10 Ridiculous Bike Tools You Do NOT Need (but want...)

[@leedorney]

The glee in Nick's eyes when he had his toolz out was next level..does his gf see that kind of glee in his eyes 🤣

[@markweedon5678]

Agreed. I think this is one of my favourite CADE vids. James's rants are funny and informative. This was just pure unadulterated joy at geeky things that make the heart go boom. Big smiles and laughs!

[@leedorney]

@@markweedon5678 👌

[@trevligadaniel]

I use a nail clipper (not scissors) for zip ties. It gets it all the way down.

[@chrisscott8362]

+1 a brilliant hack.

[@chrisscott8362]

+1 a brilliant hack.

[@isilber1]

This is the way

[@Riezaldd]

bought from aliexpress, only around $1, similar appearance xD

[@Butchcassidy67987]

nawwwwwwwww we electricians have been twisting the tails off with linesman pliers for eons, works really well tbh

[@randyhale4181]

Damn I love it when Nick's on the show he has common sense and he's quirky at the same time keep up the good work.

[@hugov392]

Agree flush side cutters are worth having but you don't need cycle specific ones. I really rate Piergiacomi (Italian made) side cutters made for the electronics industry, they're under £10 (depending on the model) and will last a lifetime (so long as you only cut copper wire or plastic zip ties, not steel brake/gear cables). Knipex also make some heirloom grade ones for less than the Jagwire ones.

[@DaveCM]

Right! It is crazy that they sell it as "bike specific" and that makes it somehow worth double.

[@alistairbuckle3450]

Knipex: buy once, cry once. Then every time you use it: small amount of joy received.

[@appelflapdrol]

Knipex ftw

[@mrhankbotful]

Harbor freight makes a decent side flush cutter for cutting zip ties too, and it's inexpensive and likely to last forever as long as you only cut zip ties with it.

[@yonglingng5640]

I also have a pair that's not affiliated with the cycling industry at all. Once I started using it, oh, I'm not going to use anything else at all.

[@nibnob21]

Unior Hub Genie will save you a modest £709 if you want to pull hub end caps.

[@karlavelo2482]

UNIOR bike tools are a blessing ! Very good design, quality, ergonomics and the price is just right. Most of my workshop tools are from them. I especially like the wheel truing stand and the derailler hanger straightener. And their standard tools are great too.

[@Jayneflakes]

This is why I miss working in a bike shop, access to fabulous tools for those after work builds and workshop use on days off. I might have been obsessive, but then I was never happier at work than when I worked in a good bike shop. These days, when discussing tools with my partner, who is a motorcycle mechanic, can be horrifying. Not only do they have a complete Snap-on tool kit that cost more than my car, but they have the weird dealer only tools that individually costs hundreds and are used rarely, sitting unused for months if not years on end. Fixing my bike with their Snap-on stuff does feel nice though. 😁

[@jm19592011]

I understand the first Snap-on customer died recently at 98 years. He only had another three payments to go . . .

[@slomo3937]

I love my „P&K Lie“ truing stand - a work of art similar to the Abbey one (aluminum, brass and stainless steel), but with precision gauges instead of just some adjustable pins.

[@billeterk]

I was looking for this comment :-). They’re art.

[@peterharrington8709]

VAR disc brake facing tool.... "No, don't touch it, in fact don't even look at it" 😆

[@jamesmckenzie3532]

It's for facing the frame as well. Correct name "Flat Mount Disc Brake Caliper Mounting Hole Facer". Nobody at home should ever have need for one of these.

[@_Zane__]

I want one so bad, the park tool one works but it's such a pain in the ass to setup

[@davidnicholson6680]

... ... but these go to 11.

[@maxlloyd3740]

@@_Zane__ Tell me about it.The amount of time you waste in the workshop! 😂

[@leedorney]

The thought alone, makes you liable to prosecution 😁

[@glennoc8585]

I use knipex cutters and I recommend Plato for a budget cutter. A vernier or a micrometre off Amazon works well for checking wear limits on rotors for a lot less than a dedicated gauge

[@Dimashoey]

Nick must have 100s of not needed tools but can give them the giggles…keep showing em pls!

