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Wera Tools 

Check out our review of the 3/8" Zyklop Ratchet! 

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We have been big fans of Wera Tools for a number of years here at Criterium and so we decided to share some of our thoughts in a review! We recently partnered up with Wera Tools for a giveaway and Wera was nice enough to send us some products to try out! 

Our team has been using the Wera Tools Zyklop ratchets for years and absolutely love them for their functionality, precision, and reliability. Most of our mechanics prefer the 1/4in Zyklop ratchet because it’s perfect for working on your typical bike repairs from swapping stems to derailleur adjustments but for this review we are going to focus on the 3/8" Zyklop ratchet. 

Check out our review video at the bottom of the page. 

A bit about the brand:

Wera was founded in 1936 by Hermann Werner in Germany as a tool trading company whose focus was on distributing high quality tools. Fast forward to 1951, the “Wera” trademark was established signaling the company's dedication to innovation and quality. In 1968 Wera introduced the Kraftform handle which was a major milestone at the time, providing the user with a handle that was ergonomic and fit the contours of the users hand. Since then, Wera has continued to innovate and grow into the company they are today providing tools for all kinds of industries including construction, automotive, space, electrical, and our personal favorite, bike shops! 

What we reviewed: 

We reviewed the Wera Tools Bicycle Set. This includes a variety of bits and sockets and their famous  3/8" Zyklop ratchet. The  3/8" Zyklop takes everything we love about the ¼" version but scales it into a size that for us is better suited for larger tasks such as linkage overhauls and suspension service. An important note, there are several different versions of this kit for sale (see selection below) . We reviewed the bike version, but after talking with Brian, there are some other versions of this set that offer features that he would like offered in the bike version. 

Who reviewed it: 

Brian Chapel is our head of suspension service here at Criterium bicycles and has been using Wera for years. 

What we love: 

For us, one of the things that sets Wera apart from other offerings is the Zyklop 5 position multi directional head. In our day to day we are faced with everything from typical bike services such as linkage/suspension maintenance, to more unique and challenging situations. People talk about having the right tools for the job, but this takes on a whole new meaning once you have to work in an environment where precision is required and having access to the proper tools will make or break the repair. Having the Zyklop allows you to adjust to almost any angle and makes it easy to switch between ratchet mode and screwdriver mode. We find that this eliminates how many tools we need to have out during a typical repair because this ratchet takes the place of several tools, allowing for a more efficient use of time and more precision. One of Brian’s favorite parts of the set is the quick release rapid adapter that allows you to switch from a socket to a hex or Torx bits. There is also a really cool extension adapter that has a “wobble” head where the socket attaches allowing the socket to have some extra mobility.

More Wera Options: 

Aside from the Zyklop, we have a number of different Wera tools we use for suspension service such as the Wera Kraftform Torque Screwdriver. This high quality, affordable torque wrench offers a very precise solution when servicing modern suspension since there are so many different torque values that are critical for keeping your suspension working flawlessly. We love how easy this screwdriver is to use/adjust to the correct torque value and yet it is small enough to fit in tighter spaces when working on suspension. Modern suspension has advanced to the point where some torque specs inside of a shock can be as low as .54Nm! This requires a level of precision that many tools are not capable of providing. The Wera Tools Kraftform Torque Screwdriver is our go to for accurate, affordable, and reliable torque solutions. 

Bottom line:

With the advancement of suspension, shocks, and bikes in general, it is imperative the tools can survive the demands that we put them through, but also be easy to use and be designed so they make our job easier.  We have found Wera Tools to be the best option to meet the quality and longevity we require and are happy that we are offering them for sale on our website.




Review by Brian Chapel and David Palmer

Photos by Brian Chapel Photography