Bike Forums - best multi function bike tool?

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best multi function bike tool?

Wondering what your opinions are on a multi function bike tool that is reasonably priced, good dexterity and cleverly designed?

thanx:)

Is this for your home tool kit, or on-the-bike carry?

If it is for on-bike carry.....

The topeak alien is a favorite of many.

I came up with my own little tool kit to carry...I posted the instructions here... http://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/

OP - I really can't recommend a multitool. I have a couple old ones in a drawer I don't use. They never quite worked as well as plain ole tools.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicycleflyer (Post 13337967)

I came up with my own little tool kit to carry...I posted the instructions here... http://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/

Nice work.

I share your dislike of mutitools and use a collection of std hand tools chosen for their likelihood of use in repairing common breakdowns.

I had bad luck with glueless patches (Park). All three of the ones I tried came loose - one lasted only days, another went over a month after I'd installed it. I went back to traditional patches, which have never let me down. The main reason I tried glueless patches was to reduce the size of this component of my under-seat repair kit.

It would be for on the bike carrying and the Topeak Alien you speak of is highly rated on Amazon. I like your instructable. Very cool. Those wrenches look worn pretty nicely. I have a few sets of regular tools I use at the house and for work. There's favorite tools I prefer, but I guess the allure of the multi tool is that I can just grab it and go and its just one thing I have to keep track of when I'm out.

Sure beats hauling the lineman's pliers I use for just about everything else =P

Thanx for your help

I used Channellock Linemen's Plier for years for cutting bike cable, worked pretty good.

Then one day a super deal came along on a Park CN-10, and I bought it. It's a great cutter - cuts super clean, not a single wire out of place. Not all Park products are great (or even good), but some are - this is one of them.

As multitools go, here's one that's OK for the price ($6-8). It's small, lightweight and doesn't try to do everything so it can't fail miserably:

http://www.parktool.com/product/multi-tool-mt-1

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/thum...b5_430x390.jpg

I've got three of these guys (road bike, CX/commuter bike, mountain bike):http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_400153
http://media.performancebike.com/ima...NCL-UNFOLD.jpg

Small & light but includes all the basics for a quick roadside repair or adjustment. I find the chain tool on this works better than a stand-alone chain tool I used to have. At its current price of just $8.50 it is tough to beat.

The alien is a great tool but it is bulky, I would only take on long tour where I needed all the small tools it has.. I prefer the Topeak Hexus, has all the tools I need and is still a reasonable form factor..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topeak-Hexus...item336c95e5f1

Lezyne makes a nice range. Choose the smallest and lightest that has the tools you want to carry. I chose their "Stainless 12".

http://shop.lezyne.com/products/mult...s/stainless-12

It depends on what you want. Some are just very basic and small. Some are medium sized and have 10ish tools...and some are huge with a chain breaker and lots of function.

Everyone has his/her own favorite, I like the Park Tool I-Beam (I think it's IB-3), it has most of what you would need without being too bulky.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattatwork (Post 13337898)

Wondering what your opinions are on a multi function bike tool that is reasonably priced, good dexterity and cleverly designed?

thanx:)

This is something i am looking into as well, and being a gadget freak I have far more things lying around than I ever use (and still look for more)*sighs*

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicycleflyer (Post 13337967)

I'm not a fan of the fold out multi-tools for one reason, the fold back while you are using them. That said, the ALiEN is well used and respected by many and is reasonably well specced.

I was in Halfords today, they had the ALiEN II on the shelf for £38.99 GBP, but next to it for only £24.99 GBP was something that looked far more suitable (more closely resembling bicycleflyer's instructable), and also from Topeak... the Survival Gear Box

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topeak

An update of our venerable classic tool kit, the new Survival Tool Box features more tools and added functionality. A full 23 pro quality hardened tools pack into a protective plastic case that mounts to any frame tube with the included QuickClick™ fixer system. Virtually every tool needed to repair a road or mountain bike is included in this mini take along toolbox. There’s also a special compartment to securely store two removable chain links and pins. The sleek 2-piece cast CrMo chain tool is compatible with all single speed and most multi-speed chains, including 10 speed hollow pin chains. (Not compatible with 11 speed chains.) Tire levers and glueless patches round out this incredible kit.

