Topeak Ratchet Rocket

[J-sews]

With a catchy name like Ratchet Rocket, its GOT to be good, right?

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. 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

[NutSAK]

I LIKE IT!

Thanks for the review.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

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

[I'm Still Bison]

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

[Benner]

Now I'm no biker, but that looks like a damn handy tool. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

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

[Roadie]

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!

[Grant Lamontagne]

I was hoping it was a bottle opener!

Def

[J-sews]

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 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Thats only coz like the rest off us he get's visited by the puncture fairies

[Roadie]

Thats only coz like the rest off us he get's visited by the puncture fairies

Haven't had one for a long time actually Self sealing inner tubes are brilliant!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Thats only coz like the rest off us he get's visited by the puncture fairies

Haven't had one for a long time actually Self sealing inner tubes are brilliant!

Fingers crossed but since I've switched to Shwalbe Marathon's I've had none either