Retaining rings show up in places most cyclists never think about until something needs service: inside freehub bodies, securing bearings in headsets, holding pawls in place on hub internals. Getting them out without the right tool usually ends with a scratched component, a bent ring, or both. The Park Tool RP-SET.2 puts four different pliers configurations in one pouch, covering both internal and external retaining rings across the size range you'll encounter during drivetrain and wheel service.

The set includes two pliers for internal rings (the kind that sit inside a bore and expand to release) and two for external rings (the kind that wrap around a shaft and compress to remove). Each style comes in two tip sizes to handle different ring diameters without slipping or spreading the tips past their intended range. The convertible tip design means each plier handles both spreading and compressing motions depending on how you orient the tips, which cuts down on the number of tools you need for a given job.

Tip sizing matters more than most people realize. Using pliers with tips too large for the ring holes risks cracking the ring or slipping off mid-squeeze. Tips too small won't engage the holes properly and tend to cam out under load. The RP-SET.2 spreads across enough tip sizes that you can match the tool to the ring rather than forcing a marginal fit.... Read More