Review of Bell Emergency Bike Tool

Bell Emergency Bike Tool
By: Bell Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 7
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Great Item But...

On: 2007-08-23

This is a handy gadget to carry on my daily trek to and from work, saving space and time as opposed to having to dig through a tool pouch for the proper item. However, it does not contain a wrench with which to remove hub nuts which would make emergency tire changing problematic.

Good tool

On: 2007-07-24

Take this tool with me on every ride and have found it to be very able.
Not one piece has fallen off, or broken off this tool with the hard use it has been given. Would like it to be lighter - only reason for 4 stars and not 5.

Good tool

On: 2007-07-23

Take this tool with me on every ride and have found it to be very able.
Not one piece has fallen off, or broken off this tool with the hard use it has been given. Would like it to be lighter - only reason for 4 stars and not 5.

Can't complain about the price, but too stubby

On: 2007-04-12

I purchased this tool to do some work on my bike, but unfortunately it is only suited to certain applications where the bolt needing service is not in a tight space. It was only 5 dollars with free shipping through PRIME so it was worth the price because maybe it will come in handy in a true "emergency", but i plan on buying a cheap set of hex keys from home depot to carry around in my bike bag.

Can't complain about the price, but too stubby

On: 2007-04-11

I purchased this tool to do some work on my bike, but unfortunately it is only suited to certain applications where the bolt needing service is not in a tight space. It was only 5 dollars with free shipping through PRIME so it was worth the price because maybe it will come in handy in a true "emergency", but i plan on buying a cheap set of hex keys from home depot to carry around in my bike bag.

Handy & inexpensive

On: 2007-01-05

Title says it. I havent had to depend on it yet but it seems up to an emergency fix. Small, light and reasonably sturdy - for the $5 + I paid its hard to complain.

Pretty good

On: 2006-08-26

I was looking for a toolkit that had everything, socket wrenches, allen wrenches, screw drivers, and the Quick-Tool had them. This tool was a little bigger than the previous one that I had lost, but that didnt really bother me. If you pull real hard on it while turning screws and bolts, it does sort of bend at the joints.

So far I like it though, it has a lot of features and is inexpensive. Not sure about its durability but it hasnt given out on me yet. 5 stars for price and features, -1 for bending.

Too heavy to carry

On: 2006-08-14

The Bell Quick-Tool is very heavy and very wide, so its hard to hold when using the allen wrenches. It has one tire iron...a metal one...I need two, and use the nylon ones that can clip to the spoke so your hands are free for the second one. Having a single tire iron seems like a marketing thing not something a cyclist would want by the side of the road.

Ive got better designed multi tools. This one was for my wife and it was overkill.

Multi-tool Shootout

On: 2006-03-22

Ok, I admit it, Im a tool junkie. Moreover, Im particularly addicted to Multi-tools in various configurations. Doing ranch work and general outdoors stuff, such tools are absolutely indispensable. After many years, we started riding bikes again, so I just had to have at least one multi-tool. BUT, one wasnt enough, it tool four to get it out of my system.

The findings:
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Spin Doctor - RESCUE FS ($19.99 via Amazon)

This was the first (bicycle) multi-tool I bought, basically a quick look at the features and price and snagged it because I wanted one NOW and didnt want to invest a huge amount. Visually, the unit fits together nicely, but looks a bit on the clunky side. However, once in hand, that perception changes. The two "pods" fit together tightly and come apart with zero effort when you depress two buttons (with the company logo on them) on the sides. The lock mechanism holds the pieces together tightly and securely, no rattling or slipping around.

One of the tire irons is incorporated in the smaller of the two "pods." The other is one of the "spoon" blades on the other "pod." Both are robust and should do the job without problem.

On the larger of the two "pods" five of the tool spoons have a locking mechanism. This is a simple, and large, thumb sized plate on the back of the pod - no fingernail ripper here. The tools that lock are the tire iron, the three box end wrenches (including spoke wrenches and flat screwdriver) and the knife blade. These are all tools, from experience, that require leverage in many uses and the lock is and excellent idea. In our liability driven society, the knife blade must also be UNLOCKED before it can be opened.

As with the Toolmanator, the various tools fit tightly and securely on their pivot pins and dont rattle, flop around or exhibit any other annoying behaviors. I also find that having the box end wrenches each to its own spoon to be a large advantage, as the wrench heads fit into and manipulate much easier. The same applies to the spoke wrenches, as they share the very tip of the wrench spoons.

One design problem with this type of tool is that the actual tools (the "spoons") must be relatively short so the tool can be compact. This often makes reaching the item to be adjusted RIGHT at the edge of "reaching." Its not a major issue, but makes it a bit more difficult and less enjoyable to use the tool.

Oh yes, Ive scrutinized at my bike, Ive explored at my wifes bike, Ive searched the kids bikes, but I have yet to find a single Torqs screw on any of them (G) A bonus tool, I suppose.

