Review: Fix MFG Wheelie Wrench Pro Multitool (2024)

Words and Photos by Travis Reill

The perfect bike tool is out there; it just needs to be found. I recently had the Wheelie Wrench Pro from Fix Manufacturing slide across my desk — metaphorically speaking — to see if this is the unicorn bike tool we’re all looking for.

After several miles in my hip pack on my home trails, I brought the Wheelie Wrench Pro on a week-long bike park tour in Idaho. With rental bikes at each destination, this trip would be the perfect way to put the Wheelie Wrench Pro through its paces.

QUICK HITS

• 2mm-8mm hex keys
• T25, and 8mm and 10mm wrenches
• CR-V steel alloy construction
• Flathead screwdriver and tire lever
• Spoke wrenches for #0 and #2

ABOUT THE FIX MANUFACTURING WHEELIE WRENCH PRO

There are several options for Fix Manufacturing on the Wheelie Wrench side. The tool I had on test was the Wheelie Wrench Pro, which Fix made in partnership with Dynaplug, which meant the tool came with a tire plug kit. Fix went a step further and partnered with mountain bike legend Hans Rey, putting his stamp of approval on this Wheelie Wrench/Dynaplug collab, although my carrying pouch makes no mention of Rey.

The Wheelie Wrench Pro is compact — roughly 2.5 x 1.5 in., and just over 0.5 in. at its widest (6 x 4 x 1 cm) — but comes apart in two pieces that can be used individually or together. The first piece has every hex wrench you need for your bike — from a tiny 2mm up to 6mm. An 8mm is attached to the other piece. The 3mm hex tool cleverly doubles as the threaded breaker for the chain break tool, with the slots that hold the link on the second piece of the Wheel Wrench Pro.

The second piece holds all the other features the tool offers. Fix incorporated spoke wrenches (#0 and #2) and two open-ended wrenches (8mm and 10mm) into the tool, as well as a valve core remover tied into the 8mm hex. A rotor straightener, tire lever, and screwdriver can also be found on this second piece. Two quick links sit flush inside this piece, but must be removed to use the chain break or the Dynaplug plug inserter.

While the two pieces of the Wheelie Wrench Pro come apart, they can be reconfigured and attached back together to double the length of the tool. This gives the user more leverage for those more formidable bolts or popping the top off your favorite bottled beverage. The Wheel Wrench Pro and Dynaplug plug kit are encased in a neoprene-like case with a zipper top.

THE DIRT

Fix Manufacturing makes a variety of multitools in the outdoor sports realm. They offer options for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, and many others including mountain biking of course. They are also well known for the compatibility of these tools worn on a belt. The Wheelie Wrench Pro I had on test works with Fix’s All Out and Strap On belts. But with a lack of belt loops on all my riding shorts and pants, plus the need to still carry the Dynaplug inserter and plugs, I opted to keep the kit in my hip pack or pocket.

Regarding turning bolts on my bike, the Wheelie Wrench Pro is perhaps the most sturdy-feeling tool I’ve used. With smaller multi-tools such as this, the tool often has quite a bit of flex, especially when bolts are stuck. The Wheelie Wrench had the least amount of flex of any compact multi-tools that have turned bolts on my bike. There was a bit more flex when the tool was rearranged and doubled in length, but it was still less noticeable than some other tools, and the added leverage was helpful for breaking tough bolts free.

Extra leverage was needed when removing pedals. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much luck with the Wheelie Wrench Pro. Due to the location of the 8mm hex on the side of the tool, I couldn’t get enough leverage to break a pedal free. Granted, these were pedals on bike park rentals, which likely means they haven’t been removed in a while, or perhaps ever. Ultimately, it just may not be the tool for pedals that are snugged up pretty tight. But as a “get you home” solution, it’s more than adequate to tighten them.

I brought Fix’s Wheelie Wrench Pro along for the ride at four different bike parks in Idaho. This meant four different rental bikes, and lots of use for the Wheelie Wrench. It ended up being the perfect tool for co*ckpit adjustments and other minor tweaks. The Wheelie Wrench Pro’s case held everything well and was almost unnoticeable in the pocket of my riding pants.

However, a few other things with the Wheelie Wrench were a bit of a struggle. First, using the Wheelie Wrench was slightly less intuitive than other multi-tools I’ve used. Fix has a video showing Hans Rey using the Wheelie Wrench to plug a tire, but no instructions for proper use of the rest of the tool. This meant I needed extra time to determine how all the features worked, or more accurately, how to find each tool.

Speaking of plugging tires, this tool doesn’t offer help beyond the tire plug and plug inserter. In addition to carrying plugs, you will need something to get air back in your tire, and a CO2 head if you’re using an air cartridge. It was a bummer the Wheelie Wrench Pro couldn’t help with that, but a big addition many others don’t have is a perfect spot for two quick links. Plus, the quick links are held in by little magnets, so they won’t fall out as you use the tool.

I am happy to report that I have found all the pieces I’ve lost from the Wheelie Wrench Pro. With that said, it is a tool with many moving parts that can be easy to lose. The quick links, for example, need to be removed to use the chain breaker, tire plug, or extend the Wheelie Wrench’s handle. I could easily see being rushed and forgetting to put them back in their spot. For me, it was the tire plug inserter that I misplaced. My guess is it fell out of the Dynaplug case in my pants pocket since I found it in the laundry.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Perhaps the perfect tool doesn’t exist. I’ve used quite a few, and there is always a need to add a few things here and there — the same was true with Fix’s Wheelie Wrench Pro. That said, the sturdy, compact nature of the Wheelie Wrench is perfect for bringing along for minor adjustments and repairs.

Website: fixmfg.com
Price: $79.95

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