vol

If you carry a multi-too set (typically including various sized allen wrenches, screw drivers), have you actually used them during the ride? I carry one, and a mini pump, tube repair kit, in a frame bag, but have never, ever touched them during a ride. Together they add weight, and I always have to take them off the bike when parking outside.

DanBraden

My ride weighs a ton already yet I only travel with a multi-tool for a few days after I add a component that may need adjusting until it feels right (seat, brake pads, cables, handle bars).

On the flipside I enjoy being helpful to fellow commuters and I know I've been asked at least 5 times in the last year if I had Allen wrenches... Unfortunately for them the stars didn't align...

Archwhorides 

I use the the multi-tool a couple times a month and occasional riders ask if I have one a few times a year, so that is 27 times each year.

mcours2006

I've used mine a few times over the past four years. Nothing that couldn't have waited until I got home, like a loose water bottle cage, adjusting saddle angle on a new saddle, adjusting cleat position on new shoes, etc.

CliffordK

Not a lot on a ride. I've used it to disassemble stuff I've bought for packing.

I have, on at least one occasion had a loose handlebar, and had to buy a multi-tool at a local hardware store to comfortably get home. Call it an assembly/build issue.

I did use the chain tool on my multi-tool once to fix a broken chain (9s, never 11s... yet). I'm now experimenting with Wippermann chains that come with very easy to use quick links, but I still would probably need the chain tool to clean up broken ends, should the need arise.

Tire levers are handy. And, a spoke wrench has come in handy a couple of times.

Anyway, I could probably get away with say a 5mm Allen wrench for stem bolts & etc, and leave the rest of the Allen wrenches home. Add the tire levers, spoke wrench, chain tool, and my Swiss Army knife, and I could deal with quite a bit.

Darth Lefty 

SylvainG

I used it three times over the last 3 years. Twice to adjust the seat and once to fix my cleat. I lost a screw on my right SPD cleat and instead of unclipping, it kept twisting on my sole. I was able to re-tighten the remaining screw and finish my ride without another issue..

Gresp15C

I used to get a lot of flat tires, before I switched to puncture-resistant types. Also, I was more compulsive about carrying "everything on every ride" than I am now. And I felt more responsible about arriving at work on time, etc.

These days, for less than a few miles, I'm comfortable leaving the sag bag at home. My work commute is 4 miles, so the worst-case scenario is that I walk 2 miles. Longer rides out in the boonies, sure. Rides with other people, sure. I trust my own bikes more than I trust theirs.

Perhaps more important than the contents of the sag bag, is keeping up with maintenance in between rides.

DrIsotope

You don't need to carry tools... until the first time you hit that pothole you didn't see, and the bars rotate forward, and you can't fix it. Or have a cleat bolt loosen up. Or a derailleur pinch bolt start slipping.

A multitool is just like a pump or a helmet-- you have it in the hopes that you never need it.

That said, I use my little tool set probably once a month, for one thing or another.

Hoopdriver

Used mine last ride to adjust the boom on my trike. I usually carry a lot of tools when I ride and, though I use them infrequently, it's a comfort to know that I have them.

SylvainG

Probably the most useless 'tool' I have in my saddle bag is my temporary Kevlar spoke.Well, useless until I take it out and then break a spoke...

Darth Lefty 

SylvainG

Yeah, but the wheel will be out of alignment. Nonetheless, I doubt that I would be able to align it with a temporary Kevlar spoke anyway so yeah, probably useless...

Darth Lefty 

SylvainG

May be, Never had the misfortune to have to use it, yet.

dedhed

Only on others bikes.

jnb22019

I don't recall using my multitool but I did use my chain tool the very first ride I took it with me.

vol

That sounds like something I should follow as far as short commute is concerned. Although I carry the mini pump, it's not easy to use so little chance I'll actually use it, esp. I commute in big city where there is a subway every few blocks, I think the tools are necessary for long rides or more remote roads. But I agree having tools with you will enable you to help others (just like when I have first aid with me). I thought of this thread only because I like to put minimal weight on my bike and also avoid the hassle of removing bags when parking outside.

P.S. I do make sure to carry a spare dead-bolt seat post bracket, in case the quick-release bracket is broken as it happened to me in the past and caused great inconvenience. Also a small screwdriver for tiny screws, as well as a bunch of rubber bands/velcro straps for securing the flashlight on my handlebar. All these are lightweight.

Oops, I realize that since I'm carrying a seat post bracket, I must carry at least one allen wrench!

ThermionicScott 

Not once. I've never carried a multi-tool with me.

RidingMatthew

Skipjacks

I use mine often enough to make it worth carrying.

One time I got loose in a slick mud puddle and went down. I was fine, but I hit hard enough to turn the seat sideways. But...it was still tight enough that I couldn't turn it back straight by hand. I had to loosen it. Without the tool I'd have had a very awkward ride home sitting on the seat sideways.

Plus I'm often 10-20 miles from my car/home. And more than 5 miles from either I don't see many other people. I'd rather carry that tool and not need it than need it 15 miles from help and not have it. It's not like it weighs much. I figure if the weight of the multi tool is slowing me down, I need to exercise more.

pdlamb

I don't believe a helmet will save me (based on the evidence, neither does the CDC!), but it's a lawyer-proofing device. I use a multi-tool mostly on my travel bike, since things get removed, installed, and adjusted a lot more on that bike than the others. It's mechanical insurance, and I'm happy to have it when I need it. Unfortunately, my pump sees a lot of use.

+1

noglider 

I carry one but pretty much never use it. I want to be able to adjust my saddle and handlebars, but the need rarely comes up. Most multi-tools don't work as well as purpose-built tools, but the Park MT-1 is simple enough that it's decent, and it's pretty inexpensive. The usual ones that are like Swiss army knives look perfect but they're cumbersome to hold and sometimes don't have good entry angles to the job at hand. If I expect I'll need tools, I'll carry the real things, so that includes a few allen keys and a pair of tire levers. I bind them together with a rubber band.

salcedo

I once used an Allen key to adjust my seat post. Sometimes I use them to clean my cleats when I walk on mud or snow, but I could use a key or a coin or a branch instead. Other than that, just tire leavers, a spare tube or patch kit, and an air pump.

But these things are like condoms, even if its sad to se them get old inside a wallet, its better to carry one around than to not have it when you need it.

vol

Agree on the Swiss-knife style folding multi-tools. The 3-way star shaped also has its disadvantages such as needing enough space to use and taking space in the bag. I have some L-shaped ones that are convenient. The Park tool you are showing looks perfect!
(Edit: could be more "perfect" by adding a 3rd dimension. It doesn't seem to include a screw driver with cross head)