Are TEMU Cycling Tools Worth It? - Bike Maintenance

In this video, I test out cycling specific tools from Temu. Are they any good, or are they all just a waste of time and money? Well, lets find out.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
2:50 - £1 Chain Checker Tool
04:55 - Chain Whip & Cassette Removal Tool
09:07 - Hex Keys
12:41 - Split Link Removal Pliers
14:43 - Chain Cleaning Tool
18:08 - Conclusion
About Ribble Valley Cyclist:
I am a regular road cyclist based in the Ribble Valley, in the North West of England. I have been a cyclist my whole life, and try to get out every day. The purpose of my KZbin channel is to share the knowledge I’ve built up in my 40 years as a cyclist.
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Audio credit:
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#bikerepair #bikemaintenance #roadbike #workshop #bikecare #wintercycling #review #cycling #cyclinglife #ribblevalleycyclist #roadcycling

[@michaelbruyninckx3656]

If you put drivetrain degreaser in the chain cleaner tool, it works awesome !

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I’m sure it’d work a lot better if it was a genuine one. It is now on its way to tool heaven 😂😂

[@adriansmith38]

@@ribblevalleycyclist not sure why you'd expect soapy water to remove oil and grease. None of them will work with water unless you are using dry lube perhaps

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I didn’t expect it to, that’s why I added Virosol.

[@HT-io1eg]

Always use citrus degreaser. Works a treat

[@rogersliu1200]

what is the definition of genuine, it is a box of gear and brushes. it does its job at its price point. Chain gauge: a piece of stamped metal, how much do you want to spend on it?@@ribblevalleycyclist

[@williamkterrell]

Great review and the truth is you pay what you get for. Thanks for the. truthful review.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed. But sometimes those cheaper products can shock you.

[@joystation1]

Chain scrubbers are only as good as the solvent you put in them. Like others, I've got the PT chain cleaner and it does a great job with little to no mess on the floor. When I used to use oil based chain lubes, I would use white spirit for the first wash which shifts the bulk of the black gunge, then I'd do a second wash with a strong degreaser (Screwfix's No-Nonsense Degreaser) , result, squeaky clean chain. Now I use the wax based lube Squirt all year round and don't get grimey chains or sprockets.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

To be honest, I don’t spend my time cleaning them. I take the chain off, and put it in diluted degreaser. Screwfix, or Virosol, depending on how bad it is. Either a jar or an ultrasonic cleaner. That way I can get on doing other stuff while it’s cleaning.

[@Gribbo9999]

I bought a cheapo chain cleaner on Amazon. It's made of disposable packaging quality plastic but with a bit of water soluable degreaser in the reservoir it works a treat. No complaints.

[@joystation1]

I've now gone over to immersive waxing after putting a new chain on. It's just clocked up 3,000 miles with barely any wear ( measured with my Pedro's Chain Checker + 2). I'm saving money yes but the biggest tangible benefit of IW is being able to work on your bike and drivetrain and not get your fingers, hands and clothes covered in black oil.

[@rpiereck74]

The tiny chain splitter is a perfect tool to bring on a bicycle ride in your tool kit.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Was thinking the same thing 👍

[@kevinrowlands6753]

Ive not been long watching your videos but i think there informativel and extremely useful

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Thanks. Glad you like them!

[@alistairmacfadyen9365]

Excellent video, thank you very much

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Glad you liked it!

[@robertcatuara5118]

Measure the two chain checkers with a digital caliper and compare.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

As the two chain checkers in this video had differing measurement spans, it wouldn’t tell us anything. Saying that though, I do have a Lifeline one somewhere that is the same, so I’ll measure that and post the results.

[@LivandTrekGoCycling]

Good video Jon. I haven't ordered from Temu yet but you're video lets us know that at least some of their products are worth buying...good review 👍

[@fabianbinder3681]

You have to consider that it’s kind of a google situation. On Temu, you and your data are part of the product. It’s probably not a dealbreaker, but something that should be kept in mind.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Glad you enjoyed it. My thoughts are that, if the tool cannot do damage (link pliers, for example), then it may be worth a punt. Oh, enjoyed the carbon repair video btw 👍

[@kevindean9613]

I try my best to support things made in a country that have a minimum wage & health care .

