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Shimano TL-SR22 Chain Whip and Lockring Tool

8
£39.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Sturdy sprocket tool that should be a part of every dedicated fixed or track rider's armoury
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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Shimano's TL-SR22 (catchy name) is a workshop quality bit of kit for getting your fixed sprocket super-tight. With an over-engineered lockring spanner and a heavy-duty chainwhip it'll cope with any 1/8" or 3/32" sprocket.

This tool is a heavy duty bit of kit: you won't want to carry it around with you, but if you like to chop and change ratios on your fixed or track bike then it'll pay for itself soon enough. Well, quite soon anyway. £40 is a fair whack for a spanner but a threaded sprocket is something you really, really want to get properly tight as anyone who's ever pitched themselves over the bars after a slipped cog – me, for example – will confirm.

The lockring tool is capable of some serious torque, and you'll need to be careful with Aluminium lockrings as it's fairly easy to cut a chunk out if you go too hard with the big rubberised handle. The chain whip has five links of sturdy 1/8" chain and a separate link to hold the sprocket nice and firmly; it'll work with 3/32" cogs too although you'll need to take a bit more care.

Verdict

If fixed or track riding is a big part of your life then you'll not find a sturdier sprocket tool than this. A workshop staple and once-only purchase.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Shimano TL-SR22 Chain Whip and Lockring Tool

Size tested: 1.1/8

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, though it ain't cheap

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, then they wouldn't have to borrow mine!

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 190cm  Weight: 96kg

I usually ride: whatever I\\\'m testing...  My best bike is: Genesis Equilibrium with Ultegra 6700

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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1 comments

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antonio | 14 years ago
0 likes

A bit pricey but good for those who need the one eighth size, I modified my 3/32 by riveting a piece of 1/8th chain to the tool.

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