[@hankamania]

I just got the $20 AliExpress copy of the hanger tool add-on and immediately confirmed that my gravel bike bars were, in fact, bent in when the bike fell over while I had leaned it against a lamp post. They looked a little wonky, but because the prescription between my left and right eyes are wildly different, I couldn't tell if it was my eyesight or what. Great tool to have, and I can use it to get the levers positioned just right when I swap in the new bars.

[@Joshuavoice29]

Okay, the green truing stand is gorgeous!

[@TheRflynn]

All the Abbey stuff is on that want category.

[@davidmulligan42]

I have the Abbey Tools HAG, and it's a work of art.

[@linseyyoung1772]

Still love my ancient VAR Professional wheel jig. Ludicrously expensive decades ago when new. I randomly found it next to a bin in Leith about 20 years ago. The centring cones for QR axles were missing so I borrowed some from someone who had another jig and had a machine shop copy them.

[@DerekGreen123]

I think this is my favourite Nick video yet 👍 As someone who just finished rebuilding my bike from the frame up (following a wonderful repair job by Carbon Bike Repair) I am very cognisant of how much less swearing is necessary when using good quality parts & tools!!

[@madmax2069]

Lmao, 0:33 those are just electronics flush cutters, you can find them all day for under $10, typical that a "bike" specific ones would be $20.

[@randomdudeontheinternet4389]

Incorrect! You are actually destroying electronic flush cutters over time, by cutting zip ties, as both cutting blades smash into each other as the zip tie gives way. There are separate flush cutters made by Knipex with slightly thicker blade geometry, that are made to take that beating. Actually if you send in normal Knipex flush cutters for warranty and they see, that the blade damage comes from zip ties, they will send you new cutters but with a note to never cut zip ties with normal flush cutters.

[@madmax2069]

@@randomdudeontheinternet4389 lmao no. You're not destroying electronic flush cutters by cutting zip ties, the legs of the electronic components you're cutting are harder than zip ties and focused in a smaller point, hate to tell you but flush cutters are flush cutters.

[@randomdudeontheinternet4389]

@@madmax2069 Go ask Knipex, I already received my note with a warrantied pair.

[@AG-el6vt]

Bike tax strikes again.

[@SeaCowsBeatLobsters]

@randomdudeontheinternet4389 That just doesn’t make sense. The cutting edges will smash into each other no matter what you are cutting. What’s so special about zip ties? The only difference is that they’re soft plastic, as opposed to much harder copper or brass component leads.

[@mrhankbotful]

A $30 digital angle finder and straight piece of material is all you need to check the level of your controls. Clamp the bike somewhere it won't move, zero the digital angle gauge off the seat post, and then use your straight piece of material across your hoods or levers and adjust till it reads 90°.

[@andrewrose9707]

I've had one of those little cutters you used for cable ties for years. It was originally bought for use with cutting electronic component legs after soldering into PCB, but I pretty quickly discovered they are AWESOME for cutting cable ties... the sharp edges left by other cutters are a total menace!

[@ivordavies1828]

Vernier calipers are accurate, it's the person reading them that is the problem! And for those people they make digital calipers :)

[@philwyeth]

Love this video. All these tools are completely unnecessarily expensive for home, but I would expect a bike shop to have them in good quality. When I worked at BAe we used comparable tools which were so high end they made a task efficient and also delivered a quality result. If I hand a bike shop, I would 100% have these tools too! Great Video.

[@pratikpramanik7782]

Unior hub genie is a great alternative for end cap removal. The jagwire crimper and twingrip are worth every penny.

[@truthseeker8483]

Congratulations on being so professional and enthusiastic about bike tools and collecting so many. I like the cable tie cutter best.🙂

[@MasteringGrappling]

Love the idea of a break pad wear indicator. Im always wondering when the right time is to replace my pads. 😊

[@lolbubs11111]

When the springs start slapping the rotor lol

[@kubagajda7347]

For end-caps you can buy Unior Hub Genie which goes inside them and expands, but is quite reasonably priced and does work ideed.

[@davidnicholson6680]

I was thinking "Abbey HAG and VAR disc brake mount facer" before watching this, glad to not be disappointed.

[@vanderhovenhaven]

I use my $500 DMC crimping tool for cable ends. It's made for electrical pin connectors, but works great for cable ends.

[@simonleeofficial]

Silver solder the ends then a nice flush cut. easy to pull thru when out on the road.

