Topeak Ratchet Rocket Essential

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

The Topeak Ratchet Rocket Essential is an "Ultra compact CNC machined aluminium ratchet tool kit with 10 [hardened steel] bits for daily maintenance". It is aimed at riders from any discipline who maintain and repair their own bike either at home or out on the roads and trails.

I found it thoroughly capable of being used in my work space at home on a regular basis, maintaining a variety of bikes. Topeak says there are 12 functions in the kit, yet there are only 10 bits, which suggests it has counted the ratchet and carry case as two functions.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

TOOLS: 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6mm hex wrenches T10 / T15 / T25 / PH2

MAX TORQ: 18Nm (for 1/4in Bit)

MATERIAL:

Ratchet tool: Aluminum

Bag: Nylon

Bits: S2 hardened steel

SIZE:

107 x 40 x 22 mm (closed)

107 x 95 x 20 mm (open)

WEIGHT: 107 g

FEATURES:

Magnetic bit holder, Carry bag, 30mm bit length, Colour coded

Ultra-light 15.5g CNC machined ratchet toolbar 93mm long

The 10 1/4in hex bits are held magnetically in the case as well as in the ratchet. The ratchet has a fine action with roughly a click every six degrees of rotation. This helps it to turn in tight spaces. The aluminium ratchet handle is light, weighing in at 15.5 grams, and the complete kit weighs just 107 grams. The bits included will work with most modern fixings, but you have the option to easily customise which bits you take with you to suit your own bike's setup.

Everything feels very well made, from the robust feel of the case and the fine action of the ratchet handle, to the knurled S2 hardened steel bits. The case and ratchet are magnetic to hold the bits firmly in place, which should stop you losing any bits.

It works very well as a tool for maintaining your bikes. Its compact size allows you to work in places with limited access, and you can also spin a bolt in quickly using the thumbwheel, the knurling on the 30mm bits or by using the base of the ratchet handle as a bit extender.

There were no issues during the test period, and it all looks and feels solid and well made, which augurs well for long-term use.

For the ten functions available I feel that 107 grams is light. My own five-function multi tool weighs 85 grams, and while good, is slightly less easy to use with certain bolt locations than the Ratchet Rocket Essential. When out riding I saved a few grams by leaving out the three Torx bits (my bike has no Torx bolts) and adding a 75mm long H4 bit that is more useful to my personal setups.

It feels very good in your hand when you're using it, and the case also sits comfortably in your rear jersey pocket.

Its £39.99 RRP makes it relatively expensive compared with some its competitors, but it is very well made, should last a long time, and if you should lose or wear out a single bit, it'll be cheap and easy to replace it.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

The Ratchet Rocket Essential performed really well, and was a good tool to use. I liked using the base of the handle as a spinner to quickly locate a bolt before final tightening. I did find that I would sometimes catch the direction lever when working fast, but I feel this is due to the small size of the ratchet rather than a design issue.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The small, light and accurate ratchet. I particularly liked the knurling on the 30mm 1/4in hex bits, which made winding a bolt in or out both easy and quick. I also liked the magnetic holding of bits, which means you're less likely to lose them.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It's slightly expensive – that's it.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It is a little more than the £30 Prestacycle Prestaratchet Go that Mike gave top marks to. At 137g it's a little heavier than the Topeak, but it does have a couple of extra functions.

The Granite Design RocknRoll Toolkit costs £30 and is a slightly bigger package with similar functionality. The Lezyne Ratchet Kit is a similar price, but is a little heavier and the case is quite bulky.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Topeak Ratchet Rocket Essential is an excellent tool to use both at home as well as out on the trail or road. It was good to use, worked accurately and felt durable. Its small size and low weight meant it felt almost unnoticeable in my rear pocket. I really liked the ability to customise the bits, with the price the only thing counting against it.