Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Recommended 1/4" Square Drive Ratchets as compact & light as Prestaratchet?

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Recommended 1/4" Square Drive Ratchets as compact & light as Prestaratchet?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-04-14, 02:06 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 120
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Recommended 1/4" Square Drive Ratchets as compact & light as Prestaratchet?

Are there 1/4" square drive ratchets as compact as the Prestaratchet? The small size and light weight are nice. Can anyone recommend a quality 1/4" square drive ratchet model that fits the bill?

Also can you recommend any quality durable bit sets available online that should cover most bike needs?
mountainwalker is offline  
Old 08-04-14, 02:48 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
BCRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: The 'Wack, BC, Canada
Posts: 5,556

Bikes: Norco (2), Miyata, Canondale, Soma, Redline

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 45 Times in 35 Posts
Well.... because a 1/4" drive is made to handle more torque than a hex bit the ratchet unit won't be quite as compact. And if it were you'd be paying big bucks for one.

If you simply want the shorter handle then simply zip disc off a piece and grind the end back to smooth.
BCRider is offline  
Old 08-04-14, 05:30 PM
  #3  
自転車整備士
 
oldskoolwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Denver, Colorado USA
Posts: 885

Bikes: '86 Moots Mountaineer, '94 Salsa Ala Carte, '94 S-Works FSR, 1983 Trek 600 & 620

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
If you want a quality ¼" ratchet, get either a Snap-On, MAC, or NAPA Balkamp. In most cases, one can find these at any flea market or auto parts swap. Yes, they hold their value because they're worth every penny.

Craftsman is second by a couple lengths; the others trail the field.
oldskoolwrench is offline  
Old 08-05-14, 04:54 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
dsbrantjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319

Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,092 Times in 723 Posts
This may come close; double-ended, it takes both 1/4" square and hex drive without adapters so good for bike use: Robot Check

I have three of them and use them all of the time. It has a 48- or 60-tooth ratchet as I recall and an intelligent thumb-able reversing switch. The thumb wheel is usable but not great for spinning fasteners down quickly.
dsbrantjr is offline  
Old 08-05-14, 05:47 AM
  #5  
jyl
Senior Member
 
jyl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639

Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997

Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times in 31 Posts
To carry with your bike? Chances are, your bike only has a few different sizes of fasteners, and the largest ones won't be involved in roadside repair (crank bolt, etc). So you can carry just two or three small Allen keys and a tiny screwdriver, or something like that.

To have in the shop? I'd rather have full size tools, thanks.
jyl is offline  
Old 08-05-14, 06:49 AM
  #6  
ot.net slave
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 571

Bikes: Salsa mtb * 3, Intense mtb * 1, Abeni SS rd * 1, Salsa road/touring * 2, Trek Damn one * 1, Vintage/projects * many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Topeak make a neat one which comes in a little pouch with all the bits. Handle very slightly longer than the presta ratchet but otherwise very similar product, just tidier package.

- joel
tomacropod is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Taipei Tony
Folding Bikes
13
11-30-18 07:03 PM
tsiklonaut
General Cycling Discussion
44
09-29-18 07:59 PM
Drew Eckhardt
Bicycle Mechanics
13
10-14-13 05:46 AM
xB_Nutt
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
3
11-15-12 04:18 PM
chainstrainer
Folding Bikes
7
02-28-10 01:56 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.