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I'm being pestered for ideas for what I want for Christmas, so pondering asking for one of these, or maybe a cheaper end torque wrench.
Not totally sure I'd get much use our of a mini ratchet set more than using Allen keys though
Any views and experience please?
I have the Wera mini ratchet and it’s fantastic. Use it for loads of things beyond bike maintenance, often where access is tricky and the bolt is sticky.
This week I used it for
Assembling flat pack furniture
Opening the boiler cover
Resetting brake callipers on the mtb after a pad change (much easier to nip up loctited bolts with one hand using the ratchet)
Not sure if I’d want one as a trail multi-tool though, as there’s a real risk of dropping and losing the bits.
Another great Xmas pressie tool idea is a Knipex Plier-Wrench. I’ve got the 150mm version and find it really useful
Thanks for that
I have a Topeak Ratchet Rocket, it's got me out of trouble on multiple occasions. I like the fact that I don't need to carry a separate chain tool anymore, but can't comment of the tyre levers, as I've never used them. I also use it when doing maintenance at home, so consider it more than just a trail-side tool. Yes, you can just use allen keys, but I like the ratchet, especially if I'm just using one hand.
I'm considering an upgrade to the Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+, as a replacement for my current Ratchet Rocket and 5Nm TorqSocket combo.
I’ve just bought the Ratchet Rocket with the chain tool to go in my minimalist bum bag thingy.
I carry the Ratchet Rocket Lite at work in my pocket. I use it multiple times a day, rather than traipse back to the big tool box to get a set of Allen keys.
Can't go wrong with a Knipex pliers wrench but a torque wrench is well worth it, even if you don't have carbon parts. I use mine for bars, stem and seatpost and suspension fittings
That Wera looks pretty neat.
Got a Teng Mini ratchet set. Bought it specifically to get the cam cover off an obsequious Italian car’s engine - one where the official cam belt change procedure starts with “remove the engine from the vehicle”. It laughed that off admirably. It’s now one of my go-to tools. Perfect for assembly work. Bits are quality too : far better than the sintered junk you normally get.
Second the wera (mini multi too) set, gave them to the guys on the workshop floor and biking mates last year, all love them. Just need to swop a few of the driver bits to the ones you most use. That Teng looks good and ok tools.
The Bike torque wrench sets, Brand X a on CRC and On Ones are both in constant use here and again gave to two mates that are constant bike fettlers/ builders. I reckon the Gerber Suspension is best value plier multi tool, (leather man if you want to up market). The other two things I like are decent torches and ok binos, 40 for a really good torch and 60 - 100 will buy half decent set of bins (binoculars).
Looking forwards to seeing some good ideas on here...