Want to feel old? The Park Tool TS-2 is now 50 years old. To celebrate, Park Tool is releasing 50 special-edition versions of its TS-2 truing stand to mark the tool’s anniversary. Originally introduced in 1976 and designed by Park Tool founders Howard Hawkins and Art Engstrom alongside employee Jim Johnson, the TS-2 has been a fixture in bike shops and home workshops for half a century. The current production model, the TS-2.3, handles wheels up to 32″ and hub widths up to 200mm, with thru-axle adapters included for compatibility with modern bikes – even those yet to be released.
The anniversary edition, called the TS-2.50, stands out with a gold powder-coated finish, an individually numbered engraved nameplate, custom decals, and CNC-machined aluminum knobs featuring the original Park Tool logo.
A portion of the run will go up for auction online, with proceeds directed to bicycle-focused nonprofits. The first auction is already live on eBay (currently up to $721 and ends on 7/20), with funds benefiting PeopleForBikes, an organization focused on expanding access to cycling through advocacy and policy work. Park Tool CEO Eric Hawkins states, “We’re excited to partner with People for Bikes to auction one of the fifty limited edition TS-2.50 50th anniversary Truing Stands. Through their advocacy, promotion, and policy work, PFB continues to benefit us all by helping to make America a better and safer place to ride a bike. Park Tool is proud to partner with People for Bikes to offer this special once-in-a-lifetime piece for auction to benefit their organization.”
Park Tool has indicated that additional auctions supporting other nonprofits will follow, but does not mention how many of the 50 truing stands will go up for auction. The truing stand is currently on the Park Tool website, but it points to the auction for purchase, meaning this won’t be a standard item you can just order up from the Minnesota-based tool masters.
