General Cycling Discussion - Whats the best bang-for-buck multi-tool and where can I get one?

Whats the best bang-for-buck multi-tool and where can I get one?

Gerber Or Buck. Walmart.

Gerber? don't they make baby food?

I have a crank bros. bike tool(I assume thats what your talking about?). I got it on sale at performance bike for $14.99 I like the fact that its all aluminum and it doesnt flex as much as my dad's spin doctor tool with the plastic/composite body.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=13898&Store=Bike

Topeak makes several good models and all different price ranges. You can get them at many mail order places or at your LBS. I have several and have had no problems or complaints.

I have a hummer and an alien XS

Yup... thats what im talking about. :)


I have a crank bros. bike tool(I assume thats what your talking about?).[/url]

I have a cool tool. It's pretty small, but even so I rarely take it with me anymore.

Whatever you get it should have an adjustable wrench that can fit a spoke nipple or a small nut, phillips and slotted screwdrivers, 4, 5 and 6mm allen wrenchs and chain tool.

Did I leave anything out that's really useful? Maybe a bottle opener for a post ride Guiness...

heres the alien xs on ebay... 3 hours left and currently $6.50
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3660917433&category=27953

i seen one on ebay earlier... not sure what model it was... but, it looked pretty sweet... i think it ended already...

i also see alien RX, and 15 tool, 17 tool, 7 tool, 23 tool... oh me, oh my... which one to buy?

how many tools does it take to fix a bike, eh? haha


Topeak makes several good models and all different price ranges. You can get them at many mail order places or at your LBS. I have several and have had no problems or complaints.

I have a hummer and an alien XS

its called a "cool tool", or you just think its a cool tool?


I have a cool tool. It's pretty small, but even so I rarely take it with me anymore.

ah ha... you told me some of the things i need... thats what i was looking for :)


Whatever you get it should have an adjustable wrench that can fit a spoke nipple or a small nut, phillips and slotted screwdrivers, 4, 5 and 6mm allen wrenchs and chain tool.

you got guiness in bottles?... maybe im having a brain fart... but, dont they always come in the cans with the ping pong balls inside? hmm... maybe the bottles are a newer thing... i dunno...


Did I leave anything out that's really useful? Maybe a bottle opener for a post ride Guiness...

The Cool Tool is old school, the first multitool. Hard to find one in the US nowadays. I did a search and found one at:
http://www.thepathbikeshop.com
but I couldn't get the exact page address to fit on this post. Go down the Categories to trail tools.

haha... that does look old school! looks like some of the tools my dad used to make! hehehe ;)


The Cool Tool is old school, the first multitool. Hard to find one in the US nowadays. I did a search and found one at:
http://www.thepathbikeshop.com
but I couldn't get the exact page address to fit on this post. Go down the Categories to trail tools.

There are several good mini tools on the market, I happen to use the Park because I got a good price on it; it also has 21 tools attached to it. I also had a Leatherman Squirt with pliers but lost it when I moved, so I found a cheaper one at Target made by Eddie Bauer that was actually smaller than the Squirt (which Target also sells) and works just as well.

Topeak hummer, the chain tools actually reasonable to use.

you got guiness in bottles?...

Yeah, I can get Guinness Extra Stout in bottles at the supermarket. A lot of better beers I can't get in these parts though. Not many microbrews. Shiner's isn't always available... I'd better watch out or I'll lead this off topic. ;)

I used to carry one of the Multi tool things, but never used it, The only Time it would have been usefull, I had left it at home. The only tools I carry are Adjustable spanner, Allen keys that do fit the bike, Screwdriver, One end Phillips, other flat head, Tube and Levers. These are permanently on the bike, and other than the Tube, I still never use them. They also weigh less than the Quality Multi tools that are worth using.

I have a CoolTool and a Topeak 21. Im not very fond of either of them.
The Cool Tool allen keys are good, and I carry them all the time, but the main body is very low-precision. The Topeak allen key parts are incredibly bad, and you are guarenteed to spike your hand with it.
I do carry a mini Leatherman, the small one with pliers and a handle which folds in half.

