BEND, Ore. (BRAIN) — Abbey Bike Tools' Chain Tool spent two years designing and testing its new chain tool, which will begin shipping next month. But the company likes to say that Abbey founder Jason Quade spent 10 years working as a pro mechanic, breaking three chains a day, in developing the new tool. Thus the model name, Decade.
The tool's threaded body and lead screw are made from chromoly and receive a low-friction powder vapor deposition coating that Abbey said provides "a silky feel you've never felt in a chain tool before."
The freely rotating pin is made from a shock-rated tool steel and the company said it will likely last as long as the rest of the tool. The chain tool comes with a spare pin in the handle and they are cross compatible with Shimano and Campagnolo pins.
The tool's most unusual feature is the interchangeable mid plate. The saddled part that holds the chain in position can be swapped to work with nearly any shape or width of chain, from 7-speed to 12-speed, including those that haven't been released yet. "This ensures that your investment won't become obsolete when company "X" comes out with an 18 speed cassette in 20 years," Abbey said.
The tool also peens Campagnolo 11 and 12 speed chains to factory specs using a backstop that threads into the backside of the tool as a stop. Mid plates for 1/8-inch singlespeed chains will be made available in the future.
The company is now taking pre-order and expects to begin delivering the tool in early October. Retail price is $175.
More information: abbeybiketools.com/collections/new-additions/products/decade-chain-tool.
