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Feedback Sports Reflex Fixed Torque Mini Ratchet
213g £75.00

The Feedback Sports Reflex Fixed Torque Mini Ratchet is compact but extremely well engineered mini tool kit made from high quality materials. Torque function aside, the ergonomic design means it’s very pleasant to use, especially in confined spaces. However, while the 5mm fixed setting is both blessing and curse. 

 

Sure, a lot of fasteners, such as stems, seat post binder bolts etc are 5nm but a lot including bottle, carrier and other smaller fasteners are less, saddle cradles nearer the 10-12 nm mark. This runs the risk of damage by over, or under-tightening. I was also slightly disappointed by the omission of an 8mm bit. However, leaving these things out of the equation, I’ve been really taken with its ergonomics and useability.

 

Pros: Very well engineered, high quality material, nicely organised pouch keeps everything secure also allows for additional, specialist bits.

 

Cons : No 8mm key as standard, fixed 5 Nm setting is both blessing and curse.

torque wrench mini test review feedback

Specification

test review mini wrench

I wasn’t surprised to discover the ratchet components are made from heat treated Chrome Vanadium steel and treated to an equally refined, corrosion resistant electroplated finish. 

test review wrench bicycle

As I said in my opening paragraph, the ratchet and 5mm extension pole feature knurled handles for more secure grip, say with sweaty, oily hands, or when trying to shift something stubborn- well, happens to the best of us.

tst review bicycle cycle wrench

Tool bits are magnetic, similarly rugged and comprise of 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm Allen keys, 10, 25 and 30 Torx bits. This will cater for contemporary disc brake touring lorries and older bikes alike. Now a quick word about the Torque function. Being fixed there are limitations, but you’re not wedded to it, so can tighten fasteners the old school “by feel” way- those 12Nm seat cradles I was referring to being prime examples.

 

A little word to the newbies, never use a torque wrench to loosen parts, since you’ll damage the internal mechanism-permanently. Now, before you all disappear into the great blue yonder, take some time to check your bike’s recommended torque settings. Those with suggested ranges of 4-6 Nm are well served by 5Nm, you’re going to get things snug but with no fear of stripping. Front and rear derailleur braze on and clamp mounts, calliper brake pads, bolt on disc mounts, thru axles etc   

 

However, I’ve a few seat collars with 4.5Nm tops, bottle screws are closer to 3nm, ditto mudguard and carrier fixings.  Aside from the composite tray’s designated parking spots for tool bits, so it's harder to lose them. The padded case continues this narrative, keeping everything contained and rattle free. It's too big to slot into a conventional cage (although has slotted securely into utility models, such as the Topeak PET and its coffee carrying stablemate. 

 

At 205g, its quite a heft in a jersey pocket but I’ve preferred to stash ours into the side pocket of my ancient (and much loved) Carradice SQR Tour, Topeak MTX trunk bag, when on the fixed, or the Teenage Dream’s Topeak Compact Bar Bag. If for no other reason as I’m not convinced the pouch is particularly waterproof and I’ve had multitools turn decidedly orange when forgotten in pouches, or more commonly wedge packs following very wet rides.

Performance 3.5/5

tst review wrench bicycle toque

The blend of good ergonomics and high-quality tooling mean it's very user friendly and generally pleasant to use. Ursula, fixed gear winter trainer and Denise all feature Tektro RL series leavers which have deeply recessed bolts. Ursula and Denise also feature Microshift Bar end shifters. Their post mounts lock into the bars with a similarly recessed 5mm Allen bolt, which can fox those attached to a lot of contemporary/compact multi tools. Using the 5mm extension and the tool T-handle fashion, I was able to reach both and snug them tight with some knuckle clearance, ditto the Carradice SQR seat post hardware. Bottle cage bolts can also prove tricky customers given the voluptuous shapes of modern, carbon/composite cages. 

fedback mini torque wrench review

The locking function of the ratchet engages every six degrees, optimising efficiency, and convenience, since there’s no need to remove the tool, simply adjust your position as you go. Brilliant for tight spaces, bottle cages on small semi/compact geometry framesets. Something that came into its own while stripping Ursula for upcoming repair and modernisation. The direction switch is also easily switched- intentionally single handedly too.   

 

Similarly, with an 8mm bit (or cap atop the 6mm) plugged in, I was able to shift pedals and with the 6mm, stubborn quill stems, weathered stem bolts, locking skewers etc. By placing the 5Nm torque socket between bit and ratchet, you’ll get very accurate feedback should you exceed the torque while tightening- the sort of potential disaster likely to strike when you’re weary. This massively reduces the probability of rounding a head, stripping a thread, or causing stress injury to a carbon bar-the sort that can creep in over time. 

Durability/Care 3.75/5

Given the asking price, unless you’re rich and can afford to be careless, I would be taking great care of the system. However, in the interests of thorough testing, I’ve deliberately left ours in soggy wedge packs and left it outside for a few nights. Pleased to report tarnish and other corrosion have been conspicuous by their absence. If I was riding in particularly harsh conditions- a winter tour, mountain bike, or gravel weekender, I might be inclined to give the tooling a precautionary oily rag wipe-over but with basic common sense and minimal lending, there’s no reason to think it won’t last many years.

Value 3/5

Whichever way I cut 'n’ dice it, £75 is quite an investment for a multi tool, but that’s the key here. Used correctly, it will recoup the investment by not knackering expensive (and sometimes rare) parts. By the same token, there are models boasting more choices of torque for greater versatility. 

 

Topeak  Nano Bar Torque Bar being a good example. At £76.99, it’s fractionally dearer than the Feedback Sports and offers 4, 5 and 6nms. That said; it’s a bit more limited in other ways. Most notably, there are only 5 bits- 3,4, 5 Allen keys could also be a little limiting.

Silca T-Ratchet +TI Torque Kit 2nd Generation is a more refined, tuneable choice for 2-8nm. It features a 72-tooth ratchet mechanism, steel bit extender, S2 steel Allen keys 2, 2.5, 3,4,5 and 6mm, t10, t20, t25 Torx and 2mm Philips head bit. 

 

The cotton duck waxed case bodes well for weatherproofing too. However, be prepared to pay for these added refinements-£125. Sure, a lot cheaper than wrecking expensive and/or sensitive parts but hardly small change. At the other end of the spectrum, Ice Toolz Ocarina Torque Wrench at £40.95 rrp (we’ve seen it discounted online). It’s a compact T-handle type with 3-10nm, which covers a wider range of components but a more limited range of bits- 3,4, 5, 6 Allen keys and T25 Torx.

Summary

Leaving the torque to one side, Feedback Sports Torque Mini Ratchet is well designed, nice to use and not one I’d lend. Stock, it’s not as comprehensive tool wise as I might like (or need) and given my opening statement, I’d be carrying a backup mufti tool (but then I always do, if only to pass to a riding companion and occasionally a stranded stranger).  

 

There are cheaper options with wider torque settings but there are others costing a bit more. What they do have in common is limitations. Gun to my head, if you are seeking a high-quality tool first and can live with being restricted to 5nm, the Feedback Sports Torque Mini Ratchet is worth a closer look but there are more versatile choices if torque is top priority. 

Verdict: 3.5/5 Well-engineered tool that is pleasant to use, but set torque is both blessing and curse.

 

Michael Stenning

 

Saddleback | The Home of Elite Performance Cycling - Road & MTB – Saddleback Elite Performance Cycling 

 

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2024

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