Reviewing Popular Bike Tool Kits From Budget to Pro! 

Moral of the story with any tools: Start with the basics and build out as needed over time... 👍

Please do a "Bike Tool Kit Improvement Hack" video. You made your kit work by adding your own wrap container. Using a heat gun, velcro straps, magnets, etc. to make the blow molded cases or wraps work better. You have made cheaper tools work better, do it for whole kits. Good housing cutters bring everyone joy, I cut extra scrap pieces just to get that fix! Thanks again!

8 kits?! Nearly 40 minutes? No Brompton?! This is my Super Bowl.

He mentions passing them down to his kids so much. I have to imagine when his kids grow up, they're each going to get multiple bike tool kits

i used to be a mechanic for pro teams years ago, now that I'm buying my own tools i have a complete mix of the best tools for myself from quite a few manufacturers, lezyne, shimano, park tool and topeak,after watching this very well put together video i can't help think these tool "kits" are generally more expensive than individually bought tools for your own needs, its strange to me how nobody ever promotes or even talks about Shimano's cable cutters that are, in my experience the best on the market by a long stretch, i popped into the bike shop i used to work in when 14 years old to see how everyone was after 30 years and they were still using the same pair of shimano cable cutters i was using when i worked there, still sharp, still as good as the day they were made, buy cheap tools, buy twice or three times, you've been warned 🤣

Today I learned you're better off getting most of the tools from regular suppliers and not bike tool companies. Because when you think about it half of the price of those tool kits goes to allen and torx wrench, cable cutters, screwdrivers, etc. Which you could get nice ones for rather cheap and only get the bike specific stuff from bike companies and have a just as nice or nicer kit for a lot less. Like I work on cars and was looking at getting a new ratchet set, was looking at a KS tools one, German brand that is above average while not exceptional, and it's about 100€, 255 pieces in the kit (obviously like 150 of them are small bits including a lot you'll never use), but that's crazy value compared to some of these 400usd kits with a dozen of torx and allen wrenches, cable cutters, and a few bike tools...

My take for a beginner hobbyist: buy a cheap kit that has as many bike specific tools as possible. Once you actually end up needing some tool, you will hopefully have it ready. It should get the job done, and you will find out over time which tools you want to upgrade. For non-bike-specific tools, pretty much the same thing but buy from regular tool brands instead and use them for other stuff as well.

I buy whatever Pedro’s that I can. Working in a shop they are one of the few tool companies that take care of us. Their cassette vise is legit.

I bought the cyclist toolkit on 2021 and it hasn't let me down. The tools are in very good condition still, just that mine didn't come with the same tools as Seth's, but it also was cheaper. 100% recommended for beginner and medium level mechanics

Best value for the money when first getting into at-home bike maintenance is to buy good quality tools as you need them. That way, you have only what you need, and you don't end up with the "cost enhancer" junk tools that come in these complete kits. It took me about two years and $500 to assemble my bicycle tool kit, but it has every tool I need, and every tool is excellent quality. And the joy factor? An easy four.

23:50 "... Booooooyyy..." What a silly dad joke. I allow it 😁🤣

My usual philosophy with tools is buy cheap ones and replace the ones that break with high quality ones since you used them more often.

5:47 I use that park multitool more then anything else I own. I've even stripped full bikes with it. I enjoy tossing it in my pocket between uses and never needing to clean up tools, never needing to look for a certain size, I love that multitool. Comes with me on every ride, I love that thing.

Surprised seeing Unior here. They are a Slovenian tooling company not known for their value, but they do have an exceptional quality. Basically any kind of tool you're getting from them is for life. Glad they are selling overseas and I think they can't get enough publicity for their quality.

I recently bought a Jensen USA tool kit, 80 bucks and it had double the tools from most of these , love it

I've been wrenching on and building my own mountain bikes since 1985. Started my tool kit with Park Tools. They were far more affordable in the 80's. Lately buying Foundation bike tools. 80% are under $20, and many under $10. Seem very well made. Most auto parts stores carry general tools in a $5.99 and $9.99 bin. Including t- handle hex wrenches, multi bit driver kits. Harbor Freight sells inch pounds/ Newton meter wrenches for under $20. If you're on a limited budget you can put together a useable kit one piece at a time. Alot easier for a beginner mechanic to come up with $5-$20 at a time and get only the tools you need.

Decathlon has a version of that unior chain whip, works much better than traditional chain based whip and it’s really high quality for not much money. Pick one up if you can.

