Tools compatibility

[Backmuirman]

Hi there, I'm a new member here....thanks for having me....you look like a nice, friendly and helpful bunch!

I've been riding bikes as far back as I can remember, starting on my blue trike with big fat white tyres. I'm now mainly mountain-biking and commuting to work, with a bike for every situation!
Over the years I've always done all my own bike maintenance and repairs and recognise now how complicated things have become for many riders attempting to replace parts on their bike(s).
I'm now committed to making things easier for bike owners and retail staff, and am developing a free resource which makes it straightforward to find the correct specialist bike tools (ie not spanners and hex keys!) for components old and new. Most of the work has been done and I now need the help of fellow riders out there to fill the gaps! Once completed, this is something that will be maintained and hopefully be a useful resource for many. Any help much appreciated, thanks!

I was hoping to list a few specific tools and ask users if they could provide some simple dimensions if they have the tool. Perhaps some folks could reply to let me know if this would be okay before I post the tools required?

Thank you.

[GirishH]

@Backmuirman, welcome to BikeRide forum. Your list sounds like a good resource. Feel free to post the tools you’re trying to find information about.

I’ve been bikepacking for the past three years and carry minimal tools, including a multitool, tire levers, and a pump..

[Backmuirman]

       
As mentioned at the start of this thread, I'm looking for dimensions for the tool OR the tool surface of the parts described below if anyone has any of these and is willing to take some simple measurements?!
Please see attached diagrams showing the measurements required. Ideally these should be as accurate as possible, measured with a vernier caliper, thanks! (Please also let me know if you measured the part or the corresponding tool).
Much appreciated….ultimately I’m hoping this will benefit others too.

1.29” x 24 tpi threaded lockrings (with two squared notches) for single speed hubs with a fixed sprocket (fixie or track bike).

Shimano Capreo cassette lockring (with four squared notches). Corresponding tools: Shimano TL-HG09 / SuperB TB-CP10.

Hope EVO M36 crank direct-mount chainring lockring (with six squared notches). Corresponding tools: Hope HTT192 / Hope HC105-26T.

Continental 48V Revolution e-motor lockring (with six squared notches). Corresponding tools: Cyclus S.67-W / Cyclus 7202767.

Continental 48V Prime e-motor lockring (with eight squared notches). Corresponding tools: Cyclus S.66-W / Cyclus 7202766.

C-Bear Bottom Brackets / Tools with ten rounded notches. Corresponding tools: C-Bear T2in1 / T2in1D

Elvedes Bottom Brackets (including twist-fit / thread-fit) / Tools with twelve rounded notches. Corresponding tools: Elvedes 2018086, Elvedes 2019069, Unior 1671.10/2DP

TQ Systems / Haibike Flyon e-motor chainring lockring. (Flyon Corona lockring 2020 with twelve shallow-angled ridges and notches). (See diagram attached).

[GirishH]

Happy new year, @Backmuirman.

This looks like a @Jesper, @enkei, @SPINMAN, @meamoantonio, or @ReapThaWhirlwind question...:-)

[SPINMAN]

(12-29-2025, 08:46 AM)Backmuirman Wrote:  Hi there, I'm a new member here....thanks for having me....you look like a nice, friendly and helpful bunch!

I've been riding bikes as far back as I can remember, starting on my blue trike with big fat white tyres. I'm now mainly mountain-biking and commuting to work, with a bike for every situation!
Over the years I've always done all my own bike maintenance and repairs and recognise now how complicated things have become for many riders attempting to replace parts on their bike(s).
I'm now committed to making things easier for bike owners and retail staff, and am developing a free resource which makes it straightforward to find the correct specialist bike tools (ie not spanners and hex keys!) for components old and new. Most of the work has been done and I now need the help of fellow riders out there to fill the gaps! Once completed, this is something that will be maintained and hopefully be a useful resource for many. Any help much appreciated, thanks!

I was hoping to list a few specific tools and ask users if they could provide some simple dimensions if they have the tool. Perhaps some folks could reply to let me know if this would be okay before I post the tools required?

Thank you.

Welcome @backmuirman I like doing some work on my own, but I think the spanners and the hex keys are all that is necessary these days. On the road or trails, you need to know how to fix a flat, naturally, but what else can you have? I think BBs and cassettes don't vary much. Welcome!

[Backmuirman]

Thanks for your reply @SPINMAN. If only that were true! Sounds like you've been really lucky so far!
There are literally hundreds of specialist tools for bike parts, from cassette lockings, bottom brackets, disc brake lockings, suspension forks, spoke nipples, etc, etc...
If you take a look at any online bike shop Q&A section you'll see that many riders are are looking for the right tools to fit and remove parts.
No probs though. Anyone else out there that can help?

