Pro Bike Mechanic Tests The Cheapest Tools From Wish.com

[@adamweb]

So nice of you guys to fix Francis's tire 3 times while he's out!

[@BikesKomsCRO]

id be livid LMAO

[@soverania8041]

Now that you've got hundreds of tire plugs, it's time to answer the question: how many tires plugs can you put on one tire 😂

[@davidgarza2267]

Quick! While Francis is still out!!! :D

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

That's a genuinely life changing research, it must be done...

[@fitzt70]

For the wheel truing device. Nick should have shown the zip tie trick. Works fine for a quick wheel fix and the price is right.

[@phoffen3829]

As he said, your finger works fine too. I have tried the pencil trick with an elastic band, but zip ties and fingers work better for me!

[@SonjaTheDork]

Use the tip of the finger to do a rough true. It'll definitely get you riding again, though it wont be as accurate as a stand true. The zip tie true is just the best way to do at home or roadside truing, as you can get shockingly accurate with it

[@Frostbiker]

That was a surprisingly down-to-earth take. Found myself largely in agreement.

[@john_john_john]

It's actually refreshing to see a channel like this not 100% bashing perfectly working tools in favour of some incredibly expensive pliers from some name brand. Nice down to earth video, subscribed.

[@JamVer100]

You are 100% right about the crank pulling tool. I spent 3 hours cutting off the cranks after the threads in the crank stripped and I had to hacksaw it off! Love the content!

[@hjwang4477]

I have similar one but never had problem. I think you didn’t screw it deep enough first. Tool works fine for me for more than 10 bikes and lots of them are old ones that never had their cranked removed before.

[@themagitechie9955]

@@hjwang4477Yeah, I think that's what happened to me too, I tried to get the cranks off of a brand new mountain bike I am in the process of converting into an E-bike and I didn't know I needed to take the cap off the end of the puller. I wound up stripping out the crank threads on the drive side. the other crank came off easy once I made sure to fully engage the threads of the crank puller. I used up 4 or 5 dremel cutoff wheels and several hours cutting off the offending crank and chainring. good thing the kit came with new cranks.

[@aliancemd]

15:17 I true my own wheels - it’s very easy, it takes less than 2min, you just have to follow the Parktool technique(compressing 2 spokes with your hand and checking if that area would give you the desired result, before increasing tension).

[@larisonjohnson]

Love Risk items! I have those pliers, internal cable routing tool, pedal spacers, headset cap bolts, …. Fairly high quality and wicked cheap!

[@sloops4398]

Have some Ti Bolds from them for my brake calipers and they work since many years. Giving less points due to name is just bullshit.

[@kendrewreviews]

05:17 I have been using that multi-tool for my bike in humid Thailand since 2017. No rust, works great, and still use it today. What I love about it is that it has all the tools you'd ever need. In contrast, the over priced Park Tool multi-tools come VERY limited. They might have 3-5 hex on them, but that's it. This cheap Chinese one has withstood the test of time for me and it has everything you'd ever need. Good video though!

[@charliekneecap]

I had the pleasure of meeting Nick on a gravel ride earlier this year , I would not hesitate to use his shop for my next stead : genuinely nice chap . Thanks

[@sdolman79]

Seriously those split link pliers look great for keeping in a saddle bag in case of an emergency.

[@johnmcgovern5372]

I bought one a while ago for just that purpose. Apparently I was ripped off as I paid £2.10

[@peterthomas8053]

Regards the split link pliers, I had some flat metal strips lying around, so, following one of my ride buddies saying that he couldn't split the chain whilst out on a ride, I decided to make a scaled down version of the Park Tools pliers that I have on my workshop board. They work a treat, and I've now made four or five similar pliers for some of my cycling friends, all freebies of course. And on the plus side, it gets rid of the lengths of flat bar that i have lying around, and not wanting to throw away just in case I could find a use for it.Old spokes make the ideal material for holding the chain together to prevent it being under tension.

