Park Tool releases new derailleur hanger gauge, bit tool and more
The world’s largest bicycle tool company, Park Tool, has been busy expanding its enormous catalogue of tools. Today the company has announced four new additions to the workshop range which arrive hot on the heels of a recent expansion in bearing-related tools.
The DAG-3: A new derailleur hanger alignment tool
Derailleur hanger alignment gauges are a must-have tool in any professional workshop or well-equipped home setup. Park Tool’s DAG-2 series of derailleur hanger alignment gauges have been widely copied in recent decades and have gone through a number of iterations in order to keep up to date with frame compatibility and the demand for increased alignment accuracy.
While Park’s industrial-looking DAG-2.2 remains a staple in many workshops around the world, the likes of EVT (Efficient Velo Technology) and Abbey Bike Tools have shown that there are more elegant and faster ways to measure the straightness of a derailleur hanger. Notably, these tools allow the sliding indicator to quickly pivot around frame obstructions, fender struts, and racks without changing the measurement setting.
The new DAG-3 is Park Tool’s answer to these innovations and offers a pivoting indicator to speed up the process. This workshop tool is designed to work with everything from 16″ to 29″ wheels, and offers a low-profile head to fit low-clearance thru-axle derailleur hangers. The main body is aluminium and offers a keyed channel for the sliding indicator component. That sliding indicator simply uses a friction fit without the ability to lock it in place.
First impressions are that the threaded tip of the tool is noticeably well toleranced and doesn’t wiggle like previous versions of the DAG-2, while the aluminium construction provides a lighter and more refined feel in use. Priced at US$117, the new DAG-3 is a premium upgrade to the pre-existing DAG-2.2 (US$80). Expect an update to the “best derailleur hanger tool” article in the near future.
The new DAG-3 allows the indicator to flip 90º for quicker use. 
With the indicator flipped out and ready for measurement. 
The indicator is held with a friction fit. 
Park Tool has seemingly increased the fit tolerances of the rotating head. 
The aluminium tool body is keyed so the sliding indicator cannot turn off plane. 
The DAG-3 versus the DAG-2.2. 
A close-up of the DAG-3 against the DAG-2.2. 
The new DAG-3 against the Abbey Bike Tools HAG. The two tools take quite a different design approach.
QTH-1: Quick Change Bit Driver Set
Bit-based tools are a great space-conscious way to cover a wide range of tool sizes, and the new QTH-1 is a workshop-grade offering with a unique feature. This T-handled bit driver (non-ratcheting) works with standard 1/4″ bits and features a magnetic quick-change lever for easy one-handed changing of bits.
The tool includes a bit holder that can either be magnetically attached to the side of a steel workstand or permanently mounted to a flat surface. Park Tool includes eight commonly used bit sizes, and the holder has space for two more.
I received a test sample just hours ago and early impressions are that changing the bits in this tool is indeed a one-handed operation. The bit-holder acts as a loading and unloading dock for the bits, while the small sprung handle is an effective solution to disengage the bits. The construction quality is high and the tool is comfortable in the hand. This tool, including the bit holder, retails for US$57.
Pulling this lever removes the magnetic hold of the bit. 
The tool is made in the USA and offers an industrial feel. 
The tool handle can be stored with the bits. 
The magnetic bit holder can be attached in many places, including the side of a workstand. 
Even the bit holder shows some careful thought.
HBH-3: An Extendable Handlebar Holder
Bleeding hydraulic disc brakes often calls for getting the brake up at a weird angle so that gravity can assist. As you point the front wheel to the sky you’ll often find that the bars no longer stay where you want them, and this is where Park Tool’s new extendable handlebar holder comes in.
This telescoping tool simply allows you to affix the handlebars in a set position. The tool features rubber straps on articulating clamps that install onto any round tube from 12 to 60 mm in diameter, as well as working with a number of irregular and aero-shaped profiles. It can also be strapped around the arm or strut of a workstand. The tool extends from 45 to 81 cm in length, and collapses to 43 cm for storage. The HBH-3 is priced at US$43.
This is the first time Park Tool has offered such a tool, but alternative options have existed for some time. Feedback Sports offers its Flop Stop for US$25, while a number of generic home mechanic bike stands include a similar thing. Park Tool’s version aims to work with a wider variety of tube shapes, offer a softer hold, all while being more sturdy.
Diamond Abrasive Adaptor for Carbon Fiber disc mount facing
Here’s a tool that shouldn’t need to exist. Designed to be used with Park Tool’s DT-5 or DT-5.2 disc tab facing tools, this is a diamond abrasive adapter for bringing wonky and poorly made carbon fibre brake tabs into a perpendicular plane.
Park Tool’s disc tab facing tools come with a cutter intended for use on metal, and using it on carbon fibre tends to leave disappointing results and a blunt tool. The new diamond abrasive adapter (#2197) should allow for easier and more accurate fixing of problematic carbon fibre frames and forks. This is a shop tool and so Park has not set a retail price.
Assorted bearing tools
While the four tools covered above are all new as of today, Park Tool also recently expanded its line of workshop bottom bracket and bearing service tools.
The BBP-2 is Park Tool’s answer to working with press-fit bottom brackets without the use of a hammer. The tool uses expanding collets and cups – along with the bearing press – to pull bearings and cups out. The press is then used to install new bearings and cups into place. Park also offers just the extractor set (BBP-AOS) as an add-on for those that own a press.
Park Tool also introduced its first slide hammer bearing extractor, a workshop tool that allows the removal of cartridge bearings that have no easy access from behind. The set of five expanding collets work with bearings ranging from 6 to 32 mm internal diameter.
Lastly, there’s the Suspension Bearing Kit (SBK-1) which aims to be a versatile bearing press and puller kit for full suspension pivot servicing.
The BBP-2 aims to be a complete solution to (almost) all press-fit bottom brackets. 
The BBP-AOS covers just the removal portion of press-fit bottom brackets and can be an add-on for those that already have the press. 
The SBK-1 is for installing and removing cartridge bearings in full-suspension frames. 
The SHX-1 is Park Tool’s first slide hammer for blind hold bearing removal.
For more information about any of the above, head to parktool.com.
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