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Not easy to do nowadays. The vast majority of cycling manufacturers, even the iconic brands have farmed their production out to either Taiwan or China

[@friendbubble8415]

Hey my friend For the chain checkers, I think that we have to know that the checker is more accurate if it is longer. To understand we need to know how it works. Just let U know. I still think for private purpose it is still good enough The chainlink remover.If we go like tjis just take some laces. And they will do the job...

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed, testing on a worn chain would've been a good idea. Trouble was, I didn't have a worn chain to hand. Laces, I like that idea.

[@Martin-on2pp]

Exactly!

[@DamienBrittan]

Great video mate !

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Thanks, Damien👍

[@ludwik8240]

Its not like some guy in China seen chain checker somewhere on internet, draw similar shape on a napkin and make a factory to stamp it out in millions... It will do a good job for all those bicycle users to check chain every now and again. For mechanic - maybe not. For bike owners - absolutely yes. Checker falls in at 0.75 - go to workshop to check it properly and replace if needed. People go to mechanics usually when its too late, when bike cant take it anymore and whole drive train need to be replaced (sometimes at a cost close to a price of new bike).

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Completely agree. It's more than good enough for the home user, and it does a better job than no chain checker at all. I think it's money well spent. 👍

[@lukaszplusa7984]

Great video!

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Thanks!

[@mytucsoncycling]

Love the link pliers. Would be nice to have a pair to carry in my bag. I've been eyeing some fork and seat stay mounted wheel truing devices on Temu. Might be worth a look. BTW, if you put the chain hook on so the stem between the hooks faces up the chain drops down and is easier to work on.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Yeah, they're great little things. Good tip, thanks for that, will do it like that from now on 👍

[@LakeDistrictcyclist]

Brilliant mate I was thinking of getting some tools from here, tools I would only use once a year, seem to do a job

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Some of the Amazon stuff is also good Dave. 👍

[@normanlindsay4835]

I agree with your summary. For a home mechanic,most of these tools are more than adequate. But, as you say, the cassette removal tool should be hardened steel and as a real one only costs £8, don't skimp on it. Hex keys are the most used tool in any toolbox and again cheap is bad, that one you used on the cleat bolt probably would round it the next time you tried that.. Good video, thanks

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Hi Norman, Yeah, I suspect it won't last much longer. Draper does a great set, they're hardened, and they only cost £10. I won't throw those two away, but I probably won't ever use them!

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Bondhus are good .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Cassette removal tool , I just have the Shimano set .

[@derekhobbs1102]

I got one of those chain cleaners from Aldi, and it was so flimsy that I didn't even try it.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Yeah, they're pretty poor. Saying that though, my next video after this one was on the Park Tool one. I was surprised on how well it did.

[@carlpentney290]

Good video. I think those tools performed as I would have expected tbh. The hex wrench performed well because it was a quality precision bolt. A softer less precision bolt may have damaged itself and the tool. Crikey those Park Tool chain scrubbers have doubled in price since I got mine. I'm going to make sure I look after it as it's an awesome piece of kit.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I did think of using a softer bolt, but then maybe just the bolt would’ve failed. A lot of people are saying the PT chain cleaner is good. Maybe I should get one and compare it to cleaning the traditional way

[@Jim-be8sj]

Good one. I have some of those same tools and reached similar conclusions. For those leery of purchasing through Temu, tools like these are available via eBay sellers and many other places as well.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed, eBay has some similar tools, just slightly more expensive...... But when they're this cheap, who cares????!!!!

[@paulsymons562]

the park chain cleaner isn't terrible, but if I am chain cleaning i normally have the rest of the bike to clean and have the brush and fairy liquid out anyway - that does just a s good a job. A hot water hose and using wax lube help with keeping clean too.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

To be honest, I don’t spend my time cleaning them. I take the chain off, and put it in diluted degreaser. Screwfix, or Virosol, depending on how bad it is. Either a jar or an ultrasonic cleaner. That way I can get on doing other stuff while it’s cleaning.

[@dogbreath6974]

I personally think that Park tools are over priced, they maybe good quality but, paying over £10 for a piece of metal to check chain length is ridiculous, the temu one works just as good and is probably made in the same place. The markup on some manufacturers is almost Criminal. Good episode and I enjoy your production style.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

The problem PT face, is they make all of their stuff in the US..... which is a nice thing, but it does drive the price up. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

​@@ribblevalleycyclistTheir cable cutters are Taiwanese as are some brushware .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

I broke one of their pedal wrenches on a difficult job 2 years ago .

