SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

Fettling

 

In common with T-handled Allen keys per se, the fixed head design means it’s easily whipped around, for access or in other cases leverage. On that subject length is another thing, which is tricky to optimise, but by my reckoning, Brian Davis has hit the sweet spot here.

 

Though I don’t have hands like the proverbial shovels, I am blessed with long fingers and can find some versions cramped and fiddly. Not in this instance. The T-bar feels natural and comfortably in the palms, allowing you to concentrate on the job. Juniors and other mechanics with smaller hands shouldn’t have any problems either.

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Thanks in part to the matt finish and orange gripper, sweaty palms with prolonged use hasn’t been a problem, although I’m inclined towards gloves for convenience, say nipping to the toilet, or answering the phone.

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As I suggested earlier, there’s sufficient oomph for shifting stubborn pedals, or crank bolts-although I’d recommend a bit of penetrant spray on these. 

 

I’ve also liberated shoe cleat hardware, (without primal grunting, or chemical assistance) that had, ahem gone a bit organic due to mid-winter oversights.

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Confined spaces are common, especially on small compact geometry framesets. In this instance, while clearance or dexterity weren’t overly hampered, using the OEM bits, I longed for ball ends when introducing two bottle cages to the down and seat  tube bosses, or tackling a twin bolt seat post cradle such as my Univega’s latest upgrade.