[@ericpmoss]

My crazy tools... P&K Lie truing stand and DT Swiss tensiometer. Can't wait to amortize the cost down to $100 per wheel. :/ I really need (tm) to get that Japanese spoke cutter that wheelfanatyk sells. And a granite table and a wire EDM, cuz... what is 'need' compared to 'want'?

[@erikver1]

Always wanted the Abbey bike tools suspension bearing press but now bought the Alt Alt suspension bearing press kit. Real nice piece of kit to work with.

[@JoshFosterBikesAndEngineering]

I bought a set of £20 dress making scissors just to cut bar tape, which is a whole ridiculous £7 more than the Park Tool ones. They sat in my toolbox for ages after I first used them, and then found their way into my fiance's sewing kit... I feel like the Campag bottle opener needs an honourable mention here too. I definitely don't need it, but I definitely want it.

[@nicvieri2627]

I’ve done the same. Game changer

[@JoshFosterBikesAndEngineering]

@@nicvieri2627 have you been the same in that they're just for tape, or have you found any other use for them?

[@nicvieri2627]

I only use mine for tape. 👌🏼

[@JoshFosterBikesAndEngineering]

@@nicvieri2627 nice 👌 no blunting the blades on blister packaging or trying to find the one sharp point of the scissors as you're holding the very end of the tape 💪

[@bleckandbleck]

I received the Campy corkscrew as a wedding gift in 1983 when they ran about $75. It works flawlessly to this day.

[@bleckandbleck]

Tools I have but don’t need. Third hand tool holds rim calipers against rim while adjusting cables. Campagnolo crank puller, T wrench, peanut butter wrench. Only the last one has any utility. Campy BIG Lusso wine cork remover. It’s expensive $275. I don’t need it but it works wonderfully and has for 41 years.

[@the_rzh]

I don't need it often, but when i pull out the Abbey HAG to fix someone's shifting problem in the parking lot before a ride, it never fails to impress.

[@mindofmission]

All great tools! One of mine is Finish Line Premium Grease. I use it on the squeaky threads of my caliper piston spreader like those @ 2:50 😁

[@casparnikolai4858]

Spoke cutting and thread rolling tool

[@maxlloyd3740]

Love a good tool! That VAR disc brake facer looks fantastic. We bought the Park one for the workshop but it's so overly complicated how it works this looks a lot simpler! Just need the boss to spend the £900! 😀

[@jbarner13]

I love the fact that VAR still exists. They used to be the budget alternative in quality tools, with the added feature of offering many unique models you couldn't find anywhere else: a bit like Park without the chrome. Now they appear to have evolved from their medieval blacksmith vibe closer to a MAC Tools level.

[@mattgardner2427]

Love this, next time do a demo of each tool as well, so we can see them all in their glory!

[@AntifaHRAD]

I use a centrimaster trueing stand it's the most precise I've used yet

[@michaelcawley7400]

Hey nick take a look at the unior hub genie as another awesome tool for removing end caps without the risk of maring the outside

[@RichardGate-UK]

Brilliant tool!

[@paulsymons562]

Have both sizes. Really useful things.

[@flatorange]

Brown used the VAR facer on my Mason when he finished off the build, good to know that if the brakes are off its not the facing and easily to sort out.

[@johne7100]

Definitely thinking about those cable tie cutters. Just now I'm using fret cutters and they're can't get into tight corners. They make a nice flat cut, though.

[@Muzzledoctor]

As a professional wheel builder, buy the P&K Lie wheel truing stand. Substantially better than any other stand on the market. Bar none.

[@daveanolik8837]

Abby’s the best. I’ll take their Stu Stick disc truing & piston wedge at 22 bucks over all other options. And yeah, their truing stand is stupid spendy but it’s a joy to work on.

[@thexardas8395]

What I find most amazing. Abbey tool wheel stand was sold on day one and I believe is still on waiting list only. Abbey, Silca and Vera doesn't make just tools. Everything is a work of art but soo expensive. I was lucky to buy a bunch of tools from all three last year with good discounts to use at home. I don't need them but they make me smile and work on my bikes more regularly. Totally worth it. Effetto Mariposa torque wrench should be in this video as well.