[@maximilian3004]

You can also shift to the smaller chainring (provided you're running a double) and then just ease the chain off the ring and lay it on the BB shell for easy removal. Pro Tip from Calvin Jones & Park Tool. Another reason I'm happy to spend on the Park Tool bits: they have hours of free maintenance videos on their YT site! They happily give away great detailed instruction for free. That good will in turn leads me to buying their tools and products. When I need a specific bike tool, my first instinct is to have a look at the Park version first.

[@danfinnis]

I bought those same black plugs, and you can actually pull them apart into 6 strands each that are the same size as the brown ones that came with the plug tool

[@chris1275cc]

I've got some "Risk" Titanium/Carbon QR skewers on my rim brake bike, the eBay seller was smart enough not display the brand name in the listing🤣. They have been going strong for about 4 years now.

[@GNerdful]

that Risk brand sells a lot of bike stuff, like coloured titanium bolts and stuff

[@InvertedProphet]

I made the mistake of buying a cheap chain breaker and crank puller. The chain breaker lasted 3 uses and was horrible to use. Then the it decided to strip out it's threads. The crank puller was too tight and stripped some threads in a crank then it decided to strip its own threads out with barely any tension. I learned that lesson. I do old tools in my tool box that I use as sacrificial tools. Old beaten up screwdrivers and things that are past they're actual usefulness that I don't care if I destroy.

[@lutherburgsvik6849]

That chain breaker lasted 3 times more than mine. Ended up using a rusty, ye olde, Cyclo Made in England one instead. No problems.

[@sagichdirdochnicht4653]

You will laugh, but I used the "truing stand" and I it worked well. My wheel was around 3mm or so untrue and I got it down to the 0.5 mm range. I followed the excellent park tool guide and found the process to be a bit time consuming, but overall not difficult. It's a cheap plastic tool, and if you plan on truing wheels often, it is useless. But if you just want to get your wheel trued that isn't totally out of shape, it's worth a shot.

[@tristan14aric]

I have that chain cleaner, serves me well for a few years now.. Definitely gets the job done.

[@pierremaggi8661]

I've ordered a lot of products from the brand Risk, and mo problem so far, including ultra light quick release skewers. The internal cable routing is a Godsend and 10 times less the cost of park tool. But yeah the name makes it very funny considering the cost

[@theycallmeak]

do more with this guy, love him

[@nicolaspade1341]

Truing wheels: I’ve done this a couple of times using the trusted cable ties method. Works well, it is not easy, it needs a lot of time and patience!

[@andyamos8594]

The tyre lever...best invention in the World for putting modern tyres on 30-50 year old rims! I don't do classic bike rides without one!

[@kevinbarkema1666]

The tire seating tool. I had a cheap one and it broke, cheaper plastic. The more expensive one I have works great.

[@petertreadway]

Great video, but I want one of Francis's reaction when he watches you destroy his wheel! 🤣 I've had most of these budget tools over the years and Nic's assessments have been my experience with every one of them. The issue with the multitool coming loose is also not one you can fix unfortunately. As Jimmi found, if you do it up too tight, they can't be used, not tight enough and the end nut falls off constantly rendering it useless! I've since ditched the budget multitool and now use a Topeak Hexus X. It's actually not that expensive anyway but is a cracking little tool. 👌

[@abominablesnowman646]

for low budget multitools a plastic slip disk like ones found on some folding knifes help. i place them on my better ones too

[@tomreingold4024]

The pliers for seating the tire has another use which you didn't mention. If you are using an inner tube, using a lever to install a tire is dangerous, with a high chance of pinching the tube causing a puncture. This pair of pliers makes the job easy and does not pinch the tube. When I ride tight tires, I carry this tool.

[@danielvanced5526]

Interesting, I ride with tubes and have pinched them a few times with levers, this might be worth buying. Also thought it might be useful for someone with disabilities, levers can be a bit fiddly sometimes and this looked smooth.

[@tomreingold4024]

@@danielvanced5526 the conventional wisdom is that you should not use levers to put tires on. 50% of the time I use levers to put on a tight tire, I pinch the tube, and I used to be a shop mechanic. The pliers -- which come in a few brands -- solve the problem completely.

