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  1. #1
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    Cable crimper. Let’s see your other oddities for bike tools.

    Today I happened upon a special tool that’s no longer made to my knowledge, but is one of the best tools I have ever used for it’s task at hand. It’s a VAR 17 cable end crimper. It was made by VAR tools in France in the 70’s and leaves a perfect crimp on the cable ends of your bike every single time. Plus it fits into really tight situations such as remote levers for droppers etc, unlike most ferrule crimpers. The quality of it is right up there with any of the tools that I own from Abbey. From my research, apparently VAR made both a spoke cutter and cable crimps. Both had the same VAR 17 designation as the handles appear identical. The only difference is the cutting / crimping heads are different. But are easily replaceable and most likely interchangeable. In the catalog I found, the cable crimpers had “BIS” added to the designation.

    If you haven’t heard of VAR tools before think of them as a European version of Park Tool

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  2. #2
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    Var trying stands are my favorite. Wish I had purchased one when I had the chance


    Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
    I rip the groomed on tele gear

  3. #3
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    Dec 2007
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    One of the first shops I worked at had a bunch of Var tools, including those cable crimpers and the fancy Var truing stand, complete with dial indicators. We never really used the truing stand cause it was kind of a pain in the ass to setup. We only used the crimpers on "nice" bikes, although I don't think they real did anything different than a set of dikes.

    We had a campy corkscrew too. I don't think we ever opened any wine, but that thing was pretty.

  4. #4
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    Oct 2003
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    can you get custom cable crimpers? with initials in the stamp? or a simple logo?


  5. #5
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    Jul 2005
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    Quote Originally Posted by mntlion View Post
    can you get custom cable crimpers? with initials in the stamp? or a simple logo?
    I'm certain I've seen this somewhere, but can't recall where.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by mntlion View Post
    can you get custom cable crimpers? with initials in the stamp? or a simple logo?
    I know of some guys that where using jeweler’s pliers with custom engraving. Those are stupid expensive the VAR tool can be found for $20-30.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by toast2266 View Post
    We only used the crimpers on "nice" bikes, although I don't think they real did anything different than a set of dikes.
    .
    The problem with dikes is you have to be very careful not to use too much pressure or you cut the ferrule.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunder View Post
    The problem with dikes is you have to be very careful not to use too much pressure or you cut the ferrule.
    I have very sensitive fingers.

  9. #9
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    Apr 2009
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    Granite, UT
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  10. #10
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    Aug 2014
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    Imaginationland
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunder View Post
    The problem with dikes is you have to be very careful not to use too much pressure or you cut the ferrule.
    Use a needle nose. Problem solved

  11. #11
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    Jun 2020
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gunder View Post
    I know of some guys that where using jeweler’s pliers with custom engraving. Those are stupid expensive the VAR tool can be found for $20-30.
    30 seconds in, YT Mob mechanic:

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1k41GXaMk

    edit: I’ve always just used the ‘inside’ of shimano cable cutters to crimp the cap, it’s already in your hand: cut cable to length, move to the other side of the cutter pivot and squeeze.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
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    Missoula
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    I like this one, does a little 3-sided crimp, but does need a lot of room to work. p sure i could not get it on the end of my dropper cable

    https://jagwire.com/products/tools/p...per-and-cutter
    Last edited by jamal; 09-11-2021 at 11:23 AM.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
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    Quote Originally Posted by J. Barron DeJong View Post

    edit: I’ve always just used the ‘inside’ of shimano cable cutters to crimp the cap, it’s already in your hand: cut cable to length, move to the other side of the cutter pivot and squeeze.
    This.

  14. #14
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    Feb 2014
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    NorCal coast
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    I just use a pair of Knipex to crimp. Nice and clean, and doesn't tend to tear the crimp like pliers or vice grips do.

  15. #15
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    Nov 2005
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    I can't believe nobody has noticed that the VAR leaves a penis-shaped ferrule. Very fancy.

  16. #16
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    Jun 2020
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    Quote Originally Posted by RootSkier View Post
    I can't believe nobody has noticed that the VAR leaves a penis-shaped ferrule. Very fancy.
    This you?

    Click image for larger version. 

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  17. #17
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    Feb 2005
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    the most beautiful place in the whole wide world
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    https://foragercycles.com/products/cable-cherries

    Cheaper than a VAR tool and reusable

  18. #18
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    Mar 2008
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    northern BC
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    cable crimpers really ?

    you are going need to cut the inner & outer cable to length using some kind of bike specific cable cutter ( I like Park ) is the best thing and the surface on the hand side of the pivot next to the grips is for crimping the cable ends

    which doesnt always completely secure the end to the cable so I use a pair of side cutters to GENTLY put a couple of sharp creases on the end

    if you cut the end right off the cable with the side cutters that was too much pressure and you should not be owning tools
    Last edited by XXX-er; 09-15-2021 at 11:25 AM.
    Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by toast2266 View Post
    I have very sensitive fingers.
    What you did there, I saw it.
    Forum Cross Pollinator, gratuitously strident

  20. #20
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    Jan 2008
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    BC to CO
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    Cable crimper. Let’s see your other oddities for bike tools.

    Mine crimper embosses my name on the cable end. But posting a picture would dox me, so I’ll post a picture of someone else’s tool with their name on it.
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  21. #21
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    yeah thats cool ^^ !

    so you gota do > just squish with pliers or they fall off IME

    which is why I do 2 or 3 crimps with side cutters
    Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by chaka View Post
    https://foragercycles.com/products/cable-cherries

    Cheaper than a VAR tool and reusable
    That's Fucking Baller
    However many are in a shit ton.

  23. #23
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    Dec 2007
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    Quote Originally Posted by jm2e View Post
    That's Fucking Baller
    Agreed. Also seem like they'd be pretty easy to make. Might have to fuck around with that that.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    Maine
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    I have a sram cable cutter that works awesome. Crimpers aren’t the most ergonomic or good for tight spaces, but I normally grab a pair of slip nose pliers and crimp it with that. My favorite pair of all time were a pair of Pedros cutters; there was a spot right next to the handle lock that would fit a cable end and crimp it perfectly. Not designed for it, but it was made to be...

  25. #25
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    Apr 2008
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    Why aren’t people just using a small needle nose Vice Grio?


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    However many are in a shit ton.

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