I picked a $35 Park Tool chain tool over a Shimano one and my buddies laughed at me

Been working on bikes out of my garage in Portland for about 2 years now. Everyone I know swears by the Shimano TL-CN42 for chain work, says it cuts cleaner and lasts longer. I grabbed the Park Tool CT-3.3 instead because it was half the price and I needed to save cash at the time. Three months in and I've done maybe 50 chains with it, still works fine. The pin pusher hasn't bent, the handle feels solid, and I haven't stripped a single chain pin yet. My friend Dave said I'd regret it by now but I honestly don't see the difference for home shop use. Anyone else here use the cheaper tools and have them hold up okay?

4 comments

4 Comments

danielnelson1mo ago

@matthewdixon probably has a point about the IKEA hex wrench though haha. But yeah $35 Park Tool chain tool is totally fine for home use, I've been using the same one for like 2 years now with no issues. The Shimano one is nice but not worth double the price unless you're trying to run a full shop or something.

piperbailey1mo ago

Nah, Park Tool stuff is totally fine. People are just brand snobs honestly.

the_linda1mo ago

Right? "Brand snobs" is generous. I've seen people act like using a Park Tool hex wrench instead of some boutique titanium set is a crime against cycling. Like sorry I don't need a carbon fiber torque wrench that costs more than my bike just to tighten my bottle cage bolts. But hey, whatever helps you sleep at night knowing your derailleur hanger was aligned with a five hundred dollar tool.

matthewdixon1mo ago

Is my whole bike supposed to fall apart now since I tightened my stem with a free Allen wrench from IKEA?