so many good multitools out there, but none is perfect for "our" bike.

anyone tear apart a few and make one tool that works just for you?

please discuss

thanks

Look at what you most often use when working on your bike—adjusting your saddle, brakes, derailleurs, etc. You’ll likely need a range of 2mm-6mm hex keys, a T25 Torx, and a Phillips head screwdriver.

The Crank Brothers M10 is a good one, it has all the hex wrenches plus a T25 Torx and screwdrivers all in a long form package. Good enough for the average person.

In the end I did build a custom one for a bicycle that had an array of Torx and zero 6mm but it was a more expensive tool set than anyone would want to buy and it has bits one could loose if you don't put them back in the magnetic holder (though in my couple years with the tool and loads of use I haven't lost any.

Multi tools are great but I don't really feel the need to modify. Certain tools like a chain tool or whatever are low use tools but if I do want to use them a separate tool is better. So in the end a Crank Bros M10 with whatever other tools I need separately is going to do me just fine or something with bits will also work well and there are tons of those that already exist from Topeak and Wolf Tooth and Lezyne and others. Yes If someone gave me the chance to design my own personal multi tool with no real limits, I would probably make an M10 with the hex wrenches made by PB-Swiss and a modern crosstip screwdriver (no Phillips because it is outdated and JIS is fine but the modern Crosstip is compatible with both and more precise) and titanium throughout the rest of the tool to cut down a little on weight. I really wouldn't change much as I think that one is pretty useful for what it is. No portable tool set is really going to be great because doing work on a bike on the road just isn't great.

My simplest multi-tool is a group of Allen keys from a Bell tool 2-6mm and Phillips (on a clip) para corded to a key ring that has a couple of Topeak flat wrenches (10mm/flat head, 7-9mm). The Phillips fits through the curled top of any of the Allen keys to form a T-handle. A light weight quickie for adjustments.

Regular on the road is taken care of by a Gerber Cool Tool and a recently acquired Fabric ratchet multi-tool. The longer Allen keys, wrench and chain tool are appreciated when away from home.

Modern bikes need very few different tools, so I forget about multitools and carry the few that I need.

FWIW what I carry depends on circumstances. For my day and weekend road bike, it's just a 6mm hex key, plus what's needed for tires. For touring, I'll expand that according to how far from civilization I'm headed.

i carry 4,5 and 6mm short allens, a small flat blade screw driver,, and a small adjustable wrench that i've drilled for lightness... two aluminum tire levers, that i've had since the 60's, some electrical tape, a couple paper towels, and a small swiss army knife round out my tool kit. i keep a $10 bill, a park patch kit (old style with glue) and a spare tube in the seat pouch.

Post quoted is step #1, step #2 is replacing anything Philips with hex and ideally reducing all bolts to allen/torx in 2-3 sizes (for roadside repairable/adjustable things) and just carrying those for 99% of rides.

no, non, no, guys. these are gadgets. no one ever seen a Swiss Army Knife with custom scales> or a Leatherman multi-tool with certain blades switched out for ones the owner uses more?

of course these could be supplanted with individual tools, but this inquiry was more directed at the tinkerers in the crowd. kind of like the flashoholics who need a pocket torch so powerful it could burn off the paint on a '56 Buick trunk lid at 5 paces.

and then have its 9 batteries immediately replaced.

sorry if the original post was unclear.

Swiss Army Knights Forum (multitool.org)

The Mod Squad (multitool.org)

Homemade and Modified Flashlights Discussion | Candle Power Flashlight Forum (candlepowerforums.com)

Not a minitool but on my fix gear I sometimes carry a 22" chain whip that weighs 20 oz. Made from 1/4" aluminum plate. Proper chain like a pro tool (except I run the loose chain from the tool end with shock cord returning to the tool handle. Both keeps the chain tight when the tool is mounted on the bike's TT and makes one hand use of the tool brain dead easy. (Other hand for the wheel and brain got left behind halfway up the previous climb.) Inner tube strip wrapped around the handle both for grip/comfort and to stop rattle while riding. A small innertube wrapped chock on the other end that fits the seatstay. SHort toestrap to secure the handle, an extra-long one at the ST/TT interface secures the working end. (As seen in my avatar photo.)

Took two iterations to get it completely right. And is now my favorite tool in the shop as well as rides. It's done 6 Cycle Oregons and hundreds of road cog changes. They take about 5 minutes when I'm on.

Haven't done a custom minitool, but I agree, making special tools is fun, especially when the results come out unique and really useful!

I have not Frankensteined my own multitool but I'd probably mash together the best qualities of these to get something that was light, compact, able to work in tight quarters, but also with enough leverage for stuck bits.

The middle two have some of those qualities but the fact that they have multiple pieces means that I am guaranteed to lose the one that I need in tall grass.

Multitools tend to frustrate me. I can't insert the screwdriver or allen key at the right angle. Or the handle is too short. I often carry just plain tools. For example, allen keys wrapped in a rag, bound by a rubber band. The rag comes in handy, and sometimes the rubber band does, too.

Q: what would that be used for in a (not in the shop) repair?

thanks

so as a Creator, let's get going!

Frankenheimer multitool - captured by North Koreans and brainwashed into believing it's a breaker bar?

completely understood for exactly the reasons cited.

which is why i am interested in stealing other's ideas and come up with my perfect tool!

but as you do, until that day, i will carry pieces & bits.

I mean, you could bolt all this together, but this is an 8mm (torx needed? but not by me) hex key short of fixing nearly anything short of a broken chain. (everyone should carry a patch kit ofc)

Crankbrothers M19/Multi Tool 19, is the one I have. Love it.

Broke chain links apart, connected the chain with master links, and installed new chains with it. Also loosened and tightened nipples and installed spokes, as it can be used with four different sizes of nipples (0,1,2,3). Pretty sturdy tool.

Q: in a pinch, anyone know if a spoke wrench could be used to replace a Presta stem valve?

thanks

Depends on the size of the spoke wrench. I have one of those cheap, round multi-size spoke wrenches and one of the slots, 12 gauge, is a little loose but perfectly fine for the amount of torque needed for the valve. Also, some chain tools have a square notch for the pin to pass through will also work. My Park spoke wrench for DT nipples does not work.