The old Park Tool chain whip I got for $12 at a garage sale back in 2013 still works better than my new one from Amazon

I picked up this beat up chain whip at a garage sale off Burnet Road about 11 years ago. The handle was wrapped in old electrical tape and it had some rust spots but man that thing just grabs every time. Last month I bought a new one off Amazon because I thought it was time for an upgrade. The new one slips on the cogs and I swear the pins are softer or something. I actually went back to the old one after three rides because I stripped a bolt on the new one trying to get it tight enough. Did they just make tools better back then or am I getting cheap knockoffs now? Has anyone else noticed newer bike tools not holding up like the old ones?

2 comments

2 Comments

henderson.kim2d ago

Read something online about how some companies quietly switch to cheaper materials once they get a good reputation. A guy on a mechanics forum tested a few new chain whips and found the hardened steel was way thinner than the old ones. Makes you wonder if the old stuff is actually built stronger or if we just got lucky finding the last good batch.

xena_rivera632d ago

Oh my goodness, my buddy Mark bought a fancy new torque wrench and it snapped on its third use.