The Tools of the Future (Printed Today)
At The Cycle Cure Company Ltd, I am always looking for ways to make bike maintenance more efficient, less messy, and more accessible. Recently, I’ve taken a leap into the world of additive manufacturing by designing and 3D printing a few custom tools that have already become essentials in our workshop.
Today, I am showcasing two of our latest creations: a Tubeless Sealant Dipstick and a dual-sized Axle Dust Cap Remover (19mm & 21mm).
1. The Tubeless Sealant Dipstick
If you run tubeless, you know the "shake and listen" method for checking sealant is about as accurate as a weather forecast. Usually, you’d have to pop the bead of the tyre to see if you’re running dry—a messy process that often requires a compressor to re-seat.
My new 3D-printed dipstick solves this. It’s a thin, notched probe designed to slide through the valve stem (with the core removed).
How it works: Simply dip it in, pull it out, and check the "tide mark."
The Benefit: No mess, no bead-popping, and total peace of mind before a big ride.
2. Axle Dust Cap Remover (19mm & 21mm)
Axle dust caps are notorious for being stubborn. Using a flathead screwdriver often results in gouged plastic or scratched metal. I designed a specific dual-sided tool with 19mm and 21mm tolerances.
Why it’s better: It provides even, 360-degree pressure around the cap, popping it off safely without the "surgical" struggle of generic tools.
How 3D Printing is Revolutionising the Bike Tool Industry
For decades, tool manufacturing required expensive steel molds and massive production runs. If a mechanic needed a tool for a specific, niche hub, they were often out of luck. 3D printing—or additive manufacturing—has changed the game.
What 3D Printing is Great For:
Rapid Prototyping: We can go from a "good idea" to a physical tool in our hands in under three hours. If the 19mm side is a fraction too tight, we tweak the code and print a new version immediately.
Niche Solutions: Some components are so specific that big tool brands won't make a dedicated tool for them. 3D printing allows for "micro-manufacturing"—creating tools for those "one-off" problems.
Ergonomics: We can shape handles to fit the hand perfectly, adding textures and grips that would be difficult to machine out of solid metal.
Weight & Portability: Plastic tools like our dipstick are incredibly light, making them perfect for "on-the-go" trail toolkits where every gram counts.
Where it Hits the Limit:
While I love our printed tools, it's important to know their limits:
High-Torque Jobs: You won't see me 3D printing a bottom bracket tool or a pedal wrench anytime soon. These require the sheer shear strength of hardened steel. Plastic (even high-grade PETG or Carbon-filled Nylon) will snap under high-torque applications.
Heat Sensitivity: Some 3D prints can warp if left in a boiling hot van in the height of summer.
Wear and Tear: Metal tools last a lifetime. Plastic tools are "consumable"—eventually, the edges of my 21mm dust cap remover will round off, but the beauty is we can simply print a replacement for pennies.
The Verdict
3D printing isn't replacing the heavy-duty steel tools on our workbench, but it is filling the gaps that the big manufacturers ignore. It allows The Cycle Cure Company Ltd to innovate at the speed of thought, ensuring your bike gets the precise care it deserves.
Are you struggling with a specific bike maintenance task? Let us know—we might just be able to print the solution!
