Shop Talk

• Written by Joel on October 7, 2015/Shop Rag Newsletter

  Shop Rag Issue 5 — 28 New Tools for 2016

  We've been busy again this year. At Eurobike and Interbike we featured 28 new products designed to make your bicycle work faster and easier. From a fresh take on multi-tools to some new, problem-solving shop tools, this year's lineup is more proof of our commitment to building the best, most comprehensive tool line in the industry. Take a video tour of the new products with Park Tool Engineer Max and Chief Mechanic Eric Hawkins.

  Read More

• Written by Calvin on May 29, 2015/Calvin's Corner

  Measuring Effective Rim Diameter

  Wheel building begins with having the right components at hand. Basically, these are the hub, the rim, and of course spokes of the right length. Unfortunately, that last part, "spokes of the right length," is not always so simple to come up with. A big part of determining the correct spoke length is using the correct "Effective Rim Diameter" (ERD), a concept that is reviewed in this article.

  Read More

• Written by Alex on May 15, 2015/Shop Rag Newsletter

  Shop Rag Issue 4 — Aluminum to Zinc

  Material selection is one of the most important decisions in the creation of a new tool. The number of materials seen in the bike industry is a testament to the adoption of various materials and the exploitation of their unique properties for specific purposes. Just like a frame could be made of carbon, aluminum, steel or titanium (or even bamboo!) depending on its brand and performance requirements, so too can tools be made of different materials depending on their intended use. The primary materials we use are steel, aluminum and plastic composites, and making the right decision on material is critical to making the best tools available.

  Read More

• Written by Calvin on February 26, 2015/Calvin's Corner

  Suspenders and a Belt

  In this episode of Calvin's Corner, we discuss the advantages and best uses of new, narrow-wide chainrings.

  Read More

• Written by Alex on February 15, 2015/Shop Rag Newsletter

  Shop Rag Issue 3 — How We Keep Blue Tools in Your Tool Box

  Each and every one of our tools has a story to tell long before it reaches your workbench. All of our tools have gone through many changes and a lot of “what if we did it this way” conversations. When we are finally happy with what the final product will be, then, and only then, will it get its PTA-1 (Park Tool Acronym-1).

  Read More

• Written by Alex on November 20, 2014/Shop Rag Newsletter

  Shop Rag Issue 2 — Disc Brake Technology Hits the Road

  Disc brake systems are well established in the bike world. Mountain bikes, hybrids, ebikes, and cyclo-cross bikes all come with this proven technology. So is it a surprise these are now coming to road bikes? No, it’s not a surprise, but the inclusion of the road category to the disc brake family brings with it other supportive requirements to make it all work well.

  Read More

• Written by Karl on October 15, 2014/Park Tool News

  Women's Bike Mechanic Scholarship

  Park Tool and several industry partners have joined together to offer ten scholarships for women bike mechanics to attend United Bicycle Institute. This scholarship is dedicated to getting more women on bikes and supporting the development of female mechanics. This opportunity is open to aspiring or experienced bike mechanics and women that would like to increase their technical knowledge to further their career in the bike industry.

  Read More

• Written by Alex on August 26, 2014/Shop Rag Newsletter

  Shop Rag Issue 1 — Bridging the Gap to a New Tool

  Let’s imagine that bike company XYZ has come out with a cool new component that requires a new tool. How does that new bike component give birth to a new, blue tool?

  Read More

• Written by Calvin on July 30, 2014/Calvin's Corner

  Wheel Tension App Overview

  This article will address the use of a new and completely free tool, namely the Wheel Tension App. The WTA app is designed to provide backup and support to the TM-1. This web app provides you an easy and fast way to convert your wheel's TM-1 readings into a kgf reading. Additionally, the WTA provides a visual diagram of the relative spoke tension using a "radar chart".

  Read More

• Written by Calvin on June 6, 2014/Calvin's Corner

  Road Race Support for Team 3M

  The topic of this Calvin's Corner will be the technical support for the 3M Cycling Team. The 3M Corporation is based in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. It is, after all, "Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing." The team is here to race the North Star Grand Prix. This is a stage race for road bikes, and as always it is the preparation that make all smooth and nice for the team.

  Read More