Torque About Tools

It’s time for new tool day

This competition is now closed

By Oscar Huckle

Published: May 16, 2023 at 4:00 pm

Welcome back to Torque About Tools, our semi-regular round-up of the latest workshop tools to land at BikeRadar Towers.

Although new releases were few and far between in the cold depths of winter, there have been a whole host of tools unveiled in recent months.

In fact, we had so much to fit into this edition, we’ll be running a second part next month, so stay tuned.

First, though, let’s take a look at the latest tools (as well as some already established options) to arrive at BikeRadar HQ.

In addition to its Pro Mechanic HD Bike Repair Stand we reviewed recently, Feedback Sports has launched four new tools.

If you’ve been riding the wave of our extensive Sea Otter coverage, you may remember editor-in-chief George Scott took a first look at them. I’ve since had some time to play with the tools and deliver some first impressions.

Feedback’s third-generation Chain Tool 3.0 is claimed to be a “one-time purchase, guaranteed”.

Weighing in at 165g, the chain tool features a larger rubber handle with a knurled texture to improve grip. There’s also a larger, more ergonomic rubberised plastic handle for the pin driver.

An adjustable chain support is a nifty feature that makes sure the chain is supported properly in the recesses of the tool before driving the pin through.

The bar-plug style base of the tool hides a spare pin (there’s room for a spare quick link too).

The Chain Tool 3.0 is compatible with Shimano and SRAM chains up to 12-speed and it will work with Campagnolo 13-speed too. However, the tool won’t peen a Campagnolo chain.

I’ve been impressed by this chain breaker. The tool action is very smooth for its asking price and I particularly appreciate the adjustable chain support.

You have to hold some other tools at an angle to make sure the driver pin is being driven straight through the chain pin, which can be quite frustrating.

If you’re after a near-enough shop-quality chain tool to replace your chain at not too great a cost (and you’re not running Campagnolo chains that require peening), this one is hard to overlook.

Designed to be taken on rides, the Feedback Reflex Fixed Torque Ratchet Kit is a bit-based ratcheting multi-tool.

It features a modular handle and 10 S2 steel bits (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm hex, T10, 25, 30 torx and a 3mm flat-blade screwdriver).

There’s a 5Nm torque fitting, which snaps audibly once you reach the desired torque. The handle features knurling to improve grip.

Because it’s modular, you can use the tool as an L or T-handle, or you can simply install the bits in-line.

The tools come in an EVA foam case – perfect for a jersey pocket, or for keeping everything together as a travel or car kit. The kit weighs 367g without the case.

The Reflex Ratchet Kit has proven a sound performer so far and there is a loud snap when you reach 5Nm.

One thing to note is Feedback says the torque adaptor needs bedding in before it will read accurately at 5Nm, so make sure you use it on a bolt that requires significantly more torque to avoid breaking a component.

This kit won’t replace my Silca Ti-Torque with T-Ratchet. Silca’s offering feels more ergonomic in the hand, the ratchet is noticeably smoother and it can achieve a range of torques between 2 and 8Nm. Granted though, Feedback’s tool is half the price.

Feedback has updated its rotor truing tool, with the new version featuring slots for bending both 2.0 and 2.3mm disc brake rotors, as well as a second 2.0mm slot at the tapered end.

The tool’s steel core is combined with a nylon-reinforced grip. This means the tool can also be used as a piston press – if it were metal, you’d risk damaging or scratching the pistons.

The tool weighs 73g on my digital scales.

The tool does what it says on the tin, although I prefer to bend a rotor back by hand with a lint-free rag sandwiched between my hand and the rotor. This is because I find dedicated tools can sometimes put too much force on the rotor.

The Feedback Thru-Axle Chain Keeper is designed to hold your chain when you’re working on or washing a bike with the rear wheel uninstalled.

The tool will fit 12mm thru-axle dropouts and the roller is made of a bio-based PA56 plastic. You can even change gears when the chain’s installed, so you can clean the rear derailleur.

Like the Rotor Truing Fork, it’s another tool that does the job it’s designed to do.

Known best for its ceramic bearings, CeramicSpeed also makes some cool tools and this Campagnolo bottom bracket kit is one such example.

Campagnolo’s bottom brackets differ from other manufacturers in that the bearings are pressed onto the crankset’s axle and the cups are separate units.

The puller itself is made by German-manufacturer Kukko. It’s readily available as the ‘43-2 Universal 2-jaw puller with self-centering jaw’ on Kukko’s online store.

CeramicSpeed manufactures the two drifts included in the kit. The smaller one covers the axle when you’re removing the bearing so the puller has something to pull against. The larger drift is used to drive the new bearing onto the axle.

Although components and accessories may be the first items you associate Dutch brand BBB with, it also has an extensive tool range.

This minimalist stand could be just the ticket as a travelling option or even just for cleaning your bike at home.

You can mount a bike to the stand via the inside of the crank axle and BBB includes 13, 17 and 20mm spacers to ensure wide compatibility. To change between the different spacers, you’ll need a 5mm hex key.

The stand lifts the rear wheel off the ground so you can turn the pedals if you need to adjust and index your gears. Rubber feet stop the stand from slipping, as well as protecting the floor.

