It’s hard to get too excited about a miniature ratchet wrench, isn’t it? After all, if tools are cool, than big tools must be cooler. And Prestacycle’s Prestaratchet isn’t big- it’s tiny. Sometimes, of course, smaller is better. Read in to learn more about how this tiny tool and wrench set has earned its own place on my tool board…
Sent out with their cool Prestalever, Prestacycle’s $13 Prestratchet is a diminutive reversing ratcheting wrench that accepts standard hex bits, which the company sells in either their chromed steel or the tested PRO hardened S2 steel Bicycle Bit Sets. Aside from being a size that’s “just right” for many bicycle applications, Prestacycle claim that the Prestratchet’s use of inexpensive replaceable bits ($13 for the standard set, $20 for the Pro set) prevents the rounding of delicate hardware by worn tools- just recycle the bits when they’ve worn and replace them with a fresh set.
In the workshop, it took a while for the Prestratchet to displace my trusty Allen and Torx Y-wrenches- but for a number of applications it certainly has. The small, angled head and ratcheting mechanism makes removing and installing disc brake hardware a breeze. 
Water bottle bolts are also easily handled and- in my favorite application- front derailleur limit screws are easily accessed on funky full suspension frames. Prestacycle also recommend the Prestaratchet as a mini tool- just cut down the rubber bit carrier to carry the essentials and toss in a saddle bag alongside the 28g ‘ratchet.
Of course, most everything else on modern road and mountain bikes calls for a torque wrench- but Prestacycle’s bit set has come in handy there as well. The available $2 Torque Wrench Adapter adapter allows my 1/4in drive Park torque wrench to share the Prestaratchet’s bits, which are much less bulky than the 1/4in drive bits and required adapter that Park sell.
As tested, the Prestaratchet, Torque Wrench Adapter and PRO Bicycle Bit Set are available as a set for $34, which is ideal for home mechanics. Sets run from $25 with the chromed steel bit set to $150, which includes a PRO bit set and ten ratchets and is aimed at mechanics who want to keep their most-used bits permanently mounted. The Prestaratchet is a cool little tool that has come in surprisingly handy- earning itself a spot alongside my most-used workshop tools.
marc
