Both kits are great in their own way, for their respective buyers, I feel. Great to see that the Ozark kit is of decent enough quality, to be genuinely usable in virtually every way.
I think it's also worth commending Walmart for releasing an affordable tool kit under the Ozark Trail brand. It will get someone started, and just further solidifies their support for getting people out on bikes.
That's how I did it as well. I would research how to perform a particular repair or maintenance task, and buy only the tools I needed. It has been about three years, but now I have a reasonably complete kit that allows me to do anything I need on my bike. I don't know how much it cost me in total, so it's possible that a quality all-in-one kit from the likes of Feedback Sports or Park would be more economical.
I did the same, but not out of choice Completely rebuilt my old bike to learn how to maintain my new bike and ended up doing a million runs to the shop because I kept running into blockers 😂
For the price of the Ozark trail set, if you have issues with any of the tools, you can always spend extra on a better wrench to swap out. It's a starting point for a tool set.
The only problem is that if you're serious about maintaining and repairing your own bike, you're eventually going to upgrade 100% of the tools in a budget kit, but I suppose it's a start.
@@Durwood71imo better to buy a multi-tool like the Crankbrothers m19 and buy individual tools as needed ... You can always use the multi-tool, and create your own kit. That Walmart one, while good for what it is, you'll need a separate kit for storage since that's pre-fitted. And a lot depends on how much you work on your own bike. My first couple years I didn't even change my own tires, and tightening things, replacing grips, saddle, brake pads or even handlebars was pretty much the only work I did, so the the multi-tool was perfect. Nowadays I work on both my bikes, plus my son's and best friend's, and do pretty much everything other then pressfit bottom brackets, headsets and wheel building (I gave up on my Byrd spokes and had to bring them in ... I just wasn't confident that I was doing it right). Anyway, makes sense for me to spend a lot on tools cause I use them so often.
Upgrading each of these tools is what I did few decades ago. But none of the upgraded tools fit in the box. So I soon needed a big toolbox to fit everything and now its a mess. I need to dig whenever I need a tool or to spread them on the floor. Anyway its a huge waste of time at the end of the repair session
That is actually fairly good value for $350, it's obvious where the extra money is going they are so much better in design and manufacturing quality, although for $30 you can't go wrong with the Walmart one as a starter tool kit.
Hey I've been watching your videos for about a month and a half and just got my first bike as wanted one so I could go fishing with my friend, Then I started researching and found your videos and I would like to say thank you for the high quality videos and teaching me everything to know about bikes!
I have the $30 kit (broke college student) and have been using it for a year or so. It’s pretty solid other than the hex wrenches in the multitool. At one point I had to cut the end of the 5mm hex down because the tip got so rounded off. I’ve also tried all kinds of tools to cut cables as well, but eventually gave in to the Park Tools cable cutters.
I still use some of my 15 year old blow molded cheap kit that my dad gave me in college. The tire levers, the chain whip, the old school crank puller. some of it's works just fine. i hear the shimano cable cutter tool is pretty good. It's hard to compete with companies like Wera on allen keys... a pro set from Wera (with the hex plus) will make your life better, you'll KOM on your next ride, and they'll cook you dinner.
Agreed. I use Wera Hex and Torx Keys. Pedro's Vice Whip 2. Knipex pliers and cobra pliers, a set of Capri Ultra thin Wrenches (3.5mm max thickness) and a Lezyne torque stick with a Sata Torque wrench. I can't stand low quality tools. More trouble than they're worth IMO
@@ahmedmohamed-ku2xr true that. I only have a small gripe on the walmart chain whip tool and BB remover coz I have experience in using those tools. Cheap bb remover is painful to hold even with those rubber handle. Not fun at all
@@MarioGoatse as much as i agree with you, it's better a kid learns with not top-tier tools, makes them appreciate good tools more, also kids are more likely to lose stuff quick, could be bad with expensive tools.
I used some cheap kit to fully rebuild my bike during covid. Had some struggles with the kit but it was good enough for someone who is not professional mechanic and disasemble my bike once a year. Cheap Kit is still going great
That blow-molded kit is almost exactly the same as one I bought over 10 years ago for about $30. Mine is lime green. It was an easy way to get most of what I needed. Since then, my toolbox has grown substantially.
