Shoddy tools are the bane of the home bike mechanic’s existence. If you’re looking to treat yourself to something that’ll last a lifetime, here are our five favourites.
Just bought the fancy beta hex keys, look great, but are terrible, the size is slightly small and immediately strips bolts. Did not buy the PB Swiss keys, checked the spec and bought Bondhus which fit perfectly (and manufacture for ParkTools, but are cheaper direct). There is a table on the internet showing which brand fits best, Bondhus, and not expensive. Second hand Beta set for sale….Still looking for a vessel Jis screwdriver
rtz549on July 14, 2019 at 12:38 am
Take that air pressure gauge and make an air chuck for a compressor using that head design.
evelasq1on July 14, 2019 at 12:38 am
You should mention the Park Tools hammer 🔨 and the Park Tools Ratchet Wrenches 🔧.
Master Yodaon July 14, 2019 at 12:39 am
put some links for this tools, tnx.
stubbk3on July 14, 2019 at 12:39 am
Nice video just ordered myself a screw driver and set of the coloured keys. 😀
32SpokesMTBon July 14, 2019 at 12:40 am
Is there a link to a full article on these?
Mason Stevenson July 14, 2019 at 12:40 am
I’ve been a professional mechanic for 3 years and without a doubt, good T-handle Allen keys are #1 on my list. 2nd would have to be a good quality hardened steel straight/angled pick, I use one of those as much as Allen wrenches. 3rd would be an adjustable bearing press. Also a big thick 8" long nail with the tip ground flat works great for removing bearings.
It would be great if you listed the URL to the manufacturer’s websites for these products, and others you review on your videos. Cheers
Michael Ginzburgon July 14, 2019 at 12:46 am
What about an update?
Igor Grodzkion July 14, 2019 at 12:48 am
Park makes good jis screwedrivers
Cameron Boyleon July 14, 2019 at 12:49 am
I just bought a ratchet set and I really don’t know what I’m going to use it for since bikes are mostly just hex nuts
Penultimate Taskon July 14, 2019 at 12:52 am
NIP-ex
Delaneon July 14, 2019 at 12:53 am
cable cutters
small torque wrench
Park tools if you can afford them.
Link vgon July 14, 2019 at 12:54 am
to much bla bla
Monstah Joneson July 14, 2019 at 12:56 am
honestly I came to this vid for a laugh, but those fancy multi grips look great..
painted30oneon July 14, 2019 at 12:57 am
bracket tool
Gillenz Fluffon July 14, 2019 at 12:57 am
I use a flathead on the limit screws all the limit screws I have had used a multi Philips head and a flathead.
Rixteron July 14, 2019 at 12:59 am
That was FANTASTIC where you mention the country of origin for these products. So few reviews ever do that. Very helpful. Thanks!
J Bon July 14, 2019 at 12:59 am
Never mind the tools, the bag and case at the beginning looked good, have to get one of those, once I figure out the brand. Also, the water bottle on the MTB seat post is something I have thinking about for a while
littlestworkshopon July 14, 2019 at 1:00 am
Please don’t do another video like this for at least a month 😉
Md. Didaronnobi Nobion July 14, 2019 at 1:00 am
chain cleaner tools and repair tools?
Steven Connoron July 14, 2019 at 1:03 am
Never tried those allen keys, but proffesionally as well as home i use wera hex plus allen keys, they are the best i have used yet.
Niklason July 14, 2019 at 1:04 am
Yep, you missed the Tune "Spurtreu" … it allows for the perfect alignment of stem and fork in no time 😉
Blake Raon July 14, 2019 at 1:04 am
Americans have no idea how lucky they are to Amazon.
RW Con July 14, 2019 at 1:08 am
Please post more videos like this covering tools used by pro tour mechanics – the real secrets of the trade, and not just sponsorship paid usage.
Bill Morleyon July 14, 2019 at 1:08 am
Torque wrench
Guy Woodon July 14, 2019 at 1:08 am
Holy moly! Those PB Swiss allen keys are over £180 a set! And yes, I would love a set…
Simon Geeveson July 14, 2019 at 1:11 am
I travel the world fixing high tech machinery and I can only agree with BikeRadar. I have to depend on my tools I use everyday. PBSwiss are hands down the best hex keys money can buy but Wera HexPlus Stainless are my second choice, very stiff but the ball end falls a little short for usable angle. The T-Bars I use are the Beta slid-able and the fixed USAG/ Pastorino’s. Basically these tools are "real" professional quality and will last a lifetime so the investment is worth it. When I see a bike shop full of Parktools I feel they don’t really know whats available out there and I sorta question their skill and knowledge as a mechanic. Park tools are good for the budget continuous but if you use them everyday they have a short life.
