakes, I find that if I back out of the adjuster and hold the pads tight against the rim and tighten, the little bit of slack would just open the calipers a little and close to perfect. A few turns of the adjuster was the most I had to do. At one stage I was thinking about it but then I figured out the trick.

The only tricky one in my experience is the FD when done without a 3rd hand. But a little finess can similarly get the job done.

[heavymetal]

It just makes cable fittings a lot easier and more straight forward. Sure, you don't NEED one, but there are a lot of things in life you don't need but which help to make the job a bit more enjoyable.

I also find that they make things easier. With a partially functioning right hand, I need the extra help. Also some MTBs and my tourer require a special set up.

I took the cable barrel adjusters out. I thought it would make the bike lighter It never had them in the first place.

Kev.

[thomas_cho]

It just makes cable fittings a lot easier and more straight forward. Sure, you don't NEED one, but there are a lot of things in life you don't need but which help to make the job a bit more enjoyable.

Hence not a critical tool for someone starting out.

For the brakes, I find that if I back out of the adjuster and hold the pads tight against the rim and tighten, the little bit of slack would just open the calipers a little and close to perfect. A few turns of the adjuster was the most I had to do. At one stage I was thinking about it but then I figured out the trick.

The only tricky one in my experience is the FD when done without a 3rd hand. But a little finess can similarly get the job done.

I concur, I only use the cable tensioning tool for the FD. Especially useful when one of my bikes dont have a the FD barrel adjuster to dial in the tension. Never use it for the brakes ... its just squeeze the brakes, and then use the adjuster to do the fine adjustment.