Multitool.org Forum
+-

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.


Topeak Ratchet Rocket

J-sews · 12 · 10288

us Offline J-sews

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 23,220
Topeak Ratchet Rocket
on: May 22, 2008, 04:48:36 AM
With a catchy name like Ratchet Rocket, its GOT to be good, right? :D

And to be honest, this thing is pretty damn slick. Topeak is well known for their extensive line of bike tools, and this one may well be their best. The whole kit comes in a form-fitting high impact plastic case. The top of the case is made of see-thru rubber, which seals out mosture like a tupperware dish. Peel back the top to get at the goodies inside.





Inside there are a couple of tire levers for popping the old rubber off your rims. They are made from hard anodized aluminum. I haven't tested them but they feel like they would do a passable job on other prybar chores as well.



Also inside is a combination bicycle chain tool, which doubles as a spare hex bit carrier and holds onto the ratchet as well.



The ratchet itself is a little jewel. 8) Sure the Victorinox ratchet was the first, but this beauty is even smaller, and it has a reversing lever! (And yes, those are indeed full size 1/4" hex bits, not special mini bits) In addition to the reversing lever, the Ratchet Rocket also one-ups the Vic with the addition of a knurled speed dial on the face of the ratchet. Also nice is the way the hex bit "stops" in the receptacle, allowing you to really bear down on a stubborn screw or bolt.







Oh yah, and there is a strong magnet in the handle hex which keeps the bit from falling out. Pretty neat. :)

Back to the chain tool; it has a hex drive in the end, allowing you to use the ratchet to drive out the link pin in your chain.



Last but not least, there are a couple of sturdy ways to mount the case onto your bike. I used the water bottle Boss Mount. After attaching the Boss to my bike, the case just snaps on or off with a click of a lever. The mount seems plenty secure.





All in all I'm pretty impressed with how well this Ratchet Rocket is built. There is nothing cheap about it except the price. (less than $30 on many internet sites. Less than $25 on eBay) This seems like a bargain for such a handy tool. So handy in fact that the Ratchet Rocket and bit case would be worth carrying around in your pocket even when not riding a bike. :)

Bob

In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


us Offline NutSAK

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • *
  • Absolutely No Life Club
  • *
    • Posts: 8,369
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #1 on: May 22, 2008, 02:11:52 PM
I LIKE IT!

Thanks for the review.
- Terry


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

  • Chief of the Absolutely No Life Club!
  • *
  • Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here...
  • ***********
    • Posts: 42,975
  • Why haven't you got a Farmer yet!
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #2 on: May 22, 2008, 02:15:19 PM
That looks like a cracking little bike tool mate, I'll definatly have to get one off those for my bikes :)

Thanks for the piccies and review mate :cheers:
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


Offline I'm Still Bison

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 3,592
  • Supreme Planetary Overlord trainee
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #3 on: May 23, 2008, 04:45:03 AM
I love it!!! I'm getting two of them,one for bikes,and one for general household use.That's one speSmurfpillst tool that,to me,obliterated that line between speSmurfpillst and general purpose tools
I


england Offline Benner

  • Global Tuffy
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *********
    • Posts: 28,081
  • Just Awesome! And a Slayer of Polar Bear!
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #4 on: May 24, 2008, 10:06:11 PM
Now I'm no biker, but that looks like a damn handy tool.  :)
I'm back!!


ca Offline Grant Lamontagne

  • Head Turd Polisher
  • Administrator
  • *
  • Just Bananas
  • *
    • Posts: 65,920
  • Optimum instrumentum est inter aures
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #5 on: May 25, 2008, 12:57:19 AM
I agree- it seems pretty handy, ezpecially as a backup to a more traditional multitool!

What is the notch in the side of one of the tire levers for?

Def
Leave the dents as they are- let your belongings show their scars as proudly as you do yours.


gb Offline Roadie

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 4,532
  • Hello...is this thing on?
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #6 on: May 25, 2008, 01:03:01 AM
What is the notch in the side of one of the tire levers for?

Def

To allow you to hook it around a spoke to keep it in place, I think!
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


ca Offline Grant Lamontagne

  • Head Turd Polisher
  • Administrator
  • *
  • Just Bananas
  • *
    • Posts: 65,920
  • Optimum instrumentum est inter aures
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #7 on: May 25, 2008, 01:18:17 AM
I was hoping it was a bottle opener! :P

Def
Leave the dents as they are- let your belongings show their scars as proudly as you do yours.


us Offline J-sews

  • Admin Team
  • *
  • Absolute Zombie Club
  • *
    • Posts: 23,220
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #8 on: May 25, 2008, 05:17:15 AM
What is the notch in the side of one of the tire levers for?

Def

To allow you to hook it around a spoke to keep it in place, I think!

Despite what the rest of you guys say, that Roadie fellow is pretty smart  :)


In order to be certain of having the right tool for every job.........one must first acquire a lot of tools


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

  • Chief of the Absolutely No Life Club!
  • *
  • Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here...
  • ***********
    • Posts: 42,975
  • Why haven't you got a Farmer yet!
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #9 on: May 25, 2008, 11:26:24 AM
Thats only coz like the rest off us he get's visited by the puncture fairies :D
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


gb Offline Roadie

  • No Life Club
  • ******
    • Posts: 4,532
  • Hello...is this thing on?
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #10 on: May 25, 2008, 11:37:04 AM
Thats only coz like the rest off us he get's visited by the puncture fairies :D

Haven't had one for a long time actually :D Self sealing inner tubes are brilliant!
Life is like a sandwich...the older it gets the crustier it becomes!


gb Offline Mike, Lord of the Spammers!

  • Chief of the Absolutely No Life Club!
  • *
  • Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here...
  • ***********
    • Posts: 42,975
  • Why haven't you got a Farmer yet!
Re: Topeak Ratchet Rocket
Reply #11 on: May 25, 2008, 02:23:44 PM
Thats only coz like the rest off us he get's visited by the puncture fairies :D

Haven't had one for a long time actually :D Self sealing inner tubes are brilliant!
Fingers crossed but since I've switched to Shwalbe Marathon's I've had none either :)
Give in, buy several Farmer's!!!!!!


 

Donations

Operational Funds

Help us keep the Unworkable working!
Donate with PayPal!
March Goal: $300.00
Due Date: Mar 31
Total Receipts: $379.86
PayPal Fees: $19.62
Net Balance: $360.24
Above Goal: $60.24
Site Currency: USD
120% 
March Donations

Community Links


Powered by EzPortal