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Hands On: Abbey Bike Works Crombie Cassette Tool

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The story of the Abbey Bike Works Crombie tool is that of the genesis of any great tool – it was born out of the desire to do it better, and faster. Jeff Crombie (who the tool is named for) as a pro mechanic for team SpiderTech, wanted to be able to check cassette lock rings and even change cassettes without having to remove the skewer. More than just convenience, on the pro race circuit you can imagine there may be a need to change a cassette as quickly as possible, and not having to remove the skewer means there is no longer a chance of losing the skewer springs or nut – all good things.

So Jeff approached Jason Quade of Abbey Bike Works out of Bend, Oregon to see if it could be done. Being that Jason is a bit of a modern day bicycle Renaissance man with a mobile repair shop, small frame building business, and a custom wheel building program, it should come as no surprise that Abbey Bike Works is getting into the tool business. After modifying some off the shelf lock ring tools, Jason found the answer. An answer that was verified after sending a few rough, handmade tools to a few race mechanics he knew who came back with nothing but positive feedback.

With requests for more tools, Jason worked with a local machine shop to produce the splined section of the tool from 17-4 stainless steel , with Jason doing the welding and sourcing the handle from machine shop remnants and the Crombie tool was born. While this is the first tool out of Abbey Bike Works, Jason is already planning for more and if the Crombie is any indication of quality, there will be quite the demand.

Full details on the Crombie tool after the break!

Want a personalized Crombie tool? Laser engraving is available for a mere $10!
Standard Crombie head with Campy/Shimano Spline

 

It’s fair to say that like most mechanics, I have a thing for tools. Specifically, durable precision tools made by craftsmen themselves that will last forever. At the risk of sounding like an old man, so many tools these days are getting cheaper, and more plasticky – not something you’re likely to find still in your tool box 10 years from now. Abbey, along with a few other small tool builders seem to be bucking that trend by offering beautiful tools that will stand the test of time. I was pleasantly surprised when my Crombie tool showed up with my name laser engraved on the handle – no more hunting for your tools in the shop, if someone lifts it from your bench, you’ll know. Laser engraving of your name, shop name, team name, etc. is an additional $10. Furthermore, since every tool is hand built by Jason, if you want more customization all you have to do is ask.

Personalization aside, functionally the Crombie is an excellent tool. The standard Crombie tool features a dual sided head that works as both a Shimano HG lock ring tool  on one side, and a Campagnolo cassette and old school BB wrench on the other. Where the Crombie tool really shines is the ability to tighten or completely remove cassettes without having to remove the skewer. Honestly this is probably more important for a race mechanic than your average shop mechanic, but it will save some time double checking lock ring torque before the bike heads out the door. Additionally, with no moving parts there is no need for pinch bolts to hold anything in place – everything will be where you expect it ever time you go to use the tool. The standard Crombie Tool features an 8.5” long, ½” diameter solid handle which retails for $40. For those who will never have a use for a Campy tool, Jason offers a Shimano only version of the Crombie with a slightly smaller handle for $35. Finally, Jason will also be offering an SL version of the Crombie Tool which is dual-sided like the standard version, but features a hollow ½ inch handle. Why an SL version for a tool? When race mechanics fly with their tools, every gram counts especially with baggage fees today. The SL version ends up 100 grams lighter without sacrificing any durability, and only five dollars more at $45.

After testing with all of the wheels and skewer combinations at my disposal, I found only one skewer that the Crombie tool couldn’t fit over which was an old fashioned steel skewer like those often used for rear wheel trainers. Machining of the lock ring splines is extremely precise resulting in a near perfect fit in Shimano and Sram lock rings. Compared to the Park FRW-1, the Crombie tool is quite a bit more compact which is important when tool kit space is at a premium. Despite its smaller stature, you are able to generate plenty of torque to properly secure any lock ring, and then some.

The end result is an heirloom tool that does exactly what it’s supposed to do, meaning any pro mechanic would be happy with a Crombie tool at their disposal. Jason has had some requests to do a limited run of Crombie tools in Titanium as well which he expects to do in a limited run that will include personalization.

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uglyyeti
uglyyeti
11 years ago

Genius. I love stuff like this. Want one.

Whatever
Whatever
11 years ago

Might be good for a PRO mechanic that needs to check tons of wheels, but taking out the skewer actually keeps you from tearing up the lock ring. The pin in the Park Tool above might explain how – it goes in where the skewer was and keeps things straight. Lock rings are not-so-thick.

Cool tool though.

Josh Snead
Josh Snead
11 years ago

Actually Whatever, the QR knob does a good job of keeping the tool aligned when it’s engaged with the lockring. Even if you use this tool without a QR in the wheel, it is easy enough to remove the lockring without damaging anything.

Chris
Chris
11 years ago

Since I just broke my cassette tool this is a welcome post. Any cassette tool with the pin I usually cut the pin off anyway. I use the wrench for campy cassettes as well as Miche bottom brackets which don’t work well with the pin. I’ll be ordering one of these ASAP

Tartosuc
Tartosuc
11 years ago

Not a bad idea but not all that impostant.
It would have been more nterresting to have a tool that remove the cassette ring on one side and the lock ring for cranks on the other side.

bc
bc
11 years ago

@Chris, as far as I know, no Campagnolo tool comes with the pin, exactly for this reason. I’ve been a wrench for ~10 years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one.

Whatever
Whatever
11 years ago

Yes, Josh, but you need to use a torque wrench too. Unless this is just for taking apart.

This is a nice tool, but really only usefully cool for a PRO wrench checking stuff, not setting and adjusting lock rings.

Ryan
Ryan
11 years ago

Headed to the blacksmith shop and making one this week!

Nick S.
Nick S.
11 years ago

The Crombie tool has taken the place of three tools for me. Rather than selecting the right FW bit and grabbing it with a wrench or a Park FRW-1, this tool eliminates all the points of contact where slipping can occur. Not having to piece tools together while fussing with a chain whip and not having to remove QR’s will save valuable time. It is excellent for shop mechanics doing bike builds as well as lightening up the tool box when traveling.

Nick S.
Nick S.
11 years ago

@Tartosuc, the beauty of handmade custom tools is that there’s no limit to what can be created. If you want a FW tool on one side and a pencil sharpener on the other, Jason can make you one.

Josh Snead
Josh Snead
11 years ago

I guess if you need a torque wrench to put a cassette lockring on… this isn’t the tool for you. This tool is by and for busy, experienced mechanics who want to do a good job. In 15+ years of wrenching I’ve never used a torque wrench to put a cassette lockring on, and I’ve never once had the freehub body or lockring get damaged or come loose.

Adam
11 years ago

Might want to rename this the Chad G lockring tool.

Bobinator
Bobinator
11 years ago

good-looking tool. personally can’t stand the Park tool with the loose pins. Crombie looks like a good length to spin lockrings off without the handle hitting anything (or yourself) if you like to brace the wheel against the ground or bench. now the monkeys can loose the lockring tools all they want, i’ll keep this in my toolbox!

Billy
Billy
11 years ago

I have one and it’s super cool! I just wish the splines were a bit deeper so I could use it with a hyper handle.

MissedThePoint
MissedThePoint
11 years ago

It got a nice one that allows a 1/2″ breaker bar to fit in the back, to break it, and also allows use of a torque wrench to dial in that 40nm when installing.

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