90% of my tools are made in Italy or Germany with the rest made up of Japanese or very specific tools for what I do (handmade by me). So do yourself a favor, if you are serious about working on your bike buy the best you can afford.
tony mrazikon July 14, 2019 at 1:14 am
Any suggestions for hex sockets for use on torque wrench?
Mosibfuon July 14, 2019 at 1:16 am
metric keys are not that exotic.. the entire world uses metric, minus some backwards regions somewhere abroad.
Oleg Petelevitchon July 14, 2019 at 1:18 am
My Topeak is A1
AsiAzzyon July 14, 2019 at 1:18 am
Beside bike specific tools (cassette removal tool, BB tool, etc), the normal ones (screwdrivers, allen keys, torx keys, etc) should not be from blingy bike tools, but from a reputable tool maker. Most of the time is cheaper to buy stahlwille, gedore, hazet, facom (or snapon, matco, mac) nice hex keys, than some park tool (that is nice, but not a pro tool in contrast with the one mentioned before).
As for screws and bolts.. always research ahead. You will encounter many oddballs that you did not know about. Check the fit of the tool and if something is not quite right, stop and see if it’s another standard. That way you can prevent rounding 12point spline XZN bolts with a 12point spline RIBE even if they are almost identical. Google is your friend for finding oddballs.
Also get a torque wrench. Doesn’t have to be the most expensive one if used properly. Get a beam indicator one – they are much cheaper and not much can go wrong with them. A quick check on initial calibration if it’s questionable manufacturer and you are set to go for years to come. – Don’t go to bike-tool oriented companies.. they are mostly overpriced crap. Try an actual manufacturer for tools. Get a tiny 1/4" socket set (or 3/8") that will likely fit the tiny beam torque wrench, and have all screwdrivers, and allen bits in it.
Another advice: don’t get tool shaped objects that are very cheap and sold by the bunch in supermarkets. A nasty tool is made from poor metal that will likely damage the bolt and key itself. Even if the initial fit is good enough, the metal is too weak, it flexes and deforms until it slips. So avoid chinsey screwdrivers and open-ended wrenches.
kep67on July 14, 2019 at 1:18 am
what hex head mm sizes do I need for majority of bike work?
Adam Harringtonon July 14, 2019 at 1:18 am
I think the K in Knipex is silent.
gtolex86on July 14, 2019 at 1:20 am
In most cases JIS screws have an indentation on the top of the head…a small dimple. Mostly all high end screwdriver are JIS approved. Including an many of the European and some USA…if it meets ISO 9001 it’s the same also
Charles-Antoine Cohadeon July 14, 2019 at 1:20 am
Park tool mw1
Stefan Joston July 14, 2019 at 1:22 am
So many great work stuff ! Well done for this video !
Nannette Battistaon July 14, 2019 at 1:23 am
All of my woodworks I made with woodprix. Google and try it.
gtolex86on July 14, 2019 at 1:23 am
I do believe Vessel also offers a color coded set of hex keys. It’s funny how many striped limiting screws I find on peoples bikes… no one believes me when I tell them it’s the screwdriver! It has to be a JIS spec. driver.
Dave Carteron July 14, 2019 at 1:25 am
Bunch of luxury items nobody really needs. Come back to the real world Bikeradar.
Advanceon July 14, 2019 at 1:26 am
I can’t survive without my cable cutter/crimper combo pliers
Gilbert son July 14, 2019 at 1:26 am
make links to where to buy
SW â“‹on July 14, 2019 at 1:28 am
Is there a tool that makes getting Shimano pedals off of the cranks easy? They always seem to be seized despite being greased.
Jim Hinsonon July 14, 2019 at 1:29 am
WERA hex plus L-keys & Vessel Screwdrivers sure have saved me a bunch of grief with the ubiquitous buggered "allen" & "phillips" problem.
Steve Kennedyon July 14, 2019 at 1:31 am
The Kappius pressure gauge is really difficult to use. I lose at least 7 PSI just trying to get a reading as it only works while the tyre is losing air.
Doctor Morbidon July 14, 2019 at 1:32 am
"The most common", eh?
The PB Swiss tools are far from "the most common", plus they are overpriced and certainly not the best (I am in Germany and can get them for reasonable prices). If we are looking for hex and torx keys, I give the nod to Bondhus- absolutely no nonsense, extremely hard materials, last forever, stronger than anything else out there, and they actually manufacture to exacting tolerances, even down to centering the flat-face grinding. I’ve been using mine for years and they don’t quit. Plus their Pro-Hold works better than my Wiha Magic Ring, which I have only due to availability and the extra length to get the cranks. I’m not so hot about them otherwise. I also have Wera (who also do colors), but they are nowhere near as durable as the Bondhus, and evidenced by the easily-damaged teeth of the ball-end Torx. Couple that with a poor torx profile that easily cams out under the lightest of tightening jobs, and you’ll constantly replace them. Wera’s hex profiling is pretty fantastic, though, I just wish the materials were more durable. I regularly break bolts free with my Bondhus that have rounded other tools or created permanent damage, like bowed long ends.
