Multi-tool recommendation?
#26
Senior Member
I was riding with a friend yesterday when his seat came loose. When we were stopped taking a look at it someone passed us on the trail and asked if we needed help. I asked if he had a hex key, and he said did; it turned out to be a Topeak multi-tool. It fixed things up fine.
Now I want to get a multi-tool of some kind for my bag. Topeak seems fine, but there are many models to choose from. Any recommendations?
Now I want to get a multi-tool of some kind for my bag. Topeak seems fine, but there are many models to choose from. Any recommendations?
#27
Full Member
I have two old Topeak Hexus II, an Hexus X and a Crankbros m19. It's discontinued but I prefer the Hexus II by far, even though the Hexus X is similar.
#28
Shawn of the Dead
I carry the Park IB3. It has flat/Phillips. A chain breaker, all the allen wrench sizes you would need and a tire lever/spoke wrench. Its a bit overkill but plenty compact. I am interested in the Trek multi tool that fits in my on board storage but its just an extravagance that would make that porky bike that much heavier.
#29
Advocatus Diaboli
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Wherever I am
Posts: 8,735
Bikes: Merlin Cyrene, Nashbar steel CX
Liked 1,562 Times
in
1,025 Posts
#30
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,579
Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"
Liked 596 Times
in
407 Posts
On my commuter bike (Tern Verge S11i) I carry a Tern Tool which works well. I also have a Bare Bones tool, which I like for its simplicity.
My "Fix-It Sticks" tool pack. Nicely compact.
Inside the pack: On the left, a set of tire levers, a tube with extra bits, a Wolf Tooth chain link tool and a Topeak spoke wrench. O the right, the Fix-It Sticks themselves, the chain breaker, and two Topeak box-end wrenches.
Likes For sweeks:
#31
Senior Member
I've changed most of my on-bike/carry-along kits to Lezyne Storage Drive with just the bits I need for that bike.
#32
Senior Member
Likes For Digger Goreman:
#34
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW WI
Posts: 236
Bikes: Cannondale Topstone, Trek Dual Sport, State Bicycle Klunker
Liked 136 Times
in
73 Posts
I will see but this may be replacing my Crank Brothers multi tool.
#35
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
Literally just ordered the Fix it sticks MTB. Ironically when I initially saw just the fixit sticks, I wasn’t super excited; However, the more I looked at them the more I liked them and when I saw the MTB kit I was pretty much sold. Seems customizable with other bits my bike may need and should reduce space.
I will see but this may be replacing my Crank Brothers multi tool.
I will see but this may be replacing my Crank Brothers multi tool.
Last edited by Digger Goreman; 05-22-22 at 08:01 AM. Reason: Spelling
Likes For Digger Goreman:
#36
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
Forgot to say, resist the temptation to make a long stick using the 6mm bit. While close, I feel the wiggle room would damage the holder and or bit.
Likes For Digger Goreman:
#37
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 14,054
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Liked 4,246 Times
in
2,841 Posts
My new favorite tool kit is a Snap On Mini Ratchet and some PB-Swiss 1/4 bits held with a lovely custom magnetic 3D printed holder from Jesse Reitz of Reitz Industries on the Etsy. I built it for a specific bike and purpose so it has a bunch of Torx Bits T6,T10,T25,T30,T40, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10 and a JIS/PH #2 (that bit is Wera). I really love using it and highly recommend it though you might want to look at Wera Zyklop mini which is going to be significantly cheaper not better or close to the quality of the Snap-On but a maybe more sensible tool for carrying around. I also picked up a 5mm to 1/4 bit converter from PB Swiss so I could use a 5mm hex key for a bit more length if I needed it and it doesn't take up much space or weight. Currently searching for a good case to carry everything I want in and getting close but not sure the direction I am going to go.
For my normal fold up tool, Crank Bros M10 is going to be my go-to I have used it for years and tried a lot of others and don't really want to trade it out. I don't want shorter tools in order to add a bunch more if I really need those tools I will carry them separately or find a tool that maybe does the odd stuff better.
For my normal fold up tool, Crank Bros M10 is going to be my go-to I have used it for years and tried a lot of others and don't really want to trade it out. I don't want shorter tools in order to add a bunch more if I really need those tools I will carry them separately or find a tool that maybe does the odd stuff better.
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 8,692
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Liked 257 Times
in
207 Posts
I don't like small loose tools for cycling, if a bit falls into tall grass someplace and you may never find it, that's why I have a mini tool, all those tools in that mini tool can't fall out and disappear.
Likes For rekmeyata:
#39
Senior Member
#41
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 14,054
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Liked 4,246 Times
in
2,841 Posts
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dual...t-Ratchet/TM72
Those if made in a bit ratchet would be a touch small for my taste but for my other bikes it could work since I wouldn't need the leverage so much for a stem bolt or something.
Likes For veganbikes:
#42
Full Member
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: SW WI
Posts: 236
Bikes: Cannondale Topstone, Trek Dual Sport, State Bicycle Klunker
Liked 136 Times
in
73 Posts
Actually this one:
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dual...t-Ratchet/TM72
Those if made in a bit ratchet would be a touch small for my taste but for my other bikes it could work since I wouldn't need the leverage so much for a stem bolt or something.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dual...t-Ratchet/TM72
Those if made in a bit ratchet would be a touch small for my taste but for my other bikes it could work since I wouldn't need the leverage so much for a stem bolt or something.
#43
Quidam Bike Super Hero
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Stone Mountain, GA (Metro Atlanta, East)
Posts: 1,135
Bikes: 1995 Trek 800 Sport, aka, "CamelTrek"
Liked 415 Times
in
282 Posts
It's a fair critique, though the Fixits are strongly magnetic. I used to work on military and civilian aircraft, so have acquired a work habit of keeping my tools securely placed during repairs. But things do happen. Fortunately bits are cheaply replaced, though that is cold comfort in the moment. The Fixit holders are made for bottle holder mounting, but the only report of loss was from outside mounting (though on a downhill mountain leap). I keep mine bagged under the seat. I DO think the sticks are as strong as tool bag tools, thus a bit stronger than a Swiss style multi tool. Ymmv.
#44
Clark W. Griswold
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 14,054
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
Liked 4,246 Times
in
2,841 Posts
Likes For veganbikes:
#45
I have a very nice little kit from Mineral. It looks a lot like TCS' home made one, but the handle is not ratcheted, and is magnetic. I think it is out of production which is a pity.
It does have the potential problem of small bits and pieces falling into the tall grass.
It does have the potential problem of small bits and pieces falling into the tall grass.
#46
Junior Member
I like the versatility of the "L" shaped hex wrenches. Gives better angles of approach to what ever I'm trying to get at. I cut out a piece of dense foam and drilled holes for the wrenches and other stuff. In that set up there's also a torx bit, an adapter for a presta valve, and a fitting for a CO2 cartridge. the screw driver has phillips and flat. Could use a mini-vise grips. not included are a patch kit and tire levers.