I've been going through the threads on here for advice on the best multi tool to carry on a bike commute.

The Topeak Hexus II looks good to me. The Topeak Alien II and Part MTB-3 seem to have nearly every tool you can imagine.

I have a Trek 7.4 FX, and my commute is about 9 miles each way and it's suburban so I pass gas staions, CVS, etc. I also have a large tool collection at home, so I'm looking to get away with carrying something as small and light as possible instead of a huge do-it-all multi tool that could replace all of my tools.


What's the smallest multi tool that you guys think I can get away with carrying that will likely fix most issues I could encounter on the road?

Coincidentally, just this morning I ditched my multitool. First commute ever without one.

I've been commuting for 12 years now, about 35,000 miles, summer and winter, and I have yet to use a multitool on the road. The only thing I've ever used is spare tubes and a pump, and depending on the bike/tire, tire levers.

I use the multitool occasionally at home when I need a second hex key. I think out of all my multitools, the only thing I've used is maybe 3 different sizes of allen keys.

The only real tool I need on the road is a 15mm wrench when I'm riding the IGH bike (for changing the rear tire), and for that I bought a stubby wrench from Lowes.

Seriously, what's going to happen on the road that can't wait until you get home? Anything that's not related to not maintaining the bike properly in the first place?

I carry this tool and have never needed it. It has the wrenches for cleat, seat and handle bar adjustments. I also carry a couple tire levers, patch kit, spare tube and a dollar bill. Anything else I need will require my wife or an ambulance for a ride.

https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-I-Be...ark+multi+tool

ItsJustMe, I have not bought a multi tool yet because I do keep thinking what I would actually do with one. Like you said, what could really go wrong with a bike besides a flat tire?

I rode my last bike for nearly 25 years, through college years and lots of recreational riding, and never had one issue with a breakdown on the road. I never even got a flat tire that stranded me (only the slow leakers that showed up as a flat tire the next morning).

Maybe I shouldn't even bother with a multi tool?

IMO, the need comes into play if you have a minor wreck or hit a pothole that could send your bars or seat out of alignment. With that, I'll back track about never needing my tool. Early in my experience with cleats, I was coming to a stop and was unable to get a foot down. The result was me falling straight over. In front of a crowded intersection, no less. After checking for minor scrapes of my own, I realized the force had turned my seat. The multi-tool allowed me to quickly straight and tighten the seat so I could continue my ride comfortably.

In My shop apron I have a multi all Allen hex Tool , I got it in the Auto Parts Store.

Its rather heavy, being all Steel.. Eklund

I carry this
Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite Tool | Chain Reaction Cycles

It's small, super awesome, especially for installing bottle cages where clearance is tight otherwise. The only thing I have used it on the road for was readjusting my saddle height, but it is small enough to fit in my small seat bag (not one of the sagging ball sack kind) with a spare tube, tire levers and an extra CO2. I will also carry one when testing out a bike I have just finished working on so I can make all of the final adjustments. Other than that, I haven't used mine on the road.

I do use my multitool. I'm always fiddling with adjustments on my bikes. Also, the part that I've really needed once or twice has been the chain breaker, which has gotten me home after dropping the chain and bending a link. Not often at all, though.

Another note - this can serve just fine as the only chain breaker you own, so if you don't already have one, consider it.

I'm fond of the Park I-Beam mini tool.

your bars or seat shouldn't be that easy to knock out of alignment in the first place, nor should your stem.

I agree, but the seat post turned in the down tube, so it was nice having the tool with me.

I just use the cheap Bell one. I fiddle with adjustments and use it quite a bit; it's lasted me 3 years so far and so I don't see the need for a more expensive multi-tool.

It is good to have when you need it, though I wonder if you would have been able to muscle it back into position? I don't know, I wasn't there....certainly having your multi tool helped you not have to try to muscle it back into position.

Thanks for the advice on that Topeak I-Beam mini. It's compact in size and looks like it has the essential tools on it just in case. This is what I had in mind when I first asked the question.

The price is nice. I just ordered it.

I just carry 3-4 Allen wrenches in addition to my tire repair tools.

I carry a multitool (a Topeak something or the other, with chain break tool), but it seldom gets any use. I bought it mainly for touring. If you do buy one, test it on the bike at home. My bikes have a couple of Allen screws that I cannot access with the somewhat clumsy multitool. Also, you may need to hold a bolt in place while loosening/tightening the screw, something you cannot do with a single multitool unless it breaks into two separate tools (and the tools you need are conveniently on separate parts).

--J

I carry a multitool to ward off disaster. If I don't have it, chances are I'll need it; if I am carrying one, chances of needing it diminish to near zero.

Not a bike-specific multitool fan. I have an old leatherman, a folding set of hex keys, and some tire levers. No chain tool, but [knock-on-wood]never needed one on the road[/knock-on-wood].

This works good for me when I am going light
https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-Tech-ST3.../dp/B00IRBPCF2

I have used mine on the road before. My chainring bolts came loose. It was my fault I had messed with them before but they still came loose on me. I fixed it in the parking lot of Walmart.

Smallest multi tool I have seen, and yes, I do have one.

Topeak® Cycling Accessories ? Products - Mini 6, W/O bag

Can usually be found at REI or the likes.

I use mine before I reach for my home tools many times.

I keep mine by my spare tube for similar reasons.

I carry the Topeak Mini 9 MT or Fix-It-Sticks.

They're both small and light, but still functional.

I have one of those it's cute. But it spontaneously disassembled in my saddlebag. It's kind of a 'feature' because you can rearrange the tools as long as you don't loose the bolts to put it back together with.

In general I think tiny multitools are adorable but not actually usable. I don't think they even count as talismans to avoid mishap by the appearance of preparedness because they don't make a plausible appearance of preparedness. More fit for stripping fastener heads than turning them.