BIRZMAN TRAVEL TOOL BOX

£199.99

Case

Birzman’s Travel toolkit packs into a rigid polyethylene plastic clamshell case, with moulded locations for its tools. When open it measures 53x45.5cm.

Tools

The kit’s 20 tools include sets of nine L-shaped Torx and hex keys covering T10-T50 and 1.5mm-10mm. They’re dualended, and the hex keys combine one ball end with positively engaging opposite ends. Two screwdrivers, tyre levers and a puncture kit, a chain checker, cable cutters, multi-spoke wrench, great chain tool and single 8 and 10mm spanner cover the basics. A chain whip is backed up by a 0.5in socket wrench that drives Shimano cassette, freewheel, cartridge and Hollowtech bottom bracket tools.

Handling

The hex keys need a part turn to slide them out of their plastic holder, which is trickier for the smaller sizes, but like all of the tools, they’re high quality. The rubber-handled large tools look workmanlike but provide fine grip, and the fairly large screwdrivers’ handles are well shaped. Opening the cutters’ outer casing can test the limits of your fingers’ reach, and some tools can be tough to remove from the case.

Value

One third cheaper than the Feedback set, and including individual hex and Torx keys, the Birzman Travel kit feels a little more basic, and like something you’ll need to add more specific tools to before equalling the Feedback’s capabilities.