Ever wonder what to do with your chain when you remove the rear wheel to clean your bike? I discovered the Dummy Hub from Park Tool. For only $19.95 MSRP, this little tool slides into the rear drop outs to replace the rear wheel. It works on both open dropouts and thru-axle frames up to 12mm. I have bikes with both types of frames and this one tool works on both.
Park Tool states the Dummy Hub can be used for shipping a bike when the rear wheel needs to be removed. Although most people remove their derailleur for safe keeping when shipping.
It did take a minute for me to figure out how to use it for a thru-axle as the instructions were anemic (guess I should have watched the video). Simply take of the black wheel that comes on the Dummy Hub and slide it onto your axle like you’d do with your rear wheel. Watch the video to see how easy it works.
Dummy Hub on a open dropout frame
Top view of my bike using the Dummy Hub on a thru-axle frame
Another elegant tool.
Does not an old QR work as the old school solution? For 19.95 less…
Yes! You could even add a fancy little wheel to it for the chain to roll over 😉
Great for washing the bike too. Keeps the chain up so its not in the way when scrubbing the BB/Stays junction and tensions the rear derailleur for easy access for cleaning. If you clean your chain when washing it makes this task much easier also.
I use the Pedro’s version of this device to hold the chain in place when I transport bikes in my car.
Since this is metal, I’m concerned about this damaging threads on a thru axle bike