Shop Talk
A collection of mechanical musings, advice, news, and other interesting things from Park Tool.
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Written by Karl on May 31, 2013/Park Tool News
The Park Tool Story Entered Into the Congressional Record
During the April 9th session of the 113th Congress, Representative Betty McCollum, from Minnesota’s 4th district, rose to pay tribute to Park Tool on the occasion of their 50th anniversary. McCollum called Park Tool a “Minnesota success story, growing from a small family owned company to the world’s leading manufacturer of bicycle tools, exporting American made products around the globe.”
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Written by Karl on May 15, 2013/Park Tool News
The Park Tool 50th Anniversary Party
Park Tool recently invited 300 of our closest friends to join in the celebration of our 50th anniversary. The party, which was held in our factory, also served as the official grand opening of our brand new headquarters.
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Written by Calvin on April 26, 2013/Calvin's Corner
The Work Horses of Park Tool
The new Park Tool factory is big. So big it feels like it takes forever to walk from one end to the other. Just the factory is 200 x 300 feet. You have to walk down aisles of production, packaging, welding, then shipping before you get where you want to go. So with a huge new building, what better excuse is needed to grab a bike? We have a fleet here of 9 rides for your factory cruising pleasure. Each steed is a bit different in what they offer. This article will review of The Wheels of the Park Tool Factory.
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Written by Karl on January 21, 2013/Park Tool News
Park Tool Outlines Sponsored Teams for 2013
Park Tool continues their long history of involvement with the world’s top professional cycling teams, announcing their list of sponsored teams for 2013.
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Written by Calvin on January 10, 2013/Calvin's Corner
2013 Cyclocross National Champions
"This year's USA National Cyclocross Championship promises to be epic!!"—Anonymous Elite Racer.
That might be one way of putting it, because what we are going to be talking about here is a bike race with people wearing spandex, in Madison, Wisconsin, in the middle of January!
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Written by Calvin on November 23, 2012/Calvin's Corner
Free Bikes 4 Kids, a Minnesota program
Free Bikes 4 Kids is a non-profit organization based in the Twin Cites area of Minnesota.
The concept of Free Bikes For Kids is to provide a bike (and a helmet) to a kid who would otherwise not get a bike. Bikes are donated at drop off locations, and what a collection of bikes they are! What are often called "department store" or "big box" bikes, serious BMX bikes, hybrids of well recognized brand names, the occasional Campagnolo® Record® group with requisite Reynolds® 531 frame; all have been seen.
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Written by Karl on September 15, 2012/Park Tool News
Park Tool to Build New Factory
The Park Tool Company broke ground on a new international headquarters on August 21st. The new site is just over a mile from their current location in Oakdale, a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. Move in is expected in January 2013.
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Written by Karl on August 26, 2012/Park Tool News
MN High School Cycling League Welcomes Park Tool Co. as New Sponsor
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Written by Calvin on July 27, 2012/Calvin's Corner
Basic Use of Tools
A sound working knowledge of tool use is the basis of being a mechanic. Developing good working habits will result in better, more consistent repairs, and in longer lasting tools. This article provides a short review of the proper use of some basic tools.
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Written by Calvin on May 30, 2012/Calvin's Corner
Repairing On-The-Ride
This article will review repairs we can do while we are out and about on a bike. There are, of course, many possible issues and problems that can and do occasionally occur when we are riding. Here, we will consider the what to bring, the pre-ride inspection and six broad categories: Flat Tires, Wheel Issues, Drive Train, Braking Systems, Stems/Posts/Bars, and Frames/Forks.
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