I have worn through a set of my most-commonly used PB-Swiss keys and I wouldn’t go back. Bondhus is cheap and works. They don’t do gimmicks and their prices are fantastic, which is probably why many don’t give them a second look when compared to flashier, less-durable tools. Also, Euros don’t like giving American tools a second look, even if they are better than what they have. Since I live in Germany, I see lots of this and it usually boils down to nationalism that people don’t even know their heads are filled with.
I will support the Knipex recommendation, however. One may buy a two-pack rebranded to Craftsman in Sears in the US, but it’s not a flat-jaw model. It has the teeth. Regardless, the Cobras (which Craftsman had Knipex brand them as) are pretty amazing and one of my most-used tools.
mrjton July 14, 2019 at 1:33 am
Your pronounciation of Knipex made me cringe so hard. I never thought it was possible to mispronounce a word that bad.
Shoddy tools are the bane of the home bike mechanic’s existence. If you’re looking to treat yourself to something that’ll last a lifetime, here are our five favourites.
Just bought the fancy beta hex keys, look great, but are terrible, the size is slightly small and immediately strips bolts. Did not buy the PB Swiss keys, checked the spec and bought Bondhus which fit perfectly (and manufacture for ParkTools, but are cheaper direct). There is a table on the internet showing which brand fits best, Bondhus, and not expensive. Second hand Beta set for sale….Still looking for a vessel Jis screwdriver
Take that air pressure gauge and make an air chuck for a compressor using that head design.
You should mention the Park Tools hammer 🔨 and the Park Tools Ratchet Wrenches 🔧.
put some links for this tools, tnx.
Nice video just ordered myself a screw driver and set of the coloured keys. 😀
Is there a link to a full article on these?
I’ve been a professional mechanic for 3 years and without a doubt, good T-handle Allen keys are #1 on my list. 2nd would have to be a good quality hardened steel straight/angled pick, I use one of those as much as Allen wrenches. 3rd would be an adjustable bearing press. Also a big thick 8" long nail with the tip ground flat works great for removing bearings.
"Gee, I like your Vessel" LMFAO 🙂
Snap-On. There is no substitute.
http://www.pbswisstools.com – Swiss quality hand tools
It would be great if you listed the URL to the manufacturer’s websites for these products, and others you review on your videos. Cheers
What about an update?
Park makes good jis screwedrivers
I just bought a ratchet set and I really don’t know what I’m going to use it for since bikes are mostly just hex nuts
NIP-ex
cable cutters
small torque wrench
Park tools if you can afford them.
to much bla bla
honestly I came to this vid for a laugh, but those fancy multi grips look great..
bracket tool
I use a flathead on the limit screws all the limit screws I have had used a multi Philips head and a flathead.
That was FANTASTIC where you mention the country of origin for these products. So few reviews ever do that. Very helpful. Thanks!
Never mind the tools, the bag and case at the beginning looked good, have to get one of those, once I figure out the brand. Also, the water bottle on the MTB seat post is something I have thinking about for a while
Please don’t do another video like this for at least a month 😉
chain cleaner tools and repair tools?
Never tried those allen keys, but proffesionally as well as home i use wera hex plus allen keys, they are the best i have used yet.
Yep, you missed the Tune "Spurtreu" … it allows for the perfect alignment of stem and fork in no time 😉
Americans have no idea how lucky they are to Amazon.
Please post more videos like this covering tools used by pro tour mechanics – the real secrets of the trade, and not just sponsorship paid usage.
Torque wrench
Holy moly! Those PB Swiss allen keys are over £180 a set! And yes, I would love a set…
I travel the world fixing high tech machinery and I can only agree with BikeRadar. I have to depend on my tools I use everyday. PBSwiss are hands down the best hex keys money can buy but Wera HexPlus Stainless are my second choice, very stiff but the ball end falls a little short for usable angle. The T-Bars I use are the Beta slid-able and the fixed USAG/ Pastorino’s. Basically these tools are "real" professional quality and will last a lifetime so the investment is worth it. When I see a bike shop full of Parktools I feel they don’t really know whats available out there and I sorta question their skill and knowledge as a mechanic. Park tools are good for the budget continuous but if you use them everyday they have a short life.
90% of my tools are made in Italy or Germany with the rest made up of Japanese or very specific tools for what I do (handmade by me). So do yourself a favor, if you are serious about working on your bike buy the best you can afford.