Jenson’s house brand Foundation has a $108 kit that’s often on sale for $70. I think it would be a contender for future reviews

I'm trying to convince the wife that I need to put an order into Unior for their €3500 tool box. I want to open a mobile bike repair shop but she is still saying no 😂😂😂

I’d watch a video on Seth building a tool wrap! Maybe do it in parts… Must have tools to tune your bike… Now you have some maintenance you need to do… Now you want to put some upgrades on… Wraps are great for a lot of us that don’t have a lot of space. They seem to turn any area into a temporary shop, especially if you have a decent bike stand.

This video got me thinking about the pandemic when I had to start doing my own bike repairs. I decided to spend the money on some really good Park Tool ratchet sets. I didn’t used to get excited about buying tools but the Park Tool kits definitely got me excited and it made servicing my bike a breeze. Listening to Seth complain about blow mold cases, I’m starting to understand why my Father never used them. My Brother and I used to joke how we and our Mother would buy him these really nice tool kits to keep everything organized and every time the tools would just end up in a bucket. He recently remarried and his new Wife, you guessed it, bought him a tool kit for Christmas because she saw he kept all his tools in a bucket and she thought this would be better for him. My Brother and I we both fell out laughing 🤣 🤣🤣.

I built my tool box out of the Craftsman Versastack modular system. Bottom is 2 drawers, middle is a single open box, top is small bins. I also have the big box bottom with wheels and a handle when I go on a major road trip. System carries tools and spare parts (big and small). The big bottom box can hold tires and other big items. It does not fit under a car seat but it does allow me to fix anything I encounter. I was a pro bike mechanic for 12 years so my kit is built from experience. I look at those pre-made kits as just a starter. If the kit does not have room to expand do not buy it. There is stuff in there you will never need. Cone wrenches? Only if you have an older bike or work in a shop where everything wanders through the door sooner or later. Look at your bike and actually inventory what tools you will need to work on it. I have never, ever seen a pro use one of those "pro" kits. They buy quality basics then build. If you have a carbon fiber bike or parts you will need torque wrenches. If you work on it a lot drop the money on quality tools. Buy a good work stand. I have the Park PCS-4-1. $470. Ouch. Mine is 25 years old. I think it has paid for itself by now. It is robust enough to hold my ebike. I will bet that the tools Seth has in his car and what he has in his shop are only distantly related.

Pro tip if your a trade worker or car mechanic you might have almost all the tools you need already 😉 for the longest time my metric stuff and screw driver kit sat in my trunk now I have a use for them since the mountain bikes uses that stuff lol

Bought the Feedback sports kit after your last video. It’s brilliant. The fact you can hang it in your work shop and then take it with you to the trails is great.

The Feedback Sports set was recently on sale at R.E.I. for 20% or perhaps even 25% off. Keep up the good work, Seth.

I can think of two good reasons to have the multi-tools. 1. A person is less likely to overtorque or strip threads or heads because they have less leverage than the dedicated wrenches. 2. If those are your only tools, they'll fit in a pocket or saddle bag. That said they should have torx bits.

Hi Seth. I just wanted to say that I love your videos and watch every new one. I am a biker from Mozambique in Africa but am origonoly from the US. You content is truly inspiring. Thanks for the great content.

Berm Peak Express, awesome content keep it up bro

Been following the channel for a couple of weeks and just noticed you are also named Seth! It's a good name! Thanks for taking the time to review these, some look pretty nice. Personally, I like to build my own kit. That way I can pick and choose each tool. Picking each tool separate is nice because you can get the high quality on the tools that need it, and then other tools can be super budget. Also, it's easier on the wallet if you buy a couple here, a couple there, acquiring each tool as needed.

Thanks for this video! I have a Spin Doctor tool kit that I purchased 20 years ago. It has a full set of hex wrenches (1.5- 8mm) and 3 rounded hexes with plastic handles, a set of cone wrenches (13-19mm), cable cutters, chain tool, spoke wrench, pedal wrench, chain whip, cassette tool, and pedal extractor. The box was the only thing to go and all the tools are still used regularly.

Pedros is genuinely just a quality comapny, their tools have never failed me

A super long video nerding out about tools?? God dang Seth thank you! Would love to see your take on “really designing a tool kit”

I'm a guy that's always wrenched on his car... So I do own a sizeable tool collection.... The thing is I I hate to have to dig through my toolbox to collect the tools I need for field repair or wrenching under the proverbial shade tree. So I got the Park Tool kit a step up above the one you showed. I based my choice on account of the hex wrenches, adjustable wrench and the better chain breaker. I really like that the toolbox is only half full yet still has pretty much everything I need to tear down a Shimano equipped bike... My road bike is all Campy so I had to get some brand specific bits to round up the kit. The cool thing is I only need to grab that one toolbox to do everything I want to do.

