It’s not a trip to the Sea Otter Classic without catching up with the Friar, AKA Abbey Bike Tools founder Jason Quade. Not only does he usually have new product to show us, but it’s always a fascinating conversation covering all aspects of the industry.
On the product side, Abbey has always focused on making professional tools for professional mechanics on the go. Now, those professional mechanics who hold down the local shops are getting some love with some new shop-specific tools. Jason calls these “the right tool for the right application. These aren’t the Team Issue tools made with exotic materials.” Instead, these are for stationary mechanics who desire ultimate durability over lightweight portability.
Abbey Shop Whip-It & Shop Crombie Tool
As a result, Abbey has introduced the Shop Whip-It and the Shop Crombie tool. Both are fully heat-treated, compared to the standard Crombie and Whip, which used a heat-treated head on the Crombie tool.
The Shop Whip-It has a reinforced head with more material around the chain connection points, only machined down where it has to be. It also uses a stronger KMC e10 chain, which is still compatible with 7-13 speed drivetrains.
Additionally, it includes a new 3D printed magnet to help keep the chain anchored when storing the tool, and aid in chain wrap when using it on a cassette. These magnets will also fit legacy chain whips, if you want to add one to your current tools.
The Shop Crombie tool features a Shimano lockring tool on both sides, with one side for QR (which will work over many skewers without removal) and the other for thru axles. Both the Shop Whip-It and Shop Crombie sell for $65 each.
Abbey Spoke Wrench
At Sea Otter last year, Abbey showed us a prototype of their first spoke wrench. That spoke wrench is now available in a three-sided version, with a four-sided version coming soon. Initially, Abbey made the prototype out of solid aluminum just to speed the prototyping process, knowing that the final product would have a steel reinforcement for the nipple slot. While the aluminum models held up surprisingly well, the production versions have the steel reinforcement as promised, and are offered in the 3.23mm size, which is the equivalent of the black spoke wrench from Park Tool.
The Spoke Wrench is designed to play well with the DT Swiss bladed spoke holder, and the Abbey Spoke Wrench is priced at $53.
