Touch adjust tool now available in limited edition colours

[Spinnekop]

What bikeshops in Pretoria is suppose to have stock of this?  

Will you guys be at the 94.7 expo?

[AdamA]

Hi Morne,

 

Thanks!

 

I am very aware of all the tools out in the market... I spent many months dealing with the factory that make Topeak tools, but they could not do what I wanted in the end.

 

If I wanted to sell a product that is similar to what is out there already, I would just add my logo onto an existing design, many people do this in the bicycle industry with various products... It is just not the direction I want to go. Unless I feel I can evolve a products use/experience, I don't want to make it as there is so much choice out there already!

 

From my experience with modern bike technology, tyre levers and chain tools are seldom used on a ride... but they are needed!

Back in the day before tubeless and better chain production techniques I would be using tyre levers and chain tools a lot more often... but these days it is very much only on occasion - I don't even carry a tyre lever when I mtb.

 

The tool that one uses most, and that I want to encourage people to use, is a toolset to adjust their bike during rides.

Tweak that bar position, saddle tilt, brake lever angle, shifter position, pedal cleat tension, caliper position to stop rubbing, seatpost height, tighten headset etc.

 

I see so many people riding their bikes and complaining of comfort issues and their cleats too tight or loose. When what they need to do is start playing with their setup more, get accustomed to the different positions one adjusts the various parts on the bike etc, this all makes a huge difference to the riding feel, comfort, speed and handling one can manage on a bicycle.

 

The Touch adjust tool is the tool for this... it is designed to be quickly used to adjust the bike on the go, and the pleasure of using it I hope encourages people to play with their bike setup. Fixing a bike on the trail is hopefully not that common, bicycle technology is really good these days, and unless the bike has been assembled and maintained badly, or very cheap parts used, not a lot goes wrong on most rides.

 

For me, if I have to spend a minute just to get to my tool, and then take glove off to use it properly... sorry, it is just too much time and effort, and limits me wanting to adjust the bike.

I wonder how many people have ridden their bikes for months where during the ride they think, when I get home I will adjust my bar or saddle etc, and then when you get home, you never do it, one forgets!

 

I do plan to write some articles on bike setup on my website to help people understand more about this. And open to run a workshop for bicycle setup where people can start understanding how bar tilt can change your whole ride feel - just a small example. Suspension setup, tyre pressure, derailleur adjustments, how to tighten a headset, saddle positioning and how it affects ones riding when one changes it.

 

I see riders with bars tilted down on their mtb... its terrible on the wrists. Brake levers tilted flat and too close to the grip area so the hand is so crunched in when trying to brake, especially when they stand up. Shift levers so close to grip that the hand rubs on it.

 

Many riders know how to set their bike up, but majority don't... and I hope that my Touch adjust tool will encourage one to start this process from the fact that one needs to build the tool according to what your bike needs. You will need to check your bike out carefully and make the best decision!

 

I know this comment is bit off topic, but just trying to show the understanding behind the relationship one can have with ones bike and the tools and where I see my brand going with the products I will release - not just tools : )

 

What a brilliant reply! You raised many valid points and as has been mentioned before, this has been a long time in coming. 

[TouchBikeParts]

What bikeshops in Pretoria is suppose to have stock of this?  

Will you guys be at the 94.7 expo?

Howdi!|

 

We are selling online mainly for now, some local Cape Town shops do have some stock, but as mentioned in the comments somewhere (I know there are many!)... the production cost of the product is very high and I don't have a huge amount of stock... so selling to shops or distributors is not a focus at the moment unfortunately...

 

Shops are welcome to contact me... I am happy send a few out!

 

 

Wont be at 94.7 expo unfortunately, sorry!

[solty]

I got one about 2 months ago. Great service from Raoul.

The tool fits well in the hand, with no flexing or twisting across the frame when you're really cranking something. Excellent machining.

[PhilipV]

I looked at one at my LBS this morning. Shoooweeee it is a nicely made tool. 

I don't need it all, I won't even ride with it, but I NEED it! 

[TouchBikeParts]

I looked at one at my LBS this morning. Shoooweeee it is a nicely made tool. 

I don't need it all, I won't even ride with it, but I NEED it! 

Hey Philip... nice to hear, thanks! But hope that if you do get one, you will start to ride with it : )

 

With a little lube on the pivot washers and some extra pre-loading of the bolts, it really becomes a satisfying experience using it...!!

Apart from the look of all the machined parts that you like, the use of it I hope will make one want to use it all the time!

 

I have stopped using my workshop tools when working on my bikes at home as I just really enjoy the wielding of it - except for pedals and cranks, I use proper extra long length tools for them to get the required torque.

 

 

[Jewbacca]

This tool is rad. It's on my Christmas list. I would ask for Pink sides but I know he will just laugh at me.

 

Also, maybe you should machine a pocket size shovel so we can keep all the berms and cut aways sharp on the cork tree trail........ 

 

I love how okes know better without knowing that Raoul has been a big part in designing bikes, building bikes, fitting bikes, designing suspension systems, messing with frame geo, speccing bike OEM etc for years! 

[Spinnekop]

This tool is rad. It's on my Christmas list. I would ask for Pink sides but I know he will just laugh at me.

 

Also, maybe you should machine a pocket size shovel so we can keep all the berms and cut aways sharp on the cork tree trail........ 

 

I love how okes know better without knowing that Raoul has been a big part in designing bikes, building bikes, fitting bikes, designing suspension systems, messing with frame geo, speccing bike OEM etc for years! 

What makes you think we don't know who Raoul is?

[Shebeen]

This tool is rad. It's on my Christmas list. I would ask for Pink sides but I know he will just laugh at me.

 

 

oh I think there's laughing going on

 

[Jewbacca]

oh I think there's laughing going on

 

That's purple?

[Jewbacca]

What makes you think we don't know who Raoul is?

Umm.... Maybe you do but judging by some of the comments I'm sure not everyone does.

 

I definitely didn't say 'Nobody knows' just that some people don't.

 

Why is everyone so sensitive?

 

I think it's that time of the year where I bow out of this place

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Umm.... Maybe you do but judging by some of the comments I'm sure not everyone does.

 

I definitely didn't say 'Nobody knows' just that some people don't.

 

Why is everyone so sensitive?

 

I think it's that time of the year where I bow out of this place

Don't do it, guy! Don't! 

 

And yeah, that is def purple. 

[Jewbacca]

Don't do it, guy! Don't! 

 

And yeah, that is def purple. 

hahahaha I won't.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who either see's that as purple or is colour blind.

 

Pink and purple are not the same thing!

[Plentipotential]

Pink, purple, chain breaker or no chain breaker, that is a sweet piece of kit. You have raised the bar. I tip my hat to you Sir. Well done!

[TouchBikeParts]

That's purple?

It is violet... and depending on the light, quite pink! Had them anodised locally and the green and violet are quite subdued, nice "sophisticated" versions of them.

 

Green is very mature colour. Violet I would call is a pastel violet, pink. Come have a look if you in the area, can select a pair : )

[Jewbacca]

It is violet... and depending on the light, quite pink! Had them anodised locally and the green and violet are quite subdued, nice "sophisticated" versions of them.

 

Green is very mature colour. Violet I would call is a pastel violet, pink. Come have a look if you in the area, can select a pair : )

hahaha Violet, Mauve, Magenta..... It's not pink! 

 

But I will definitely get Mrs McKechnie to order me one of the almost pink ones for Christmas!