Adjustable cup bottom brackets and certain suspension components use notched rings that standard wrenches can't grab. The Park Tool SPA-2 Pin Spanner reaches into those recessed areas with two hardened steel pins that engage the notches, letting you thread or unthread parts that would otherwise require specialty tools or creative solutions involving screwdrivers and hammers.

The SPA-2 adjusts to fit pin spacings from 2mm to 57mm, which covers the range you'll encounter on adjustable cup bottom brackets, some headset locknuts, and various suspension components. Each arm pivots independently on the center bolt, so you can set asymmetrical pin positions when the part demands it. The pins themselves are 2.2mm in diameter and removable—Park Tool sells replacement pins when you eventually round one off on a stubborn part.

Stamped steel construction keeps the tool affordable while providing enough rigidity for the moderate torque these applications require. This isn't a tool for high-torque work; pin spanners apply leverage through small contact points, so you're working with finesse rather than force. If a part won't budge, penetrating oil and patience will get you further than cranking harder on the spanner.... Read More