Review
Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit and Unior Pro Tool Roll
That's what Bike Shops are For
This is the golden age for DIY anything, and bike mechanic-ing in particular. If you can 'play' with Lego, you can swap a bottom bracket, change your handlebar or install pedals. The finer points of installing a drivetrain, seatpost or brakes might be a little more finicky, but the broad strokes aren’t bad at all. If you have to go to the shop for fine tuning, you’ll still have saved a packet and learned some things that will help you in the future if, for example, you have to repair a chain mid ride. If you are happy with your bike shop service, and with paying for everything to be done for you, I won’t discourage you from that course. Bike shops are wondrous places. If however, you are curious about the pleasure and satisfaction that comes from working on your own bike however, I highly recommend it.
Take it on the Road
Two part question: 1. When was the last time you broke your bike at home? And 2. Where do you keep your tools?* All of us have experienced a ride ending issue that could have been solved in seconds, if only we'd had the right tools. And yet, many of us are loathe to drop cash on quality tools that would keep our bikes running smoothly, not to mention those we can easily bring on the road with us. Of course, for many of you reading this, based on what I have learned over the years, this is not an issue. I regularly learn new things about working on bikes from the bike sages who respond below our articles.
*This is assuming you didn't ride from home of course.
The Unior tool roll is small and could easily be stuffed in a backpack. The Feedback kit opens like a suitcase, with a zipper that encircles three sides, and is a much more comprehensive - and expensive - kit. (Wera Tools for scale only)
DIY Jobs are Just an Excuse to Buy Tools
At any given moment I have at least two full day's worth of bike work on my to do list. Tires need to be swapped (either because of wear or for testing purposes), components need to be exchanged, forks need a lower leg service, and six or several bikes need a good cleaning and some general maintenance. And probably a brake bleed.
There is help around I could access, and for some issues I take advantage, notably at Obsession:Bikes, but I prefer the DIY approach when possible. I spent several years working on bikes for a "living" in the pre-hydraulic era, and it's something I have again begun to enjoy, in the last five years or so. In fact, taking on more difficult tasks (at my meagre level) makes me look forward to the process more as my confidence increases. More importantly, I learn something every time I perform even mundane tasks on test bikes, and on those I call my own. Reviewing parts I have installed and worked on gives me information I wouldn't be able to access otherwise, and it's a much more satisfying experience.
You might be getting the sense that I'm trying to justify a tool fetish. After you've worked in a bike shop, it feels ridiculous not to have all the tools required to perform most tasks on a mountain bike, and I've done a decent job keeping up. Different linkage bearings, headset and bottom bracket standards, lockrings and bottom brackets with different notch counts, and now the world of eMTB, mean I shop for new tools with some regularity.
If you are digging into some more serious tasks, this Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit will be more to your liking. It is of course heavier and less portable - and more expensive as a result. There are two invididual hex wrenches that are useful for higher torque situations, an 8 and a 10mm, but otherwise the hex and Torx duties are handled by Y wrenches.
The Unior kit is obviously less comprehensive than this particular Feedback Sports kit, but the inclusion of individual hex tools is a nice touch.
I lacked a good crown race removal tool until a couple of weeks ago, but a putty knife, a mallet and a very fine screwdriver usually did the job without marking the crown too much (but I hate marking the crown at all). I also just purchased a cheap headset press off Amazon. All I really needed was fittings to press races into tapered head tubes which I'll port over to a higher quality press from Endura. I use a chunk of hardwood and the same wooden mallet to set crown races and I have a crappy star fangled nut setter that usually does the job adequately, even after my friend Eamonn (aka El Camino!) brought it back stripped. Many of these tasks can be done passably with makeshift tools, but they add an unpleasant element of uncertainty and stress that stifles most of the waves of satisfaction and self-importance that make DIY projects worthwhile.
I could also add a flush cutter (thanks Brian!) and a quality fourth hand tool for pulling both cables and zip ties taut, a proper 28.99 puller for press fit bottom brackets, while they remain with us, and nobody's collection of drifts, presses and pullers (blind and otherwise) is complete when you are working on bikes of different vintages and from different brands.
