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Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

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There are a ton of different ways to bring your tools along for a ride, yet, no matter how many we try it seems like there are always drawbacks. Because of that, tinkerers, tool makers, and riders are all constantly trying to rethink the multi-tool. The latest fruit of that iterative process comes to us via PrestaCycle. Known for their collection of tools that includes everything from the PrestaFlator tire inflator, to the original PrestaRatchet, PrestaCycle is always working on something new.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

The latest additions to the catalog include the new PrestaCycle TorqRatchet and the T-Handle 3 Way Ratchet, shown here in the Deluxe package which includes an EVA foam lined zipper case and 12 1/4″ bits ($59.99).

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

At its core, the TorqRatchet is a standard 1/4″ ratcheting wrench which is designed to withstand up to 60Nm of force. The ratchet seems like it’s of pretty high quality, and it includes a thumb wheel and is reversible in direction of ratcheting.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

On the other end, it gets a little unique with a 2-10 Nm torque wrench built into the handle. The torque scale is printed on both sides so that you can use it in either direction, and torque measurements are made using the simple beam style torque measurement. This means you just push on the end of the wrench until the arrow lines up with the correct torque.

In practice, this is a bit more difficult than it sounds since the striations are so close together – you really have to look close, or just count the hash marks which makes it kind of tedious to use. It’s also not quite as convenient as a click type torque wrench for obvious reasons, but the benefit here is that it’s small, light, and durable enough to bring with you on a ride.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

The killer for me comes from the bits themselves, and not the actual tool. Since the included PrestaCycle bits don’t have the little chamfer cuts, they tend to pull out of the tool if the bolt head is at all tight. Essentially, there is just a tiny spring in the ratchet that is meant to hold the bit in place, but without the recess provided by the chamfer, there isn’t enough friction to hold it in place.

Update: 

Great news – apparently the bits I was sent were pre-production, and the bits shipped out to customers will have the chamfers as described below!

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Strangely, I tried some of my own bits that I already had (that look like the one above with chamfer cuts), and they stayed in the TorqRatchet much better, and didn’t once pull out accidentally.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Unfortunately, all of the [pre-production] PrestaCycle bits are made without those chamfer cuts, including their new 50mm extra long bit set. However, this is only an issue with the TorqRatchet due to the design – the T-Handle Ratchet is another story (see below).

If having the exact torque is of utmost importance to you while on the trail, this might be a good tool to carry a long, but for me it’s a pass.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Fortunately for PrestaCycle, the T-Handle 3 Way ratchets is another story entirely. This is a tool I would gladly buy, as it’s super versatile.

Starting with the same patented ratchet mechanism, the handle of the T-Handle can be used as a standard 1/4″ ratcheting wrench. If used with the standard PrestaCycle bits you will have the same issues of the bit pulling out, but there are enough other ways to use it that it’s a non-issue.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

The main handle turns into a T-handle by sliding the extension all the way through the middle. To do this, line up the dotted line with the red dot, and push through as shown above. This makes it into a super handy T-Handle and both the end of the ratchet and the end of the extension have magnetic bit holders to make sure the bits stay put until you absolutely want to pull them out.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Or, instead of the T-Handle, you can use the extension as a way to get into tight places like the bolts on a dropper seat post. I checked to see if the standard length bits would work on a SRAM GX1 derailleur, and they do – though things like the front brake nut on a road fork would require the longer 50mm bits.

Hands On: PrestaCycle TorqRatchet & 3 Way Ratchet put a new spin on mini tools

Overall, the T-Handle 3 Way was the surprise stand out. This is the tool that will go in my pack. The TorqRatchet is still a good tool, as long as the included bits come with the chamfers mentioned above. Both are fairly light (68g for the TorqRatchet, and 88g for the T-Handle including the extension), and are small enough to easily fit in a jersey pocket, pack, or bib pocket.