Perhaps Seth has done this before, but what about a video on: What tools people should get first? What tools do what? etc. I think I've been watching Seth since the beginning (Florida days) and I do not recall a video like that.

This video has big Project Farm energy

Was a mechanic for many years. I collected some of my favorite tools over the years. A tool must do the job well without fail and not damage the bike. Many of the tools in the review are very low quality. Two sided spoke wrenches tend to strip out nipples. Allen wrenches made from softer metals will strip your bolts. Pedro's makes the best cable cutter. There is no 8mm hex wrench long enough to remove some cranks. I use a socket adapter / impact/ breaker bar for this purpose. I prefer folding keys over individual allens because they don't get lost. There are not many places u need a ball end (exp bottle cages ).

Unior is the loca legend! I am glad that i finaly see it on Berm Peak!

Dude what the heckkkk, this video has been tracking my recent amazon searches. Just bought a bike and was looking at kits to get me started

Only paid $37 for my Cyclists tool box at the start of the pandemic. However, the tool mix isn't as complete! Missing the cable cutter(already owned one) the box wrench/ chain ring tool had only 2 not three sizes and few other things. I think i got it from alibaba

I LOVE THIS VIDEO [but i wanna see some more flip bike]

A couple of years ago I went through my BMX Dirt Jumper and MTB bikes and wrote down ever nut bolt and screw and put together a backpack with a tool for every one of them. Not to wear on rides but to throw in the car. It was 40lbs and I never used anything more than the 15mm to take my front wheels off.😂

Love this! I'm a tool junkie, so this was right up my alley. Also a big fan of rolls (the Wolf Tooth is particularly nice). But I'd love to see a price comparison of building your own with genuinely good tools. It's one thing to keep cheap tools you don't worry about getting stolen from your car; it's another to fill the roll with really good tools you love to handle.

Unior tire lever are the best I ever had I install a lot of inserts and they work great

Feedback and the Cyclist kit were my favorites. Feedback for quality and packaging and Cyclist kit for crazy good price/value.

The Birzman Studio Tool Box kit ($375 on sale) comes in a blow-molded case, but a nice one. I'm on a road trip right now, and being able to just "grab and go" is worth the cost to me. I used to rummage through my tool drawers and dump a bunch into a tool box or wrap, but then I had to put them all back when I got home. Also, the Birzman kit comes well equipped with quality tools, including a complete set of Torx wrenches, a dead blow hammer, and a tape measure, plus a chain tool to put all others to shame. Even though I like the Birzman kit, it's really just a pricey convenience that makes life on the road easier. For every day wrenching, I built my own tool set including Unior, Park, Pedros, etc. Bondhus hex wrenches are excellent, and I know you like Feedback Sports' plier wrenches, but for not that much more, Knipex is unequaled.

This is a very conventionally timed video. I just got a bunch of new people into mtb this summer and good tools are something that they all need. Very helpful, Seth! Thank you!

Something to keep in mind with the Unior tools are they are all European made if that matters to you. I'm sure that adds to the cost. The Feedback tools in my experience are exceptional quality as well. I think most people who wrench more than once every 6 months would be really well served by buying individual high quality tools similar to Seth's own roll; it will end up cheaper. My personal "splurge" tools out of the ones shown would be the Feedback bb wrench, the Feedback chain whip, the pedro's cable cutter, the park tools 3 ways. I also highly recommend the color coded Wera hexplus hex wrenches for $35.

20/20 value: gradually building a collection of tools as you need them for your bike and then buying an empty container to shove them in

I've had a lot of cheap bike kits, for anyone getting into it I haven't seen any under $150 better than the Cyclists kit. A bit hit or miss, but chuck it in a regular $20 tool box and it rivals much more expensive kits.

As a bike mechanic multi-tools are interesting. I can't stand working with them when I have option for normal wrenches, but my co-worker... he is loving his aws-10, all bikes, alt the time, and he swears it is better and more comfortable than standard hxs-1.2 if you stick to it long enough.

For anyone starting from scratch and looking for really nice basic tools: PB-Swiss: Wrenches, screw drivers and hammers Knipex: Pliers Invest some money, it pays off over time

That park tool kit should've got a zero for value, the price on that is ridiculous for what you get. Park's quality is all over the map too depending on the tool

For the hex wrenches, just add a 15$/€ Bondhus set to your kit and you get some of the absolute best, used by many many machinists out there

These videos are so well done, Seth. Thank you for all the work that goes into this - you are in the 1%!