Depends what it is, doesn't apply to a lot of things, but I get the point and she's definitely right. Take dress shoes for instance. A pair of $300 shoes will feel so much better, look a lot nicer and last way longer than a cheap pair of $50 shoes (assuming they're properly cared for). Same deal with a lotta bike components, apparel, helmets and certainly tools.
W00p! That Feedback Sports kit is great - I bought mine back in 2017. That ’buy once, cry once, pass on to your offspring’ -mentality was exactly what I was going for. No surprises the quality is great on all the main tools - as it should be for that price. The kit has gone up in price around USD 55 in these 7 years. Less than I thought, actually. Really glad I bought it when I did - life happened, and today I wouldn’t be able to afford it anymore.
I have the feedback tool kit, would buy again and has been perfect for repairing bikes, only extra purchase has been torque for 4 5 and 6 in lbs for sterring tube etc and adjustable wrench (1.75in) for sterring tube nuts.
When I found out about cassette pliers (WAY TOO LATE in my cycling life).. GAME CHANGER. Haven't gouged my hands since, it was almost a ritual that I get cut when changing cassettes.
Hey Seth! My name's Owen and I'm 15 years old. My dad and I are going to ride Pisgah this month. We live in Thailand and we're visiting family. We decided that we wanted to go for a ride while we were here. We were wondering if you would be interested in coming. If not no problem, just thought I'd ask you for the heck of it 😂. Also if you've ever thought about making a video about mountain biking in Asia, Thailand would be the perfect place (we have a guest room without an occupant if you would wanna come).
After i bought a bike after binge watching your videos, i bought the Ozark Trail kit because i wanted to take my new to me bike all the way down to the frame and service and rebuild everything. I needed some specialty tools that i didn't have, so i grabbed this kit. So far, my only gripe was with the cassette tool. It doesn't work the greatest with freewheels. I had to grind it down to fit. I also reused an older toolbox to keep all my bike specific tools in. But other than that, it's been a solid tool kit.
11:57 one other nice thing about the feedback tool on the rotor lock-ring is that the arm is offset a bit & won't rub on the rotor at all. The Park Tool one I use is flat & have to be careful not to scrape or rub the rotor. Great review!
@@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589 I like to have my own basic set of tools, even if it’s not strictly necessary. That’s really the only way you can guarantee a tool is going to be where you expect it when you expect it unless you work alone.
@@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589 only if people actually put them back where they are supposed to be when they’re done with it. If I’ve learned anything from working in an automotive shop, shared tools tend to disappear rather quickly.
I've bought a similar kit from Lidl, and it is a quick way to start working on bicycles at home and replace or buy new tools as needed. Not for professional uses!
The nice thing about the cheaper tool kit is you don't feel bad about upgrading the tools you use most. It's so inexpensive that you won't get buyer's remorse, and it has just enough of the specialty tools you won't often need that it's worth keeping around, even if it's just as a backup for a more expensive set you upgrade to later on. It never hurts to have a fallback considering luggage gets lost, things get misplaced, and mean people steal things every day.
you are 100% correct about the pick. i actually use a hook pick whenever I have to remove my chain, it really helps when having to thread the chain through the RD.
Seth, you should review the Decathlon Rockrider ST540. It retails for 450 bucks and comes with decent components. I'd like to see what you think about it.
I actually have a very similar kit to the walmart kit that I bought used in the Netherlands for $20, had almost everything I needed to fully fix a bike! I've just bought the occasional high quality tool to add to my collection, saved SO much money.
Sometimes Seth surprises me with his lack of knowledge of some cheap tools. Such as the cone wrenches and the Force Steel black tools, which are not intended to loosen a pedal, but only to hold a cone during adjustment, which requires considerably less force. Also the chain tool where he had not adjusted the adjusting screw on the other side of the chain at all, causing the cams to bend
He strikes me as good-intentioned, but he's also been using big-$$$-brand tools for years, so when he interacts with something that isn't quite on that level he's out of his depth
I have the Ozark Trail kit from Walmart. I paid about $25 for it. I used it to remove the rear tire of my nephew’s bike. The included tire levers made changing the tube easy. Ozark Trail tools are for DIY occasional use. If you work at a bike shop, get the $350 set.