[@thenayancat8802]

Tyre glider is a neater bit of kit that fits in a saddle bag and does the same job better

[@tomreingold4024]

@@thenayancat8802 I checked it out. Interesting. Thanks for the tip. I might try one.

[@thenayancat8802]

@@tomreingold4024 Yeah I thought it was gonna be a useless dongle that gets used once and chucked out but I hate using regular levers at this point, especially if you've got a really tight fitting tyre. Having said that I was never great at using levers so ymmv

[@EdoKarachannel]

Re the extreme tire lever : I bought one because I was working on a vintage wheelset with wire-beaded tires. Before I bought them I delaminated the skin on both my thumbs trying to get the tire seated, with them it took like 2 tries to get them back on. That was 100% the worst tire combo I've ever experienced, equaled by GP5000 TLR for impossibility with just hand strength. At least with the GP5000s though it was impossible enough that I wasn't convinced for an hour that I could do it if I just pushed hard enough...

[@shepshape2585]

This is why there are dedicated channels on KZbin that just review Chinese parts. Many of us rely on those sites to let us know what deals are great, and which are not. This goes for frames, wheels, group sets, tools, and everything else. It's abundantly clear that anything bike related is completely overpriced, because on a whole, cyclists are like golfers. Elitist athletes who will spend their children's inheritence if they think they can buy some gadget that will make them even slightly better. I made my own chain whip out of a flat piece of metal and some old chain. I made my own bearing press. And I would definitely buy the chinese version of most of those tools before I gave Park Tools one dime of my money. I'm not a pro mechanic, so I won't be overcharging anyone to work on their bike. It's just me, my garage, a bike stand, and the tools I have. For over a decade now, that's worked a charm and I have to say it makes me even more proud knowing that the machine underneath me is something I maintain myself.

[@leonardhpls6]

Did you just call a push bike a machine 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JWH.Design]

For truing wheels on rim brake bikes you could also just put a zip tie around your brake lever and pull the brake closer as you true the wheel.

[@chris1275cc]

I just turn out the barrel adjuster to bring the blocks closer to the rim bit by bit, because decent quality calipers move (mostly) equally you can actually do a pretty accurate job.

[@husky0877]

I have a few Risk tools and they work great. Their headsets are excellent for the small amount they cost.

[@dashofawesome64]

I have there dust semi metalic brake pads. For the cost and what you get. Best brake pads ever. Bought 4 sets for 10 euro. For the future.

[@zoobab28]

Same here, i have this risk chain tool, quite the same remark (good for trail use, not enough leverage for workshop use). Also happy with their cheap headsets.

[@correcthoarsebatterystaple]

A better tip I’ve seen is flip the bike over, and use a pencil braced against a rim-brake pad, or other point on the frame, turn the wheel slowly and move The pencil closer. You’ll get marking of the closer points as well.

[@B_COOPER]

Wheel truing is actually not very difficult once you figure it out. I just practiced on an old set of wheels. Disassemble and reassemble until I felt comfortable truing my “good” wheels. The wheel truing gauge thingy would be very nice had it not used that silicone strap.

[@richardhaselwood9478]

I have a 32/34mm fork seal "wacker" from Risk, works really nicely to re-seat seals when I rebuild a fork once a year or so. I also bought one of those chain cleaners (another brand, same factory), and it was awful. So, 1/2 for me :)

[@gopro_vlogs]

That tyre leaver tool would actually probably be good for installing tyres on mountain bikes with Cushcore because that is a fkn pain in the ass install, I actually snapped 3 tyre leavers trying to get the tyre on with Cushcore and that tyre leaver tool may have made it easier

[@lohdal]

A life hack for when you in a pinch (on the trail) need to true a wheel, is to bring a couple of strips. Simply tie the strip to the seat stay or fork and you can rotate it to make the end touch the rim, You can actually get fairly exact with this method as long as you tie the strip enough for the wheel wobble not to move it out of position 🙂

[@Edders574]

yes good tools are pricey but that said my topeak alien 2 tool is still goes on every ride for the last 15 years maybe 20 cant remember when i got it

[@Rickie-37]