[@stigguevara8250]

ELVEDES 2012029 CABLE PRICKER - FITS 4.1MM AND 4.9MM OUTER Rocks plus lots of BSC Tools

[@canajunay]

a couple tools i really like are the Wheels Mgf Centerlock socket, stop and rod for centerlock rotors. as well as my 1/4 and 3/8 dr torque wrenches by EWK

[@bsctools5381]

BSCTools do a non marking end cap remover for even less than the Unior

[@tomadevil1]

One of my favourite videos from you guys. I could see stars in his eyes 🤩

[@steve6942]

I have the knippex pliers and they're awesome 👌 Though the unior end cap removal tools are enough for me and the unior wheel truing stand is great too I also bought the wera torque screwdriver set and bits with the case just to do the hydraulic compression nuts on brake levers/calipers 😅

[@ellipticalsoul]

I definitely want the tool to get your levers perfectly level 😭

[@nycticorax5653]

Can I borrow it?

[@adredy]

500 😊

[@nycticorax5653]

@@adredy Hmmm! 500 pennies? dollars? Guarrenteed money back with interest?🙂

[@_xnk7257]

A lazar level can also work, rides of japan has a nice video titled 'bike fitting nirvana"

[@kovie9162]

I have nearly all the bike tools that I'm ever likely to need and I can't say that any of them are all that esoteric or super expensive. I do have a truing stand but it was a cheap store brand model from Performance that I haven't had to use yet as my wheels are built like tanks and still run true. I have a really nice Park consumer level bike stand that does double duty to store my bike that was well worth its relatively modest cost. I did once buy a nice spring-loaded Tacx bottom bracket tool that I've used exactly once, when I installed my bike's square taper old-style bottom bracket, and have not needed to use it since. But when I needed it I really needed it so it was worth the $20 or so I paid at the time. I have good digital calipers that I regularly put to use. And I have a decent set of torque wrenches that do double duty for working on my car. Nothing too fancy here I'm afraid. I do though have some rarely used car tools that mostly sit unused, but when I need them there's no substitute and they've more than paid for themselves by saving me the costs of having a shop do the work. For example a wheel bearing removal and installation kit for interference fitted bearings, that's basically a larger and heavier-duty version of a bike bearing removal and press kit. I've never used it for such but I imagine that used carefully it could be used to remove or press press-fit bottom brackets, head tube and fork crowns and races, and perhaps even wheel bearings. I have both a rotary tool and die grinder, both cordless, that have been incredibly useful in restoring various car parts and removing rust and crud prior to repainting. The rotary tool has proven useful for working on my bike as well, for removing scuffs and burrs and cutting cable housing flush and square. It would probably work well to clean up my wheel rims as I still use rim brakes. In fact a lot of tools that I originally bought for use on my car have proven to be useful for working on my bike, like various punches, snapped, seized and rounded bolt extractors, picks, files, wrenches, sockets, socket adapters, breaker bars, and, I will sheepishly admit, an impact wrench, for removing a crank arm and cassette that hadn't been removed in years and were stuck tight, at its lowest setting, blipped just briefly. Worked great and no damage done but definitely not to be used haphazardly on a bike.

[@rupedog]

You can check ur levers are level by turning urbike upside down onto the hoods (& saddle) on a known level floor, and put the spirit level on the seat tube to check its perfectly vertical... Bit of faff, but good enough. Or clamp the bike vertical and the use spirit level horizontally across hoods (easier once bike is clamped upright)

[@challacustica9049]

I own the Jagwire cable cutters (not flush cutters), and they are really nice. My work has the park tool truing stand too.

[@jordanmiller42]

Never going to be able to make a carbon bike with perfect brake mounts straight from the mold, but I agree facing is a process that the factory should do. Instead, you have to track down the one shop in town with a facing tool and pay them a lot of money to do it- both that tool and the Park one are so expensive that only the premium shops tend to have them.

[@yonglingng5640]

The workshop I used to work at has one and my ex-boss told me it has only been used twice before I need to use it for its third time on a customer's frame I was handling. He's aware he won't get to use it a lot, but he knows the fix can be done in his shop since he has it, customers just need to know this shop exists. Just needs a diamond cutting bit for carbon surfaces and the set is golden.