[@chrisscott8362]

The park tool cc-4 tool is a great product. It is also a piece of stamped steel and is a rip off for where it is priced.

[@andybutler3868]

Great vid

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@fabianbinder3681]

One problem with the little quicklink pliers is the first installment of the quicklink. But for use on the road, they’re golden.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Oh, because they're stiff when they're new.... Good point!

[@Robutube1]

A collab with Luke at Trace Velo could be interesting...

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I don’t think I have enough baguettes to keep Luke from @tracevelo happy 😂🥖

[@Eb3nez3r]

The temu app is an app within an app. In otherwords it rebuilds itself after install to harvest all your data. Even sends screenshots back to base. That's why the prices are cheap. Beware

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

I limit this phenomenon by dismissing update requests relating to the application .It still functions normally for me though .I don't spend as much with it as i have with Aliexpress.. I can customise it's permissions .

[@MisterAshbrook]

As a professional bike mechanic, I’ve used both Weldtite and Park Tool chain cleaner devices, and both work very well, but it’s important to use the correct cleaning solution - for me a citrus-based biodegradable degreaser works well. Like a great many repair and service jobs, it’s important to protect the work area, so a drip tray under the bike is my standard procedure.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Personally, I find removing the chain and submersing it in diluted degreaser much more effective. In a jar if it’s not too bad, or an ultrasonic cleaner if it’s in a state.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

The drip tray is good but I use the ultrasonic or canister technique for deep cleaning or if changing to a lubricant of a different base or type .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Don't use any flammable products in the ultrasonic cleaning tank . Palmolive or Dawn , Cussons , dishwashing liquid is best .

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Very interesting, thank you. Temu is like buying Aldi Special Buy tools. Russian roulette. I love my PT chain cleaner. Replaced the innards several times. The handle has snapped off and I've lost the clips holding the 2 parts together. Still use it. Now, because I know you're a convert(😂), cleaning fluid on the first run, empty the bath, fill with clean water and repeat. Job done. So how do you clean your chain?

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Hi Pigeon Poo, In all fairness, I suspect the BT one will be far better. Also, good point on the fluid swap, may well have helped my £1.97 one 🤣. Personally, I remove the whole chain and soak it in degreaser. If it's really bad, I use ultrasonic.

[@dtibor5903]

That casette remove tool probably it is not that bad. I have something similar cheap, the paint came off long time ago but still removes nasty stuck casettes without a problem, the metal part is fine.

[@colinmcnally5931]

Why did you put water in the chain cleaner?? If you use proper chain cleaner in those , they work very well indeed . Been using one for years and it was a cheap one.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Good point. Did a proper review of one the other day. Here you go, give it a watch: The Park Tool CM-5.3 Cyclone Chain Scrubber - Is It Better Than An Old Jam Jar? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKW6n5t7nd2gbpY

[@Carftymk]

i've either seen or bought myself pretty much all of these on aliexpress itself and unless GBP is that much more expensive, i've had these for even significantly cheaper than you did. i like all the tools i got from there except maybe the small chain pliers you also have because it's too small. i would 100% buy all of these again

[@cbailey2376]

I've brought several items on Temu....some very good, others not so much. I use most of the Temu tools for my bike bag & my 'regular' tools for home use. It's a bit of trial & error.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I was surprised by how good they were.

[@user-zo8vh1le3x]

Can you do a review on carbon road bike wheels please.

[@9electromatic]

was very surprized with my 1sr order some good prices and I received some quality products

[@jameslewis7479]

I got rid of the muc off chain scrubber as it was a faff and didn’t think it was any good

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I've never tried one, because I just cannot see how a mechanical device like that can do a better job than removing and soaking in degreaser/diesel/petrol/spirit. However, many people in the comments are saying I'm wrong. An in their defence, I've never tried the genuine one....... So maybe i should do a video on it!

[@eoinf2773]

I got a bottom bracket and cassette removers set for them and did my fine! It was like less than €20 including delivery

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Some of it is okay stuff. As I say, bit of a gamble though.

[@eoinf2773]

@@ribblevalleycyclist yeah, I thought your video was very honest. Good content

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

@eoinf2773 Thanks 👍

[@JimIBobIJones]

It all comes down to the margin of error the part is designed to/can tollerate. A stamped out measuring tool is obviously going to be cruder than a machine cut one, but that's a moot point if you don't need the precision. Your chain is going to have more of a margin of error built into the specs than the accuracy you loose by choosing a cheap stamped out measuring tool. A smart consumer would spend the big money on tools that need the investment and buy the budget options where quality of the tools don't make a difference.

