Testing the Cheapest Bike Tools on AliExpress - Part One

In a perfect world, everyone should own high-quality bicycle tools. However, in the real world, a broke college student needing to replace their cassette doesn’t always have the means to pay a bike shop. Thus, the $3 cassette tool enters the scene.

We know that anything of good quality carries a premium and, at a point, a diminishing return, especially depending on the volume of use it gets. Today, we'll see if the opposite is true with some of the cheapest tools I could find.

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[eastcoastmountainbiker]

"It's possible a child made these tools" 💀💀

never change seth

[jimecee]

The child labor joke was appreciated lol

[blondiejoe]

The affordable tools that you CAN recommend follow-up is a really good idea. I look forward to that.

[anthonyvizzo]

You know what I love, a channel that goes backwards. Gets big, gets real sponsors, and then in like "Nope" I'm going back to Ali Express bike part reviews.

Rock on.

[kkostasgr]

11:20 this tool actually works. You need to put the chain in the middle opening and tight the end cap screw to hold it in place. I have one of this and it gets the job done.

[tHeOnEShot]

I love that you kept that allen wrench launching into your face in there, safety glasses my friend. You never know when a tool will become a balistic missle heat seeking your eye😂

[sixty]

The small bit of wire to hook on the chain is one of those insignificant tools that actually helps so much in a bike shop when you’re doing it dozens of times in a row. We made ours out of bits of broken spokes.

[dave_clarke]

My recommendation is to buy cheap tools at first and then replace the ones that wear out or break/cause damage with something higher quality. There is no need for most people to have Park Tool everything. Having said that, if you can afford high quality tools it makes working on the bike much more enjoyable. That means you'll probably work on your bike more, which in turn might lead to less money spent on parts and/or shop repairs. I would always recommend getting the highest quality allen/hex wrenches you can afford though right out of the gate, as these will be by far your most used tool on any modern bike.

[HannyDart]

11:22 I bought the exact same tool probably 9 years ago as a broke 15 yo and I'm still using them. Yes 11 and 12 chains dont fit onto the 'fence' but you can still push the joint with the pin in there and it will work flawless. dont forget to wiggle out the old pin off the tool otherwise you cant push another one out of a chain.

[jesselabelle]

The "bike hand" tools on Amazon and AliExpress have worked great for myself so far.

[kipcc]

Love the foreshadowing,


” Tighten the thing with no limit “

10mm said: You sure about that? 🤣🤣

[silvagc]

It's great to know you acknowledge that not everyone can afford a 1000$ tool set from the big blue, for home mechanics! It is a good idea to share what would be a good, affordable solution! Keep going!

[PanozGTR]

Here in the UK we have a store called Halfords that can be found in most towns/ cities. They do a 43pc bike tool kit for £60 ($74) that is pretty comprehensive and good quality. Only thing it doesn't come with is the pliers, but they sell those separately for not a lot of money.
Be pretty easy to save that amount in repair shop visits by having the basic tools and giving it a go yourself!

[schwuzi]

Grind that bottom bracket bearing tool down so the teeth at the end are not sloped anymore

[grummbeerbauer]

When I bought my first "modern" (compared to what I had in the 90s) MTB 2 years ago, I had no idea of axle standards. So I ended up getting one with QR standard, without knowing what kind of a deadend this is - I only noticed when I looked for more sturdy wheels with QR and microspline hub during black friday, I found basically no BF deals and generally only a very limited (and quite pricey, in particular compared to the price of the bike) selection.
In particular in the ~1000€ bike price segment, QR is still surprisingly common.
I can only warn any beginner to not get distracted by high spec components (like XT derailleur and brakes in my case) and rather buy a more future proof frame and fork with boost standard.

[mcasur]

Man, I know it has nothing to do with the content, but I wanna say your videos helped me A LOT with my depression and autistic crysis. Thank you very much, you seem to be a very nice person.

[MattheiuGaming]

Its hilarious that every tool in the "$30" set of tools looks EXACTLY the same as mine

[jonasvaleisa]

I think grinding the end of the bottom bracket tool would create more contact surface and it would be more usable. Great video, thank you!

[ghjgjihjgjyrdrgydsgr]

10:20 Seth suddenly with blood on his chin, bleeding being very realistic for an amateur working with the cheapest possible tools! He is here with us

[thefuzzbl]

With cheap bb tools or really stuck bbs you can get a bolt and run it through the tool into the bb spindle. It will lock the tool in place while getting it free. Then you take the bolt out and finish getting the cup out.