Not sure if this is new but I just noticed it at my local Walmart. Ozark Trail 27-Piece Bike Tool Kit. Only $30, think it’s any good?
by AffectionatePaint674
Not sure if this is new but I just noticed it at my local Walmart. Ozark Trail 27-Piece Bike Tool Kit. Only $30, think it’s any good?
by AffectionatePaint674
5 Comments
I have a very similar kit. One really bad failing is that the chain tool doesn’t work on 11 speed chains.
For a lot of basic servicing it’ll probably be ok but I’d much rather have seperate hex keys than a multi tool like that. It also seems to be missing a proper 15mm spanner which is a very commonly used tool for a lot of bike stuff which is weird.
people like to malign these kinds of kits but it’s very convenient having stuff that comes in a snap-in case, makes finding and putting away your bits much easier than a big bag you can’t find anything inside.
short amswer: no.
long answer: if you need a tool kit to wrench on your bike twice a year and fairly well know what you’re doing (especially in the realm of when to apply force amd when not to), this *could* kinda work. if you do anything beyond that or are a bit of a beginner i wouldn’t.
from what i can tell this looks even cheaper than the otherwise almost identical “bike hand” toolkit i got on amazon a while back.
which does what i described above.
Getting all those tools for $30 would be fine but some things are worth it to pay more for. Cheap versions of some tools can be imprecise, or poor quality (Allen wrenches rounding off quickly is a common one Ive seen for cheap ones, especially the small diameters). That list makes it look like a lot but a lot of the items are like listing the different tire patch sizes separately or the patch glue separately or the case. You aren’t actually getting all that many useful items.
Something like the chain whip and cassette tool will probably work as well as you need. If youre looking at this set you probably aren’t removing your cassette all that often and can deal with a bit of a lack of leverage etc. Tire levers would be fine if theyre strong but Ive also snapped enough levers that I dont buy cheap ones. Imprecise spoke wrenches can round off spoke nipples which is no fun. I tend to have bad luck with tub patch kits and would suspect ultra cheap ones would be worse. Its pretty annoying to spend the time patching a tube only for it to still not hold air.
The other question is whether you need all these.
Crank puller – do you have a bike with a square taper bottom bracket?
Tube patch kits – do you ride tubeless tires?
I started with a Spin Doctors tool set like that. I still use a number of the tools; chain tool, cone wrenches, hex wrenches, and cassette tools. I’ve added to and replaced from there.
I don’t love the fact that the hex wrenches are connected together in this one, sometimes the handle of those doesn’t make it easy to get to some bolts.
Any of these tools will probably work for their intended purpose at least once, but do you need a crank puller right now? Or a chain whip? Probably not.
Your $30 would be better spent on a good quality multi-tool and a set of tire levers that will last you a lifetime. Then in the future when you want to service your freewheel drop an extra $10 on a legit FR-1.3 or whatever.