Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Two New Terske Travel Tools from Lindarets
Lindarets recently released two clever travel tools, both designed to work in conjunction with a 12mm axle without the bulkiness of a dedicated tool. Check out our thoughts on the new Travel Disc Brake Rotor Lockring Tool and Travel Hex Tool here…
Albuquerque-based Lindarets recently came out with two new portable bike tools, both designed to solve mechanical issues that normally require a large, bike-specific tool to fix. In most cases, the limitation of any multi-tool is the size of its bits and bobs and the torque they offer. Lindarets turned to the trusty thru-axles specced on most modern bikes into a handle to provide the necessary torque to get difficult jobs done. The Terske Travel Disc Brake Rotor Lockring Tool works with Centerlock and AFS rotor lock rings, and the Terske Travel Hex Tool offers 6, 8, and 16mm hex keys for fixing bolts and self-extracting caps on RaceFace and Easton Cinch cranks, external bearing cranksets, and most pedals. Lindarets makes it clear that although loose rotors and cranks aren’t common, they can surely ruin your day, and both tools are best suited as part of an “extended travel tool kit.”
Terske Travel Hex Tool by Lindarets
I’ll admit, I haven’t needed the Terske Travel Hex Tool at any point during the month I’ve been carrying it in my repair kit, but I take some satisfaction in knowing that eventually someone will have a loose self-extracting crank bolt, and I’ll be hero who saves the day. It’s rare to find a 16mm hex key included in a multi-tool, probably because only a handful of specific components require a hex key that size. Those using Race Face or Easton Cinch cranks probably know that their non-drive side fixing bolts and self-extracting caps require a 16mm hex key, and the deep 6mm and 8mm keys are designed to work well on external bearing crankset and most pedals.
The Travel Hex Tool only works for those running a 12mm axle, which becomes the handle and a source of torque for the tool. The axle slides neatly inside the opening on the tool, butting up against the Hex Tool with an internal o-ring that keeps the two from rattling against each other. Presto! You’ve just made a long-handled hex key. The tool can safely provide up to 40Nm of torque and is only safe to use with 12mm thru-axles with a 3mm (1/8in) or thicker wall (6mm max thru hole). Lindarets also warns that this is a hand tool and it’s important not to overdo it, as bending or breaking an axle is a possibility.
The Hex Tool has a nice heft and feels natural when paired with an axle as a handle. It works well too. Unfortunately, I grease my axles (as should you), so the first time I tested out the tool I ended up with grease all over my hands. However, being more of an emergency, just-in-case type of tool, I think that’s a small price to pay. I’ve come to expect nothing but good quality products from Lindarets, and the Hex Tool is no exception.
- Material: SAE 420 stainless steel
- Weight: 36 grams
- Place of Manufacture: Colorado, USA
- Price: $24.95 USD
- Manufacturer’s Details: Lindarets.com
Terske Travel Disc Brake Rotor Lockring Tool by Lindarets
Most portable Centerlock rotor tools require a wrench to operate or are just way too big to pack on a bikepacking trip, which is where the Terske Travel Disc Brake Rotor Lockring Tool comes in. Just like the Hex Tool, Terske’s clever little rotor tool relies on a thru-axle to provide the leverage and handle, and the notched 6061-T6 aluminum tool matches up with external Centerlock and AFS disc brake rotor lockrings for when the unthinkable happens. It’s light and small enough to pack into your usual repair kit but would also make a great home mechanic tool or travel tool for anyone who regularly flies with their bike. It weighs just 17g and, like the Hex Tool, has two internal o-rings to keep things rattle-free.
While in use, the tool functions pretty much as you’d expect. It’s not quite as easy as using a dedicated tool, and I was a little nervous putting in the required torque to loosen a lockring, but it eventually freed up. Using a 12mm axle off a mountain bike, my hand’s proximity to the edge of the rotor was a little unnerving but considering it’s something I won’t be doing every day, it’s not such a big issue. The teeth on the tool fit the lockring snugly, and with a little downward pressure to keep it in place, removing and installing the rotor was as smooth as I could expect.
- Material: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Weight: 17 grams
- Place of Manufacture: China
- Price: $24.95 USD
- Manufacturer’s Details: Lindarets.com
Wrap Up
I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge fan of Marc Basiliere’s work at Lindarets. He has designed some of our favourite Wolf Tooth Components products, and he’s responsible for the titanium valve stems that I’ve been running problem-free for nearly two years now. The new Terske Travel Tools are clever, just-in-case items that probably won’t get used all that much, but could very likely save your butt when they do. As an everyday tool, I wouldn’t be very interested in removing, and potentially damaging my axle, but it seems like a worthy risk to get your bike rolling again in an emergency during a longer tour. Overall, I think both tools are priced fairly, cleverly designed, and won’t add any noticeable weight to your kit for your next extended bikepacking trip.
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