Bike Multi Tool
 

I am thinking of creating a new bike multi-tool. I would like to hear some of your ideas!

I like the Eklind folding hex key set, which is not sold as a bike tool, but is rugged, foolproof, and cheap. Something like that, with the sizes of tools (torx, etc) to fit parts on modern bikes. In fact, being able to select which tools I want for my particular bikes might be an interesting way to offer a tool.

Make it entirely of plant fibers and single-use only. Once used, have it be an edible energy snack that comes in multiple flavors. Put a blinkie light on it made from phosphorescent plankton.

It needs to not bend, not be bulky, and to have the tools I need.
Pretty straight forward.


I would be interested to hear why you want to design a new multi-tool. How did you land on a multi-tool as what you want to redesign? The only reason why someone would want to design a new version of something that has literally hundreds of versions for sale, is if they think their version is better- so what would make yours better? Nicer case? Lighter? Less expensive?

https://www.crankbrothers.com/products/m19
https://www.crankbrothers.com/products/f15

Tough to improve on these two options. So I start here and go from there with your improvements?
All seriousness- an aluminum case would be nice, like what the f15 uses. it would help reduce rusting on the tool, keep it from opening up when stored in a wedge bag, and take up less room when pulling stuff out then packing the wedge bag.
So there you go- make a case that is form fitting to the tool and light. People like colors- so anodize it and soon you too will swim in coins like Scrooge McDuck.

Design one that can be stowed on a U-lock to save space.

Make it light weight. We don't need plastic covers and metal containers and holsters for it. Just the tools and a piece of aluminum to hold them together.

It would be nice to have a variety of bits which could be removed or added as needed. For example, some bikes need Torx while others do not - add a Torx T25 if needed and remove it from the tool if not needed.

Maybe the tool could be configured to order with just the bits required.

Yes we do- it was already stated we do. Ugh, read the thread.***

Nesting tools are great. So one half is Allen, the other fancy stuff like chain tools etc. Often the multi tool get in the way of using them with an Allen bolt. I often carry free single Allen keys for the 4mm seat post and brakes.
The Shimano Pro tool is nice and light.

The other "problem" I have is where to put it. Normal is in a bag under seat, and that bag is strapped on and full of other stuff that is a pain to re-pack. I'll often have just an Allen key or two in my jersey.
A tool that snapped onto seat rails or chain stays would be quick and easy to get to. Maybe a Gamin mount snap, you could make it part of the lights - now that would be cool.

For me the best multi tool available is the Tern tool:
https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/gear/472/tern-tool

I don't know how you can improve on it. Make it out of
titanium for the weight weenie crowd? Have a chinese
factory copy it and charge less?

Already too many multi-tool versions.

Make it out of mimetic polyalloy that can morph into any tool we want. Just make it so it wouldn't want to stab people. Do not let Cyberdyne make it.

I couldn't tighten a rattling bottle cage bolt last night because of this.

Thanks for the reminder as I forgot to do it when I got home.


-Tim-

I was going to say that pretty much all variations of Multi-Tool already exist, but this is actually a good idea. Not everyone has the same requirements and if you really wanted to be different, being able to tailor the tools to only the ones you need with the option to add/delete as requirements change...is not a bad idea.

I'll take it one step further and since it is configurable, why not enable the ability to take it apart and construct the tool you need with the appropriate length to get at things like Tim's bottle cage that he mentioned.

Even some long handle Allen wrenches have too long a handle for some of the "non-standard" bike parts. I have to find short ones. Seat posts are real tough sometimes.

That Tern is nice. Thanks for pointing it out.

Have you seen the Fabric 16/8/6 tools?

https://fabric.cc/products/tools/

The 16 is 110 grams. The 16 product page says "Torque" instead of "Torx". :)

Look at Park Tool MTB-7 https://www.parktool.com/product/rescue-tool-mtb-7

OP: this is a heavily saturated market. Unless you are already with one of the large bike gear companies (and if are, you would not be doing market research on a forum thread like this...), you are well-advised to find another business opportunity.

I want something that uses a proper JIS screwdriver. Really if they made a lightweight version of the CrankBros M10 with a JIS screwdriver and ti tools that would be fine by me. Though the tool from Spurcycle is nice (minus the lack of JIS) and is certainly easier to use in tighter to reach bolts. Loosing the small bits would suck and isn't hard to do but I do like the weight and size of it.

not funny
 

Damn Bro you got the whole squad laughing!

this 👍

A few years ago I found a paneer pack on the side of a bike path and it contained a few odds and ends including a Brooks seat wrench, a chain splitter with a replaceable master link, chain lube,a spare tube, and a Multi tool that was well worn on the handle. I was surprised to see how many tools fit in this thing that is only slightly larger than a folding hex key set. I posted on the local CL lost and found and asked around those that frequent the bike path and I ended up keeping the pack and its contents. The Multi tool looks like it says Advent or something on the side and I carry it instead of my old Swiss Army knife . I am happy to say I have never used it except to help someone with a loose stem bolt. I have seen several variations of these things and the one that really impressed me was the Topeak Alien set, it seemed to have just about everything.

The real wisdom in creating a multi tool is to make one that does what you need to do but doesn't have any extras. Added functions tend to make multi tools more bulky which decreases their utility. I remember once realizing there was no way to install a water bottle cage with the folding multi tool I was using because, no matter how I oriented the tool, it hit some part of the water bottle cage.

A job that would have been a cinch with a simple 4mm Allen key was impossible with that folding Allen key set.

I might be interested in a on-the-bike tool that had a set of tire levers, 4,5,6 Allen keys and a tiny needle nose pliers for extracting those tiny steel wires that keep puncturing my tires.

The only thing that keeps me from carrying a multi-tool is I can't leave it on my bike as it will get stolen. I carry multiple bags depending on the weather, whether I'm commuting or running errands so the likelihood of me not having my multi-tool in my bag is significant. The only option I have that I'll dependably not forget are inadequate keyring tools. Make a tool that mounts to the outside of a u-lock hoop and can't be removed without opening the u-lock.

The Brompton multi-tool that fits in the folding tube of the Brompton is the best scenario assuming you take the bike inside with you instead of locking it up.

Same here. I use multiple bikes and bags. I ended up creating a 'bike first aid kit' with small lezyne multitool, pump, patch kit and tube that I transfer between bags since I almost always travel with a pannier or backpack.

A minimal multitool
 

This is one of those threads that never quits. I carry this simple Park multitool for rides of up to 100 miles:
https://www.parktool.com/assets/img/...l/MT-1_002.jpg
This has been adequate for 20 years. Were I going cross-country, I might need more, but really, if you maintain your bike at all, how much do you need? A spare tube is much more useful than a multitool for day riding.