Feedback Sports Ride Prep Tool Kit

The Feedback Sports Ride Prep Tool Kit is a comprehensive set for modern bikes. It includes tools to cover both disc and rim brakes, a very solid chain tool, and brilliant tyre levers for when your thumbs just aren't enough. A chain-whip and lockring tool would have rounded this set out for me.

Let's start with a list of what your £149.99 gets you.

* Fixed 3-way TORX T25/27/30

* Fixed 3-way Hex 2/2.5/3mm

* Fixed 3-way Hex 4/5/6mm

* L-Hex 8mm

* #0 Phillips

* Schrader core tool

* Presta core tool

* Valve extender wrench

* Spoke wrench

* Chain pin press

* Rotor truing tool

* Crank arm cap tool

* Steel core tire levers

* Brake pad spreader

* 15mm pedal wrench

* 15mm axle nut wrench

Building a toolkit seems like it should be easy, but what is essential to you might be left untouched by another. The selection here is very well thought out. I was able to use all of the tools on a weekly basis with no tool left unloved in the case.

That said, I'd have liked a chain-whip and lockring tool included over the 15mm pedal spanner and spoke key. Why? Well, between the Look, Ritchey and various Shimano pedals I use, none deviate from the 8mm Allen head for tightening, making the pedal spanner rather useless on my range of bikes.

The spoke key is another funny one. Included in many 'starter' kits, its inclusion is a little lost on me. Maybe as a lighter rider I've been fortunate, but I've very rarely had to true a wheel, whereas I will regularly switch out cassettes because of wear or wanting a different wheel/gearing combination.

My little gripes out of the way, let's move on to build quality. The easiest way to check the quality of a set of tools is to look for wear at the heads of the hex and torque keys. Having used the tools for over two months now, I've checked and there is no noticeable wear. Good news considering the price tag.

While I prefer individual hex keys, the three-way sets cover a good range of head sizes and are also easy to grab while fumbling with a loose headset. The plastic centres are covered in a durable rubber that improves grip with oily hands, and the rounded heads make for easy tightening in tight spots. I suffered no rounding of either bolt or hex key heads.

The separate 8mm hex key has a nice grip for stubborn pedals, important when the chainrings are threatening your knuckles. I did find some pedals to test out the 15mm pedal spanner on. It's got good length for leverage, although I would wrap the handle with bar tape for extra grip, just to be on the safe side.

The nifty little touches such as the valve core removers for both Presta and Schrader valves shows that Feedback Sports is paying attention to the needs of the modern mechanic. You'll likely take better care of your tubeless valves with a proper tool over those old needle-nosed pliers you found in the shed.

> Beginner's guide to bike tools 

Feeback Sports has also saved space in the kit with a Hollowtech crank arm cap tool integrated into the handle of the #0 Phillips screwdriver. This little unit handled all of the small screws on my derailleurs and Speedplay pedal cleats.

The metal-core tyre levers are excellent, with zero flex, even on my stupidly tight tubeless setup. They also feature handy disc brake pad spacers.

My favourite tool in the set, however, is the chain pin press. The chunky handles make this comfortable to grip when breaking the chain. The very handy outer plate 'grabber' makes dropping the two separated parts of the chain a thing of the past.

At £149.99 for the tools and the case, it's a good value compact toolkit bearing in mind the quality. I wouldn't say that this is a starter kit, more of an advanced travel kit for riders who have a few different bikes. The case makes it extra versatile, and I could remove a couple of tools and replace them with ones that were more useful to me. The extra elastic straps were also a great place to store spares such as brake pads.

Verdict

Well-made tools and a well-thought-out selection – more than worth the money for the home mechanic