Which Multitool?

geoff_ss

I currently carry a few individual tools that cover most repairs I'm likely to encounter on the road but I quite fancy a multitool to limit the load both in weight and volume. However I'll still probably carry separate tyre levers and an emergency repair kit in case I run out of spare tubes.

Are there any I should avoid? Is there a 'best buy'? Are they reasonably easy to use? I'm suspicious of 'do everything tools' because they tend to do most jobs but none of them very well.

Geoff

redddraggon

What do you want in a multi tool? Do you want a built in chain tool?

I carry just a little one with the common hex bits and screwdriver bits. Tyre levers and chain tool I carry separately.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProd ... spid=26612

stevechambers34

I have had a multitool I think made by Gerber? it was bought as a present for me about 7 years ago it has been brilliant...it is in the form of an adjustable spanner with crank bolt tools,allen keys,chain tool,the spanner itself which can also be used as a tyre lever can't find a picture anywhere though...I would thoroughly recommend one ,you just need a few 'scabs' and a reversible screwdriver nothing else.

stevechambers34

http://www0.epinions.com/bike-Component ... ol_CT41945

just remembered its called a cool tool see link above.

dennisn

I carry "Crank Brothers" multi 17, or is it 18, got pretty much every thing on it that
I ever needed on the road. Short of a new wheel or frame.

Dennis Noward

Doobz

I got this one http://www.bikeplanetuk.com/products/ac ... index.html

gkerr4

the little crank brothers thing is a joy to hold - really high quality - this one:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 0Multitool

Not cheap though.
I have this one:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 0Multitool

Which is useful - but doesn't have the "milled-from-solid-last-longer-than-you" feel of the brank bros.

ooh - the hints I dropped before Xmas and they all fell on deaf ears :-(

urban_winter

I have this one:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 0Multitool

I sometimes think it has more tools than I really need. I could replace it by a couple of allen keys, an 8mm spanner and a chain tool. But then again I used the spoke key the other day to try and straighten my front wheel after hitting a car so maybe I am better off with a mutli-tool.

U.

Positron

I've got a Topeak Alien which I recon covers just about everything. Includes chain tool - though I've recently started carrying a spare link. I always have patches (and a tyre boot) as well as a spare tube. Cable ties (colour coordinated to match bike) - 1001 uses!

geoff_ss

Thanks gentlemen.

I'd been looking at all the ones mentioned. Particularly the Crank Bros 19 and the two Topeak ones. Just wondered if any of them were useless. It seems not, so it's just a matter of deciding how complicated and comprehensive I want to be. I've already discarded the small lathe and lightweight TIG welding set

I do wonder why I need a bottle opener though. I always carry a tin-opener in my wallet (for tins of cold rice pudding bought in corner shops if I seriously bonk far from home) and there's a bottle opener and corkscrew on my smal ('Waiter') Swiss army knife

Geoff

Crapaud

stevechambers34 wrote:

http://www0.epinions.com/bike-Components-All-Gerber_Cool_Tool_CT41945

just remembered its called a cool tool see link above.

Same one for me...



Had it for around 12 years, but happily I've not had to use it very often, although it's done numerous others proud over the years. A cracking wee tool in an emergancy!

z000m

you can get flourecent multitools from poundland, theyre that good i bought two.

leonlikestrees

I have an Alien, but it's so heavy I only take it on expeditions!

I've got the compact 18 function Pro multitool (see here. Crap site, no direct linking:
http://www.pro-bikegear.com/publish/content/pro_site/sbx/Pro_Landing/EN/Products.html#

)

Which is great. Lightweight, but has all the key stuff (Although I'd take a seperate plastic tyre lever if you need tyre levers to remove your tyres)

briank

Wot, you don't take your TIG set? Isn't that a bit rash? Think of all those titanium bits to break!
I've tried a couple of different multitools but found that the way the Allen keys were mounted (for example) proved very awkward when I tried to use them.
And I think they're heavier than a customised selection of what you really need, carefully wrapped in rags and stowed in a seat pack.

But I know lats of people swear by them and, to be fair, I have stolen the chain tool off one because it's light and neat.

edeverett

Generally I love Crank Bros stuff but, one criticism of their tool is that it only has the one position on the chain tool so making loosening a tight link difficult.

I ended up choosing the Specialized equivalent.

woody-som

Crank Brothers 19. all you should ever need, except tyre levers. I never leave home without mine.

Pirahna

I make sure all my bike maintenance is done at home, not at the roadside. I do carry a multi tool though, it's a Topeak mini 6. It weighs 60 grams and I keep it on my keyring.