Best Budget Chain tools

Slamdunkin
Slamdunkin Posts: 355
edited December 2009 in MTB buying advice
After being advised to always carry a chain tool i've been looking about for the best tool on my budget...

Park Tools Chain Brute Chain Tool...I like this as the pins are replaceable and it looks quite sturdy for a small portable.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Park_ ... 410395818/

I also like this folding one that looks to have a bit more leverage and is a fiver cheaper.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeL ... 360036749/

Northwind suggested the Topeak Hexus/Hummer 16 Function Multi Tool on another thread,
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Topea ... 300003189/

but I already have a multi tool with Allan keys and I've bought a puncture repair kit that came with plastic tyre levers. wish I'd seen this before buying other kit, but feel it's not really needed if I have all but the chain tool.

What other smallish budget chain tools do folks recommend, for a nine speed Sram chain.

Comments

  • ravey1981
    ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
    I wouldn't be carrying a separate chain tool, get yourself a multitool, the topeak one looks fine, I've got a park one. Has everything I realistically need on the trail.
  • Slamdunkin
    Slamdunkin Posts: 355
    can you change the chain tool pins on the multi tools and are the chain tools on them any good good as in the same quality as the other two I posted or is it a compromise.
  • ravey1981
    ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
    Im not sure if you can change the pins but i've never ever needed to change one anyway. Its not like you use a chaintool every day anyway. If youre going to be using an sram chain you can split and join it with the powerlink for maintenance etc.

    The chaintool on my park is plenty good enough
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    The chain tool on the Hexus (on all the Topeak ones actually) is very good, better IMO than the Park workshop one, though a little fiddlier to use. Lifeline tools are generally OK, I've got a different one of their chain splitters and it's fine though clumsy.

    You can replace the pin in the Hexus, though I've done a fair few chains and it's still good as new. It's about £2 IIRC.

    Oh, a mate of mine has this:

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp? ... rc=froogle

    But it's most of the cost of a Hexus or similiar so I'm not sure there's much point.

    You probably gathered, I love the Hexus, I think it's one of the best bits of bike kit out there. So, maybe take into account the fact that I'm a bit biased ;)
    Uncompromising extremist
  • ravey1981
    ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
    I carry this with me when riding

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3889

    And also have one of these in the toolbox in the garage

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=7843

    I'd thoroughly recommend either
  • Slamdunkin
    Slamdunkin Posts: 355
    NW, I can see why you like the hexus, if I was buying from scratch I'd definatly get one and shall be recomending it to my mate.

    Ravey...that park tool looks very similar to the Park Tools Chain Brute I posted, I think the brute looks a bit stronger and Worth the extra quid.
  • ravey1981
    ravey1981 Posts: 1,111
    Its the same one...just doesn't have the plastic bobbles on for some reason
  • Slamdunkin
    Slamdunkin Posts: 355
    Yep, definatly the same one.
  • Slamdunkin
    Slamdunkin Posts: 355
    I've decided on the Hexus, so thanks for the tip.

    Found them on ebay for £10.99 + £2.50 P&P which is a very good price as they are £17 @ wiggle and chain reaction.

    The ebay listing had a "Make an offer" button so I offered £9 and it was accepted so £11.50 delivered.

    Here's the link if anyone else fancies a bargain.

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

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