Any suggestions for hex sockets for use on torque wrench?
metric keys are not that exotic.. the entire world uses metric, minus some backwards regions somewhere abroad.
My Topeak is A1
Beside bike specific tools (cassette removal tool, BB tool, etc), the normal ones (screwdrivers, allen keys, torx keys, etc) should not be from blingy bike tools, but from a reputable tool maker. Most of the time is cheaper to buy stahlwille, gedore, hazet, facom (or snapon, matco, mac) nice hex keys, than some park tool (that is nice, but not a pro tool in contrast with the one mentioned before).
As for screws and bolts.. always research ahead. You will encounter many oddballs that you did not know about. Check the fit of the tool and if something is not quite right, stop and see if it’s another standard. That way you can prevent rounding 12point spline XZN bolts with a 12point spline RIBE even if they are almost identical. Google is your friend for finding oddballs.
Also get a torque wrench. Doesn’t have to be the most expensive one if used properly. Get a beam indicator one – they are much cheaper and not much can go wrong with them. A quick check on initial calibration if it’s questionable manufacturer and you are set to go for years to come. – Don’t go to bike-tool oriented companies.. they are mostly overpriced crap. Try an actual manufacturer for tools. Get a tiny 1/4" socket set (or 3/8") that will likely fit the tiny beam torque wrench, and have all screwdrivers, and allen bits in it.
Another advice: don’t get tool shaped objects that are very cheap and sold by the bunch in supermarkets. A nasty tool is made from poor metal that will likely damage the bolt and key itself. Even if the initial fit is good enough, the metal is too weak, it flexes and deforms until it slips. So avoid chinsey screwdrivers and open-ended wrenches.
what hex head mm sizes do I need for majority of bike work?
I think the K in Knipex is silent.
In most cases JIS screws have an indentation on the top of the head…a small dimple. Mostly all high end screwdriver are JIS approved. Including an many of the European and some USA…if it meets ISO 9001 it’s the same also
Park tool mw1
So many great work stuff ! Well done for this video !
All of my woodworks I made with woodprix. Google and try it.
I do believe Vessel also offers a color coded set of hex keys. It’s funny how many striped limiting screws I find on peoples bikes… no one believes me when I tell them it’s the screwdriver! It has to be a JIS spec. driver.
Bunch of luxury items nobody really needs. Come back to the real world Bikeradar.
I can’t survive without my cable cutter/crimper combo pliers
make links to where to buy
Is there a tool that makes getting Shimano pedals off of the cranks easy? They always seem to be seized despite being greased.
WERA hex plus L-keys & Vessel Screwdrivers sure have saved me a bunch of grief with the ubiquitous buggered "allen" & "phillips" problem.
The Kappius pressure gauge is really difficult to use. I lose at least 7 PSI just trying to get a reading as it only works while the tyre is losing air.
"The most common", eh?
The PB Swiss tools are far from "the most common", plus they are overpriced and certainly not the best (I am in Germany and can get them for reasonable prices). If we are looking for hex and torx keys, I give the nod to Bondhus- absolutely no nonsense, extremely hard materials, last forever, stronger than anything else out there, and they actually manufacture to exacting tolerances, even down to centering the flat-face grinding. I’ve been using mine for years and they don’t quit. Plus their Pro-Hold works better than my Wiha Magic Ring, which I have only due to availability and the extra length to get the cranks. I’m not so hot about them otherwise. I also have Wera (who also do colors), but they are nowhere near as durable as the Bondhus, and evidenced by the easily-damaged teeth of the ball-end Torx. Couple that with a poor torx profile that easily cams out under the lightest of tightening jobs, and you’ll constantly replace them. Wera’s hex profiling is pretty fantastic, though, I just wish the materials were more durable. I regularly break bolts free with my Bondhus that have rounded other tools or created permanent damage, like bowed long ends.
I have worn through a set of my most-commonly used PB-Swiss keys and I wouldn’t go back. Bondhus is cheap and works. They don’t do gimmicks and their prices are fantastic, which is probably why many don’t give them a second look when compared to flashier, less-durable tools. Also, Euros don’t like giving American tools a second look, even if they are better than what they have. Since I live in Germany, I see lots of this and it usually boils down to nationalism that people don’t even know their heads are filled with.
I will support the Knipex recommendation, however. One may buy a two-pack rebranded to Craftsman in Sears in the US, but it’s not a flat-jaw model. It has the teeth. Regardless, the Cobras (which Craftsman had Knipex brand them as) are pretty amazing and one of my most-used tools.
Your pronounciation of Knipex made me cringe so hard. I never thought it was possible to mispronounce a word that bad.