multi tool
 

Any suggestions for a good multi tool as part of a road kit?

I have one of the Pedro's 17 tool multi-tools. I got the most minimal tool with a chain breaker.

I carry this
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r.../macguyver.jpg

On a serious note, I just carry a pretty generic park multi tool (Think it is the IB-6, no chain tool) from the LBS and some tire levers, two tube and two c02 canisters with inflator chuck. Also keep a presta to schrader adapter in there.

I'm not a big fan of the swiss-army type multi-tools around. I carry a small assortment of different tools that work well for me. For hex wrenches, I like this from Park. I also carry their chain breaker, a small CO2 inflator, and a couple tire levers. I usually throw my Leatherman in for the pliers and knife if I plan on venturing very far.

I personally don't like separate tools because they rattle around, of course you can always wrap rubber bands around them. I carry the Park MTB3 multi tool plus a small Leatherman that has folding pliers in it, along with tire irons and a QuikStik. The MTB3 has tire levers built into it but they won't work on a road bike because their too wide but work great on MTB tires, thus if you have a MTB you won't need to carry separate tire irons.

There are at least 2 dozen kinds of multi tools on the market, I recommend you go to your LBS and look at the selection and see which ones have the tools you need more of. Then get a folding set of pliers because no bike specific multi tool comes with one...why not?

I bought a cheap $10 multitool at a department store, plus a $3 chain breaker. These have been totally fine for me, the tools are more than strong enough, even working on bolts so tight I had to use a torch to break them loose, I didn't break or bend the tools.

The separate chain breaker is nicer than the integrated ones I looked at.

I also picked up a basic shop tool kit at Nashbar when it was on sale for $35 or so, giving me freewheel tools, crankset puller, individual allen wrenches, all all that jazz.

I have an Alien tool wich has come in handy a few times.
Also have an el -cheapy "Schwinn" multi tool from wally world, that does a perfectly acceptable job of tightening nuts and bolts enough to get one home. It even has a couple of tire levers which I used yesterday in front of the office to change a tire and tube.

I have a Topeak 18+ for the road bike and a larger Specialized EMT Comp for the mountain bike.

The EMT Comp has all the tools you will ever need on the road (or trail), but it is large and heavy. The Topeak mini 18+ was the smallest lightest thing in the store I went to that had a chain tool. I can probably take apart my road bike (well mostly take it apart anyway) using only the multi tool.

I also try to remember to pack my swiss army knife, as all bike tools lack a blade.

I also carry (in the saddle bag) my phone, a my credit/ATM card, ID, my medical insurance card, a presta valve adapter, nylon tie straps (VERY useful), and wrapped around the seat post mounted tail light I have a small roll of velcro straps.

The mulit-tool lives in its pouch, which is also on the seat post because the saddle bag is full.

The jersey pockets contains a crash pack (borrowed from the jet ski), a spare tube, a tire patch kit, the CO2 inflation thing, a couple of CO2 canisters, and I think that is all.

Probably too much stuff, but I will look cool when someone on a group ride (hopefully a chick and not just some dude) needs duct tape and I have it.

I have the original "Alien" and I havea $5 version of the Leatherman that works as well as the$50 version.
If you loose it, its only $5. With 2 items like this you could probably take apart most of the bike

http://www.crankbrothers.com/multi17.php

and a Leatherman


Cyril

I've got a Park MT-1 around here somewhere... Need to find it, since my spare tube is with it.