Having tools at home is one thing, but bench tools should never leave the shop in my world. I can see most of them at a glance so it's obvious when something is missing. I have kept a doctor's bag (from the now defunct Wrenchforce) full of a reasonable tool hodge-podge, at the ready for trips for years, but without any way of keeping inventory, it's pretty easy to arrive two hours from the nearest bike shop and discover you don't have a 16 notch bottom bracket tool, or a 10 mm hex. If you've seen toolbox wars on instagram, you can likely appreciate the red flag shot up by a gaping hole where one of your tools used to be. My doctor's bag was not useful in that regard.
If you happen to already own a Feedback Sports work stand, or another that is similarly constructed, you can strap the case to the stand. The set includes batons that slide through sleeves in the top of the case to hold the assembly open and stable.
Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit - 350 CAD
This first kit, from Feedback Sports, had my attention right away. It appears poised to solve a lot of problems (more on that below), it's nice and compact, and it can be hung up to approximate a tool wall, complete with an inserted lateral support, or laid down flat on a tailgate. It's also organized well enough that tools rarely interfere with each other when you want to grab one. A favourite element however, is the at-a-glance ability to make sure everything has been put away. Losing tools is the worst.
The Wera hex set is only included in the photo for scale, but it would make a great addition to this kit. There are even 8 slots to store them if you don't want to keep them in their holder. The case is a highlight of the Feedback kit.
The Carrying Case
To paraphrase Rowan Atkinson from Love Actually, this is so much more than a case. The design lets you access all the tools individually quite easily and it also contains straps to attach it to a pole, like the one on a Feedback Sports work stand. or something similar. This is handy in terms of proximity, but your bike is going to be in the way to a certain degree, so it's not ideal. It could also strap to a pole in a chainlink fence or any pole as long as it's not too thick. A pair of poles slide together to become a batten that holds the case open and straight. When closed the shape is convenient and compact allowing it to be stored under the seat of a car or behind the rear seats of a pickup truck.
A downside of the case, perhaps the only one I've found, is that the zippers are a little tricky. Instead of finishing flush with the outside of the case when it's time to open, the two zippers angle towards the centre of the case to reach their open position. If you don't manage to push them into these recesses, which is a little awkward, the case will not open flat, and you may damage the zippers. Feedback reports this information about the construction of the little briefcase: TPU-coated travel case is abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, resistant to greases and oils
A sixteen notch tool for bottom brackets or lockings on one end and a cassette or freewheel removal tool on the other end. I've used both sides of this tool and it works as expected. I've used some 'Crombie' style freehub removers in the past that were angled for clearance but I prefer the straight action of tools like this one.
Over the last few days I've done about 6 rear wheels swaps for two bikes, because of flats, a broken rim, and thanks to forgetting that my We Are One Arrival has a boost 157 rear end. Each of these involved tire removals and installs with inserts. I'll also confess, there are times when I tackle tasks that could wait, just because I feel the need for some time in the shop.
This kit has come in extremely handy for those swaps, because of one of my favourite tools from these two kits in particular; Feedback's Cassette Pliers. These can, in theory, be used on several different cogs, but Feedback says "For Sram AXS 12 speed cassettes, you must clamp only on the 10t cog." I have no idea why this is the case and I definitely broke this rule multiple times before learning of it. In fact I saw moving up the cassette as a benefit of this tool because it opens some space between the devices.
Don't do this! I learned of the "only use the 10t cog on AXS cassettes" rule after taking this photo. Once clamped on the cassette for removal you can use the tool to align it on the next wheel if you are swapping, without ever touching the cassette.
The tool locks in place, either when clamped to a cog or to make it more compact for storage when not in use. If you are swapping a cassette from one bike to the other, you never have to touch the cassette at all; simply lock the pliers closed, or keep gripping the handle, and then use them to align the cassette on the other wheel, and tighten it up.
I'm a big fan of the Feedback chain tool. Once you place the chain on the holder, just dial in the set screw for the perfect amount of support and then push out the pin.