[Jesper]

(01-02-2026, 06:09 AM)Backmuirman Wrote:  Thanks for your reply @SPINMAN. If only that were true! Sounds like you've been really lucky so far!
There are literally hundreds of specialist tools for bike parts, from cassette lockings, bottom brackets, disc brake lockings, suspension forks, spoke nipples, etc, etc...
If you take a look at any online bike shop Q&A section you'll see that many riders are are looking for the right tools to fit and remove parts.
No probs though. Anyone else out there that can help?

You are absolutely correct regarding the amount of tools required for anything above simple maintenance/adjustments. There is certainly cross compatibility with tools, but also many proprietary designs. I deal primarily with "old" stuff (1920s to 1980s) so I will not be much help for a lot of what you want. @Painkiller is also a good resource here for what you want.

I would still emphasize that you should include spanners of varying types since there is vast range of types and sizes. If you truly want create a database to help everyone technically no tool should be left out. I have some hub locknuts that are 12.5mm (rare, but they exist). I have hook spanners which, although they look very similar, are not compatible (lock rings for 1.37", 35mm, 36mm are close but not the same even though one might be willing to use one tool for all-wrong!).

Even giving a quick description of the range of use for a simple hex/Allen key is useful, and although some are common to many parts for adjustment/removal/installation others a quite specific in their use and will save someone time and money when needing to obtain one. For instance, who knew that Campagnolo would decide to use a 3.5mm key for their cable clamp setscrew. I know folks who bought an entire hex key set from 1.5mm to 8 mm (but no 3.5mm) without realizing that a 3mm or 4mm key would not work; then they ended up buying another whole set with the 3.5mm key. Unfortunately the 3.5mm is difficult to get by itself unless you wish to procure an overpriced Campagnolo tool.

Other tools/supplies that are still specialty tools, but are not specifically designed just for bikes should be included since they can save time and grief when doing many tasks (picks, magnets, mirrors, files, shim material, steel wool, bronze wool,etc.).
I look at what is required (tools and materials; excluding actual components) not only to service a bike but also improve it above its stock limitations. I'll skip the custom fabrications I have done to create my own tools when unable to readily get what is required for the job (some better fitting than the real thing).

A quick note to those with beat up cone wrenches and the like. You can always machine/file a beat up tool to fit the next size up; e.g. turn a beat up 13mm cone wrench into a 14mm or 15mm to replace the similarly beat sizes you have, thus saving getting new ones all the time and having scrap metal sitting idly by with the perverse temptation to use that tool again.

[SPINMAN]

(01-02-2026, 06:09 AM)Backmuirman Wrote:  Thanks for your reply @SPINMAN. If only that were true! Sounds like you've been really lucky so far!
There are literally hundreds of specialist tools for bike parts, from cassette lockings, bottom brackets, disc brake lockings, suspension forks, spoke nipples, etc, etc...
If you take a look at any online bike shop Q&A section you'll see that many riders are are looking for the right tools to fit and remove parts.
No probs though. Anyone else out there that can help?

Yes, I think you're right, I have been lucky. Looking at my tool kit I have many tools I've never used. My bikes have not been used hard anymore, compared to my MTB days. Long rides, group rides, road rides. I keep every thing clean and shiny and change bikes every 4-6 years. Selling my Argon 18 soon.

[Backmuirman]

Thanks for the replies.
@Jesper , Some helpful comments there to think about. I do have some older tools that I still need details for. Do you have a few older freewheel tools for example?

[enkei]

(01-01-2026, 09:37 AM)GirishH Wrote:  Happy new year, @Backmuirman.

This looks like a @Jesper, @enkei, @SPINMAN, @meamoantonio, or @ReapThaWhirlwind question...:-)

Happy New Year, @GirishH I hope 2026 brings you much fantastic riding.

[GirishH]

A happy new year to you as well, @enkei. I hope you had a great end to the year.

I had hoped to go back and get MisterGordo to ride through the Himalayas of Nepal and India.

Instead, it looks like I’m forced to buy a used bike in the plains and deserts of Rajasthan, India.

So this time I’ll be traveling without my own cycling rig—just picking up a used bicycle in Rajasthan and carrying the bare minimum in my backpack. In a way, I’ll be “cheating” on MisterGordo again, but also riding for a month or two without the usual essentials: tools, tent, or sleeping gear.

(01-05-2026, 09:16 AM)enkei Wrote:  

(01-01-2026, 09:37 AM)GirishH Wrote:  Happy new year, @Backmuirman.

This looks like a @Jesper, @enkei, @SPINMAN, @meamoantonio, or @ReapThaWhirlwind question...:-)

Happy New Year, @GirishH I hope 2026 brings you much fantastic riding.

[meamoantonio]

I believe you can download a park tools manual with all the dimensions already for the tools on their website, I think its a resource that they give for free so mechanics can figure out what to use the tool for, its pretty comprehensive and I think it'll add strides on your project

hope this helps

[enkei]

Regarding the tools in question, none of those are tools with which I am familiar. Surely the manufacturers of the tools or the components on which they're used could provide some of the information you need>