Abbey Bike Works' new Crombie cassette tool instantly elicits one of those 'Why didn't I think of that?' responses. Not only does it integrate a sturdy handle into a splined cassette tool, the tool is also reversible for use on Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo cassettes.
Best of all, though, the hollow fits right over most quick-release skewer nuts, meaning you likely won't have to remove the skewer to tighten or remove cassettes.
"The idea for this tool came from Jeff Crombie, head mechanic for a big Canadian road team," Abbey Bike Works' Jason Quade told BikeRadar. "He wanted to be able to check lock rings without taking the skewer out of the wheel, just to make sure they were tight. It's also really nice to be able to swap the cassette on a team's worth of wheels without removing the skewer."
"Jeff asked me to make a single tool for him in January of this year. Shortly thereafter I made a small batch of custom tools and sent them out to friends for testing. When I started getting calls from random people to make more, it was time to go into true production."
The business end of the Crombie is hollow
Quade actually offers three versions of the Crombie: the standard dual-sided version we have here (US$45 / £28), a Shimano-only version that's slightly smaller and designed to fit more easily into tool cases (US$35 / £22), and a US$45 (£28) dual-sided 'SL' variant with a hollow handle that shaves 100g for mechanics who regularly travel with their tools and need to cut down on baggage fees.
Custom laser engraving is also available for US$10 (£6).
Truing stand adapter now available
Also arriving from Abbey Bike Works is the new Geiszler truing stand adapter (named after another friend, Josh Geiszler).
The stepped design allows 12, 15, 20, and 24mm thru-axle front and rear hubs and wheels to work in nearly any dual-armed truing stand. The two ends can be screwed together onto the hub for more intensive work, but otherwise simply slipped into place for quick jobs.
Retail cost on the Geiszler is US$45 / £28 and Abbey Bike Works tools are made in Bend, Oregon. For more information see the Abbey Bike Works website.