Box closure stays tightly closed while riding
3 pro quality, hardened steel tools
The chain tool head can be used as a mini hammer
Integrated chain hook holds links during assembly
Chain pins and links compartment + Disc Brake Spacer (Chain pins and links are not included.)

Code:

Tools                  | Survival Gear Box                 | ALiEN II

===========================================================================

Allen Wrenches          | 1.5/2/2.5/3/4/5/6 mm         | 2-L/2.5/3/4/5/6/8/10 mm

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Torx Wrenches          | T15/ T25                         | T25

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Screw Drivers          | #2 Phillips                         | #2 Phillips & Flat Head

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Box Wrenches          | 8 mm                         | 2x 8/9/10mm

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Open Wrench          | 10 mm                         | 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Socket Hex          | 8 mm                         | 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pedal Wrench          |                                  | Mini (For Field Repairs)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spoke Wrenches          | 15g/14g/Mavic M7/Shimano         | 14g/15g

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chain Tool          | Cast Cromoly Steel                 | Cast Cromoly Steel

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Added Features          | Chain Pin Breaker                 | 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chain Hook          | Stainless Steel Wire         | Stainless Steel Wire

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tire Levers          | 2x Engineering Grade Plastic | 2x Integrated In Body

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disc Brake Spacer | Engineering Grade Plastic         | 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tire Repair          | Glueless Patch                 | 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Knife                  |                                  | Stainless Steel

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bottle Opener          |                                  | Hardened Steel

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compartments          | For 2 Chain Pins & 2 links         | For 2 Chain Pins

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total Tools          | 23                                 | 26

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Size (L x W x H)  | 3.9” x 1.8” x 1.4”                  | 3.4” x 1.7” x 1.6”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Weight                  | 8.20 oz (w/clip)                  | 10.21 oz

Another tool I would consider has also already been mentioned (by seeker333), the Park Tool MT-1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Park Tool

The MT-1 is a high quality multi-tool that is uncomplicated, easy to use, and effective. Each of the nine tools is carefully positioned so the MT-1 can be effectively used on those “tough to get to” nuts, bolts, and screws. Made of investment cast steel and electroless nickel plated for durability.

the MT-1 features:

3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex wrenches
8mm, 9mm, and 10mm socket wrenches
Straight blade screwdriver
The tool is nominally 110mm long, 35mm wide, and 8mm thick

http://www.parktool.com/uploads/thum...b5_198x190.jpg

And in a similar vein, another multi-tool that likes to keep it simple, is Pedro's Trixie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro's

Heat-treated tool steel construction. Specifically designed with the fixed-gear rider in mind. Features 15mm box-end wrench, lock ring hook, 8, 9, 10mm box-end wrenches, 5mm hex, and bottle opener. Lifetime warranty.

http://www.pedros.com/product/trixie/Trixie.jpg

Bottle opener??!!!.....I got to have one of those!!

Now I just need a fixed gear to justify buying the tool ... :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bicycleflyer (Post 13349263)

Bottle opener??!!!.....I got to have one of those!!

Now I just need a fixed gear to justify buying the tool ... :)

There's one on the ALiEN II as well ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptCarrot (Post 13348776)

This is something i am looking into as well, and being a gadget freak I have far more things lying around than I ever use (and still look for more)*sighs*

I know that feeling.:crash::crash::crash:

I've had the aforementioned Hexus for ages and like it. But I've never had to use any parts of it beyond the screwdrivers, hexes and tire levers. It does have a chain tool though.

I usually only carry patchkit/tube/pump/levers with me unless it's a looooong ride.

I have the Park I-Beam. I like it pretty well except for the large allen wrench cap that falls off too easily. Other than that, it's a great tool if you don't want one with a chain tool.

I carry Topeak ToolBar in my pocket. It is lightweight and has an advantage that the set can be tweaked towards one's needs.