In this article I will review the Wera Zyklop 8000 series Speed ratchets. The 1/4″ Wera Zyklop 8000 A, the 3/8″ Wera Zyklop 8000 B and the Wera Zyklop 8000 C for 1/2″ sockets. Wera is a well known German tool brand, and I will do a brief comparison with a Hazet 916SP ratchet.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WERA ZYKLOP 8000 SPEED RATCHET – UNIQUE DESIGN DETAILS
To me Wera was mostly known for its 1/4″ bits in combination with the Impaktor and Rapidaptor Bit Holders. However when I wanted to expand my cycling tools collection, and already owning the Hazet 916SP ratchet, I noticed the Wera Zyklop 8000 sersies ratches and purchased the the 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ versions.
- Fine tooth ratchet;
- Flexible head;
- Rapid spin sleeve;
- Press to unlock (socket);
First of all, the Wera Zyklop 8000 speed ratchet is a 72 tooth fine tooth ratchet, which according to Wera “ensures a low return angle of only 5°”. You can immediately feel the difference with the Hazet 916SP ratchet which is not from the fine-tooth ratchet type. It simply means that you can fasten or loosen in smaller angles and curves.
While some ratchets use a switch to change between fastening or loosening, this is done with the green ring on the head. You simply rotate it clockwise or anti-clockwise to change the “direction”. I want to make sure that the green ring is a metal part and not anything plastic or so. In the middle of the green ring you can see the press button to unlock/release the socket or adapter. The hole in the center of this button is used to lock the head in the screwdriver angle. 🙂
WERA ZYKLOP 8000 WITH 5 RATCHET HEAD-POSITIONS – NOT JUST A RATCHET
The Wera Zyklop head can be positioned in 5 different predefined locking angles, which makes this speed ratchet a highly versatile tool. In the product description you can read:
“The ratchet head pivots freely and can be locked into any defined position by using the slide switch that is positioned on either side. It is even possible to work in very confined and difficult-to-access areas with enhanced hand clearance. The predefined locking at 0°, 15° and 90°, both to the right and left, ensure safe working without any slipping.”
When you use the Wera Zyklop 8000 speed ratchet in the 0° predefined locking (which is locked in the center of the release button) you can use this ratchet as a screwdriver. For the 1/4″ and 3/8″ Wera Zyklop speed ratchets I have adapters to use 1/4″ bits. These adapters are Wera Rapidaptor Bit Holders with a 1/4″ of 3/8″ drive side. So I can use my extensive Wera and PB Swiss bits with the Wera Zyklop speed ratchets as well.
In screwdriver mode the black plastic Rapid spin sleeve in the middle becomes really helpful. It is just a black plastic cylinder between the Wera Kraftform Kompakt handle and the Wera Zyklop rotating head. A simple part that makes the difference.
KRAFTFORM KOMPAKT HANDLE ON WERA ZYKLOP 8000 SPEED RATCHET
Al little while ago I’ve reviewed the Wera 813 small Kraftform Kompakt with 1/4″ bit holder that has a similar shape (but is a smaller handle). The Kraftform Kompakt handle is something you see in various Wera product families from various screwdrivers to ratchets and even a bottle opener.
I would call it recognizable Wera, but the Kraftform Kompakt handles provide a firm grip, given its shape. In the picture you can see the Wera Zyklop 8000 series from large to small (as well as the Wera 813 bit holder) all featuring the recognizable Kraftform Kompakt handles.
HAZET 916SP RATCHET – SIDE BY SIDE VIEW
The picture shows you the Hazet 916SP Ratchet (1/2″) and the Wera Zyklop 8000 C for 1/2″ sockets side by side. Both are remarkable and robust ratchets from well established German tool brands. So let me be clear, you can’t go wrong with either one of them.
The Wera Zyklop 1/2″ also features the 5 head positions, so you have more ways of using the speed ratchet in a wider variety of applications. In the screwdriver mode the Rapid spin sleeve is highly useful.
The inner works of the Hazet 916SP Ratchet (1/2″) can be exchanged if for some reason you could get them worn out. As far as I could find out, the inner works of the Wera Zyklop 8000 speed ratchets cannot be exchanged.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS AND WRAP-UP
The Wera Zyklop series 8000 speed ratchets are high quality German tools, that have a unique design. While the rotating head design comes with a robust guiding frame makes it less appropriate for operating in tight spaces. With its 5 head positions the Wera Zyklop speed ratchets are highly versatile in use and application. This is the main reason I bought them for. And with the 1/4″ bit adapters for the Wera Zyklop 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets this opens up even more ways of use.
The price points of the Wera Zyklop products at the time of publication are:
| # | PRODUCT | TYPE | DRIVE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Wera Zyklop 8000 A | speed ratchet | 1/4″ | € 51,– |
| 02 | Wera Zyklop 8000 B | speed ratchet | 3/8″ | € 59,– |
| 03 | Wera Zyklop 8000 C | speed ratchet | 1/2″ | € 60,– |
| 04 | Wera Zyklop 8784 A1 | speed ratchet adapter | 1/4″ | € 17,– |
| 05 | Wera Zyklop 8784 B1 | speed ratchet adapter | 3/8″ | € 16,– |
I have been using the Wera Zyklop 8000 speed ratchets for about 7 or 8 years now, without any regrets. The price is reasonable for the quality tools from the robust German engineering. If used normally it will take very long before the fine tooth mechanism will wear out. The Wera Zyklop 8784 A1 and 8784 B1 speed ratchet adapters make it super versatile tools both as an enthusiastic home mechanic, but also when not maintaining your bikes.
However it is cool to see that Wera has a specific product section: Tools for bicycles and e-bikes Also check out the Wera Bottle Opener with Kraftform Handle if you want to open a beer bottle in Wera style.
What ratchets are you using when working on your bikes ?
Other Wera Tools product reviews on cycling-review.net:
- Wera 7515 Kraftform Safe-Torque Speed Torque Screwdriver 2-6 Nm
- Wera Zyklop 8000 Speed Ratchet review – Hazet 916SP Comparison
- Wera 813 Kraftform Kompakt handle with 1/4″ bit holder
- Wera Bottle Opener with Kraftform Handle
If you want to check out other cycling review categories, please check out the list below:
