Review: Park Tool BBQ-2 grill set

Cyclists are an eclectic group, and they sure don't all get along. There are the roadies, pre-occupied with the power numbers, setting personal bests, and besting everyone they meet on the trail even if it means passing them as they have a flat tire and are wantingly looking for help. Then there's the mountain bikers, laid-back, overweight according to the obsessed roadies, and more interested in fun and the after-ride beer than how many other riders they could pass. Throw in the hipsters with their little handlebars, oversized gearing, and no brakes, and then mix it all together with bmx riders, charity riders, mega-huck downhillers, recumbent riders and triathletes.

What do all of the members of this group have in common? Not much, but if you take away the triathletes and some roadies, what you are left with as a common denominator is a group of people who enjoy working on their bikes. What better product to bring all of the groups together than the Park Tool BBQ-2 grill set.



First off, let me just say that Park Tool did not totally unsolicited send me a BBQ-2 set to review, in fact I've never seen a Park tool BBQ-2 set in person at all. As such, I will have to make stuff up as I review this seemingly great product.



Park Tool is the holy grail of bike tools. Any shop worth their weight in titanium will be well stocked with Park Tools tools. As you know, titanium is light and expensive so being worth their weight in that says a lot, right? Any home bike mechanic will have his fair share of Park Tool products as that will make him look very Euro and pro. Bicycling magazine even gives Park Tool tools away when your ex-boyfriend takes the bike back that he bought for you. What I'm trying to say is that Park Tool kicks ass.

The finish on the BBQ-2 set is simply what you would expect from Park Tool with their signature blue handle and beefy product. You wouldn't buy a Porsche and expect the quality of a Chevy Cavalier, nor should you expect anything but the best from Park Tool.

The spatula appears like it not only flips burgers, but could also do second-duty as a pedal wrench. The tongs flip chicken, kabobs, and vegetables and also double as spanner wrenches.

If I had a Park Tool BBQ-2 spatula and were flipping burgers with it I might mention that it flips burgers in a quick and precise manner, consistent with other high-end spatulas. The handle might employ a rigid yet forgiving feel.

The spring action of the tongs might have more pop than an old Manitou suspension fork while still giving an accurate and grippy feel, exactly what you need for picking up chicken.

Overall I think that I would really like to flip burgers in my backyard with the Park Tool BBQ-2 grill set had they totally unsolictedly sent me a set to review.

Bicycling-type summary
Buy it if: You like working on bikes and grilling up dead animals.

Pass it up if: You are a triathlete and don't know what the big deal about Park Tool is or are yuppie scum who hates grilling and gets most meals at Outback.