This cutter works well and is comfortable in my hands. It locks close for storage or simply when not in use. While it is sharp and cuts cleanly, the precision of the tool itself could be better. If you open the cutter enough so that the two cutting surfaces are no longer touching, which is for virtually every task, they knock into each other rather than passing by smoothly when you try to close them again. It simply takes a little jiggle to get them ready to cut but it's pretty annoying if you are holding something with your other hand, because this turns it into a two-handed operation.
The tool completed the clean cut challenge with top marks (although this poor photo doesn't make that clear so you'll have to take my word for it). I've been using a cutter that was sub-par in this regard for years so this is a huge time saver.
One good tool and one that is useless for most mountain bikers (and TBF - this kit is not sold as MTB-specific). The pedal wrench will work on some pedals but most now accept an 8mm hex on the back of the axle where it threads into the crank (which is included in the kit). This tool could help if you have some kids' bikes to work on or an old commuter. The 15mm box end however? I haven't seen a 15mm bolt on a mountain bike for some time but this could also come in handy for older bikes with bolt on hubs. The rotor truing tool however is very useful indeed. Use the short end for abrupt bends and the long end for gentle ones where less force and more precision are required. If you are doing this on the bike, make sure to rotate the bent portion well away from the caliper to avoid creating another bend.
I love crafty details that turn one tool into two. The top of this small screwdriver (left) doubles as a dust cap tool for Shimano cranks.
Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit Contents
- 25 functions from 19 professional grade bicycle-specific tools
- Ergonomic, overmolded file tread grips for precision, comfort and style
- External attachment and internal support structure for mounting on Feedback Sports work stands
- TPU-coated travel case is abrasion-resistant, water-resistant, resistant to greases and oils – built to last
- Organizational elastic banding keeps everything in it’s place and offers space for additional tools
- Allen Wrenches – 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6mm
- 8 & 10mm L-handle Allen Wrenches
- Magnetic-Tipped Screwdrivers – Flathead 6mm; Phillips #2 and #0
- Shimano Crank Cap Tool
- 15mm Pedal Wrench
- 15mm Bolt-on Axle Nut Tool
- Steel Core Tire Levers (2)
- Spoke Multi-Wrench
- Valve Extender Wrench
- Valve Core Tools – Schrader and Presta
- Rotor Truing Tools
- Precision Chain Pin Press
- Cassette and Disc Brake Rotor Lockring Wrench
- Cassette Pliers
- Cable Cutter and Cable Crimper
- And several more…
Absent - individual hex and Torx, but otherwise nothing I'd call mission critical. I love being proven wrong however.
The inclusion of a master link breaker is clutch. It's often omitted and since 12x chains can't be broken and reattached, this is an essential tool to have. The tire levers have a metal core and seem well-shaped and the dental pick comes in handy regularly.
The Schrader valve core tool is useful for suspension and your car and the Presta tool is one end of the multi-gage spoke wrench. I'm not a fan of these kinds of spoke wrenches but if you are simply truing occasionally, rather than lacing and tensioning wheels yourself, this should be adequate.
To Conclude (about the Feedback Sports Team Edition)
This is a great kit. Of course, if you aspire to complete every possible task on your bike, there are tools missing, and those kits cost much more. Unior makes a "Pro kit" that sells for anywhere between 1580 and 1025CAD for some reason. It also lacks some tools you'd need to, for example, build a bike from the frame up. Park Tool, the grand daddy of bike-specific tool manufacturers in North America, sells a Master Tool Kit that includes a top-end truing stand a stool, and a stunning array of professional quality tools to do most anything on your bike, in terms of installs, removals, or repairs, will set you back 9,297 USD.
Y-wrenches aren't useful in tight spaces but they are generally handy working on your cockpit. To complete this kit you'll want some individual hex and torx wrenches.
Now that we've established that you can go as big as you'd like, this kit covers the broad strokes very well. If you were to pick up a bleed kit for your brakes, you'd be set to do most basic maintenance and component swaps, aside from headsets. You'd also be able to build most bikes from the frame up, aside from headset installation. You may also need some help routing internal cables and hoses,* but Shimano makes a really good kit for this task for around 80 USD I believe. Or you can take your chances on a cheap one off Amazon. It might make sense to add a torque wrench as well.