I have been using a super similar cheap a$$ tool kit for years. I'm no bike mechanic, but wrench on them plenty. Super handy to have all those tools for a low cost, and work well enough if you don't treat them like garbage and don't use them everyday. Obviously have gotten other ones to replace some of the tools, and others not included, but it works great for me.
Wow. This is super timely for me. I can’t wait to see the follow up head to head vid. I’ve been eyeing several of the kits that you sneak-peeked at the end.
I got the Feedback Sports Kit. I even upgraded it with the T-Handle-Set from Feedback Sports. I absolutely love ist. You get so many good(!) tools in a relatively small set. And I often work outdoors, even when I am working at home. Being able to put the bag onto the repair stand and have perfect access on all tools without going or grabbing somewhere else, is the best option to me. It is expensive. You can get many more tools for the money. But your test shows perfectly, that the money is well spend. To be fair: It only is my set for outdoor use. In my garage I got many more tools and work with them. It still is the best thought-through-kit I know.
Thanks for making this. I have an old Spin Doctor blow plastic tool kit that I've had for years. I've been researching tools because I want to upgrade a little after watching all your other videos. I feel ready to tinker a bit more. I am really looking forward to the next video comparing more tool kits.
I have no need for bike tools. If I did I’d probably go overkill and buy anything Milwaukee or better. I do however have a need for these videos by Seth. Each and every tool description has its own comforting vibe.
I cannot wait for this series, I was just getting decided on which tool box to buy and I felt a bit lost given the wiiiiide range of tools and uses there are
I picked this up from walmart because it was the only store open that carried a cassette removal tool:), I usually go to the bike shop close by and they let me use theirs, but THIS KIT IS GREAT!
i bought a similar toolkit to the ozark trail at princess auto. the whole point for me was to have the tools while I bought better ones slowly over time. great for that purpose.
Great video! I work at my LBS occasionally so I have access to all the tools when I am doing big things but at home I have 7 bikes and growing. Several of the bikes are mine but not all. I have been wanting to buy tools for my garage to maintain all of the bikes. Sometimes we just want to ride as a family and not have to hall the bikes to the shop. I also don’t want to spend a fortune and this video had me asking… what kit is in between the 2. Glad I watched until the end. I can’t wait to see what’s next from your channel.
I have wrenched on many bikes using a kit similar to the Ozark Trails kit. But I also get higher end tools, such as Park Tools as I can afford them. Had to get a real tool-box to carry them all now, but it works for me.
I bought that same cheap kit at a flea market about 10 years ago. Maybe paid $15. Definitely got some use out of it. Still use the crank extractor, multitool, and spoke wrench to this day!
I have zero need to buy an all encompassing toolkit, since I have my home setup and don't ever find myself wrenching at an event. However, I watch every single one of your tool videos for the occasional cool tip or neat tool that I might need. In this case, it was that Feedback Sports cassette tool. Removing the top plug from air forks is annoying, as is pulling endcaps from wheels to remove a CL rotor. I just bought that tool because of this video.
Thanks for the videos Seth. I have a few people that I look forward to seeing new stuff from and you are probably my favorite! I so thought you were going to shred your knuckles on that rotor, good call skipping that.
How much did you spend to get started in mtb im stuck on a broken down handy down dont get me wrong i love it just curios how much it would cost for a new one
Thanks for the comparison. Wobbly "CenterLock" / "HollowTech2" Bottom Bracket tools are a nightmare to use on disc brake locking rings 😨😨😨 $350 is nothing compared to a sliced up hand. And you get other tools as well!
In Europe we have a few similar sets available in Lidl/Aldi/Decathlon. I also made a review from the Lidl Crivit set, and they are hard to beat at this price point(the Crivit bike repair stand is also a must have item).User will save a ton of money with them, if he/she has the confidence jumping into doing repairs on their own. With only a bb change and casette and chain service it will save the cost of the whole toolset.
my grandpa gave me an old toolkit he used for long about 1,5 years ago its about the same as the cheap one in the video but has some more tools, it was very nice to have when i was fixing my bike but i'm still missing some stuff
Been a mechanic for over 30 years and definitely with tools, buy once, cry once. However, you can find decent enough quality for an average user elsewhere, perhaps in that Ozark Trail kit. I'd rather have individual allen's with a ball end or the multi tool if those were my only options instead of the 'y' wrenches. However, I do use my Y's quite a bit, but there's a lot of times it's frustrating using them or they just can't be used. Thankfully Feedback Sports has extra storage slots. I think the Ozark Trail kit fits the bill, a kid or adult that doesn't have the disposable income to buy the Feedback kit, whereas the Feedback kit, if you're going to do your own service, is what you need to be buying. This kit wasn't even on my radar, thanks for sharing with us. I definitely look forward to the comparison video of all the kits!
