Pliers

Pliers and cutters for bike work

Combination pliers live in the apron pocket: straightening a cable end, holding a derailleur spring, biting through a zip tie before it catches a rotor. Needle-nose pliers, straight and bent, fish shift wires through internal routing. The screw-grabbing pliers turn a rounded fastener head that a bit only spins in. The PYTHON box-joint pliers keep their jaws parallel through every width setting, so they grip a flat without rounding it. Internal and external circlip pliers, sold singly or as the four-piece set, free the retaining rings that lock hub and pedal bearings in place.

Side, flush and diagonal cutters are here too. The cable and housing cutters have their own page under Cable and Housing Tools, and master link pliers live with the Chain Tools. Our guide to pliers for bike work explains which pair does what.

Frequently asked questions

Which pliers do I need to open and close a chain master link?

Master-link pliers make the job a one-squeeze operation. The Unior 1720/4DP has dual-function jaws that both open and close quick links on 11- and 12-speed chains, including SRAM flat-top AXS, KMC, and Shimano patterns. The 1720/2DP is a removal tool for opening stubborn connecting links.

What pliers remove circlips and retaining rings on a bike?

Snap rings and circlips lock bearings into hub axles, fix pedal-spindle assemblies, and hold internal-cup headset adjusters. A flat screwdriver bends or launches them. The Unior 539+ set includes four dedicated circlip pliers — internal and external, straight and bent jaw — so the ring stays controlled.

What is the difference between internal and external circlip pliers?

Internal (bore) circlip pliers expand to fit rings that sit inside a bore; their tips close as you squeeze. External (shaft) pliers contract to fit rings around a shaft; their tips open as you squeeze. Bent-jaw versions reach rings set at an angle. Match the plier type to where the ring sits.

Why use spoke pliers when truing a wheel?

When you turn a nipple, the spoke wants to twist with it. A wound-up spoke unwinds the first time the wheel sees load and knocks a freshly built wheel out of true. The Unior 1753/2B Straight Pull Spoke Pliers grip the spoke firmly enough to stop the twist without scratching or distorting its surface.

How do I remove a fastener with a rounded or stripped head?

Once a hex or Torx head cams out, a normal bit just spins, and drilling is destructive. The Unior 407/4DP Screw Grabbing Pliers use vertical jaw serrations that bite into the side of the fastener head so you can turn it like a bolt — a cleaner recovery than drill-and-extract.

Why buy chain-breaking pliers if I already have a chain tool?

A screw-type chain tool is the universal answer, but if you only need to open chains for cleaning, replacement, or fitment checks and do it many times a week, the spindle stroke adds up. The Unior 1640/1DP chain pliers push the pin out in a single squeeze — pin out, chain open, next bike.