Bike mini-tool recommendations

[Cugel]

.....chain maker/breaker than works on your chain type
.....a teeny spanner for retightening valve cores when your pump unscrews them;

You may not need both.
I don't know if it's universal, but all my chain tools (3) also fit all my valve cores (Quite a few)

A good point. Some spoke key sizes also seem identical to that of valve core flats - but not all.

Sometimes a wee spanner or hex bit seems "near enough" and it may be. Or it might round off the corners of summick so that only the pliers or some other rough tool one doesn't have out on the road will then work on the semi-mangled part.

Cugel

[slowster]

...if you do know how to use the tools, then it is more likely that you keep your bike in good order, and less likely that you will need the portable tools.

And it is also more likely that you will know what tools or multi-tool to take with you, based not only on your general competence to use the tool(s), but also on your knowledge of any specific requirements of your bike.

Furthermore, having a standard tool is not always sufficient: sometimes the tool needs to be a specific length or shape to fit a particular component on your bike. For example, I like the Topeak Hexus, but the 5mm allen key is too short to be able to reach the clamp bolt of a Tektro RL520 brake lever (something that applies to many other Swiss Army style folding multi-tools).

[Mick F]

If you go on a long bike journey, take more tools, and proper ones at that.
If just out for a few hours or commuting, all you need is "adjustment" tools.

I have one of these, and have had it for years and never (as yet) needed.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/topeak-mini-9-multi-tool

[Jamesh]

I use a comprehensive minitool off eBay does the job. Not expensive so if I ever dropped it it wouldn't be the end of the world.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192627270012 ... media=COPY

I keep it and levers and quick links in a small neoprene zip pouch.

[gxaustin]

I use an MT Zoom tool. It has a chain tool, 4,5 and 6mm Allen keys, 8 and 10mm spanner flats spoke keys and a cross head screwdriver. I like it as much as I dislike those multi tools with all the Allen keys you'll never need which all get in your way.
They are sold via EBay

[audaxjk]

I use a crank brothers multi-tool. It’s covered all my roadside emergencies over the years. Has a clever chain splitter (used twice to convert my friend’s bike to a single speed when he broke his rear derailleur) with a multi size spoke key tool on it.

In addition to this, I carry 3 Michelin tyre levers (they work on the most stubborn tyre/rim combos), a flat multi spanner (for the single speed & hub gear axle nuts) and a CO2 cartridge/inner tube. It all fits in a small under saddle bag.

[MikeytheBikey]

Thanks again folks - some great advice here.

I'm not an experienced bike mechanic - a rookie in fact. I think I just need a decent quality item with the most common tools - hex keys, Torx and Phillips screwdriver.

[mattsccm]

One that can do all you can. Spoke key pointless if you can't use it. Torx daft if only allen keys. Other than that they are all the damn same. Cheap Chinese ones have the virtue that you don't loose expensive ones and you can have one on each bike. Posh ones have better chrome or fancy names. Bit like shoes really. What suits me is not much use to you. Go and play with a few in the shops. Always a nice way of wasting a bit of time.

[Cugel]

Thanks again folks - some great advice here.

I'm not an experienced bike mechanic - a rookie in fact. I think I just need a decent quality item with the most common tools - hex keys, Torx and Phillips screwdriver.

Here is a possible example of "making sure" concerning which tool bits you need to fit which bike bits. Few bikes need a Philips screwdriver ... or a Pozidrive. What many need is a JIS screwdriver, for the cross-headed items found on things like Shimano derailleur components. JIS is "Japanese Industrial Standard" by the way. JIS looks like a Philips or Pozidrive but it's different in shape.

It's all too easy, if adjusting your derailleur throw or similar, out on the road, to mangle the screw tip of a JIS screw with a Philips screwdriver. it'll cam-out and mangle, unless you're extremely careful and the screw isn't too tight in its threads. Once you've mangled the screw tip, accurate adjustments will be somewhat difficult, even if you subsequently find & use a JIS screwdriver.

Cugel

[MikeytheBikey]

Thanks for this advice. I didn't realize it was such a minefield!!

[esasjl]

I quite like Topeak's 'survival gear box'. The separate tools are good, covers bikes old and new and you just take the ones you need to save weight/space. There's room in the box for a short section of chain and extra links as well as a tyre boot.

[Psamathe]

My personal experience is that a good multitool is not enough. Worth having but also think through jobs you are likely to want to do "on the road" and what tools you'd need.

e.g. to remove front wheel I need a multi-tool and a separate Allen key (for my recumbent). e.g. to tighten a lose mudguard bolt I need a multi-tool and a pair of pliers or spanner (small light spanners are available).

Of course the jobs you want to do "on the road" will depend on your cycling - a lose mudguard on a short ride from home can be sorted at home but the same on a long tour and you don't want to be wasting time searching out somebody/somewhere that has the tools you are missing.

Ian