I’ve purchased tools as I need them, and they go in a tool box. As my experience and types of job varies the more tools I acquire. Some tools are specialty which only have one use, there is no point to take them in a kit but great to have in a tool box that I can take with me to do repairs on friends bikes. Each kit out there has its uses depending on what you are doing, I have a food injector in my kit that I use to lube bearings. Not needed on the road but great for repairs.
It feels like a pair of workshop gloves would be a good extra to go with the Ozark kit. Something to protect your hands when the tools slip! Not just because they are lower quality and more likely to slip, but because the person using that kit is likely to have less experience and coordination using the tools and doesn't yet have the tough skin you get from years of spanner rash! It's a great kit that would let you buy a cheap used bike then do it up, maintain it an upgrade it yourself. You could get yourself a reasonable bike for less than the cost of the feedback kit. Yet for a skilled bike mechanic with the Feedback Kit, a stand, and a box of consumables, you could run a pop-up workshop and earn that money back again.
Hey Seth. Im a bike mechanic and work for a company that sells ebikes and escooters with zoom brakes. We have had some serious reliability issues with them and even got one of the companies to give us replacement brakes from a different company to replace all the zoom brakes under warranty. I wanted to let you know cince youve had zoom brakes on the channel. Take care :)
Those cheapo sets are great to supplement a set of good general mechanic tools with the bike-specific stuff. I already own Tekton, Wera, Knipex, Klein, etc for general car and home repair so to get all the other stuff that only has one use on bikes for little cost is perfect. Then upgrade certain tools as time goes on
I started wirh a generic cheap toolkit that I got as a gift. After trying to use it a few times I got so frustrated with the tools breaking or not being functional that I bought a decent one. That happened to be the feedback sport set: very happy with the upgrade + it was like 80 euros where I bought it 😊
As a technician and hand work enthusiast, i think blow moulded cases are the best choice if the content worths, like a Bahco tubes set. They keep everything in place and are easy to pile with other tens of different cases. Soft cases always ends broken, the elastic bands loosens and the tools flies all over the place...
@@shawnmurphy6657 no, they won't. Unless you use the tools only twice a year... But even in that case, just the chemical composition of the rubber will tear down...
I have the Feedback kit. It's... just OK. Great for a car kit but at $350 it's expensive and isn't a good substitute for a well-thought-out toolbox for a race mechanic. I got mine on EP and it lives in my van waiting to be used. Very stylish, though.
I started with a cheap kit like that, lasted me about 10 years and stripped or built about 20 bikes. Cassette tool was the first to wear out and the chain breaker broke, but replacing both with something longer lived wasn’t expensive.
nice comparison. I cant wait for the video where you review more premium brand tools and medium priced ones. Wanna know how much better are e.g. Park Tool items to warrant such a price hike.
I bought the exact same 30 dollar tool kit from Walmart and put on a sram gx cassette no problem as well as putting on new brake rotors and chain. proof that cheap tools get the job done
I'm finding it tough to justify spending $350 on a tool kit for a hobby I'm just starting out with. On the other hand, I've spent $400 on a drill kit for work without any regrets. Bike repair is new territory for me, and not having the right tools is a big setback when trying to figure out what I need. In my experience, better tools often make the work easier and more enjoyable. I guess I'm trying to convince myself that it's worth investing a few more hundred dollars into this hobby! Thanks for breaking down what comes with each kit.
Most important thing I didn't hear in the ozark trail kit is a 9mm wrench since lower end derailleurs (Shimano Tourney level) use them as their cable clamp instead of a hex bolt.
I don't buy tool kits, but the walmart kit seems like a good start for someone new to bike maintenance. I would toss the case and dump everything in a toolbox or something.
I have a kit similar to the ozark trail one but with a few more tools. It’s was only around $20-$30 more and the tools are decent quality. The extra $5 for some park tool tire levers was more than worth it though