Cycling UK Forum

Does anyone have a tip for a good, easily-found and reasonably cheap tool that I can use as a "third hand" - holding the brake pads against the rim while I adjust them?

Thanks for any help!

zip tie?

Toe strap?

Third hand tool http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bicycle-Brake ... %26ps%3D54

I bought one many years ago similar to the eBay one.

Excellent bit of kit, and well worth the couple of quids I paid for it. Simple and efficient and easy to use. I don't ever consider NOT using it when I set up my brakes.

Toe strap sounds fine: I have put the brake on and then tied the blocks by wrapping string around tightly. There is a specific tool made for this but improvise!

It's worth buying a Third Hand tool - as they're only a few quid, very quick and simple to use, so much so than straps or similar - and it's a tool that gets used quite often.

Yep.

You can fit them with one hand. Hook the end through the spokes and onto the brake block bolt, pull the handle and fit it to the other brake block bolt.

Bob's your uncle.

Toe straps?
I got rid of mine years ago.

Tie wraps?
Too much fiddling.

Buy a 3rd Hand Tool.
You know it makes sense.

Third hand tools only work if you have enough cable spare after the clamp bolt.

Redvee wrote:Third hand tools only work if you have enough cable spare after the clamp bolt.

??

You need enough spare cable, whichever tool you use?

Or have I missed the point?

I think you mean 4th Hand Tool.
They grip the cables.

3rd Hand Tools hold the callipers together.

Good picture, Mick, although I always put my handle on the opposite side to the bolt clamp (I'm sure you do as well).

Yes, I have a fourth hand tool, but I very rarely use it - it seemed like a good idea when I bought it, shortly after doing my bike maintenance course, but that is the beauty of the third hand tool: very quick; very simple!

Mick F wrote:I think you mean 4th Hand Tool.

I do, so long since I used a third hand tool but do have a forth hand tool which was invented by a troll who lived under a bridge

Thanks, guys!

Redvee wrote:Third hand tools only work if you have enough cable spare after the clamp bolt.

and if you have brake bolts for them to grip, third hand tools are prone to slipping off of modern road brakes. Tbh i just grab the brake with one hand, pull the cable and tighten the bolt, my third hand is languishing somewhere in the bottom of a tool box!