[@Pastemfist]

Might have been an idea to see if the chain checker could identify a worn chain.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

TBH, I did think that. Trouble is, I didn't have a worn chain to hand..... I always chuck them in the recycling. I need to hold one back.

[@amelb6533]

I have same cheap chain checker , it is way of in mesuring worn chain , my chain was skiping and worn to 0,75 but chain checker showed new state of chain

[@mtbboy1993]

From a Norwegian online retailer I can get cheap KMC chain checker with built in holder for chain link removal. Delivered in 2 days. So I don't see the point of saving a few bucks on probably much slower shipping and a possibly inferior product. I rather not wait 2 weeks for something to arrive from china, not again, no thx. I see Pedros has one that costs more than twice as much. But on sale that's a good deal too. I might try these. But I don't need one, but I got a KMC digital chain checker. It's expensive and relies on batteries.

[@stuartdeakin3667]

Whilst I am all for cheaper tools (cheaper everything), I am skeptical about things that cost next for nothing. Especially when it comes to the labour used to make them. Are the factory workers who are employed to make these being paid a livable wage. I doubt it. I suspect that they are being paid a pittance and working long hours. Cheap is nice, but it often comes at the cost of human suffering.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

It's a fair question.... One I can't answer.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

A friend visited a Taiwanese Velo saddle factory in July and much of their equipment is wearing out . The number of quality control rejections and waste was disturbingly high .

[@samgraham4168]

I've said it before to others, and I'll say it again here. As a car mechanic, I can appreciate quality tools that work for a living; Park Tool is mediocre quality at insane prices. I should not be paying less for a Snap On or Facom tool than I can on something with a blue handle. Shop around for stuff that's not bike-centric. I've got loads of stuff from Temu that's been used for one job. Some of it is utter garbage, some of it is perfectly adequate for the price and the number of times it will be used.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Ain’t gonna disagree with anything here.

[@samgraham4168]

@@ribblevalleycyclist oh, and the greatest kept secret? Draper 33872 T handle hex key set. 20 quid at Toolstation, and ball ended too. Epic quality for 20 quid...

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

@samgraham4168 Look at that hex set in the bottom left of my pegboard….. May look familiar 😉

[@samgraham4168]

@@ribblevalleycyclist DAMNIT! I had a perv at your tool board too! I keep a set new in box for when I finally break one...

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

@samgraham4168 Haha!!! I fancy a set of those Wera ones, but the old Drapers won’t die 😂

[@jameslewis7479]

I have found the park tool chain checker to say a chain is fine when a cheap tool would say bin it prematurely. I do need a headset tool and wondering whether a £20 tool would suffice or not

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Headset tool…. Do you mean a press? If so, check out the press set I used in this video, it’s amazing for the price, and covers most bearing sizes. But if you just need a headset press, then there are similar ones that do just that. The link is in the description below the video.

[@jameslewis7479]

Yes a press. Will take a look at the video

[@jameslewis7479]

Sorry where is the link to the video

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Sorry, James.... Copy & paste fail 😐. Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJvMYpetZ7qKiqs

[@jameslewis7479]

Thanks for video link. Watched. Would a kit like that used in the video be good for fitting headset cups?

[@robertcatuara5118]

You can temper and blue anything at home in less than 5 minutes if you're worried about its hardness.

[@davidpinnington213]

I find myself spending around £40 a month on all those bits i never knew i needed - so far no junk

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I was surprised too.

[@Richard_Johnson69]

Cr-mo as a material for any tool is good. I can say that having used chrome vanadium allen keys 😂😂😂 they were crap

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed. Hardened steel all the way, you know where you are with that.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Stanley is Chromium - Vanadium but correctly tempered .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

​@@ribblevalleycyclistHardened alloy steel can crack but stress relieved / tempered tooling is okay .

[@jimbrittain402]

I've used those "clockwork chain cleaners", and find they don't really clean the chain, and spray cleaning solution all over the garage and the operator. I find they're mostly good for forcing you to mop the floor and take a shower.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Made me chuckle!! Think I need to do a drivetrain cleaning video

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

I avoid that equipment and ultrasonic or canister - clean chains fully . I am older than Jon . Been working on bicycles for 35 years .

