Multi-tool

mikeyj28

What do you recommend for a half decent reliable trail side multi-tool for a giant anthem for £15 max. I'd like it small enough to go in my camelback or squeeze in my pocket if having a short blast and have sufficient key functions too (T25, 2-6mm Allen key and screwdriver) Thanks

jimothy78

I got a decent one from tesco, of all places. "Via velo" brand, which I think is effectively an own-brand or maybe just exclusive to them (haven't seen it anywhere else), but actually works really well - I've used the chain breaker many times and it's never struggled, whereas a previous stand-alone breaker I'd bought broke on its second use.

http://www.viavelobike.com/products/mul ... tool.php#2

Anyway, originally £15 or so, but I got mine for £3 when they were selling off a load of stuff dirt cheap at the end of season (also got saddles for £3.50 and a "trailgator" tow bar for £17). It seems to have been discontinued now (not listed on Tesco's website) but it's worth checking any stores near you incase they have one left over. I only bought it cos it was cheap, but would buy it at full price having used it now.

70\ʹspenguin

Sports persuit selling the Crank bros 17. Have one myself. Great tool and only £15! http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/bike-tool-sale

Ouija

Go for a Topeak mini 9 (or 9 pro) which can be had for less than a tenner and are very small or the larger Topeam Mini 18 which can be had for the £15 mark off ebay.

LJ.

Topeak mini 9 (not pro) is the best one I have had. It is tiny, has all the allen keys, phillips, Torx, and you can get a hell of a lot of torque on the thing. Seems very solid

kammybear

Just don't get one from park tools.

Bought for £20, stuck it the saddle bag, got it out a few weeks later to find it had disintegrated into ittybitty little peices!

Levi_501

The bigger Lidl one is great and only a few quid.

The Rookie

I use a Lezyne12, bit more expensive but it comes with a very useable chain and spoke tool, not used the latter but the former has fixed 2 broken chains (other peoples of course!) trailside with the help of some trusty powerlinks. It's also light and compact.

passout

I have a Pedro's one - works fine, fiarly light & is lasting OK

nferrar

One tip - make sure the allen/torq keys and screwdrivers can reach the bits you want them to - I find on a lot of multi-tools that the stubby nature of them often means you can't actually get the bit into whatever ever you need to use it on (seat clamp bolts and front mech limit screws being common problems). I have to carry a couple of standalone allen keys in my pack for this reason - I found out the hard way after my seat came loose one time on the trails.

Northwind

Topeak Hexus- still the king of the multitools- everything you need for a normal bike, nothing you don't, nice long allen keys etc, great chaintool, even has 2 tyre levers. Admittedly the tyre levers kinda suck, but that's still better than no tyre levers. Lezyne and Specialized have tools that are made better, but designed worse, if you prefer shiny to functional.

£14.95 from Ebay.

Ouija

Northwind wrote:

Topeak Hexus- still the king of the multitools- everything you need for a normal bike, nothing you don't, nice long allen keys etc, great chaintool, even has 2 tyre levers. Admittedly the tyre levers kinda suck, but that's still better than no tyre levers. Lezyne and Specialized have tools that are made better, but designed worse, if you prefer shiny to functional.

£14.95 from Ebay.

Nah. Got both the Hexus and the Mini 18. The mini 18 is better, the hexus is just badly laid out, bulky and heavy. As mentioned above, the larger tools like the Hexus and Mini 18 are rubbish at reaching some things (like the limit screws on a front derailleur if you still have the rear wheel on) which is where the smaller mini 8 excels. The Mini's also come with a carrying pouch that can be fitted to a belt or strap, freeing up space in a backpack.

Northwind

Eh, the Hexus is lighter than the Mini 18. And the difference in size is negligible (but means it can have much longer, more useful tools, and more leverage). Flat multitools are fiddlier to use, and the tools in the middle are much more awkward to get to where they need to be.

Carrying a multitool on your belt is an obviously bad idea, you don't want to land on a solid lump of metal.

Ouija

Who said the belt had to be around your waist? Plenty of belts and straps on a backpack or saddlebag.

Northwind

Belts go round your waist, underpants are worn under trousers, these things are non-negotiable

JimboM

I like the Topeak tools as well, Hexus for the commuter and the Alien in the backpack for the MTB (Alien's a bit big and over £15 but the knife on it has made indespensible)

cat_with_no_tail

Northwind wrote:

Belts go round your waist, underpants are worn under trousers, these things are non-negotiable

This guy called, he wants a word: