Mountain Biking - Multi-tool

Hi everyone. I'm looking to buy a good multi-tool. I've been looking at the Crank Brothers multi 17 tool and some other topeak tools which have about everything except the kitchen sink. What are your favorite multi tools that you use or recommend? Thanks.

I take a Park Multi-tool (MT-1) (http://www.parktool.com/tools/MT_1.shtml/) with me, I've had it for about 5 - 6 years. It's very basic, but it's allowed me to tweak a few things while out on a ride that I couldn't have otherwise done until I'd gotten back home. I think I payed maybe $6 or so for it back then.

Get the Crank Brother's tool. Even when I'm in my garage with a full set of Craftsman tools at my disposal, I still always reach for that Crank Brothers tool. It's indespensable.. I wouldn't be caught on the trail without one. It's got Torx bits for your rotors, all the allen keys you need, a chain breaker, and Philips and Flat head screwdrivers. Everything you need.

I've got a Topeak Alien. Used it quite a few times with no problems so far.

I'm with Dirtgrinder. I picked up an Alien a while ago and it has worked great. It seems like there is a lot of stuff packed onto it, but you will find yourself using more of them than you think. Mine didn't come with a Torx bit for discs, but I beleive that the newer ones do. I consider something like the Topeak Mcgyver(sorry about the horrible spelling) to be overkill, at least for my XC needs.

-Moab

Originally posted by moabrider47
I'm with Dirtgrinder. I picked up an Alien a while ago and it has worked great. It seems like there is a lot of stuff packed onto it, but you will find yourself using more of them than you think. Mine didn't come with a Torx bit for discs, but I beleive that the newer ones do. I consider something like the Topeak Mcgyver(sorry about the horrible spelling) to be overkill, at least for my XC needs.

-Moab

I'll have to second everything in the above post. My Alien has gotten me out of quite a few jams and I too have found myself using more of it than I originally thought I would.

On a related note, this brings to memory giving my groomsmen and my future father in-law Leathermans as gifts during the rehearsal dinner. The next day (morning of the wedding), my soon-to-be father in-law made use of his Leatherman to perform an emergency repair on my bride's shoes shortly before the ceremony.

I carry use a Topeak Alien. I live in a very small apartment thats around a hundred miles away from my family and friends I grew up with. The Alien lets me do everything I need to work on my bike since I don't have access to really any tools. I use my trainer as a stand. I also have a multitool like the Leatherman I carry for work to do a lot with too when in a jam. The Alien is a very strong tool. There are multiple Alien tools so be sure to get the one thats just an "Alien" There are some that have letters behind it that are not as strong and are more emergency tools than one you can use as a regular tool.

Topeak Hummer. :thumbup:

Topeak Alien is a great product, but I also have the Crank Bros. Multi 17 and would have to say for the $$ and compactness, the Crank Bros. is the one I would recommend. If you can find an Alien on sale for the same $$ and don't care about the extra grams, it's still a great tool. The Topeak Hummer (16 tools) appears to be Topeak's answer to the Crank Bros. M17. In looking at it, I still like the minimalist design of the Crank Bros M17.

Thanks for all the replies. I think the extra 10 bucks will be worth it for the Alien. Is this the one you are talking about:

http://pricepoint.com/product796.html

Alien Features:
-All tools fold into engineering grade plastic body for easy carrying.
-Tools include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 mm two piece Allen Wrenches
-8, 9, 10 mm two piece Box Wrenches
-Philips and flat head screwdrivers
-A universal chain tool Spoke wrenches for 14g and 15 g
-Two tire levers. -A Stainless Steel knife
-Bottle opener :beer:
-Size: 3.4 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches
-Weight: 220 grams

Originally posted by tokus
Thanks for all the replies. I think the extra 10 bucks will be worth it for the Alien. Is this the one you are talking about:

http://pricepoint.com/product796.html

That's the kind I have. I got mine for about USD$25 at my LBS back in 1999. I believe the newer ones come with a green alien head stitched to the flap of the carrying pouch instead of the Topeak logo. I wish I had the newer pouch. |8^)

Sometimes you need 2 tools to do the job. I use a Leatherman and a Cooltool.
The Leatherman mini tool
http://www.leatherman.com/products/tools/mini-tool/default.asp
version has a folding handle, and is very light and small.
I used it once to remove a seized valve retaining nut on my inner tube. No pliers, no puncture repair!!

I also carry a Topeak, the Hummer. It has all the allen wrenches of the alien, a chain tool, chain hook, tire levers, torx bit, spoke wrenches & screwdrivers. It lacks the box wrenches which I don't need as all the bolts on my bikes are allen head anyway. My bottle opener is in the cooler. :)
http://www.topeak.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/store/hummer.html?L+scstore+wbch7086ffc5cfc5+1046710849

I carry the Topeak McGuyver but then again I always like to have more tool than what I need.http://www.topeak.com/Store/graphics/mcguyver.JPG
The 33 Function Folding Tool: This tool has everything you'd expect in a bicycle tool and a Swiss Army Knife combined. Self contained, easy to use and with over 30 functions it's the tool you want when you can't afford to settle for less. In the tradition of the Swiss Army Knife and the Alien Tool, once the job is done the tools fold easily back into their hardened plastic case. The high quality nylon soft case clips to your belt, with the McGuyver Tool on standby ready for the next job. Features: 33 tools fold into engineering grade plastic body for easy storage. Heavy duty nylon case hooks onto your belt for easy access. Pliers, fish-hook remover 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 mm two piece Allen Wrenches. 8, 9, 10 mm two piece Box Wrenches. Philips and flat head screwdrivers. Magnifying glass. Fish scaler. Fork. Scissors. Leather punch. Spoke wrenches for 14g and 15 g. Comes with optional Chain Tool head. Integrated Tire levers. Stainless Steel knife. Bottle opener and more. Molded plastic body provides an excellent gripping surface while using tools. Opens into two tool halves with a press of a button Size ~ 3.4 x 1.8 x 1.5 inches Weight ~ 300 grams

Pricepoint .com has a good deal on them right now.

Whatever tool you chose carry a leatherman with it. The needlenose pliers alone have saved me from flats by allowing me to pull glass from the tire before a flat. Personally I have the Crank Bros and a Wave Leatherman.

Agreed I have one of the original Leatherman's that I never leave home without. That is unless I'm going to a hockey game. (Those biters won't even let me take in my keychain but that's a whole other rant)

Originally posted by georgesnatcher
Whatever tool you chose carry a leatherman with it. The needlenose pliers alone have saved me from flats by allowing me to pull glass from the tire before a flat. Personally I have the Crank Bros and a Wave Leatherman.

I prefer the Gerber Multi-Lock to the Leatherman but the idea is the same. I usually don't take the Gerber with me on shorter rides or if there's some sort of rolling support but I will throw it in my Camelbak for mountain biking or if I expect to be very far away from civilisation.