One of the common bike maintenance tasks that everyone can do at home is removing a cassette. It’s an easy task but requires a few special tools which includes a cassette lock ring bit and a tool to hold the cassette in place as you loosen it. The Feedback Sports Grip Whip is a new tool that is designed to make quick work of cassette removal. It’s a spring loaded pliers-like design that’s far easier to use than traditional chain whips. With a retail price of $55 it costs more than traditional chain whips but on par with other cassette pliers. Feedback Sports has designed the Grip Whip to be compatible with just about any cassette on the market from 5-13 speeds including SRAM Transmission. The Grip Whip also fits over 10-24 tooth cogs and has a 8mm hex extension for additional leverage.
The Feedback Sports Grip Whip is a spring loaded cassette pliers that makes it easy to remove cassettes faster and with less of a mess.
| Rating | 9.7 / 10 |
| Retail Price | $55 |
| Measured Weight (in g) | 336 |
| Likes | + Spring loaded design provides a strong grip on cassette + One handed operation with no need to touch cassette + Extended handle is ergonomic and provides leverage |
| Dislikes | – Costs nearly double the price of a standard chain whip |
| Where to Buy (US) | Feedback Sports |
FIT & FINISH
Visually, the Feedback Sports Grip Whip is an oversized pliers that has been modified to grip cassettes. Instead of the traditional chain whip with a long chain that you have to wrap around the cassette, the Grip Whip has two five link chain segments on each side of the pliers. As with all Feedback Sports tools, everything looks and feels high quality with thick metal construction and a rubber textured handle. Red accents on the handle along with Feedback Sports and GRIP WHIP printed onto the metal are the only branding. The Grip Whip is 12.25” (31.1 cm) long which provides additional leverage. To use the tool you have a simple spring loaded handle on the outer portion. Feedback Sports has designed the opening of the Grip Whip to fit around 10-24T sized cogs.
The Grip Whip is also compatible with SRAM, Shimano and Campagnolo cassettes so you can use it on a variety of bikes. Once the chain links line up with the cassette you simply release the lever and use the pliers with one hand to hold the cassette in place. One of the interesting features of the Grip Whip is the 8mm Hex base on the handle. This lets you extend the handle by attaching 8mm Allen keys to the Grip Whip for even more leverage. It’s a clever feature that can come in handy if you have a seized or very stubborn cassette.
USABILITY
Whether it is to do a thorough cleaning or swap wheelsets, we often have to remove cassettes. With a standard chain whip it can be a bit tedious as you have to carefully wrap the chain around the cogs to get a firm grip on the cassette. The Feedback Sports Grip Whip solves all those problems with a spring loaded design that lets you use the tool with one handed. We were impressed with how easy it is to use as you just line it up with a cog and release. The KMC chain links on each side slot onto the cassette teeth and holds the tool in place. Feedback Sports premium build quality also means you have a textured ergonomic handle that is easy to hold as you twist off the lock ring. After a few uses of the Grip Whip, it’s hard to imagine going back to a chain whip for cassette removal.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Feedback Sports Grip Whip to be a well designed and clever tool. Instead of using a standard chain whip design, the Grip Whip uses a spring loaded pliers design. While it costs more than a simpler chain whips, the Grip Whip is far more secure and easy to use with one handed design. Feedback Sports has designed the Grip Whip with a textured non-slip handle and ambidextrous shape that is ergonomic and intuitive to use. We were impressed with the fit and finish of the tool which looks and feels premium. Details like the extended handle and KMC chain links ensure the Grip Whip has a strong hold on nearly any cassette. The only downside of the tool is the higher cost compared to simple chain whips. That said, the Feedback Sports Grip Whip makes removing cassettes quick and easy.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Feedback Sports. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.