I have been using zip ties with a bit left sticking out to true my wheels in a pinch. Especially road bikes with rim brakes, comes in super handy and I just leave it on the frame/fork and rotate it out of the way when I'm done. Did a 8000km tour with a brand new bike, had to true the wheels after break in and then again multiple times during the trip. Can't beat the price of a few zip tie

[@leonardhpls6]

You couldn't last 8000 m nevermind km 😂

[@Rickie-37]

Clearly you've never been in a pinch and had to try that trick. It's very well known in the touring world, everyone knows. Get off your computer and go ride @@leonardhpls6

[@melbutterworth7976]

I used one of those square taper crank pullers and it worked okay for a few uses but started stripping threads after like the third set of cranks. The bb tool I've only ever had to use once. For that one time it worked fine but you'd be infinitely better off with a quality tool I also own a set of cheap allen keys like the ones featured. It's pretty hard to mess up allen keys and mine have seen heaps of use (especially the 5mm) the past year and been fine. When it comes to chain tools I'd recommend the Cyclo one at Halfords if you're on a budget. Unless you work with single speed chains a lot it'll do everything you need and is absolutely rock solid, all metal.

[@ChiTownBrownie89]

I had to get one of those tire pullers for my TT wheels. I wanted the fastest tires and I figured I will only be using them in races a handful of times a year so it worth the risk.

[@leedorney]

I've got one of those chain tools for a saddle bag & it's fine 👍 - also I got some Vera Allen keys on the mechanics recommendation 😉

[@cb6866]

Thanks Jimmi and Nic....yeah. Dude , drilled the hole , then spun the tire ? Old adage works , Nic knows .you get what you pay for . Poor Francis's bike , holes in the rim now .

[@Name-ot3xw]

For the tire seating tool, I just use a couple of spudgers. Convenient because I needed them for other reasons all the time.

[@IlanPearlman]

Have you guys ever tried using the tyre glider tool? About the same size as a pair of traditional tyre levers but so so much better at the job. Worth every penny I spent on it and makes they job of fixing road tyres so so much easier

[@robm8809]

The Tyre Glider is a great tool. Buy the genuine one though, someone is making knock-offs of it that aren't as good.

[@micktheshaggy3977]

My reaction was exactly the same when I found the RISK brand for the very first time on AE 😀I wouldn't mind using some of their small parts like cable housing end caps or internal cable housing dampener tubes. But something like (fake?) titanium bolts for your stem or handlebar? Well, that's RISKy 😀

[@leeghathaway]

So happy! I have the same hook featured @1.00 I now know what it’s for 😊

[@grahambell9831]

Top info video Nik & Jimmi . Some good buys for the home toolbox, some clearly not worthy of your earth credits. Its the old adage you get what you pay for? Thanks for the honest reviews chaps, Chapeau! 👏

[@ПётрПроценко-б3к]

I use the chane mashine! At least I used it 10 times. Still only one rubber is missing, but it still works. And the brush is a bad idea if your chain is covered with send salt and snow, particles of sand will make sure that your hand holding a brush is dirty beneath the elbow as well as all your clothes.

[@elijg6104]

I have that exact model chainwhip, bb tool, cassette tool combo. It's not high quality, but it works and hasn't stripped my cranks

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Yup, 100% agree with Nick's ratings! But please don't damage Francis' bike!

[@samgraham4168]

This is kinda cool, as delving into the world of bike mechanics from being a car mechanic, there are some tools that I just don't have to carry over from the world of cars and refuse to pay Park Tools INSANE prices for mediocre quality and for having the word 'BIKE' added to a normal tool

[@peternewton2200]

What sealant is Francis using so we can avoid it? That was a pretty small hole not to seal instantly

[@rrdswofc]

Chain pliers work great!

[@dcltdw]

But... there were 3 punctures, but not 3 segments of Pump Action Francis! I feel so disappointed, lads. 😂

[@soundskelton]

When i was in highschool I did a co-op at a bike charity called bike without borders and after that experience I just thought truing wheels where a normal thing, I was pretty shocked to find out a lot of people don't know or just don't true their own wheels

[@twatts4436]

Cheap tools have many problems: They wear out faster, and as they wear out they ruin the thing you're working on.

