Wolf Tooth Components’ 8-Bit Pack Pliers might well be the priciest multi-tool on the market, but do they live up to their price tag?
Wolf Tooth Components focus on high-end, CNC machined kit based in Minnesota. Their 8-Bit Pack Pliers might just be the least wallet-friendly multi-tool going, but with almost everything you could feasibly need beyond a chain-splitter in a very small package, might put them as a cut above the rest.
Key features:
- 17 functions
- Spoke wrench
- Valve core wrench
- Flat head #3.5 and Phillips #2 screwdriver bits
- 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm hexbits
- T10, T25 Torx-compatible bits
- Install and remove master links
- Clear tire sealant clogs from valve stem
- Tighten valve stem lock nut
- Magnets keep all bits in place
- Ball detent swivel head helps access hard-to-reach places
- Handle doubles as breaker bar for extra torque when head is bent
- 8mm hex bit tested to over 40 Nm torque
- £76.00 RRP
- WolfToothComponents.com
Buy online at Merlin Cycles for £70.00.
Look beyond the price for a moment and what you get with the Wolf Tooth 8-Bit Pack Pliers is, well, a lot. Once you’ve slotted a set of master links in the recesses in the back, there’s not an awful lot else you need to carry bar a chain splitter, and if you haven’t mastered the technique of removing tyres with your thumbs, a set of tyre levers.
For such a versatile tool, it’s impressively light and the swivel head means getting pedals on and off bikes is pretty easy with the amount of leverage on offer. With gloves on, getting the smaller head pieces out can be fiddly though, and even with bare hands, it’s not much better. Ideally, the magnet in the 8mm head that accepts the smaller heads could be stronger, as it often leaves the head in the bolt or comes unstuck as you’re removing it, dropping it into whatever you happen to be standing on.
Once you’ve mastered the foibles of the 8-Bit, you can simply leave them in your bag, knowing that they’ll get you out of most situations and you won’t notice that they’re still there. I even accidentally left these trailside overnight during some heavy rain and the steel bits looked brand new. They’ve showed no sign of wear or corrosion since.
What do we think?
If you want a high-quality, last forever multitool that can pretty much do it all, then the Wolf Tooth 8-Bit Pack Pliers are high on the list. It’s my go-to multitool these days.
You could get the chain pliers and a good multitool for a fraction of that cost, however, and you’d probably gain the missing chain splitter too. At £76, you’d hope these would come supplied with powerlinks too…
We love:
- High quality construction
- Comes with almost everything but the kitchen sink
- Breaker bar swivel head very useful
Could do better:
- 8mm magnet needs to be stronger
- Fiddly tool head removal
- It’s £76
You can check out the Wolf Tooth Components 8-Bit Pack Pliers on their website here.
Buy online at Merlin Cycles for £70.00.
