Quick tip for a wrench for PC BPs

[velobard]

I thought I'd pass along this tip in case anyone else finds themself in the same situation. The other day I wanted to change the backplate on my PC, but the wrench that came with it was AWOL. I called a couple tool shops and no one carried them in stock, so I was lost for a bit trying to find a thin enough wrench without waiting for a special order. Finally I remembered that my cone wrench for adjusting bicycle hubs is just right for the job. Most bike shops should have these and a lot of the time they'll have a fairly cheap version available other than the shop-grade one from Parks Tools. IIRC you want the 14mm size. Either that or just walk into the shop with your PC and ask them to help you change the pad.

[Scottwax]

I'll have to see if they have the Cyclo sized one too. I switch from the regular heads to the scrubbers regularly so having an extra would be great. Thanks for the tip!

[velobard]

I have no idea what size you'd need for the Cyclo, but odds are you can find one. Mine looks similar to this
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
but mine's a cheapo thing that I've had long enough it should at least be ready to head to college. Mine has stepped sizes on each end, so one wrench handles 4 sizes. The one in this link is from Park, which makes most of the pro-level bike tools. These aren't expensive, but your local shop might have less expensive ones as well.

[Eliot Ness]

Originally Posted by Scottwax

I'll have to see if they have the Cyclo sized one too. I switch from the regular heads to the scrubbers regularly so having an extra would be great. Thanks for the tip!

It looks like TOL sells one:

http://www.topoftheline.com/flatwrench.html

And here is a link for the PC wrench from CMA:

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo...epocaflwr.html

[the other pc]

Did somebody say cone wrench?



Well, I ran out to the garage and tried it. Guess what? The 14mm wrenches were just a tiny bit too small. A 14mm Craftsman open end wrench barely fit on the flats (with the backing plate off) but the PC is really 9/16”.

I’m sure the cone wrench would fit with the slightest amount of honing. Maybe a different model or manufacturer’s would be fine.

That’s a good thing to know since cone wrenches are easy to find in any local bike shop.


PC.

[velobard]

Originally Posted by the other pc

Did somebody say cone wrench?

Well, I ran out to the garage and tried it. Guess what? The 14mm wrenches were just a tiny bit too small. A 14mm Craftsman open end wrench barely fit on the flats (with the backing plate off) but the PC is really 9/16”.

I’m sure the cone wrench would fit with the slightest amount of honing. Maybe a different model or manufacturer’s would be fine.

That’s a good thing to know since cone wrenches are easy to find in any local bike shop.


PC.

Maybe mine fit easily because it's an old cheapo thing that's been manhandled a time or two, lol.