Fresh Goods Sunday - Park Tool DW-2 Clutch Wrench (Specialized Creo Headset Spanner)

 

When I bought my first Specialized Creo and needed to replace the lower headset bearing you need a 3mm open ended very thin spanner. You get one in your manuals box with the bike which fits perfectly but I come across a one from ParkTool so decided to buy it in case I loose the other one. Recently I had to replace my lower headset bearing on my Specialized Creo 2 and the special locking / adjustment system is the same as the Creo 1. So I decided to get it out of my tool box and whip it into action. I have never used the tool for the intended use on Shimano clutch rear mechs but is always there just in case. The other end has a 5.5mm open end. As ever the rrp is eye watering for such a small basic tool so shop around for a bargain. 

RRP £7.99 and I paid £4.23 from Ebay 

Manufactures Blurb - 

•  Small, thin wrench with 5.5mm and 3mm openings
• Designed to fit the rear derailleur clutch tension adjuster on Shimano XT, SLX, Deore, Saint and Zee rear Shadow Plus (+) derailleurs and all previous Shadow Plus models

Frosty morning from Cox Green around the coast to Souter Lighthouse n back

 

After yesterdays blow out on the rear tyre it was time to have another go on the Creo 1 gravel bike. A new Gravelking tyre fitted, tubeless rim tape repaired and fresh Stans sealant in and the old girl is ready for a few more miles yet. 

There was a good overnight frost with the temperature dipping down to 1 degrees. There was plenty of frost on the windscreens and the grass was white but the sun was blazing away. I missed nearly all the freezing patchy fog and bit burned through to a lovely morning. I parked up at Cox Green and hopped straight onto the C2C do to Sunderland, Roker and up the coast to Souter lighthouse. I was steady away enjoying the weather and there was no freezing cold wind eithe which made a huge difference. There was loads of others out n about early doors enjoying the sun. No mishaps on the Creo 1 on todays ride thank the lords. There is still a diversion half way along the new resurfaced track at  the back of Washington/A19, still no signs of fully reopening but looks completed. Shame it is not a smooth ride, very bumpy considering it is band new! Anyway all in just over 25 miles in 1hr 59mins with just under 1000ft of climbing. Enjoy the snaps below and hopefully more soon- 

Disaster on my Original OG Creo 1 Gravel bike

 

Yesterday I spent a good half day going over all my bikes making sure everything was mechanically sound, all cleaned and charged up. I also gave all the bikes a coat of AutoGlym Ceramic Spray. All the bikes were all ready to rock n rock. 

This morning after a meeting the sun finally come out so I took my OG Creo 1 gravel bike out for a local spin. I hoped onto the old railway line behind Meadowfield sports centre and headed for Bishop. Just outside Willington I could hear a hissing sound, looked down and the bike and myself was covered in Stans yet again. It was sealing then re squirting so I stopped and checked it out. A big branch/twig had gone straight into/through the tyre. I decided to pull it out and plug the hole. With the hole being that big I lost all the air in the tyre and it had come off the bead. I could not air it back up as the beads would not snap back on. Plan B fit an inner tube, this worked and I left the plug in place to stop the tube going out through the hole. By now I was sick, everything covered in sticky Stans and had no second spare tube. I opted to continue to Bishop, did a lap of the market place and headed back to Meadowfield. The tracks are bone dry, rock hard and dusty. No many others out either. All in just over 17 miles in 1hr 16mins with 400ft of climbing. 

When I got home it took twice as long to re wash the bike, strip the inner tube out, refit the tubeless valve, fit a new spare tyre, pour new Stans in to discover the rim tape was punctured so had to strip the everything back off the wheel to repair the tubeless tape and start all over again. No to worry these things happen, there is always tomorrow.