[@AG17_1]

A diamond cutter is a miss on this tool and I've been asking VAR for ages if any will ever be available. They are coming has been the answer for ever ! As good as the VAR tool is it is a hand workout in use as you cannot attach a drill to it like the Park one.

[@jordanmiller42]

@@yonglingng5640 they also need to know it's a thing that can be done that's actually useful, instead of just living with really fiddly calipers. I took a new frame to a shop a few weeks ago and when I mentioned I wanted to get the frame faced the mechanic seemed excited he would get to use the tool.

[@yonglingng5640]

@@jordanmiller42 Haha, I get the feeling.

[@wesleyfraser3058]

That hub cap puller could be made with twenty minutes of cad, and a few cents of filament. Love it

[@shr779]

Thank goodness a new post, I was running out of things to watch.

[@isaachlloyd]

The Unior hub genie is far cheaper and more effective than the endcap puller you featured. Also, knipex super knips electronics flush cutters are a similar price to the Jagwire zip tie snips, but they work far better and feel good in the hand!

[@cb6866]

Thanks Francis and Nic...sir , Ty-wrap gun !! Full blown tool crazy.. It tensions , and cuts ...oooh

[@zedtony8110]

First tool video that had tools I didn't have already

[@craigcarter9513]

OMG! Those Abbey tools are works of art!

[@trialsted]

Top tip, if you're buying pliers, side cutters or flush cutters, make sure they say Knipex on the side. Similar price to the bike specific rubbish too (7861125 Electronic Super Knips 125mm)

[@HjghnghjVvnhthnj]

I am so happy I ride quick release 135/100 axles with rim brakes after watching this The mech tool was very nice The trying stand I couldn't get behind because it's an expensive entry to... Not even dial gauges.

[@M3GRSD]

I NEED the SRAM piston press and both Birdman brake pad and rotor wear indicator tools. NEED.

[@GokkunGuru]

SRAM Ultimate Piston Press works on Shimano too. It’s a really nice tool!

[@grahambell9831]

Great video from Nik & Francis 👍👍

[@milanb.6022]

The tools are nice, but how about that allroad sweater! How would a discerning bike snob go about aquiring one of those, if i may ask?

[@H457ur]

I have an Effetto Mariposa torque wrench @$240, and the t-handle Allen keys from Beta tools (also $240), which are technically for motorcycles (I don’t own a motorcycle) and hardened to be able to handle far more torque than you would ever put on a bicycle bolt, but they’re so freakin beautiful. I also have too many Wera tools, including all three of their torque wrenches ($500+ or so-did I mention I already had a torque wrench?), wratchet socket drivers for cars and bicycles (I don’t own a car), and the absolute best Allen keys and bits I’ve ever seen. And, just in case you think I might be a sane person, I have the Silca “100th Edition” set of Allen Keys, absolutely NOT worth $185 (the same set can be had for around $125, in a less fancy box.) The worst part is that I have never lost or worn out a quality Allen key, so it’s not like I *need* more tools…

[@paulsymons562]

Knipex 78 61 140 for flush cutters.

[@firesurfer]

I was in Italy in the 80s. I was in the Guerciotti shop and saw a complete Campagnolo tool kit for the equivalent of $600. Instant lust.

[@palooza90210]

That abbey top cap adapter would work with any other hanger alignment tool. It kinda makes sense if it makes a really expensive tool do more then 1 thing.

[@Aeysir]

Most expensive and limited tool I have in the garage is a single socket I bought for my Speed Triple 1050 16 years ago. £140 to undo 1 nut, once. I sold the bike a few months after use...

[@gavin18787]

Can't beat decent tools. Love that sram piston pusher ❤😊

[@JanKowalski-ux6nt]

I love this series! ❤

[@richiejames928]

Good sparkys use cable tie pliers that tighten the cable tie and trim it flush once it’s tight. cheap from any good electrical shops.

[@jeremyemilio9378]

I have a unior conical square crank removal tool because I forgot to remove the washer from the bolt once😅

[@stephenturkLA]

What, no affiliate links or codes? After seeing Nic's enthusiasm for these tools, I'm ready to buy all 10 of them!

[@ericiven7168]

Hottest take I have as a bike mechanic is that the park tool derailleur hanger tool is a fundamentally better tool at its task than the abbey tool. However there is no competition in terms of build quality.

