Unknown Spanner
By J.R. Bluett
Mike, a Toolmonger reader, wrote us about a tool he saw in a YouTube video (see the screen capture above). He says:
“I’ve been looking at some bicycle repair videos on YouTube and found one where this fella has this outstanding little wrench. It looks like it has two dice-shaped ends with multiple wrench sizes. I’ve looked all over online and couldn’t find one though.”
I managed to find the tool through some creative Internet mumbo-jumbo searching (read: sifting through a bunch of Google Images) and it appears that the little multi-spanner/wrench is called a Tool Bone Bicycle Wrench, at least by some. Even with this name, though, I’m only getting a few hits in searches. The good news: It appears for $3 on Amazon.
Do any Toolmongers out there know a more common name for this tool? Let us know in comments.
Folding Bicycle [YouTube]
Via Amazon [What’s This?] [What's This?]
August 12th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I always thought they were called “dogbone” wrenches, but that’s not turning up much on Google either.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Rivendell Bicycles sells them as “Dumbell Tool.” Theirs is $6.
They describe it as an early multi-tool before most bolts on bicycles switched to allen. I’ve actually been meaning to get one to take with me when I ride my old bikes.
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tools#product=19-063
August 12th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
had one as a kid - you don’t want it, they are made of pot metal
August 12th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I’ve seen these at places like K-Mart or Walmart in the sporting goods section with the bicycle tools and accessories. Never seen one at an actual hardware/tool store though.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
There are a few on eBay right now. Search for “dogbone wrench” and look in eBay stores.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
In Germany they came with every bicycle in the 70s. They were called “Knochen” (or dog bone). They bend and break off easily and ruin you knuckles. Ad since they are somewhat expensive to manufacture, you will probably not find them anymore.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Buy a Park multi-tool instead - they only make quality stuff:
Made of investment cast steel and electroless nickel plated for durability, the MT-1 features 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex wrenches; 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm socket wrenches; and a straight blade screwdriver.
$9 from REI
http://www.rei.com/product/639291?cm_mmc=cse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-na&mr:trackingCode=87DDEFD9-D167-DD11-98CA-001422107090&mr:referralID=NA
August 12th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
If you wish to gander at bike tools take a look at this site:
http://www.biketoolsetc.com
When my kids were younger - about 20 years ago - I became the neighborhood bike repair person - boy can you invest in tools!
August 12th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Buy it from Riv, they are nice, if you want one:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/tools#product=19-063
August 12th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I don’t know the name of it but i got one in a kit at The Andersons for 3 bucks in a kit with the kids bike supplies, I’ve also seen them at Walmart for around the same price.
August 12th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Might be better off with a Gator Grip socket and ratchet.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Not sure why you’d look on a tool store for a bike specialty item… as noted, just about any bike/outdoors store will carry them.
They’re vaguely popular for bicyclists because they’re small and light — both important for any tools you’re going to stick in an on-the-go repair kit.
For shop use there are far better options, but a Gator Grip isn’t among them. For anything. Ever.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
like jonathan peterson said, look for the Park multi tool. it looks very similer and is made to drop in your ride bag/pack for on the road repairs. not really useful for anything in the shop because it’s small and has a ton o tools, but there is no substitute for it (besides your shop tools) when your on a ride.
August 12th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Dumbell wrench (or spanner).
http://uk.shoppydoo.com/prices-bikes_accessories.html
August 12th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Forget it - get a bicycle multi-tool, or a Leatherman or something like that. They’re made of very brittle die-cast metal and as soon as you put a decent amount of torque on it, the metal will shear off and you’ll hurt yourself.
August 12th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
I use carry a 9″ auto wrench (opens up to 4″), patch kit, and a leatherman on my belt. A 6″ adjustable wrench would work fine and be more compact than the auto wrench and let you do most of what you would need to do on the road. I am a daily bicycle commuter, this is all the kit I have ever needed. Oh yeah and I have a pump but the frame has braze ons to hold it.
August 12th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I remember getting one in my Christmas stocking in the ’50s.
August 12th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I’ll add a third to Jonathan: Park makes the best bike tools (http://www.parktool.com/). They have everything from wallet-sized multitools up to a thing the size of a Leatherman that has everything from chain tool to spoke wrench to a tube jimmy… and a couple more that I can’t remember.
You can put together a kit of bike tools from anywhere, but Park does some truly impressive industrial design that’s focused on meeting cyclists’ needs.
August 13th, 2008 at 12:36 am
I’d be willing to buy the Rivendell version just based on their reputation for stocking quality goods, but my favored bike tool is the Crank Brothers Multi-17, which somehow manages to cram a chain tool and four sizes of spoke wrench into a 170 g package, and doesn’t scrimp on the other usual drivers.
The only time I used a pot metal dog bone, it broke on the first bolt I turned it on.
My kit today consists of a patch kit, pump, a Multi-17, and a stubby 15 combination wrench for pulling the wheels on a few of my oddball bikes.
August 13th, 2008 at 4:46 am
Yeah it’s a cheap bike tool made from pot metal. Nice if your riding but if your home use a wrench there is nothing special about the size/ shape/ design of this tool that will give you an advantage at home.
August 13th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I’ll second the Crank Bros multi tool, and up the ante. I’ve got the 19 ; )
August 13th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
I would think a few cone wrenches would be stronger than that thing anyway without weighing any more.
December 11th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Forget these tools, made of putty and will do yourself damage if you put any pressure on them, by all means use a gator.. if you want to ruin your fasteners!!
February 1st, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I am not sure who sells these things retail, but my former employer had these Fuller bicycle tools that folded up and had hex bits, screwdriver (flat and phillips) , spoke wrench, wrenchs (both socket and a open endtype ). I imagine someone must carry it it weighs about 4 ounces and doesnt ake up much room at all as its folding. Not to mention its steel so I think it could take a fair bit of abuse.
May 27th, 2009 at 11:58 am
walmart used to sell this with a cheap bicycle tool kit in the toy dept not too long ago. not sure if they still do. it was around $6 for the whole kit.
August 29th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Hokey smokes, I still have the one I bought over 35 years ago at a K-Mart.
I think it was hand tool purchase 8 of 3000, and still counting.
Die cast zinc alloy.