Threaded #33: Bottom bracket tool chaos of mechanic members

Tech features

Many methods to better organise the mess.

Dave Rome

Ever since Escape launched, we’ve encouraged those working in the industry to access our content and engage in the conversation. And as it’s the mechanics who help to keep many of our joy machines running, we’ve always offered pro wrenchers access to Escape at the cost of what’s effectively our admin fee.

However, before that deal is given, those mechanics have to pass a test: share a photo of their (or their shop’s) bottom bracket tool collection to help prove they do in fact work in the industry as a spanner-turning, derailleur-whispering, lunch-skipping bike dork. After all, anyone working as a professional mechanic has almost certainly amassed a ridiculous number of tools to cover the batshit array of non-standardised fitments that plague the modern bike world.

This arguably flawed test is part honesty system and part a bit of a laugh. However, as Escape comes up to nearly two years of age, it dawned on us that we now have hundreds of photos of mechanics’ bottom bracket (along with freewheel and similar socket-type) tool collections. So with that, and in what's easily the most haphazard edition of Threaded yet, I've decided to share a small selection of those collections, spanning from chaos to organised genius. And just in case that all sounds a little silly, I’ve added some organisation tips that you may find helpful in organising your forever ballooning mess of such small cycling-specific tools.

A special thank you to all the shops and mechanics that support Escape, and in turn, that sent through photos. I’ve whittled down the photos largely based on quality (some must have been taken with a potato) and framing (sorry to the dozens that sent through seflies). Oh, and if you’re a pro mechanic and keen to gain access to all that Escape Collective has to offer, then please fill in this form.

A single picture that perfectly explains the problem in the bike industry and why we use such a photo as a test. Belonging to Bike Mart in Richardson, Texas, I consider this to be a well-organised mess, one that has obviously been accrued over many years. Ok, let's look at some others that I've grouped into approximate categories of storage type.

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