Brian

My review is here. Just wondering if anyone else has used one, and what they thought of it.

Kimmo 

I'd buy one.

Brian

They'd be twice the price down under, even with the favorable exchange rate.

dsbrantjr

I have a VIM Tools HBR5 which is similar but double-ended; it has a 1/4" hex bit drive on one end and a 1/4" square socket drive on the other. The Prestacycle Pro bit set looks like a nice set, especially the 3 extended length bits.

Brian

I do like the extended bits, because I hate messing with brake levers. They should make things a bit easier though.

An advantage of being able to review things like this is that we can subject them to much more abuse than we would if we bought or borrowed them. I've mistreated this wrench more much than anyone would normally, and it's held up fine. Whatever steel they used in the ratchet mechanism, it's pretty durable.

HillRider

Sounds like a useful tool but I accomplish the same thing with a 1/4" square drive ratchet and a 1/4" square drive-to-hex bit adapter. That lets me use all of my 1/4" hex bits which include screw drivers, allen bits, Torx bits, etc. and use my 1/4" square drive extensions, universal joints, sockets, etc.

kv501

This.

And Snap-On ratchets are worth the obscene price.

reptilezs

i use a 1/4 dr roto ratchet and a 5mm bit. don't need the other bits

fietsbob

Have a magnetic hex to 1/4" drive bit, and a screwdriver 1/4 drive handle, myself.

dull phillips tip screwdrivers, no more!

Brian

I agree. But having slipped and smacked my frame more than once with a socket wrench, this holds a lot of appeal. That, and the whole kit takes up very little space in my crowded tool box.

Brian

Oh, and what do you use to get into road bike levers?

dedhed

+1

HillRider

The 1/4" square drive to 1/4" hex bit adapter I mentioned snaps very securely to the ratchet and has a spring loaded ball check to grip the hex bits. Basically it converts a 1/4" square drive ratchet into the tool you show but with more versatility. Nothing ever comes off until I want it to and i already have the 1/4" sq drive kit so I don't have to get yet another tool.

For road levers I use a plain L-type allen key. None of the 1/4" drive hex bits I've ever seen are long enough.

Brian

To be specific, I was tightening the stem clamp bolts, and pulling up. Accidentally let the socket handle come down onto my frame. The socket itself didn't slip or anything.

Doesn't really matter though. I found the tool very handy, and I'm sure folks that don't have or don't need a bigger socket set might too.

HillRider

Sorry if it sounded like I thought the tool was a bad idea. I don't and it does seem very useful if you don't already have a 1/4" sq drive ratchet/socket set. BTW, putting a length of rubber or plastic hose on the ratchet handle would help protect the frame in the event of a slip.

Brian

I have a closet in my house dedicated to tool boxes. Two bicycle tool sets - one for building, and the other for maintenance. Also one for my cars/motorcycle, one for woodworking, one for home repairs, one for auto (low voltage) electrical, and one for home electrical. So while a tip like that is always welcome, I'm more inclined to just get another tool.

My house doesn't have a garage, just a carport, so my own bikes usually get repaired in my home office. But for my neighbors, I would hate to have to lug a heavy tool box outside all the time. Man, I gotta teach them to fish, instead of giving them their fish...

reptilezs

where do i get my free ratchet set? i use T handles for road levers, non ball end style

Dan Burkhart 

I'm holding out for the Schraderatchet.

WickedThump

That's a cool little set. Home depot has these little Husky tool kits for $5 each, (there are different ones), and by combining two of them you could have a pretty good road kit. Harbor Freight has this selection of drive bits which is pretty awesome: https://www.harborfreight.com/100-pie...set-91310.html.

Brian

I have the Husky 103 piece kit. The Husky bits are kinda cheap though - there's a reason they put a couple of each size in there. Between the two, I've already found several non-bicycle applications that the Prestaratchet has worked well for.

Brian

Turns out that 103 piece kit didn't have a bit small enough for the tiny torx screws that secure the clip on a pocket knife, but the Prestaratchet set included one. No idea what I would use it for on a bike, but not complaining, as it did the job.

Brian

Used it to mount my Harley windshield after winter. Don't tell - it's supposed to be a bicycle tool.

Brian

I was expecting more opinionated comments. Y'all have let me down.

mountainwalker

Are there 1/4" square drive ratchets as compact as the Prestaratchet? One appealing quality is the small size (and lower weight). Can anyone recommend a quality model that fits the bill?

Also can you recommend any quality durable bit sets available online that should cover most bike needs?

spdracr39

Opinion : Good for someone that doesn't know how to use tools. Useless for me. The cheap price seems indicative of poor quality and the added bit set costs about a dollar at Harbor Freight.

How was that ?