IMHO, separate tools are better and not any heavier.

ever tried the schwin brand one? the have them at target for like $14 (is schwin still considered a good company? i always thought they were supposed to be pretty decent still)

I have an Alien RX, I can't knock the number of tools for the weight, but you kind of have to sort of baby the thing. For one, the rubber O-ring on the 6-mm hex bolt broke, making the tip fall off too easily. Also the lever that keeps the two halfs broke and it would separate too easily. And if you have disc brakes, the T25 torx head falls off too. I can't fault Topeak though, they replaced mine under warentee quickly and easily though.

However, the metal in the RX is really soft which leads to all of my problems.

jay

(is schwin still considered a good company? i always thought they were supposed to be pretty decent still)
No, not anymore. They were bought by Pacific wh*red out to Mass Merchants (read wally mart) then sold for a quick buck to a juvenile product manufacturer.

I have the original Topeak Alien and it's a tad bulkier than the newer models but seems to be a bit more rugged and useful. The only thing it lacks is torx heads for disc brakes but since I'm not running discs, it's not a loss for me.

The reason I bought the Park mini is because the others I looked at did not "seem" as durable. I wanted the Topeak 21 because bicycling mag gave it 5 stars and it was smaller, but could not find it at any LBS in town to compare.

I have a PPM-2 (http://www.parktool.com/tools/PPM_2.shtml). It suits me fine. It very small and contains most everything I need. It is not really a multitool though....

Dan

Did you get one yet, supadupamikey?

I have a Crank Brothers Multi-17 (http://www.crankbrothers.com/products/accessories_multi17.php) which seems to be working out well. None of the multi tools would be the tool of choice for an overhaul, but for quick adjustments on the road they work fine.

As to where to get them? An online retailer or eBay seller would be ok providing you're buying a few things from them. Otherwise the shipping cost is too high and makes it more expensive than just going to your LBS.

I have the Crank Brothers multi 17 as well and really like it. Its small and light. The chain breakers is a bit akward to use, but it does the trick. I believe I payed $15 for it at a lbs.

what one is the best for changin tires and tubes?

what one is the best for changin tires and tubes?
Neither.

Multi-tools aren't used for that. Changing tires and tubes only requires some tire levers and some brute strength. :)

Booyah,
Thats not true;
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=18233&Store=Bike
The Spindoctor has tire levers. I have an older model without them but I bought it because it hade a pedal wrench. Great tool!

Booyah,
Thats not true;
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/large_photo.cfm?SKU=18233&Store=Bike
The Spindoctor has tire levers. I have an older model without them but I bought it because it hade a pedal wrench. Great tool!
My apologies - didn't realize they existed. Even so, I'd rather have a multi tool and separate tire levers.

My apologies - didn't realize they existed. Even so, I'd rather have a multi tool and separate tire levers.

I've used the tyre levers on my multitool and they worked okay. I have found that the handiest lever is the one built into the head of my minipump. I also liked the fact that it has an axle attachment on the end of the grip that combined with the lever head allows me to very quickly remove and install tyres. The pump is a Topeak Einstein. I don't think it still being produced though.

You guys reminded me of something; the one problem I have with the Park MTB mini is that the tire levers are too large for a road bike, so I have to carry seperate tire irons, not a big deal though. I have helped other cyclist on the road and the tool seems quite sturdy for the task.

hey,

no, i haven't. i got kinda side-tracked with some other issues and I'm just now getting back to reading all my posts and "catching up"... ;)

[QUOTE=booyah]Did you get one yet, supadupamikey?QUOTE]

Yeah, I can get Guinness Extra Stout in bottles at the supermarket. A lot of better beers I can't get in these parts though. Not many microbrews. Shiner's isn't always available... I'd better watch out or I'll lead this off topic. ;)

Guinness in bottles? Brilliant!

I have a Topeak Alien BTW. I like it. Tire levers work for both my mountain bike and road bike.

i ordered an Alien XT earlier today... thanks for the help!