Pro Toolbox Check - John Hall's Treasure Chest 22

Aaron Gwin's mechanic, John Hall, shows off the gold inside his toolbox.

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5/26/2017 11:21pm
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While catching up with Aaron Gwin's mechanic, John Hall, in the pits, we ended up talking shop. John showed us his 2017 tool kit with custom, hand-crafted foam inserts to keep all the tools in the right place. It's light and efficient for traveling the world as he keeps Gwin's YT Tues running properly for the races. He's recently become an Abbey Tools ambassador and despite a career that includes helping Aaron Gwin win multiple World Cups, John took the time to take a Bill Woodul race mechanic course at the Olypmic Training center in Colorado Springs this past off-season. As he says, you can never have too much knowledge, so dig in.

#precisionisourreligion


Related:
Abbey
#USDH
Downhill
Tools & Tool Kits
Aaron Gwin
Pro Toolbox
John Hall
22 comments

View replies to: Pro Toolbox Check - John Hall's Treasure Chest

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Big Bird
7 years ago
I once had an interview with Martin Whitely for a mechanic job when he was managing the Honda team. I even got behind the first layer of their famous tent! He basically told me to go to that Olympic Training Center class before he would even consider me, and John Hall only just went? I guess it pays to have friends in the right places. Must have been part of Gwin's contract. And yes, I know that I sound like a whiny bastard. #Cryingintomybeer
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Euskafreez
7 years ago
He wrenches for Gwin since his Spesh days. As they work well together, why on earth would Whitely ask Gwin's mechanic to leave the team? Just because he lacks some stupid paper saying he's BS certified ?

Of all the race mechanics have worked with, the best weren't 'certified' in any way. But they had one thing in common: they were trained in a long time established bike-shop by some old time wizard.

I starting wrenching on road races simply because one of our part time employee was a trainee in a UCI Continental team. So yeah, you need to be good enough but you also need to know someone :/.
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Adam_Schaeffer
7 years ago
If you're gonna wrench for one of fastest racers on the circuit, why wouldn't you build a setup like this? You're a professional, and your setup is part of the pit environment and sets the tone. Inspiring, love it.
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chasejj
7 years ago
John- Ordered my 1560 (used on Ebay) , ordering the Kaizen foam today
Question- How do you keep the foam rigid enough with a full load of tools on it as you stack them inside the case? Added plastic backing? or is the Kaizen rigid enough on its own to support the tools?
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Marcus J
7 years ago
I love these features, but why only an overview picture of one of his layers of tools and only closeups on the rest?
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sideshow
7 years ago
Here's a starting point if you're keen to do some math: abbeybiketools.com

The real value of that box though is how organized it is (in a custom fashion) and John's ability to be effective with each item in there - and being prepared with the right tools too.
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JohnTylerHall
7 years ago
No known actual value. I've never added everything up. Some tools were given to me, some were bought at full retail and others at discounts.
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chasejj
7 years ago
OK Then. I did not know E13's needed that. I guess then the other freewheel tool is redundant?
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Alex1
7 years ago
Absolutely mind blowing! That is the most dialed toolbox I've ever seen!
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onenerdykid*
7 years ago
When I saw Marshy's tool box on PB, it literally made me cringe and I had to close the tab. This is such a welcome sight, my OCD is cheering from the balcony.
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Euskafreez
7 years ago
Yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion, man. They both have their pros and cons. What I like about Marshy's toolbox is that he uses the right tool for the job and for me, nothing else matters. I'll give you one example since I've done a fair share of wrenching on road races : the chain tool. Marshy uses a Shimano TL CN34 chainbreaker.

Wondering why he's not using the classic crappy but lightweight Park Tool chain-breaker? Like Marshy said for fitting and securing the pin on a Shimano chain, their TL CN34 is second to none. It makes the chain stronger and more secure. Most of the time, when a chain explode into pieces at the gate in WC DH, it's a Sram chain with a quick-link. And if it's a Shimano chain, most of the time the mechanic did not use the recommended chain-breaker to secure the pin.
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