There are multiple ways to buy the tools above including just the T-Handle Ratchet, just the extension, just the bits, just the tools, or the full kits. Available now.

prestacycle.com

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19 Comments
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Bluefire
Bluefire
6 years ago

14″ bits?! What is this, an oil rig? 😉

boom
boom
6 years ago

That torque wrench barely gives the illusion of accuracy. Defeats the entire purpose of having a torque wrench.

Greg
Greg
6 years ago
Reply to  boom

I think the accuracy is reasonable considering it’s a carry-on tool. Better than counting grunts with a stsndard folding multi tool.
It’s like a Silca torque beam tool, only more versatile and much cheaper. In general, PrestaCycle seems to think through their stuff better than most.

Fred Gravelly
Fred Gravelly
6 years ago

Why is there a 0nm? Why not just start at 2?

Peter Herman
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred Gravelly

Because you should not store a torque wrench of any kind set to a resistance. Always store them at 0.

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Fred Gravelly

Exactly my question: why put a mark for 0 nanometers? Yes, I’m being a sarcastic pedant.

Tim
Tim
6 years ago
Reply to  Robin

So while you’re being a sarcastic pedant try to get “Newton Meters” right will ya.

Since it s a torque beam I assume it has a locked position with no deflection on the beam. So whether it has nothing or “0” is irrelevant since “0” is nothing, pedantically speaking

Robin
Robin
6 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Newton meters is N-m or N∙m. Nanometers are nm.

mud+rock
mud+rock
6 years ago

The torque wrench seems silly to me, but the 3-way is a fantastic tool. Shop quality that’s light enough for your ride. You can get the ratchet and extension alone for $30, and a set of extra long bits (so many tight spots on a bike) for $7.

If I were ever to replace my Fix It Sticks, this would be the one.

mud+rock
mud+rock
6 years ago

One thing that would be helpful when reviewing these small tools: pics of the reviewer actually gripping the tool in use. Zach has one pic where he is (barely) holding the 3-way, but a tool’s utility is directly related to how it fits in your hand.

comrad
comrad
6 years ago

The ratchets a rip off of the topeak ratchet rocket (which is amazing)

Also I refuse to support a company that uses comic sans

TDO
TDO
6 years ago
Reply to  comrad

The ratchet is an OTS (off the shelf).

VeloKitty
VeloKitty
6 years ago

Other options:

I think the preset torque keys (say 4, 5, or 6 Nm) would be the best option for me. 4 Nm covers my stem and seatpost screws.

A Felo torque limiting handle with bit driver weighs 145 g, plus you would need to carry a 6 mm hex to adjust it, and it only covers 3.0 Nm – 5.4 Nm.

TYler durden
TYler durden
6 years ago

did you test the calibration against anything??

Padrote
Padrote
6 years ago
Reply to  TYler durden

This is out of reach of a bikerumor review. You need a calibrated load and an accurate measurement system at <3 lbf.

VeloKitty
VeloKitty
6 years ago

> Newton meters is N-m or N∙m. Nanometers are nm.

Mostly incorrect.

Symbols for derived units formed by multiplication are joined with a center dot (⋅) or a non-breaking space; e.g., N⋅m or N m.

Padrote
Padrote
6 years ago
Reply to  VeloKitty

Yeah but a non breaking space looks stupid there and nobody should open charmap.exe just to put the correct dot between some units on an internet post. Every knows what Nm means.

Mark C
Mark C
6 years ago

I never really understood the point of portable torque wrenches they all seem very hard to read/use and if you use a torque wrench normally than I doubt much is coming loose on a ride. For those rare instances where you bought new stuff and need to make on the fly adjustments I’ve never had an issue throwing a regular torque wrench in my jersey pocket.

Wildfire86
Wildfire86
1 year ago

I have the Prestacycle T-Handle 3-Way Ratchet and I love it… I have replaced the bits that came with the Topeak Allen BitKit and the Topeak Torx BitKit.

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