*Depending on your frame
I have found this kit for prices between 350 and 480 CAD and the range is surprisingly similar in green backs. Good luck figuring out the best price.
Feedback Sports Team Edition Tool Kit
Unior Pro Tool Roll
This kit has some really nice and useful tools, and it's a great start for a home mechanic or someone who wants to be able to do some wrenching on the road. This tool selection will solve a lot of basic problems but you'll find some serious holes when you want to take your game up a level. At the same time, you are going to be spending significantly less than the Feedback Team Edition.
This isn't comprehensive by any measure, but it's a great start.
Once rolled for storage or transport, this kit is nice and compact.*
*Wera tools for scale only
Unior Pro Tool Roll Contents and features
- Long ball end hexagon wrench, sizes 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm
- TX profile wrench, size T25
- Crank cap tool
- Chain tool
- Round spoke wrench
- Set of two tire levers
- Cross tip screwdriver PH 0 (size)
- Pro Socket Handle
- Chain wear indicator
- Cassette wrench and Cassette lockring tool
- 2-For-1 disc brake tool
Roll features*
- Aluminum eyelets for setting the wrap on the car seat, with fixation under the head rest
- Strong Velcro® straps for secure closing
- Side pockets with full flaps closing for parts or additional tools
- Additional elastic straps for even more tools
- Made from coated PU material, waterproof and oil resistant
- You can fit mini pump in there as well
The upper tool in the image, which Unior calls a 'cassette wrench' takes the place of a chain whip. One side is for an 11 tooth cog and the other for 12. The three studs align with cogs and lock in place to immobilize the free hub so you can unthread the cassette with the revoval tool, pictured below. It works fine but not nearly as smoothly as Feedback's
A perfectly serviceable Unior chain tool, a dust cap remover for Shimano Cranks, some decent tire levers, a chain wear tool (something I have never used but obviously should) and a small
This wins the prize for my favourite tool in the two kits. It's a dual-purpose brake pad spreader (only use with pads in place) and disk straightening tool. It performs both tasks admirably and feels good in your hands. The dual-density handle provides excellent grip and, based on my experience thus far, I expect it to be long-wearing.
1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm plus a Torx T25. A 10mm hex comes in handy for many cranksets in my experience but I wouldn't call it a terrible omission.
Final Analysis: Unior Pro Toll Roll
It turns out hyperbole runs rampant among tool manfucturers. This is not what you'd call a tool kit, and no "team" mechanic would be caught dead with the Feedback Sports Kit pictured above. Ignoring the labels, both do a good job for a decent price, when the high cost of individual bike tools is considered. I'm not disparaging the quality of the tools in either kit however, which I found to be excellent.
This tool selection will solve a lot of basic problems but you'll find some serious holes when you want to take your game up a level. At the same time, you are going to be spending significantly less than the Feedback Team Edition.
The Unior Pro Tool Roll Kit will set you back around 200 USD. I wasn't able to find a Canadian price for this kit, but other Unior sets can be found north of 49.
In the end, my unbiased advice is, buy more tools, and save more money. Either of these kits will put you on that road.
Comments
Kenny
6 months, 1 week ago
I've had the feedback kit for 5 years and it's been really good. Big enough to use as my main home bike tools but easy to transport for road trips.
It does have extra slots to add more tools, I've added a few things but overall I really like it and use it maybe not every day, but weekly for sure.
Mine didn't come with master link pliers, that's cool they added them.
Also, the sizes of the standalone hex wrenches at 8mm and 10mm is correct per the bottom of the article, but as a heads up - further up they're listed as 6/8mm.
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Cam McRae
6 months, 1 week ago
It would work great as a home kit. Excellent point
Good catch on the 8 and 10. Will correct! Thanks!
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rusty904
6 months, 1 week ago
I bought the team kit around the same time as you using it professionally (when out of the shop) and personally.
My favorite thing about it was the design of the case to hang on the work stand, made it so I didn't have to use a table.
