Two-Minute Review
Wolf Tooth Components Pack Pliers
The USA Made 7075-T6 aluminum Pack Pliers come in anodized red or black and the black pliers have eight color options for the fixing bolt. They also do exactly what Wolf Tooth says they do.
They weigh 38-grams, include a usable tire lever, and can tighten/loosen Presta valve cores and tubeless valve stem lockrings. Thanks to the power of magnets they securely transport two pairs of quick links. And, they easily pop open quick-links for drivetrain cleaning and trail-side repairs.
According to my three-year-old assistant, they are also extremely fun to use…
The Pack Pliers weigh 38-grams and have several other functions including a usable tire lever.
There's room to pack two quick-links with magnets holding them in place. The Y-shaped cut out is to tighten Presta valve cores.
I’ve actually never needed to open a quick-link on the trail but in the immortal words of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones: “I know someone who has, which makes me wonder if I could... and I’m glad I haven’t yet because I’m sure it isn’t good.” Given the size, weight, and ease of transport, I'd hate to be caught out on a long adventure with them sitting in my tool box.
In my perfect world, Wolf Tooth would manufacture a more multi-functional tool using the Pack Plier platform. My version would have a 1/4" bit driver would which allow riders to carry as few or as many individual tools as they like. I'd also replace the aluminum tire lever with a replaceable bolt-on plastic version, preferably an SKS lever, that would be carbon rim friendly and more gentle on the finish of my aluminum rims.
Three-year-old bike mechanic approved for easy one-handed usage.
The Pack Pliers take up about the same space as a decent tire lever and thus are no bother to pack along even on shorter rides where I'm sporting my fanny pack. For a compact everything-and-the-kitchen-sink setup, I'd combine them with a pair of Fix-It-Sticks, a Park CT-6.3 chain breaker, and a small folding knife.
Anyone hungry for these isn't alone. I know a few riders who have already dropped 33 USD on a pair of Pack Pliers and take them on every ride.
For more information check them out on the Wolf Tooth Components site or at your local dealer.
Comments
Shoreboy
6 years, 11 months ago
Nice piece of bling to carry in your pack, but a zip tie or two will do the same job at a fraction of the price and weight.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 11 months ago
Sweet, I’ll have to try that!
This replaced my tire lever (rarely used but always nice to have) and valve tool as well but I do carry zip-tires anyways.
Haven’t been there yet but I also think the pack pliers would be handy for straightening/truing a bent rotor.
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Cam McRae
6 years, 11 months ago
That's a good one but a zip tie won't remove a stubborn valve core or valve ring. And that can be a ride ender as well.
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Shoreboy
6 years, 11 months ago
That is what the leatherman is for. Definitely heavier than pack pliers, but much much more useful.
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Dustin Meyer
6 years, 11 months ago
I think I remember reading that the pivot bolt is a chainring bolt.
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Shoreboy
6 years, 11 months ago
Yes it is. Chainring bolts are becoming less common with all the direct mount interfaced chainrings out there now.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 11 months ago
Definitely - alloy chain ring bolt.
*edit - what Shoreboy said. Only advantageous if your cranks or derailleur hanger use a chainring bolt.
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Poz
4 years, 5 months ago
Looks like your comments on the pack plier needing more tools was a Nostradamus moment.
https://www.wolftoothcomponents.com/collections/tools/products/8-bitpack-pliers?variant=32880254484515
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Andrew Major
4 years, 5 months ago
Hahahahahaha!!! It totally made my day that someone remembered this.
My first look of the new tool will be live today :-)
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Poz
4 years, 5 months ago
Ha awesome. Glad I could help.
Looking forward to that first review. In the market for a new multi tool and this looks interesting.
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Andrew Major
4 years, 5 months ago
I love it. Not cheap but between it and a knife I’m golden.
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earle.b
6 years, 11 months ago
38 grams???? So heavy.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 11 months ago
Magnets. Enough material to support tire lever. I guess light weight is all relative.
You still filing the inside of your carbon handlebars and running aluminum rotor bolts to remove a few grams?
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earle.b
6 years, 11 months ago
3 aluminum rotor bolts ftw. Tons of strategic sanding on those carbon bars. Carbon bars are THE BEST spot ever to try and shave some grams. ;)
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Andrew Major
6 years, 11 months ago
Don’t forget stems... stems are a totally safe place to save weight by drilling a few holes, shortening the bolts (how many threads do you really need?) or even popping in some aluminum bolts even though they aren’t intended for structural applications.
Then strategic weight reduction of bars and cranks.
(Disclaimer: before attempting any of these glorious weight reduction options please consult the surliest bike mechanic you can find. Not responsible if your feelings get hurt).
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Shoreboy
6 years, 11 months ago
The zip tie definitely works well. Wrap it around the outside of the quick link and pull it together, and it comes apart.
I carry a small leatherman for all kinds of trailside repairs. It used to work as a pair of quick link pliers, but chains have now become too narrow (11 and 12 spd) and the nose of the pliers no longer fits. It does still work for the rotor truing though as well as bunch of other things.
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Merwinn
6 years, 10 months ago
The 'barian will have a notable MTB industry hand model CV in no time. I'm jealous.
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Andrew Major
6 years, 10 months ago
Ha! Then she can buy me bikes?! Winning!
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