Feedback sports kit has been with me for 8 years, nothing has broke and rebuilt a bike average 4 per year plus dozens more tuneups. My favorite set by far. Best stands as well.

The small screwdriver in the third kit fits JIS very well, mine has been heavily used for several years now.

As someone who rides a bike with a freewheel & does their own maintenance the inclusion of a breaker bar is sooo dope and something everyone should have in their tool kit... though I personally enjoy my random seat post I use as a cheater bar.

The Pedro's Tülio would be a cool addition for review for those still on Quick Release - a Q/R Skewer that has 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex wrenches, a flathead screwdriver, 1-12 speed compatible chain tool, and 3.23mm and 3.45mm spoke wrenches.

I have to defend the park tool hex key multitool. It's my go to tool 90% of the time, but I agree that in the other 10% its nice to have a T handle hex key where you need more leverage or longer shaft to reach into an awkward position. But for a beginner it's a great tool that can be supplemented later.

A chain whip is a great place to cheap out, imo. You CAN do a chain whip's job with an old chain and pair of pliers, and even the cheapest chain whip on Earth is a big improvement on that. Conversely, a chain-breaker is a good thing to splurge on, since it's for manipulating small parts (without marring them) and you'll use it much more often.

That cyclist tool kit looks like a great tool kit for the price. You need another category for rating tools. How upset would you be if someone stole it or you left it on your truck and drove away. Some of those kits are very expensive. If i assembled a nice tool kit and it went missing i would be devastated. If i lost a 99 dollar set i would be upset but i would just buy another one

Hey Seth. The Foundation bike tool kit from Jensen USA for $110 is a good kit. Plastic tool box, useful tools, the quality is awesome for a beginner home mechanic. Price is hard to beat.

I got that $200 Union tool set for $26 when PlanetCyclery was closing down. Great deal.

Perfect timing. Just getting into repairing bikes, and am quickly realising I need some specialty tools.

I have a hodge podge mix with some tools going back to the 1990s. The one standout that keeps on ticking and is a total joy is the Park Tool Cable cutters. Mine are at least 20 years old and work as well as day one.

Feedback also has a nice "ride prep" set that has the essentials needs for a quick bike check, and its super portable and small so it can be thrown under a seat or compartment for $130

Thanks Seth, i had started buying individual tools that i needed as i went along, but after looking at that "cyclists" kit off amazon, i think ima just grab that. nice one mate

I bought the Ozark trail toolkit recently to fix my loose hub and my derailleur alignment, I didn't have any tools so for $30 it was a pretty good deal ( like you mentioned ) it was also my first time ever doing any maintenance on my bike, so it felt pretty good to be able to do it myself! but, I will say that the cassette tool with the little "wrench" adapter doesn't really work well though, but it is nice that it's included.

180$ harbor freight 300 count toolset i highly recommend it the quality is beyond what most at home bike riders will ever need i ride dirtbikes street bikes and mtb and i love it

I use a cheap tackle box style plastic box so it doesn't rattle in the trunk and a mix of Wera, Park,Topeak and Harbor Freight tools. It's mainly for Bike only tools and spares. I also keep a sealed box for fluids and lubes. 2 small tool boxes and a box of spare parts for longer trips and I'm out the door.

I have a wall mounted blow moulded plastic Teng toolkit that I was lucky enough to win in a competition around 37 years ago (thanks to MCN). The case is now beginning to fall apart and it's a pain to press the tools back into their positions so I can see why Seth prefers a tool wrap (got the same for my kitchen knives). As my old bike tools don't fit some modern parts, I've been buying individual tools from Park and others for my bike and my DH mad 15 year old son. Some of the best low cost tools have come from Decathlon. Cassette tool (not a chain whip but a hard wrench like Seth used) and cutters are some of the best I've had

I've used a park tool Allen key multi tool since last century. It's my go to for Allen keys. I've got plenty of individual Allen keys but the multi tool always is the right size and the handle give ple ty of torque.

Love it! Great work as always. Enjoyed the comparison between high, middle of the road, and low end price for value kits.

I actually prefer your tool wrap, Seth, over the Unior one, give me buckles that you can relatively easily replace and expand over velcro that (in my experience) always wears out, any day! Great video, always love watching your content :)

I have the Cyclist kit you showed and so far, it's been great!

I think the best bet would be to get the cyclist tool kit for 100. Buy a roll-up for 30. You have a total of 130 in and a great starter kit. Replace or add parts as you go. Seems to be the best bang for the buck. For those who are on a budget friendly venture.

Always appreciate you taking the time to give us your honest opinion on products! 👍

I still own a cheap, ancient tool kit similar to the Ozark and Cyclist ones that gets used every so often. Old bikes need old school tools! 😂

Wolf Tooth toolwrap is a winner in my eyes.