The stand folds away for storage or transportation.

BBB’s Bearing Removers are designed to make removing a press-fit bottom bracket an easy job.

Arguably the most common way of removing a press-fit bottom bracket is to use a removal tool that installs through the shell. You then use a hammer to drive them out while bracing the frame. Not only is it wince-inducing to hammer out a bearing, these tools often damage the bearing on the way out.

This is especially annoying when the bottom bracket you’re removing isn’t worn.

Enduro Bearings was one of the first brands to introduce a hammer-free solution to removing press-fit bearings with its BRT-002 and BRT-003 bearing kits. I was lucky enough to use them when I worked at Carbon Bike Repair in the workshop and I decided I would never venture back to the dark side.

Other brands have since brought out their own solutions, such as Park Tool’s BBT-RS and BSC Tools’ Pressfit bottom bracket remover set. BBB has now adopted a similar approach.

Made from CNC’d aluminium, the BTL-232 will work on 29 and 30mm bearings (BB30/PF30/SRAM DUB) and the extractor cup has a 42mm diameter with an O-ring to protect your bottom bracket and frame.

You can then use a 5mm allen key or a 17mm spanner to drive the bearing out, while holding the cup by hand.

The BTL-233 does exactly the same job but for 22 and 24mm bearings (BB86/BB90/SRAM GXP), with the extractor cup sporting a 37mm diameter.

At €32.95, this is significantly cheaper than its rivals and it will be interesting to see how its performance stacks up.

This cutter is claimed to cut smooth and clean lines in hydraulic hoses. You should avoid using a cable cutter on hydraulic hoses because it will likely deform the hose, which tends to be made from teflon or nylon. This could lead to future brake failure.

BBB says the long grip makes for easy leverage and the blade is safely hidden when in the locked position. I weighed the tool in at 59g (4g less than claimed).

I’ve shown reasonable restraint so far, so let’s end on some silver show stoppers.

Nepros Tools are the premium range of KTC, a Kyoto-based company most revered for its automotive tools. The tools are sold directly on the brand’s website and can be shipped worldwide.

Although ratchet drivers are more commonly reserved for the automotive world, they can be a real time-saver on bikes too. They’re particularly useful on bottle cage bosses, crank and stem bolts before reaching for a torque wrench for final tightening.

As “shiny and chrome” as the war paint used in Mad Max: Fury Road, this Nepros ratchet is the stuff of dreams.

Weighing in at 367g (8g lighter than claimed), this ratchet features a flexible head for accessing hard-to-reach components. There’s a rubber ring at the end of the ratchet and the handle also flares out for improved grip.

Available in 1/4in, 3/8in or 1/2in flavours, the ratchet mechanism has 90 teeth, translating into a satisfyingly smooth feel.

This tool has quickly become one of my favourite larger ratchets, in combination with Wera’s trusty Zyklop Mini for harder-to-access and lower-torque areas.

A breaker bar is an incredibly useful tool to have in your arsenal for those “I’m not asking” jobs, such as removing stubborn cassettes or SRAM DUB cranksets.

Like the Nepros ratchet, it’s available in 1/4in, 3/8in and 1/2in, and also uses a flared handle with a rubber ring.

The Long Breaker Bar measures 300mm in length. Although this isn’t the longest breaker bar out there, it’s rare you need anything bigger.

The Nepros Quick Spinners fit between a ratchet and socket, They enable you to use your fingers to quickly drive fasteners, saving considerable time.

I’ve got the ¼ and 3/8in versions and am now fully converted to the Quick Spinner revolution – I think I’ll struggle to use a ratchet or torque wrench without one again.

Crowfoot sockets are ideal for torquing hose compression nuts or other fittings found on hydraulic disc brake systems.

Bicycle-specific crow’s feet have been few and far between throughout the years, but some brands have started to bring out options, including Pedro’s Crowfoot Flare Wrench and Park Tool’s MWF-3.

Nepros offers a complete set from 8mm to 19mm, and I’ve got the 8mm, 10mm and 12mm sizes here in a 1/4in variant.

Technical writer

Oscar Huckle is a technical writer at BikeRadar. He has been an avid cyclist since his teenage years, initially catching the road cycling bug and riding for a local club. He’s since been indoctrinated into gravel riding and more recently has taken to the dark art of mountain biking. His favourite rides are epic road or gravel routes, and he has also caught the bikepacking bug hard after completing the King Alfred’s Way and West Kernow Way. Oscar has a BA degree in English Literature and Film Studies and has close to a decade of cycling industry experience, initially working in a variety of roles at Evans Cycles before joining Carbon Bike Repair. He is particularly fond of workshop tool exotica and is a proponent of Campagnolo groupsets. Oscar prefers lightweight road and gravel frames with simple tube shapes, rather than the latest trend for aerodynamics and full integration. He is obsessed with keeping up to date with all the latest tech, is fixated with the smallest details and is known for his unique opinions.

Subscribe to Cycling Plus magazine and get a Lezyne Super Pro GPS (worth £135!) as your welcome gift! Plus, save 16% off the subscription price.

Subscribe to MBUK and get a Scott Supra Plus Helmet as your welcome reward! Plus, save 35% off the shop price!