(18)
Tire Iron 2
8mm wrench
9mm wrench
10mm wrench
bottle opener
14ga spoke wrench
15 ga spoke wrench
Screwdriver flat
screwdriver phillips
knife blade
chain breaker
Allen 2mm
Allen 3mm
Allen 4mm
Allen 5mm
Allen 6mm
Allen 8mm
Torqs
Carry Case

* Each wrench on its own "spoon"
* Spoke wrenches on different "spoons"
* Locking plate for wrenches, blade, tire iron
* Separates by squeezing locking "buttons".
* Tool materials and stamping very clean, high quality in appearance.
* Pouch included

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Blackburn - TOOLMANATOR ($29.99 Performance Bicycle via Amazon)

The Toolmanator is by far, the best looking, most visually appealing tool Ive seen. It just plainly looks fast sitting on the bench. With ruler in hand, its slightly smaller than the Rescue FS, but the way the thing packages, with the tire irons snapped on top, it takes slightly more space in your bag. The Toolmanator fits in the case for the Rescue, but only BARELY. With the tires off, its still a tight fit, yet is is measurably smaller.

Both of the tool "pods" are relatively small and are a bit harder for me to grip than a larger piece. My impression of the tool overall is "loose." However, I note that the tools and their pivots are all tight and secure, but the two "pods", when snapped together, tend to rattle against each other (the snap fight is not tight).

On my unit, the silver "3D" Blackburn name plates (four total) are glued into recesses on each side of the two "pods." All four of these are peeling and trying to fall off. The worst is that they leave a sticky residue. The name plate certainly isnt something I judge to be of an value at all, however, given that this is the most expensive of the tools tested, it would seem logical that the quality be a bit higher.

The tool "spoons" on this unit are about the same length as with the Rescue, and the same restrictions/issues hold.

The 8 and 9mm wrenches are on the same spoon, one at the tip, one further back. The spoke wrenches are on the same spoon as the 10mm wrench, away from the tip (behind the box end.) In unrestricted use, this is fine, but when space is restricted, this makes using the particular tools VERY difficult.

(15)
Tire Iron 2
Allen 8mm
Allen 6mm
Allen 5mm
Allen 4mm
Allen 3mm
Allen 2mm
chain breaker
phillips
8mm wrench
9mm wrench
10mm wrench
14 ga spoke wrench
15 ga spoke wrench
(chain) Link Holder

* The 8&9mm wrench "heads" are on the same "spoon"
* 10mm wrench and both spoke wrenches are on the same "spoon"
* VERY hot looking, looks fast on the bench
* The two halves are very difficult to separate. I had to pry with tire irons. Maybe theyll loosen up with use.
* Tire irons are separate pieces (good) but the "clip" to the tool is isnt secure.
* No pouch included
* Small size but awkward shape when "assembled"
* Plastic logo inserts all ungluing (and sticky.)

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Topeak - SURVIVAL GEAR BOX ($11.95 Amazon)

Ill admit, Ive been around my wife and daughter too much. This tool kit is just plainly "cute". Its small, unobtrusive and stays on the bicycle. It now lives on my wifes bike. The tools will do the job, but theyre of the lowest quality of the sampling of tools Ive taken. Not high quality, not "pretty," well formed or nicely finished (not that this detracts from getting the job done). I would note that the individual tools are loose in this kit. Out in the dirt, without a "workspace" this might prove to be a real disadvantage. At the same time, the kit has tire patching materials, something I have to carry separately with the other multi-tools and/or tool kits.

(13)
Tire Iron 2
Tire patches
Scratcher
glue
Chain breaker w. handle
8 & 10mm wrench (double ended)
9mm wrench (double ended) spoke wrenches
8 & 6mm Allen (combo)
5mm & flat screwdriver (combo)
3 & 2 mm Allen (combo)
Bike mounted tool box

* plastic, very compact, "tool box"
* Tube mount, quick release
* Tool quality is relatively low

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**BEST BUY?**
Bell - 109543 QUICK-TOOL ($9.99 Amazon)

I calculate Im ALIVE because of Bell (motorcycle accident 20 years ago). I OWE them some allegiance (and willingly give it). My entire family wears Bell bicycle helmets. This tool jumped off the page. Inexpensive, reasonably good looking, and if I didnt like it, it would certainly make a good "starter" for the kids (or one of them at least).

However, I was completely taken by surprise by this tool. Its about the same size, it has fewer tools, but it WORKS. If feels right in the hand, the tools (spoons) are a bit longer so its easier to reach the item youre working on. The frame feels solid, the tool pivots are tight, the tools themselves dont flop around.

The shape is smooth and rounded and folds up without bumps, lumps or protrusions. This one fits best in my various storage devices (i.e. wedge or CamelBak). Ultimately, this is the tool Ill end up carrying day to day.

Quite frankly, this isnt what I expected!

Slot screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
2mm Allen
2.5mm Allen
3mm Allen
4mm Allen
5mm Allen
8mm Allen
1/4" square drive (socket drive)
8mm socket
9mm socket
10mm socket
Tire iron
14 g spoke wrench
Carry Case