I have the Ozark Trail toolkit. I agree with your review. It is an extremely budget kit, designed for budget bikes. I used it to replace the tires on my great nephew’s bike (which I salvaged from a neighbor’s trash pile). The tire levers worked, but the cone wrenches slipped on the chewed up axel nuts. Good thing I keep higher quality tools in every vehicle I own. I would like to see Craftsman, Kolbalt, Husky or Harbor Freight develop a bicycle toolkit.

I have a smaller version of the Cyclists kit and it's pretty nice and definitely worth the price. I don't need anything more fancy.

Ive been getting back into mountain biking. I’m not super experienced with doing the work myself on mountain bikes specifically. I hate going to the shop. The ones where I live they all act annoyed when work comes in and make commmets how busy they are making me feel uncomfortable. I’ve been successful shopping for each individual tool I come across needing on Amazon and other big online bike shops. I shop for sales as if I’m on a budget, but still make sure the reviews are good not shopping overly cheap. So far have a decent supply of tools and work stand without spending a whole lot.

Great reviews! Would have love to see one or two high end toolboxes thrown in there too.

I love your videos. They are always entertaining at the least. I would love to see a basic maintenance series. Like is you start with a bike in his order, was to check and fix as you go to keep it that way

I’ve had a Pedro’s multitool for…like 25-30 years. It has that same chain breaker in it, so you’re right that’s what it’s designed for. I’m almost certain I’ve never used that chain breaker.

Speaking as an OG: starter kits are often lacking in quality or content or both. If I'm buying tools for a beginner, I'm finding a good toolbox and filling it with tools the recipient needs for his/her projects, and maybe throwing in a gift certificate so recipient can buy something I didn't include.

Love this video Seth, love all your vids about tools, hacks, and bike parts, hope you make more!

You should check out the foundation tool kit. Foundation is a Jenson house brand, so the bang for your buck is up there. I have the $40 basic kit and comes with with almost everything I see in those other kits, with the plus of dedicated hex wrenches. It is a flat case like the Ozark trail, but I like it for a toolkit I can keep in the truck to take to the trailhead

Awesome video and very timely Seth. I just finished setting up my bike shop area in my garage. I used a combination of Flying Cycles (90s complete tool kit available from Mtn bike action classifieds back in the day) and I purchased a bike Nashbar shop kit around 2013 or so. I have it all laid out on my peg board wall on my bench. I have a performance bike bike stand that uses the bottom bracket as the mount. I need to upgrade to a better one with a clamp for holding bikes by the seat post as my new bigger framed bikes don't fit. But overall I have everything I need besides hydraulic brake tools now.

Unior is the goat. My grandfather has some Unior tools that are over 50 years old and they still work like new.

I wonder if the idea is that starter kits have multi-tools because users can skip on buying one.

One option would be to get the tool roll you used to use with a set that comes with a blow molded case or just buy a decent little tool box like a Plano. I'm intrigued by the Cyclist set as a value pick.

In the market for tools, and this cleared things up. Thanks, bud!

I've been waiting for this! Thanks for looking at all these kits

I think one of the reasons they give you a smallish T25 is the most any are torqued might be 3-4 Nm. Having it small, prevents over torque, in the simplest way. A small torque wrench would be a lot better but I think this was the mind set on those smallish wrenches

Rating stuff with a variety of 4 is such a good idea. From 5 you always teeter between 3 or 2 and at that point there isn't much difference if you gave it a 1 or a 4. Excellent stuff, I give the 4-rating a 4.

sounds like the cyclists with a tool wrap is a pretty solid choice.

I actually have a version of that Ozark Trail kit that I bought secondhand in Europe for $20. A great deal for getting most of the tools you need to start out, and I've just slowly replaced anything that doesn't work good enough for me. The case and chain tool are terrible though.

Love the $30 kit because I already have good cable cutters and torx on my multi tool ❤ 2nd 🥈 is the diy wrap. 3rd 🥉 is amazon

my bike tool kit has turned into a huge Home Depot Husky toolbox that weighs about 60lbs lol. But I have things like star nut install tools, headset cup press, a rubber mallet and a regular hammer a good set of metal files and a nice heavy duty pipe cutter tool (for steerer tubes and handlebars) in it. It's actually getting to the point where I'm going to need a bigger toolbox because some of my regular tools are getting mixed in with the bike tools. Plus, there's a ton of tools I have that I only used once like a freewheel removal tool and an entire set of cone wrenches that aren't needed for modern bikes, but I use once in a while on my 2nd bike.