best multi function bike tool?
10-08-11 | 07:35 PM
#2
747 Freight Pilot
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 458
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From: Ohio, USA
Bikes: Rivendell, Bike-Friday Pocket-Rocket and one home made fixed gear
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... https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/
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... https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/
10-08-11 | 08:00 PM
#3
-
Joined: Feb 2004
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Bikes: yes!
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.
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.
I came up with my own little tool kit to carry...I posted the instructions here... https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/
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.
Last edited by seeker333; 10-08-11 at 08:06 PM.
10-08-11 | 08:08 PM
#4
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Las Vegas
Bikes: 1
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
Sure beats hauling the lineman's pliers I use for just about everything else =P
Thanx for your help
10-08-11 | 09:59 PM
#5
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Joined: Feb 2004
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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:
https://www.parktool.com/product/multi-tool-mt-1
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:
https://www.parktool.com/product/multi-tool-mt-1
10-10-11 | 03:03 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,310
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Bikes: 2014/17 Trek Domane 5.2, 2003 Fuji Cross, 2019 Trek Fuel EX8 27.5 Plus, 2012 Raleigh XXIX single-speed, 2017 Access Gravel
I've got three of these guys (road bike, CX/commuter bike, mountain bike):https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...0_20000_400153
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.
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.
10-10-11 | 04:36 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,049
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From: La Verne CA
Bikes: Litespeed Liege, Motorola Team Issue Eddy Mercxk, Santana Noventa Tandem, Fisher Supercaliber Mtn. Bike
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..
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topeak-Hexus...item336c95e5f1
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Topeak-Hexus...item336c95e5f1
10-10-11 | 06:16 PM
#8
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Lezyne makes a nice range. Choose the smallest and lightest that has the tools you want to carry. I chose their "Stainless 12".
https://shop.lezyne.com/products/mult...s/stainless-12
https://shop.lezyne.com/products/mult...s/stainless-12
10-10-11 | 06:22 PM
#9
Should Be More Popular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,105
Likes: 11,710
From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
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.
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.
10-11-11 | 10:48 AM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 425
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From: Dorset, SW England, United Kingdom
Bikes: Heavily modded Cannondale Hooligan 1 (2009) and an upgraded Raleigh Max Zero-G
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... https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/
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... https://www.instructables.com/id/Bicycle-Mini-Tool-Kit/
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
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.)
* Last image stolen from Topeak Super Chain Tool to illustrate intergrated chain hook in use.
Here is a quick comparison between the ALiEN II and the Survival Gear Box
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
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:
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
And in a similar vein, another multi-tool that likes to keep it simple, is Pedro's Trixie.
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.
Last edited by CaptCarrot; 10-11-11 at 02:29 PM. Reason: Disabled smilies to add 10th picture - :^)
10-11-11 | 02:24 PM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Dorset, SW England, United Kingdom
Bikes: Heavily modded Cannondale Hooligan 1 (2009) and an upgraded Raleigh Max Zero-G
10-11-11 | 07:51 PM
#13
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Las Vegas
Bikes: 1
10-11-11 | 08:10 PM
#14
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Virginia/DC
Bikes: quite a few
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 usually only carry patchkit/tube/pump/levers with me unless it's a looooong ride.
10-16-11 | 10:38 PM
#15
2 Old 2 B New B
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 124
Likes: 2
From: East Bay Area
Bikes: '09 Trek 7.5 FX, '90 Trek Antelope 830, '07 Dahon Mariner
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.
10-16-11 | 11:41 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,838
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From: Michigan
Bikes: Trek 730 (quad), 720 & 830, Bike Friday NWT, Brompton M36R & M6R, Dahon HAT060 & HT060, ...
I carry Topeak ToolBar in my pocket. It is lightweight and has an advantage that the set can be tweaked towards one's needs.
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vicoll135
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