Best multi tool?

chrisoleary · Post by **chrisoleary** » 22 Sep 2007, 2:02pm

Any opinions on the best multi tool.

What bits are essential tools to carry?

Post by **Mick F** » 22 Sep 2007, 2:22pm

I reckon the amount tools you need are dependent on how far away from home and support you expect to be.

For example, I carry a Crank Brothers 5 multitool when I'm on a day ride. Also a mobile phone!

Further away, I'd carry other tools and spares as well. And the mobile phone!

You need a multitool that'll fit in whatever pockets/luggage you may have. There's no point carrying tools that you hardly ever need, just make sure it has the spanners/allen keys that fit your bike.

Don't forget tyre levers and a spare tube or two - and a pump!

diapason · Post by **diapason** » 22 Sep 2007, 2:35pm

I carry a Topeak Alien, a set of tyre levers, spare inner tube and a pun**ure repair kit. It all goes into a zip-up bag in the bar bag or pannier.

N

chrisoleary · Post by **chrisoleary** » 22 Sep 2007, 5:18pm

Was looking at the alien tools. The alien 2 has about 26 tools and the dx 27 but at a tenner difference in price it started me thinking if they were all needed. At the moment I only carry a puncture repair kit, tyre levers, pump and mobile phone and a couple of 20p coins for a pay phone in case my phone does not work - no tools. I am looking towards the alien multi tools but was wondering if there are others that are as good but a bit cheaper :wink:

.

Post by **Mick F** » 22 Sep 2007, 5:25pm

This is all I use

treejamie · Post by **treejamie** » 22 Sep 2007, 6:28pm

i carry a spesh saddle bag small and discreet. in it i havea puncture repair kit, a multi tool. two nylon coated steel tyre levers, a chain spiltter dis assembled and a variety of spares. (valve covers, spare quick links and 3 chain links) and 10mm and 8mm ring spanners.

The chain splitter is a luxury but both time i have had a chain snap has been just after i took teh damned thing out and left it in teh shed. now it stays with me 24/7

Jamie

pete75 · Post by **pete75** » 22 Sep 2007, 7:58pm

I use one of these http://www.vetta.com/Product_Tool_tool.htm though mine is the earlier version without the leds. There's even a little pouch in the storage sleeve which can hold a set of Slime self adhesive patches and its got a beer bottle opener...

I think they're about 20 quid but when I got mine Rutland Cycling had them on offer for £7.99.

cel190ca · Post by **cel190ca** » 23 Sep 2007, 12:03am

With my luck I carry almost everything essential -

26piece Topeak Multitool
2 Cone spanners
Spare inner tube
Puncture kit
Hand Pump
Chain Whip (you never know when you need to defend yourself!)
Rags

Normally i'd not have bothered with some of these but riding the canal towpaths for 20 miles in a day can give the bike a battering and loosen things up, I remember riding about 3 miles with a loose saddle and if i'd have raised my bum the seat would have fallen off. Best to be safe than sorry as the saying goes.

keepontriking · Post by **keepontriking** » 23 Sep 2007, 12:06pm

A Topeak Alien - worth its weight in gold, and it rates as one of the best purchases ever made.

plus:
Small adjustable spanner
Half a dozen small zip ties
A latex glove
Two tyre levers
Puncture outfit
Spare Inner tube
Pump
Phone

PW · Post by PW » 23 Sep 2007, 4:22pm

Unknown make, contains allen keys, normal & crosshead screwdrivers, spoke key slot, & 3 sockets 8,9 &10mm.
Also carry 1 tyre lever, electrical screwdriver for gear & lighting probs, pump, 3 inner tubes. & a sharp pocket knife. So it might be illegal, it's got me out of more mechanical holes than a few & middle aged fatties rarely get searched.

Shogun · Post by **Shogun** » 23 Sep 2007, 4:47pm

Topeak Alien. The model before Torx came as standard

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » 25 Sep 2007, 10:09am

I have always wondered about getting a multitool, but I have never taken the plunge. My gripe is that the tools can be low grade steel and not last, or I know lots of people who have had the casing break making it very difficult to get any torque.

I go for separate tools at present (these are cheap and easy to replace if they are damaged). I keep meaning to do a weight comparison. Anyway, the tools I consider essential:
3,4,5,6 mm allen keys.
Spoke key.
Chain break (only used twice, but I will never forget a long walk home before I decided to take it).
Box spanner.
Screwdriver (double ended).
Puncture repair kit.
Pump.
Tyre levers.
Tyre boot.
Spare tubes.
Zip ties.
Quick links.

Most of the multitools have the essentials on them, but if I bought one reliability would be the most important factor!

Post by **Mick F** » 25 Sep 2007, 10:17am

The thing is, Cliff, my multitool has never been used! I carry it in my saddle-bag in case of emergency.

It has all the allen keys I need except the one that fits my cranks. It has a screwdriver to adjust my gears. That's all it has. That's all I want.

Actually, that's not quite right. If I have mudguards on, I need a small spanner to fit the stays. I can carry that easily, it's only a 2BA.

Anyway, other than perhaps a gear adjustment, things are tight and well-maintained, so nothing needs touching. Barring breakages, that is. But if something's broken, a mutitool won't mend it!

The best multitools are a mobile phone and a credit card!

CJ · Post by CJ » 25 Sep 2007, 11:28am

I think the Topeak Hexus does most for the least; and the long flat-sided bar helps you apply more leverage than the thinner and sharper cases of two-part tools (like their "Alien").

pigman · Post by **pigman** » 25 Sep 2007, 11:38am

3 inner tubes, 2 tyre levers, pump, set of glueless patches, 5cm length of old tubular tyre casing JIC tyre casing rips and a small multitool. Can't remember name of multitool, but it looks like a tiny chain extractor with an alu body, and essentially that's what it is and why I have it. I also carry a piece of card with a few coins attached to it and my next of kin details written it and weatherproofed in sellotape. And the thats it. Any bigger mishap and I'll live with it, fix it at a garage somewhere or phone t'missis.