[@nluisa]

@@DMurdockExcept when the cheap plastic tyre levers are flexible and snap whilst doing the job they are meant to do. And the last thing the world needs isfor us to create more waste.

[@blahqwe]

Not a Pedro. @@DMurdock

[@mitrovarr]

Tools that wear out quickly can still be useful. Many times with bike repairs, you're going to use a tool only a couple of times ever. If the cheap tool last long enough for that it was good enough.

[@Avioto]

As someone who rarely needs a chain breaker, I've already broken 3 of the cheap ones I got. Next one I'll get is definitely a park tool.

[@nluisa]

I have the proper park tool one and it will definitely last. All metal and still made in USA. (Also, buying 'disposable' goods only adds to the waste pile of society, which is the last thing the world needs)

[@chickenpoodle]

i've just always had the one on my crank brothers multi tool. i've used it in the garage, i've used it on the side of the road or on the trails, and that has served me well for over a decade.

[@yonglingng5640]

Mine is made by Topeak, which can connect any chain, including Campagnolo (chain pin peening), something almost all chain breakers in the market can't do.

[@ColourcorrectionFilm]

The 180 degree turn-around on the split link pliers made me giggle

[@robertlight2370]

I find that bike tools are great Christmas and birthday gifts for other people to buy me. Let them know what you want and they're usually grateful for the suggestion.

[@duckmanduckfairy8010]

GP5000’s and hookless tires are notorious for being stupid tight!

[@GeirEivindMork]

I got a crank arm removal tool like that. I used it on a seized crank and broke the tool. bought the park tools and never had any problems.

[@joaobrito1801]

I got the exact chain plyers and chain breaker, I bought it 2 years ago! Great for the price for sporadic use. (the chain breaker handle already got broken ahah)

[@louisrafaelcom]

The allen keys are PB Swiss Tools knock-offs - the originals are color-coded the same way.

[@johnmcnulty1129]

That tyre lever ideal for anyone purchasing Schwalbe Marathon Plus, or run the risk of entering Haka territory sliding those last few inches over the rim !

[@dashofawesome64]

Have to say. With schwalbe and cst. Never had a problem with putting them on with just hands. Did have it with cheap tires.

[@rensellvalencia7179]

Meanwhile me who used the bb tool in the video to upgrade my bb to a hollowtech external bearing bb

[@fentuz]

Funny that, i have the risk chain splitter and first thing i did was to add aluminium arm, 100% longer and it has worked well for the last 4 years…

[@littlegoobie]

from what i've seen, most tools work okay unless it's something where a very exact fit is ideal (cartridge bottom bracket splines, crank puller threads) and/or where a lot of force is applied (pedal wrench, allen/torx wrenches, tire levers). Those big tire plugs are made for car tires.

[@littlegoobie]

Hahahah. I just got to the part with the cheap BB and crank tools

[@denislitisha7136]

Union chain break makes the park tool look like a dept store chain break for far less

[@paulsymons562]

Buy tools as you need them and buy good ones. Honestly they are just nicer to use and you dont need to bugger up many expensive components to make up the price difference.

[@Commander_ZiN]

I trued my wheels with just my eyes and a cheap ring spoke spanner. Did ok.

[@jonathangapay1724]

Oooh I’ve made a fixed gear wheelset using that exact mini truing stand. 😁

[@lincolnlu9869]

No chain cleaner plastic thing ever works and they always fall apart really quickly. Pure waste of money

[@stahusstu9721]

I am happy with Dechatlon's

[@l.d.t.6327]

Pedro’s chain pig works great for me.

[@Mclovinthedank]

I bought all cheap tools like this to start working on my bike. As they break I replace with park tool. Some cheap ones that get almost no use, I dont see myself replacing...

[@madzonic16]

Haha I live in Asia and most of these tools are easily accessible to have. I have tried all of these, and the only product that is worth to have is the missing link remover. Longevity and durability wise.

