PRO Internal Routing Tool

Pro's Internal Routing Tool is easy to use, compact, well made, and covers all the internal routing jobs on my road and cyclo-cross bikes.

• Pros: Very compact; strong magnets; packs away tidily; a bit cheaper than Park's IR-1.2
• Cons: Changing bits is a tad fiddly; extreme situations will need more cable

This is the second internal cable routing tool that I've used in a short space of time, and having it to help re-cable my race bike has been a blessing. The compact design is easy to get on with, especially if you're working out of a small toolkit. Everything is easy enough to access, and for the occasional user I'd say that this is a brilliant option.

> Buy this online here

If you read my Park Tool IR-1.2 review then you'll have heard me moan about internal cable routing there. I'll save you a repeat of my gripes, but I will say that a tool like this would have saved me hours in the past.

The tool is housed in a little pouch with a Velcro closure which should keep it clean and prevent it from getting knocked in your toolbox. On the aluminium frame, there are hard plastic holders for the bits, which screw off and attach to the 1.26m cable.

Included bits are a barb for hydraulic housing, a barb that will do brake and gear outers, a Di2 bit, magnet and also a small piece of wire with an additional magnet. That'll cover everything that I'm going to be routing through my frame. Getting the bit you want off the holder is a little fiddly, as it can be hard to move the plastic holders independently of each other.

The connection that the bits provide is secure and I didn't suffer any lost cables inside my frame. The magnet at the end of the cable is pretty strong too. It got a good hold on my rear brake cable inner, helping to guide it out of the small exit hole on my Cannondale Supersix.

The main magnet is fixed to the tool, which is fine for everything but the tightest of spots. I found the Park Tool magnet a little easier to use as the size makes it easy to hold using just the thumb and forefinger.

While the 1.26m cable length has been fine for my Supersix, you might run into length issues on more modern bikes that have the cables routing inside from the shifter. For these bikes and long bikes like tandems, I'd recommend the Park Tool IR-1.2 as it comes with an extension cable.

Like the IR-1.2, Pro's tool is easy to clean. This is mainly limited to the wire and bits that sometimes pass a greasy area. The cable wipes down easily thanks to the plastic coating.

If you're not keen on forking out the £59.99 for the Park Tool version, then at £49.99 this is a bit cheaper and probably more suitable for the occasional internal routing job. That said, you can still spend less. The X-Tools Internal Cable Routing Tool is £19.99 (in fact, currently £17.99).

> Beginner's guide to bike tools

In conclusion, this is another very clever and easy to use internal cable routing tool. It will suit the home mechanic perfectly and should last years with occasional use because of the good build quality. With secure holds from the bits and good magnets, it's a tool you'll be happy with.

Verdict

Easy to use and saves hours of frustration