[@harryshort2281]

My good old park tool hw2 old school headset wrench for threaded headset but the sturdiest and best tool for vintage/retro mod builds

[@hockysa]

Abbey tools so beautiful. Would struggle to use them out of fear of getting the dirty or damaged.

[@zackbaldman]

Twingrips are my go-to whenever someone asks me "what is your favorite tool in your box." Love those things, they've gotten me out of so many tight spots.

[@rrrrrrikke]

Expensive set for just pulling the hub end caps. What about the Unior Hub Genie Extractor?

[@RonTalain]

+1 on the Union end cap removal tool. I have one and it works great at literally a fraction of the cost!

[@qbarnes1893]

Exactly why I detest the net...made exactly for those with way too much money and a low understanding of engineering. Only purchase specific tools if it’s actually required and not because I can afford too

[@StephanWiesner]

chapter marks or links to the products would be nice

[@WeeFBS]

As others have said normal side cutters work for zip ties but also if all you have are ‘normal’ cutters then cut the zip tie tail across its broadest direction not the narrowest this guarantees you’ll not get any sharp edges

[@larryt.atcycleitalia5786]

Kinda/sorta makes me miss my bike shop daze....just for the tools, not for the (too many) a-hole customers! Happy that guys like you are dealing with 'em instead of me!!!! :-)

[@nameresu]

Jagwire Pro Cutters are not durable, sadly. I have a regular Park Tool cutters, that I bougt and started using earlier than Jagwire. And now park cuts cables (and everything else) better, than Jagwire, which was used only for cables. And I'm using both tools only to fix my own bikes, since I'm not a professional mechanic.

[@robertpatrick3350]

My fav’s are chain and sprocket wear checking tools

[@Emtbtoday]

I use flush side and fine nose cutters from my modelling hobby and bonsai tree pruning there exactly the same only know whare to get them at good prices and quality had the same 2 pair's for over 10 years now 10 quid each now was 7.99 back then never gone blunt or twisted

[@Donna-Mann]

Who needs these ridiculous bike tools when you can just use a banana peel for traction and a squirrel for a bell! 🍌🐿️

[@finkmojo]

Just to blow your minds, the clip tie cutter is just a plastic cutter or 'sprue cutter' for models, pilers have a blunter edge as you traditionally would use them for wire - you can get them for a fiver so a good £15-00 saving there!

[@eleventybillion2301]

That Abbey Tools trueing stand is insane

[@mlee6136]

Finger nail clippers also clean up zip ties nicely, just a well known tip.

[@IsaacRC]

100 plus euros for a Sram bleeding kit 🔪🔪BTW pushing the calliper pistons inside will brake the levers bladder if the oil pressure isn't open/released on the levers side

[@emilycs8823]

A $6 micro cutter like Hakko-CHP-170 are the same thing as the jagwire cutters.

[@jpspira8651]

What was the blue-handled Allen wrench handle you used to tighten the Ceramic Speek End Cap Removal Tool at 5:35?

[@Type1on2wheels]

Think Nick needs to learn to flush cut with side cutters. I’ve never needed flush cutters! And I would expect I’ve cut far more cable ties than Nick in the last 20years!

[@Ronin_Texas]

You know a small $3.00 Nail clipper works just as good as the $19.99 Zip ties cuter & if you still not happy, a couple of passes with a emery board will make it super smooth.

[@kimrice394]

I’ve scratched the hell outta some end caps!

[@michaelpdallas]

For after working in the shop, the Campagnolo corkscrew

[@mike_f]

Here I am thinking that zip tie cutter is way too expensive ($22 USD) while I recall all many, many the times I sanded/filed ones I cut so I don't lacerate myself on them. But the Park TS2 stand I scored on Facebook Market for $100 (including the base tray) I use very infrequently is such a steal. Typical tool junky logic I guess. Which one looks better sitting on the workbench is what matters I guess 😀😜🤣

[@THErickuss]

Thoroughly enjoyed that

[@michaelhayward7572]

Er, i have 3 calipers. All 3 Mitutoyo. 1 x fine adj imp/mm vernier. 1 x 0.001" imperial dial 1 x 0.02mm metric dial Both the last two coz i'm getting old and my eyes arent what they once were reading the first. All 3 are reliable, accurate, and repeatable.