Do I need a multi-tool?
07-20-16, 12:51 AM
#51
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After I had a chain brake way out on the trail once, I decided to buy a multi tool. I've never had one break again (yet), but now I always carry a good multi tool plus quicklink and of course tube, patch kit, and co2 inflator.
I use my multi tool a lot. Mostly just for minor adjustments with the seat and stem position. It seems like I always have a new bike that needs tweaking, or I'll change the seat or something and need to tweak it as I go.
Until I bought proper tools at home I used the multi tool for most things in the garage too. Even now if my garage is messy I might just use the tool instead of wading through things to get to the tools and/or having to find it scattered about the garage. My garage needs some serious cleaning and organizing.
I use my multi tool a lot. Mostly just for minor adjustments with the seat and stem position. It seems like I always have a new bike that needs tweaking, or I'll change the seat or something and need to tweak it as I go.
Until I bought proper tools at home I used the multi tool for most things in the garage too. Even now if my garage is messy I might just use the tool instead of wading through things to get to the tools and/or having to find it scattered about the garage. My garage needs some serious cleaning and organizing.
07-20-16, 08:37 AM
#52
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I say you absolutely need a multi tool with a chain tool on every ride.
I've only been cycling 2.5 years and I've had many occasions where I needed to tighten a bolt down or make a small adjustment on the road.
I've only been cycling 2.5 years and I've had many occasions where I needed to tighten a bolt down or make a small adjustment on the road.
07-24-16, 09:51 PM
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wiggle.com | LifeLine Professional 14-in-1 Multi-Tool | Tools - Multi Tools
I bought this. 86g, the lightest I've found for the capability. Works fine for basic adjustments.
I bought this. 86g, the lightest I've found for the capability. Works fine for basic adjustments.
07-25-16, 05:57 AM
#55
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It would be nice if a tool manufacturer let us pick our own extensions. I mean, I don't have a bike which needs 2 different size Phillips screwdrivers and two flatheads, so if I could just keep a small flathead and trade the rest off weight savings and a spoke wrench, I'd be happy.
Especially for the type with fold-out bits bolted together, it seems like it'd be easy enough, though arranging them could be tricky, maybe.
Especially for the type with fold-out bits bolted together, it seems like it'd be easy enough, though arranging them could be tricky, maybe.
07-25-16, 07:16 AM
#56
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The one I carry is very small... and light. No chain tool or anything like that.
Coincidentally.... I very recently discovered EDC. Short for "Every Day Carry"... it is sort of a prepper gear idea. I was intrigued by the idea of a mint-tins full of keychain sized survival items (like stormproof matches). Or backpacks with pounds of gear to assist in getting home after the... world comes crashing in on us... I guess.
It was fun and entertaining (as well as a little educational) to watch a few YouTube videos on such things. A couple people have even put together survival [mountain] bicycles. Painted camouflage.... of course.
But anyway... it made me wonder if I really need that tube I carry with me. I've had a few flats! And I always just replace the tube with the new tube I carry. Then when I get home I repair the tube and re-use it. I carry a patch kit along with the tube. I wonder if I might just be better off to only carry a patch kit.
Which is it.... is less more? Or [is it] as the preppers say: 2 is 1... and 1 is none. (I need to stay away from YouTube!)
Coincidentally.... I very recently discovered EDC. Short for "Every Day Carry"... it is sort of a prepper gear idea. I was intrigued by the idea of a mint-tins full of keychain sized survival items (like stormproof matches). Or backpacks with pounds of gear to assist in getting home after the... world comes crashing in on us... I guess.
It was fun and entertaining (as well as a little educational) to watch a few YouTube videos on such things. A couple people have even put together survival [mountain] bicycles. Painted camouflage.... of course.
But anyway... it made me wonder if I really need that tube I carry with me. I've had a few flats! And I always just replace the tube with the new tube I carry. Then when I get home I repair the tube and re-use it. I carry a patch kit along with the tube. I wonder if I might just be better off to only carry a patch kit.
Which is it.... is less more? Or [is it] as the preppers say: 2 is 1... and 1 is none. (I need to stay away from YouTube!)
I wonder if my wife would weave a seat bag out of para-cord, now that would be awesome EDC ...
Back to mini-tool of course it's not necessary, but I've been very glad to have it on occasion. More times to help someone out than for my bike, but both happen now and again.
Last edited by wphamilton; 07-25-16 at 07:20 AM.
07-25-16, 07:43 AM
#57
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It would be nice if a tool manufacturer let us pick our own extensions. I mean, I don't have a bike which needs 2 different size Phillips screwdrivers and two flatheads, so if I could just keep a small flathead and trade the rest off weight savings and a spoke wrench, I'd be happy.
Especially for the type with fold-out bits bolted together, it seems like it'd be easy enough, though arranging them could be tricky, maybe.
Especially for the type with fold-out bits bolted together, it seems like it'd be easy enough, though arranging them could be tricky, maybe.
One note on weight, the tools need to be hardened to take the torque. The last thing you want is to have a Allen key twist as you're loosening a bolt.
07-25-16, 08:27 AM
#58
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I always carry a multi-tool. I rarely use it, but I think of it like an insurance policy. I'm also able to help friends and strangers on occasion. I also carry at least one spare tube, a spoke wrench, a tube repair kit, tire tools, a spare quick link. Here are some examples of when I've used my multi-tool:
- To tighten a slipping seat post.
- To adjust saddle height. (Usually after having a bike serviced and mechanic changed height.)
- To raise, lower, or tighten stem.
- To adjust the tilt of a handle bar.
- To tighten a loose water bottle holder.
- To loosen a pedal.
- To tighten a loose fender stay or rack bolt.
- To tighten a slipping seat post.
