Cycle Repair Tools

Today four tools arrived from Ice Toolz for cycle repairs. Exadsports is the official importer and I bought from them directly. I had to wait for them for a long time. As they had run out of all their tools and were waiting for the new consignment to arrive from Taiwan. Even then I didn't get everything that I wanted. The chain whip for taking out cassettes is still not available. 

I bought these four items. One pedal wrench. A cassette remover lock nut with pin. A chain link breaking tool and a nipple driver. Without taking the items out of their packaging, I placed order for a tool box from Stanley. I think I need a dedicated tool box for my bike tools. The Stanley box seemed to be going quite cheap. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow. 

I have been using the adjustable wrench to remove and instal my pedals. While it does the job, it is better to have a dedicated tool for it because the adjustable wrench can and does put scratch marks on the crank arm. Because they are not as thin as the professional tool. The dedicated tool that I bought is much thinner and should be able to do a cleaner job. 

The nipple driver is not really what I wanted and I didn't know what I was ordering. It is meant for driving nipples using a power tool (like a Bosch type drilling machine). I have such power tool but I am not sure I want to learn driving nipples on spokes using a power tool right away. I might damage the spoke or the rim or both. I would rather carefully hand turn the driver. It will be a slow process and take time. There is another dedicated tool for doing it manually. But I cannot see it on the Exad website now. The Park Tool version is almost Rs 1500 and out of stock.

GoPro Hero 8

Last night I pulled the trigger on the GoPro Hero 8. Surprise of surprises. Amazon delivered it this morning. Less than 12 hours I guess. As if someone was waiting with it next door to Exide. I don't even have a micro SD card to update the camera (though I cannot quite understand why the card will be needed to update the firmware but looks like that's how it is). Have ordered one since. Let me see when it comes. Same Appario but they say it will take a week :-( 

The cost came to Rs 30,990. But I went for a zero interest EMI of six instalments through my HSBC card. Tanvir had it for Rs 26,500 but without bill. 

As of now I have downloaded the two apps on my phone. These are to operate the machine and to edit the media on the go. I will wait for the card to arrive before doing anything else now. I have also ordered for an adaptor to attach the unit to my Gorillapod. It's a third party cheap plastic thing. I don't know how good that will be. But as is, the GoPro cannot be attached to a tripod. On the radar is a sand coloured silicone lanyard and a Chesty. But first let me get comfortable with using the unit then I will order these frills. 

This is a made in China product. My distaste for anything Chinese is well known. But I must say I am impressed by this unit's finish. GoPro has been making waves for a long time now in the field of action cameras. There are very few such Chinese companies who have created a product category and have been dominating the scene for such a long time. This was unbelievable say 20 years ago. I may not like China or the Chinese government but this product is a beauty. 

It lived upto my expectations. Small enough to vanish in one's palm. But powerful enough to do a lot of things in the field of action videos. I plan to use it to make small instructional videos and my travel vlogs. I am looking forward to the pelagic trip with Sujan when I plan to use it. Let me see how it goes.

Monday, 23rd November, 2020 

Today the two ordered items arrived. One is the micro SD card (I bought the 64 GB version) and a tripod adapter. I am at office now. Can't wait to go home and update the camera firmware first. 

Sunday, 6th June, 2021

I had not been using the GoPro too much since buying. It's too feature laden. So much that it overwhelms me a bit and intimidates me. Also I didn't feel inspired enough to make any video. On 3rd June, however, I took it out to record my ride of 9 kms around Southern Avenue, Gariahat. Before this I had bought a very cheap handle mount. The result can be seen here. This is just an experiment on how to use the GoPro really. Do not look for flaws or meaning in this video.

I also recently bought a GoPro shorty for about Rs 3K off Amazon. It is a very well made small tripod. Ideal for travelling or for desktop shooting. It can also be used for selfies. I had earlier bought a chest strap which can be used while trekking or while cycling or motorcycling also. The bicycle mount that I bought off flipkart was a cheap Rs 350 (the original GoPro mount costs upward of Rs 5K). It broke off the next day on its own, being unable to keep the pressure of the bolt. I guess I will get the real thing before another epic ride.

Monday, 15th June, 2021 - Handlebar Mount (old style)

Much to Monisha's chagrin I bought yet another attachment for my GoPro ;-) . It's a bicycle mount. The original but the older model. When I saw it was available with Iamastudent at Rs 2880 I thought it was a steal. I placed the order immediately. The new model costs Rs 5550.

This older generation has two problems. A. The rotating head has to be adjusted with an Allen key (in the new model which costs double this older one it is matter of just turning it with a click by hand). B. In fact all the three screws  need an Allen key to tighten or loosen. These are not thumb screws. The three screws are a. for attaching the unit to the handle bar b. for tightening the rotating head c. for tightening the GoPro. 

That I travel with my multitool is a different matter but those who do not, must keep this Allen key safe yet handy while travelling. 

The pack came with five different rubber inserts to fit a range of diameters. The diameter sizes are written on the ring itself. I knew the size of my Surly handlebar so it was not a problem. Before I realised this i had to do some trial and error. 

My next item on the wish list is a GoPro protective housing. Unfortunately it costs upwards of Rs 4300 :-( But if I was to go on a long trip I would like to put my camera in one of those. 

Having bought a few cheap 3rd party mounts as well as a few original ones I have realised why the GoPro items are so very expensive. My Rs 350 bicycle mount, bought off Flipkart, lasted a day. It could have broken on the road as well, potentially damaging the camera.  

I created a short video about this mount. Here you can watch it on Vimeo.