Cone Wrench Sizing

[ATN]

If I want to work on some recent Shimano hubs, ones below Deore, what size cone wrenches should I buy?

[speed metal]

Front or back?

You will likely need a 13, 15 and a 17, but you will need to put the wrench on the hub to check. Shimano likes to change things up alot.

[ATN]

All rear.

So pretty much I need one of each of the DCW series, that gives me 13,14,15,16,17,18, 2 per wrecnch, $5 per wrench.

[coolie]

all you need is a 15mm cone wrench and a 17mm regular wrench (ie. craftsman) to work on your rear hub.

get the good cone wrench with the blue handle, not the double wrenches. they're worth it, much easier to handle.

[ATN]

S(hop)CW-series 15 is all I need?

Thanks, you just saved me 8 bucks. (Even more if I bought all blue)

[switch]

You might need two of each as sometimes you need to grip the cone, and also the locking nut. If so, you definitely want cone wrenches as they are really thin and fit properly.

[ATN]

Hmmm, it's on backorder, I'll see about getting another one added.

So Rob, you say I need two 15's and two 17's?

I'm ordering these from MEC because I also ordered a bb tool and a crank puller, I could see how it works out and go pay retail at the LBS if I need another.

[lockemiester]

15 and 17 should do you fine. It could be handy to have 2 15's. And get a axle vice, it makes working on hubs easy.

[XXX_er]

IMO get the park 13-18 double ended wrenches from MEC

you will need em eventualy ,think of it as building a tool kit

[ATN]

Maybe the 13-18 double ended and a 15 single?

That would be about 24 bucks.

[switch]

Originally posted by XXX_er
IMO get the park 13-18 double ended wrenches from MEC

you will need em eventualy ,think of it as building a tool kit

That's what I got - 13/14, 15/16, 17/18. If you can afford it, buy the tools you need, and buy the correct tools.

ATN - I can't remember what hub I had that required two cone wrenches the same size. I think it was an XT rear, but it could have been a Formula rear.

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by switch
That's what I got - 13/14, 15/16, 17/18. If you can afford it, buy the tools you need, and buy the correct tools.

ATN - I can't remember what hub I had that required two cone wrenches the same size. I think it was an XT rear, but it could have been a Formula rear.

I can third the suggestion to buy the double-ended Park wrenches. Buy the whole set as they are only about $5 a piece at MEC.

When working on Deore-level hubs, I only use one cone wrench and an adjustable wrench for the locking nut.

[ATN]

Err, well most of my order has probably been shipped by now... should I cancel the shop-level 15mm on backorder?

[switch]

The DCWs work great - don't need anything else.

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by switch
The DCWs work great - don't need anything else.

Yup. Since cones require relatively little torque, the double-ended wrenches will last you a long time.

[ATN]

I'll cancel the backorder then.

And get the DCW's at some other time.

[XXX_er]

Cone adjustment has always used 2 different double ended wrenches as far as I can remember but there are probably exceptions.Get the double enders ,they will be more compact in a small tool box so you can take em with you when you go on a road trip.

you will have and will need all these sizes at some point in your biking career so build yerself a tool kit

bikes ,jobs,wives,houses have come and gone but I still got and use quality tools from 30 years ago