My kit definitely had what I would consider to be quality control issues. The chain tool was of a different design with a chrome finish, it cracked literally on the first use. I also had a tire lever crack on first use under very light strain. Finally the housing cutter was pretty much useless from day one. Dull as could be and the tolerance was too poor to make a precise cut. I submitted a warranty claim and never got a response.
The rest of the tools are great and I still use them. I've substituted the tire levers for pedros, the housing cutters for knipex, and the chain tool for PRO. Add in a set of bondhus hex wrenches and you have an excellent travel kit.
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Tjaard Breeuwer
6 months, 1 week ago
Love the opening line: “where do your tools live? Where does your bike break?” ;-0
The problem with these premade kits, is that once you add a few missing items, like you mention, you are back to the dilemma of the tools not having a good spot to store.
A Cushcore beadroppper tire lever, torque wrench set and bleed kits are a pretty essential part of a travel tool kit in my mind.
Also for traveling kits, I think the way to go is a ratchet handle, and then sockets for hex wrenches 8, 10 and 12, cassette lock ring and various bottom bracket tools and fork air top cap sockets. Can add large torx also if needed for your bikes.
Way more compact, more leverage (especially the telescoping one I have) than having handled tools.
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Cam McRae
6 months, 1 week ago
We are on the same page - I agree completely. I have a little ratcheting tool from Topeak - the ratchet rocket lite DX - and it’s a really great tool. I’d probably bring it and a set like Wera’s though.
I don’t religiously bring a torque wrench but when I worked in shops they weren’t really around and almost nobody used them, so I’ve got a decent built in meter.
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Alex D
6 months, 1 week ago
Lovely stuff. I have some philosophical differences in tool approach, though. The first is that I'd rather assemble a hodgepodge of the best tools for the job from whatever brand as needed, rather than an all-encompassing set of generally high quality from a single brand. I've also a huge fan of duplicates. Rather than putting every tool back constantly, I keep spares (usually with slightly different advantages) so there's always a hex wrench or the like in grabbing distance. The cleanup only happens at the end of the day. It helps that I refurbish bikes as a small business and have found tax deductions for tools to be an irresistible incentive.
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Cam McRae
6 months, 1 week ago
That’s the difference between home and away for me. And I’m the same about getting what works best for the shop but I really enjoy having the Feedback kit for the road.
I am of two minds about duplicates but I have a lot as well. I tend to get a terrible bench pile going very quickly. Sadly I mostly work that way as well but then I’m digging for what I need! I aspire be a “put everything back in its place after use” type of mechanic but it never seems to work out.
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Korc
6 months, 1 week ago
Cheap crown race setting tool.
ABS pipe w/ proper ID to clear steerer tube. Cut square. Works like a charm. Of course use a wood or rubber mallet to set or block of wood w/ regular hammer/brick/pedal wrench...etc
Headset press. Ready rod, 2 nuts and washers big enought to cover flanges. Tighten slowly. Ezpz
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Velocipedestrian
6 months, 1 week ago
I like the precision of this idea
Is the adjustable section on the left just a repurposed presta-schrader adapter? Or could it be?
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Cam McRae
6 months, 1 week ago
I don't think the thread pitch is right, but I'll explore further since I'm picking up what you're putting down.
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Sethimus
6 months, 1 week ago
more tools content, this was nice!
dave rome over at escape collective (and earlier on cyclingtips) is the gold standard all things tools related content
https://escapecollective.com/category/cycling/tech/tech-reviews/tools-and-workshop/
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MTB_THETOWN
6 months, 1 week ago
Following Dave and toolbox wars for a few years has made tools and working on bikes an entire extra hobby on top of riding them.
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hankthespacecowboy
6 months, 1 week ago
I bought the Feedback Sports tool kit a few years ago after several decades of trying to hodge-podge a tool inventory by buying them as needed. Finally having one kit that covers nearly everything my skill level is capable of has been the biggest leap forward in successful home bike maintenance since buying a work stand (also Feedback). A bonus about the sizing of the case is that it fits almost perfectly into the drawer of the Harbor Freight / US General tool cart. Even though I'm not particularly observant about returning everything to its designated slot, simply having a coordinated tool set makes keeping everything together much easier than trying to remember which random brands of tools go together.
