{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreigxzoq2bpe24iin5iggjapbabmynva3rk5zfky42ay5ecm3wgaodi",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:jcu7nrruxovhg3q5vlsnw3wt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcita2jgqf72"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreih6plfzzh4ughv5ihuj2hydth5m2onkdmonuxeais2ovuuqxzkvvu"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 224705
  },
  "description": "The latest from Abbey Bike Tools, Birzman, Wheels Manufacturing, Clik, PB Swiss, Bearing Pro Tools, Deen, and more. ",
  "path": "/threaded-54-new-tools-for-days/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-01-16T00:18:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://escapecollective.com",
  "tags": [
    "Threaded",
    "Sumart",
    "you should clean those pistons before pressing them back",
    "piston exposure service",
    "next best at 6.32 mm minimum width",
    "my Favourite Things of 2025 list",
    "US$66 with holder",
    "ShockWave's Universal Rear Shock Dummy Tool | Pro version",
    "Bearing Pro Tools",
    "Abbey Bike Tools (formerly Noble) and Alt-Alt",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "My new year’s resolution is to purchase fewer tools.\n\nActually, who am I kidding? It’s only the middle of January, and I’ve already got enough new tools for another two editions of New Tools Day. OK, guess it's new year, same me.\n\nAs always, New Tools Day isn't just about discovering new shiny products. Rather, it’s about learning new ways to perform old tasks, and in some cases, new tasks. Below you'll find a sprinkling of little tips, words of caution, or maybe pre-existing tools to consider. And of course, it’s about understanding how to separate the good from the bad.\n\nIn this 54th edition of Threaded, we look at a number of more workshop-leaning tools, many of which are designed for the professional user or dedicated home wrench. There's a first look at a new piston-pressing tool from Birzman that legitimately addresses some limitations of others. I offer thoughts on a new electric screwdriver that rivals my beloved Vessels. Abbey Bike Tools has a new socket for Campagnolo's latest cranks.\n\nThere are new bearing tools from Bearing Pro Tool along with one doing the rounds on social media from AliExpress. There are new sockets from Wheels Manufacturing that shouldn't need to exist, but do. I share the latest from PB Swiss. Users of Clik valves now have an option for compressor-based inflators. And I look at a product that keeps things tidy when your mountain bike's rear shock is away for service.\n\nLet's begin.\n\n## Birzman Double-Ended Piston Pusher\n\nCycling tool brand Birzman was arguably the first to market with a tool dedicated to pushing disc brake pistons back into bores. Unfortunately, that original design (right) proved ineffective and prone to bending when put against stuck pistons. New for 2026, Birzman is onto a new generation of piston-pushing tool. There's a lot to like in the new Double-Ended Piston Pusher (Part #BM25-DPP, shown on left). As the name suggests, Birzman's new piston press has two ends. One is a super skinny 15 mm for two-piston calipers, while the other is a wide 35 mm for making quick work of four-piston calipers. The Birzman can handle all the tasks of the two pictured Sumart presses, plus more, and at US$52, it's high value (the two Sumart presses shown add up to US$95). That skinny side is also narrow enough to fit into the gap of Magura MT5/MT7 calipers (Magura bleed block shown). Similarly, it fits into entry-level Shimano calipers (such as the MT200) that have an equally narrow gap. I have half a dozen piston presses, and this is the first one that's slim enough to do this. Most piston-pressing tools on the market use a wedge-like system that requires the wheel and brake pads to be removed. That's no problem for most applications (especially given that you should clean those pistons before pressing them back!), but there are occasions where you're setting up a brake and need to reset the pistons, and for this, the Birzman saves you from removing the wheel. Got those pistons exposed for a good clean? The Birzman has a further trick by being thinner. It has a 6.1 mm minimum thickness that expands out to 21.4 mm at its maximum. That minimum thickness is a benefit when doing a piston exposure service, where the gap between pistons can be tighter than what many of the existing pushing tools can fit into (the Sumart is the next best at 6.32 mm minimum width). As shown here, I often use a tyre lever for this task as the other pushing tools don't always fit so easily. I'm not aware of any other tool on the market that achieves what's pictured here. With the wheel on (pads removed), the Birzman is resetting the piston position of these Magura MT7s. These are a finicky brake to set up and a tool like the Birzman can help. Another angle. The tool feels really solid and without obvious flex in the pressing plates – largely thanks to what's now heat-treated steel where Birzman previously used softer aluminium. The tool is purposefully short enough to fit inside of most forks (if you're unable to access the pistons from the backside). And the thread is coarse enough so that it's not tiring to wind that handle (it opens fully in 13 turns). Well done Birzman ... I didn't like your previous piston pushers, but early impressions suggest this one is great.