[@Nix_sound]

Cracked me up when you drilled Francis' tyres...3 times lol

[@aidavcomedy]

The problem is, you’re using a “spit link” and not a “split link” I’ve used one of those cheap chain cleaners. They’re not as bad as they’re making it out to be. It works fine, just think of it as semi-disposable. I also used that same multi tool for about a year when I first started messing about with bikes. I bet it would still work today. That one is fine too.

[@_Just_Some1]

0:23 made me laugh out loud on the train! 😂

[@Jacksparrow4986]

Have ruimed a crankset (well the threads at least) with partly the tool to blame, so much agreement there. The trueing tool isn't as useless as you can work around it moving.

[@mellasio3911]

good video guys ...as a bike mechanic ....i true wheels with ziptids on the trail .... in factory standards :))))) ...not perfect but get you down the mountain , and as tools if you need to fix something now and there use cheep ......if you are in to bikes ....put some money on the aside and upgrade .... do not go for most expensive coz they dont do more that a " medium " price ,but a good tool make like 5 bad bad bad tools ....if you have a work shop .....get good tools ....when you need to use that tool 8-10 times a day a goooood tool is precious .....and on the cassettee wip ...am assuming that chain is on is max for 8 speed if you need on a 11-12 speed cassette is shit and who knows what am talking about know

[@nilavansinnathamby9150]

Glad to see a fellow south african 🔥

[@LexD-89]

Chuckled at the first few minutes as I have tons of these RISK stuff 😂😂

[@nrgpup77]

I can't afford cheap tools!

[@jan_vyhnak]

16:00 just use zip tied to the frame cut to be little longer so it touches rim with some angle. then you can move to the rim as close you need. with same precision like with this tool..

[@steve101968]

I have the gold multi tool, its dirt. The chain breaker's pin bent when used.

[@richiejames928]

I bet the smallest sizes on that cheap Allen key set are out of spec. both me and my brother got a cheap set each from different parts of the internet and he rounded his pedal adjustment bolt and I rounded a bleed screw bolt with mine. both using the small keys.

[@NELSON3947]

I had one of those gold 'loose' multi tools. The chain splitter pin bent on first use....🤣

[@jackiegammon2065]

I've always thought that buying "inexpensive" tools is generally the most expensive thing that one can do. As you have shared, sizing is off, not made well...just not worth my time at all., especially if I have to do something over because I did use a cheap tool.

[@MacMasore]

17:13 shame you didn’t go for “we’re going to need a bigger plug” 😅

[@psanderbrand]

What was the issue with the crank puller? I didn't get that. Was it threaded improperly, or what?

[@matteo.ceriotti]

I bought a press-fit BB removal tool made by "risk" and it's been ok!

[@genegenetan]

im sure francis wouldnt notice his revamped tyres. haha

[@alexandergilmour8451]

Have trued wheels when a spoke has broken quite happily just using the brake pads.

[@biturboism]

My road bike has a built-in truing stand, it’s called the rim brake pad 😜

[@MedusalObligation]

I true my own wheels. I even made my own truing stand. So, some of us do our own wheel wright work.

[@malcontent_1]

Fortunately Francis doesn't watch his own channel, so he'll _never_ know about the demolished tire or the stripped crank arm

[@armyfreak1367]

Thats the best chain breaker i got the same one and when i lost mine and had to buy another it was out of stock everywhere so effortless and comfy

[@tolitsdterrible4785]

Lol! You can buy that chain pliers here in our country for less than a pound. 😅

[@dtyn]

The tyre 'seating' lever tool should be helpful for Schwalbe Marathon Pluses....

[@daevion5585]

As a Home mechanic, I feel so bad having to own most of the items here. These items are very abundant online in Asia, and everyone here always cheaps out on tools, or they just go to the bike shop, which will eventually also have these tools😆

[@troymortimer3487]

I use wheel truer in the mtb all the time, mine has a washer to stop it moving

[@leonschumann2361]

bad multitools are allways horrible. just get a good one, gonna make one much much happier

[@alanreymercado2665]

i got that same plug kit that i used when my stan sealant wont seal my gp5000. i took it off and fix it with maruni patch from the inside.