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

If it works...... If it lasts....... Less is more

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed 👍

[@sspoonless]

I don't know why you expected so much from the chain cleaner, especially since you never tried the Park version to set a standard. All either one does is brush the outside of the plates in the p o s s i b l e presence of cleaning fluid. Its not like there is any kind of jet to penetrate the rollers or blow them out. I say PASS.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I didn’t expect anything from it. Thought I said that.

[@chrisscott8362]

You are not using the chain cleaning tool correctly. You need to do a second clean with clean degreaser and then wash off with water and dry with the towel. Chain will be clean. NOT sonic cleaner clean but well enough.

[@tonyhands-heart5492]

You should wax your chains !

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Waxing is best in road disciplines . I have a group leader that uses Holy Cow .

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I need to research it more, Tony. I did start looking into it a few years ago, but then concluded it wasn't best for my needs..... but I can't remember why I concluded that!!

[@markobajt9261]

No wonder that the Casette Tool is garbage Also I would not trust the Allen keys. I destroyed I don´t know how many of those, not to mention how many rounded Allen bolts. Allen keys should be quality, any solid tool brand will do. Had this knock off, from Aliexpress, broke apart after 2 minutes, garbage, went back to my trusty old toothbrushes.

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

I agree, it's not worth the gamble with poor quality hex/allen keys, it can cause more damage than the tool is worth.

[@user-lx6oj4mx3i]

Park tools aren't any better than any other tiawan made tools

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

In some ways, John, I'd agree with you. Their spanners and pliers for example are the same as any workshop quality product, but cost twice the price. That set of Park Tool spanners on the bottom right of my peg-board cost £100, they're just not worth that. However, some of their cycling specific tools are very good........ their cable cutters and their BBT threaded bottom bracket removal tools to name a few.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

You have been visible on road cc. .

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Have I? What do you mean?

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

​@@ribblevalleycyclistSeen you on there as a popup in the top right hand corner a few times while reading their online news and contributor articles .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

​@@ribblevalleycyclistThis can be related to my interests settings within my phone user profile generated by the email or operating system provider .

[@TheRickysee]

I personally think we should keep China at distance and away from our computers and bicycles. But it was entertaining as always.

[@adriansmith38]

Good idea, but almost impossible as nearly everything we buy is from China

[@rockymanilow5115]

Park tools are way overpriced 😂

[@ribblevalleycyclist]

Agreed, some things are far too expensive for what they are. But you do know it'll be made well.

[@Evanturar]

Supporting Temu is supporting China in the very worst way. Support industries in democratic countries whenever we can.

[@nathanmoorfoot9070]

You’re close, hey I’m not a bike mechanic, but I’m not a fucking idiot, and I don’t disagree, I’m a mad engineer (think mad scientist) don’t worry about the hardness, as you said basically the only thing on the negative side of things, and I actually have all the Temu crap, and they will last me a life time, and I have brand names for trade tools, my bike is for exorcise, so not racing by any means, but hate not maintaining things, and when I win tattslotto I will have a peg board full of park tool (to go with my one park tool tool I own) learn how to harden/temper/anneal/normalise, technology you “black” story is close, and you never claimed to be speaking expertise, you clearly & obviously made your point, but to harden little bits and pieces at home these days is easy, I swear you could learn brain surgery on you tube! I’m in 🇦🇺 Australia, and I paid half! Deadset half the price on Temu for 3 of the tools you mentioned, exactly the same I believe, they seem to sell a lot very similar, same but different or stamped their own name, I wouldn’t harden the chain checker because of shrinking & expansion and it’s not being use in that manner, also mine has been laser cut not punched, yes it has a burr on one side that feels like it’s been punched, but you can see from the almost vertical lines running the whole way around the edge indicating laser or plasma but the lack of heat marks indicates laser, my guess running a touch fast, nonetheless all laser cut steel will leave some burr that’s been cleaned off usually by hand, if you’re here to learn because you want to look after your bike yourself and can learn these types of things (easier when someone explains as well as this gentleman, tip of the hat to him) you can learn to heat treat a few bits of muck metal!

[@gs1150adv]

TEMU is just a more direct...yet not as fast as other vendors. So If your not in dire straights you can get some deals. It's just removing the US vendor mark up...a lot of what you buy is made in China anyway. Agreed, that I'm inclined to spend the extra for USA made tools...

[@moonmuscle3332]

Hey this guy's white, ill trust his opinion on bike tools