\n\n## Clik Air-Chuck Adapter\n\nI'm still putting together my full review of Clik valves, but my Favourite Things of 2025 list should be an indication of what I think of them. In the meantime, Clik has been steadily expanding its range of products, including adding an air-chuck adapter (US$14 / £11) for compressor-type shop inflators. It just presses into the end of a Presta chuck. This little aluminium adapter comes with two plastic leashes that fit onto a number of common shop inflators. It works fine, though I found it a little stubborn to pull in and out of the inflator head, which soon resulted in a broken leash. For shop use, I'd suggest just inflating customers' Clik valves with your regular Presta inflator – just be warned the measured pressure won't be right. Meanwhile, home users may want to consider this little adapter to ensure correct pressure. Clik is certainly growing in popularity. Wolf Tooth, Lezyne, Schwalbe, SKS, and Clik all have options now. Plenty to share in that upcoming review.\n\n## PB Swiss Swissgrip Evo\n\nRegular readers of Threaded will know I'm partial to a number of PB Swiss tools, which I consider to be the benchmark across a few categories. The company doesn't do updates often, and so a new handle is fairly big news from the Swiss tool company, especially given the old Swissgrip handle was already excellent. That new handle is the Swissgrip Evo (left), which is a larger and more shapely screwdriver handle that aims to reduce hand fatigue and increase maximum torque. The handles also now feature over 60% recycled materials. Shown here is the rather substantial difference between the new and old T10 driver. For now I've just bought this Torx screwdriver set with the new handles (US$66 with holder). The update is great, and most noticeable in smaller drive sizes, such as the regularly used T10 driver. Still, with the shafts unchanged, I won't be running out to update my other PB Swiss screwdrivers.\n\n## ShockWave Dummy Shock Pro\n\nCanadian-based ShockWave Parts is a young company with a large range of affordable 3D-printed tools, mostly for highly specialised suspension servicing. There are some exceptions to that, such as this Dummy Shock Pro, designed to make it easier to store a mountain bike and avoid the frame flopping around and damaging paint when the rear shock is away for service (or warranty). The idea of a dummy shock isn't new, and I've experimented with all sorts of homemade wood, aluminium, and even 3D-printed contraptions over the years. ShockWave's Universal Rear Shock Dummy Tool | Pro version (CAD$70) takes it a few steps further with a modular and length-adjustable design that can be used in a huge variety of frames. As you may guess, this product is designed for storage, not for riding. The length adjustment is a nice feature, but the ability to clock the eyelets at 90º from each other really opens up how versatile this tool is for yoke-type frames.\n\n\n\nThreaded 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 joy to the work.\n\nIt’s independently photographed, written, and created by me, Dave Rome. With approximately 20 years of professional experience on the tools, and more than a decade of documenting other mechanics' work, I aim to share my passion for finding quality tools from around the world and tips on how best to use them.\n\nThis series takes many hours to create, and the information shared isn't available elsewhere. It's merely through the support of our members (readers) that this content exists.\n\nIf you're seeing this, just know that below that paywall sits a whole lot of more interesting tools, including the latest from Abbey Bike Tools, Wheels Manufacturing, Deen, and an increasingly popular workshop item from AliExpress.\n\n Learn more \n\nAs tested, the Pro version (made from PETG) is modular and comes with both regular and Trunion-mount (threaded) eyelets. So far, I've tested this tool on three bikes and it's a much nicer experience than combining a bunch of rags with toe straps. For pro mechanics, it also eases servicing the rest of the bike while the rear shock isn't present. ShockWave also sells simpler versions of this tool with less modularity. The standard versions start from CAD$27 (approx US$20).\n\n## Bearing Pro Tools Blind Wind-Out Puller Set\n\nHailing from Scotland is Bearing Pro Tools. The company got its start in making extremely affordable bearing service tools, and recently, the products have started to look increasingly polished. Pictured here is the new (V2) Blind Wind Out Bearing Puller workshop set (£165), however, smaller kits catering to a few sizes of bearings are available (from £33). These tools work like a number of other newer bearing pullers, such as those from Abbey Bike Tools (formerly Noble) and Alt-Alt. Here, a collet is expanded into the bearing, while a suitably sized cup is placed to sit around the housing of the bearing. A thread is then used to screw the bearing out. Bearing Pro Tools' new tools are unique in that each expanding collet is specifically sized for each bearing code (such as 6802, 6803, 6902, etc.). No adjusting tools here, or second-guessing the depth of fitment.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Threaded #54: New Tools for Days",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-21T10:59:17.662Z"
}