Singletrack

TOPEAK
RATCHET ROCKET LITE NTX
Price:
From:
Tested:
Tester:
£72.99
Extra UK, extrauk.co.uk
Four Months
Wil
I must confess that I’ve a fetish for ninja tools. Integrated
frame storage, clever tubeless tyre plug kits, compact foldout
multi-tools – any gadget that’s well made and is properly
useful gets a big tick in my book. And without doubt,
the Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX has earned its place in that
metaphorical book.
With a truly enormous range of tools, pumps and other
bicycle accessories that seems to expand exponentially year
on year, Topeak has its fair share of those ‘cor that’s brilliant!’
products, and the Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX fits the bill. The
Taiwanese brand has made a mini ratchet tool for a little while
now under the Ratchet Rocket Lite DX name. What we’ve got
here is the same thing, but with the addition of three torque
bits to present a comprehensive tool kit for use both in the
workshop and out in the field.
Open up the Velcro flap of the Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX
kit, and you’re greeted with a pleasingly neat array of tool bits
along with the mini ratchet tool, an extension socket, three
preset Nano TorqBits, and two plastic tyre levers. Like a welldesigned
shadow-board, everything has its own rightful place,
with each tool bit residing in a small illustrated elastic pocket.
For those of us who ensure our tyre logos are correctly aligned
with our valve stems, this level of organisation is thoroughly
pleasing.
From 2mm to 8mm, all the necessary Allen key sizes are
taken care of, including that nifty 2.5mm head that many
brands often annoyingly omit from their multi-tools. You’ve
got T10 and T25 Torx heads, and a Phillips head screwdriver
too. All the bits are made from quality hardened steel, so
they’re built to last.
The preset TorqBits cover you with 4Nm, 5Nm and 6Nm
options, and they’re beautifully colour-coded too. Like the
extension socket, the TorqBits are also magnetic, so the tool
bits are reassuringly sucked into place as you load them.
For sure it’s easy to overlook using a torque wrench for
mounting things like seatposts or adjusting brake lever clamps
– I know I don’t always use one. But when the solution is
presented as neatly as it is here, you’ll find yourself setting the
torque correctly every time.
While it is well-stocked, the Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX
kit doesn’t have everything. You’ll still need a chain breaker,
and it’d be great to see a little designated pouch for things like
quick links and patch kits. The tyre levers are also a touch on
the short side if you’re dealing with a particularly tight tyre
and rim combination.
Also, the name is kinda dull (personally I’d call it
something much catchier, like ‘The Ray Mears Bicycle
Survival Kit’), but regardless, this is easily one of the coolest
bits of kit we’ve had through Singletrack Towers.
Overall
The price may seem high, but then good tools don’t come
cheap. And when they’re this well organised and this well
made, doing the job properly becomes that much easier.
44