Your Best Friend Trailside: NinjaMaster+ Topeak PT30
- MTB Matt
- Feb 3, 2023
- 4 min read
TL;DR: this tool has almost everything you could need to repair almost any MTB mechanical issue trailside; less a pump and tire levers. And the toolbox is super dope too 🤙🏼🧰 ⚒️
NinjaMaster+ Topeak PT30
MSRP: ~$80.00 - American Doll hairs
…with a ton of different functions - 30 to be exact, hence the name: PT30.
Tools:
• 2L / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 mm Allen wrenches
• 10 mm hex socket
• T10 / T15 / T25 Torx® wrenches
• 14G / 15G
• Mavic M7
• Shimano® 4.5mm spoke wrenches
• CrMo steel chain tool*
• Chain hook
• CrMo master link pliers
• #2 Phillips / flat head screw drivers
• Tire reamer, plug insertion tool
• Serrated knife / saw
• Disc insertion spacer
This toolbox/multi tool is one of my “Add-Ons” from my previous review on my new bike; if you haven’t peeped that yet, go check it out! I’ll have a link to this tool at the end of the review as well as a few other links to additional recommended trail preparedness kit pieces.
The pros:
Let’s start with the toolbox. This thing is designed with function and style in mind. Topeak’s website doesn’t offer details on level of weather rating on the toolbox, but I can confirm it seals very well and keep whatever is stored inside free of both water and dust. Its closure is a dual hinged locking mechanism that produces for a very easy to open, yet very secure closure method. I have my toolbox mounted directly to my frame using my secondary “bottle cage” mounts(I say that in quotes because there is no possible way to fit a bottle cage above the shock on the Canyon Spectral) located on the the top tube. The mount for the box rotates but is spring loaded so it doesn’t rattle the whole way down the trail, even over some chunky tech. The swivel function provides easy access to the tool from both sides of the bike and tucks away so nicely, I often forget I even have it with me.
Now for the tool itself. The PT30 is basically an ideal multi tool for almost any rider on nearly any MTB, running nearly any brand or mix of brands of components. This thing can do it all; short of inflating a tire or prying beads on/off a rim, this thing is one of your best friends while out on the trail. It is very well built and very well engineered. It has multiple spoke wrenches, it has a chain breaker and quick link tool - hell it even has storage for a spare quick link for those really unlucky rides. Idk about y’all but I dont really like to push my bike anywhere if I don’t have to. Need to adjust a headset or the levers after a crash, no stress pt30 has it covered. Maybe your pedals or axles are working loose from all the massive senders, drops and chunk you’ve been plowing through, no worries. All the tools you need for all these common trail side repairs and more are included in this magical piece of engineering.
The cons:
Now it’s not all sick whips and backflips with this tool - there are some downsides as with any multi-tool; however the positives far outweigh them, IMO. I’m still inclined to mention them for the interest of fairness. The 2mm Allen key is forged at a 90° bend - the only 2mm Allen on my bike is the flat pedal pins…let me tell you. I had a hell of a time trying to change those with the pt30 multi tool. Now I realize this is knitpicky and who the hell is out here replacing pedal pins trailside?! Well not me if you were wondering cause that’s whack, but I was just curious how well it would work and thought I’d give it a go at home while I had the bike on the stand. I’ll cut to the chase and just tell you don’t waste your time, it doesn’t work. You can maybe get two or three of them, if you’re lucky and incredibly patient. My solution was to bend the Allen from 90° to about 60°-70° which allowed the perfect clearance to access all the pins and the tools all still close neatly away as they should. This seems like a small oversight in engineering and function - as a mechanic by trade who experiences this conundrum often I can bore you for hours with my opinion on this topic; I’ll spare you. My only other complaint about this tool is actually not about the tool but rather the box it resides in on my treasured steed. Mounting this thing was a headache all on its own - now I realize this is also pretty knitpicky, but I was even struggling to install this thing in the space I decided on even with traditional tools - forget about the multi-tool, not happening.
Overall, this is a really great multi-tool, with a ton of different functions - 30 to be exact, hence the name: PT30. I highly recommend this tool for any beginner or advanced rider, it’s sure to add a little more confidence in your riding just for the simple fact that when you’re faced with a mechanical, you have peace of mind knowing you can probably fix it if you’re well prepared.