The chain pliers are a new addition since I purchased my kit; props to Feedback for adding it to the newer edition.
It's been a great travel kit for extended riding trips where more frequent riding can uncover overlooked maintenance issues, and bike shop support may not immediately available.
A headset press, and more accurate fork cutting setup, and One-Up steerer threading setup are the next additions to my tool kit. New fork days always inspire a cocktail of heady anticipation, and toxic anxiety; particularly the process of installing the star-nut. I love the One-Up steerer threading approach for feeling much more precise and controlled rather than taking a hammer to a $1000+ fork.
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JohnC
6 months, 1 week ago
Can someone explain why pedal manufacturers have gone away from the 15mm bevelled axel for pedal wrenches? I personally hate the hex in the back system both for removal and for putting on a pedal. Nothing is more satisfying then using a standard pedal wrench and winding the crank backwards to tighten a pedal and I just find removal easier with the old system. I hope it is for significant strength increases?.
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Allen Lloyd
6 months, 1 week ago
You asked about last time a bike was broken at home. A couple weeks ago I was getting ready for a park weekend and thought I would do a brake fluid flush. Forgot step 1 (remove the wheel) and ruined a set of pads and a rotor, all covered in brake fluid. I plan to try and bake off the oils, but what an absolute nightmare situation hours before heading to the bike park. LBS had pads and a rotor all ended up being fine.
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Cam McRae
6 months, 1 week ago
Argh! I have wrenching disasters regularly as well.
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shakazulu12
6 months, 1 week ago
I need to go look at how I did it. But I crammed in stuff I felt was missing or needed upgrading into my Feedback Kit bag. Different hex/torx wrenches and a small torque wrench. Plus some better levers. It's bit more of hassle to close now. But goes with me everywhere and has certainly saved some riding time while on road trips. Would love a full Toolbox Wars setup, but for now, it's worked out really well for me.
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dave_f
6 months, 1 week ago
Back in the day when I was road racing motorcycles I had a big toolbox with multiple drawers and everything but the kitchen sink. When setting up, the first thing that took place was carrying that toolbox into the tent, kind of like Noah's ark arriving at the temple. I was confounded when the tuner I worked with would show up at the track with nothing but a briefcase. Thing is, instead of a complete six point socket set he only brought the stuff along that was needed for the bikes he was wrenching on.
I have a small toolbox I take with me when on the road with the bike and I only toss the hex wrenches etc. specific for the bike I have with me in there. Case in point would be the spoke wrench -- why lug around a crappy multi-size spoke wrench when you can toss your spokey in there? The PK+Lie can stay at home for wheelbuilding.
What I mean is these toolsets will always be a compromise for the actual bikes you own. Better to pick and choose yourself.
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kekoa
6 months, 1 week ago
Wrenchforce…I bought as many of those tools as I could at the shop I worked at. Wish I had been smarter and bought one of each. Used my long handled flat screwdriver two nights ago taking a brake pad pin out. Used my very old Park headset press today pressing in a Bb90. I’m a big fan of buying good quality tools and keeping them. That headset press has been swapped around the riding group for probably 20+ years now.
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Ride.DMC
6 months, 1 week ago
Did I miss the part where you listed the price for the Feedback sports kit?
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Cam McRae
6 months, 1 week ago
It's a bit tricky to determine. I've seen a wide range of prices from 350 - 480 CAD but in south of the border the consensus seems to be 350 USD.
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MTB_THETOWN
6 months, 1 week ago
The best way to be sure you won't need a tool is to bring it with you!
I really like my wolftooth roll for a race day kit, but it's big and I don't feel safe leaving that much money in tools at a trailhead for my car to get broken into. I got a smaller roll from Kyoto Tool Company (ktc) that I keep stashed under the passenger seat for basic tweaks at the trailhead with cheaper tools. So now I have three sets of tools like a tool (gotta have the full home shop as well).
I find building up the perfect toolkit almost as enjoyable as building up the perfect bike.
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