- To adjust saddle height. (Usually after having a bike serviced and mechanic changed height.)
- To raise, lower, or tighten stem.
- To adjust the tilt of a handle bar.
- To tighten a loose water bottle holder.
- To loosen a pedal.
- To tighten a loose fender stay or rack bolt.
07-25-16, 08:38 AM
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No multitool for me yet. Though I've thought about getting one and some of the ones above look nice. Lately, I've been carrying:
- Park AWS-11 (8mm is nice for crank bolts)
- 15mm wrench (for rear brake)
- spoke wrench
- mini-pump
- tire levers
- tube
With the last three bundled together with a rubber band in my backpack. Then when I go for a local ride from home, I can pop the bundle into a jersey pocket.
- Park AWS-11 (8mm is nice for crank bolts)
- 15mm wrench (for rear brake)
- spoke wrench
- mini-pump
- tire levers
- tube
With the last three bundled together with a rubber band in my backpack. Then when I go for a local ride from home, I can pop the bundle into a jersey pocket.
07-25-16, 10:29 AM
#60
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The tube could serve as a tourniquet in those survival situations, might help you escape down the river if necessary, I guess you could fashion snares with it if you need to survive on a diet of small animals, and maybe you could cut it and carry water in it. I think you'd really need it for EDC (that's a new one for me too).
I wonder if my wife would weave a seat bag out of para-cord, now that would be awesome EDC ....
I wonder if my wife would weave a seat bag out of para-cord, now that would be awesome EDC ....
Shows what I know (almost nothing). I had thought my road bike was pretty much great survival equipment. I think I will keep my tube (tubeS... I have a kit on each bike).
07-25-16, 10:33 AM
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Was just looking at what I carry in my seat bag on my road bike and realized I have never used the multi-tool.
Do I need to carry one at all? is there a minimum tool that i should carry no matter what?
I think I do a good job of keeping my bikes well maintained and so far in the last 10 years or so the issues I have had are flat tires.
Do I need to carry one at all? is there a minimum tool that i should carry no matter what?
I think I do a good job of keeping my bikes well maintained and so far in the last 10 years or so the issues I have had are flat tires.
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07-25-16, 10:34 AM
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Loose cleat screw on this morning's ride.
Reached for the multi tool, only to find out no phillips head.
Reached for the multi tool, only to find out no phillips head.
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07-25-16, 10:46 AM
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07-25-16, 10:51 AM
#64
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For reals. With the amount of torque I've seen cleats requires to stay put, I can't imagine how difficult it would be to tighten them with a Phillips recess fastener. I usually break out out my hex bit sockets and 1/4" drive ratchet to tighten those screws and haven't had one loosen. I did have cleats loosen a few times when I only used a hex key with limited torque ability.
07-25-16, 11:22 AM
#65
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Not a bad idea. How about a frame that holds 10 tools and it comes with 20. If they're all the same size, you can pick the 10 you want. (Maybe a chain brake takes 2 spots).
One note on weight, the tools need to be hardened to take the torque. The last thing you want is to have a Allen key twist as you're loosening a bolt.
One note on weight, the tools need to be hardened to take the torque. The last thing you want is to have a Allen key twist as you're loosening a bolt.
A hardened tool weighs more than a non-hardened tool?
07-25-16, 11:56 AM
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I've been carrying a Topeak Huxus ii for about 5 years. It's small, relatively light, has every tool you'd reasonably need, plus tire levers so you don't even need separate tire levers, and it hasn't failed me yet. I need the tire levers on road, but I've only used the actual tool when I hit a bump and my seat post collapsed.
Basically, with any multi-tool, it takes barely any room and the weight is not significant, so why not? You never know when a chain will brake, something will come loose, a derailleur will need adjusting, etc. You may not sue it often, but you'll be glad you have it when you do need it.
Basically, with any multi-tool, it takes barely any room and the weight is not significant, so why not? You never know when a chain will brake, something will come loose, a derailleur will need adjusting, etc. You may not sue it often, but you'll be glad you have it when you do need it.
07-25-16, 12:03 PM
#67
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07-26-16, 10:46 AM
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Was just looking at what I carry in my seat bag on my road bike and realized I have never used the multi-tool.
Do I need to carry one at all? is there a minimum tool that i should carry no matter what?
I think I do a good job of keeping my bikes well maintained and so far in the last 10 years or so the issues I have had are flat tires.
Do I need to carry one at all? is there a minimum tool that i should carry no matter what?
I think I do a good job of keeping my bikes well maintained and so far in the last 10 years or so the issues I have had are flat tires.
Handlebars out of line after a crash.
Brake lever out of line after hitting pothole descending on the hoods.
On-the-road single-speed conversion after derailleur breaking. Did this one twice, once for me, once for a friend.
Offered to a local who was descending the Tourmalet (I was going up) with brakes squealing and had stopped to try and straighten them out before they popped his tire.
Tighten up loose bottle cage bolts.
Remove broken spoke.
Realign shoe cleat that got snagged while clipping out.
And then there was the time I went out on my spare bike without it and found that after weeks of sitting in the garage my handlebars had crept ever so slightly out of line and I had to borrow an Allen key from someone else on the ride.
This is by no means a comprehensive list, but just to say that if you've never had to use yours, well, count yourself lucky.
07-26-16, 11:12 AM
#69
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07-27-16, 12:26 PM
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I have a Topeak mini 20 Pro multitool. Has come in handy.
To me, a lousy multitool is cheap. the damn bike manufacturers know every bolt and nut they put on their bike and the least number of tools needed to keep it going. They should supply a tool with the bike or for that matter, offer a choice or two in case you do not want to cover everything or to cover several variants of a single frame.
To me, a lousy multitool is cheap. the damn bike manufacturers know every bolt and nut they put on their bike and the least number of tools needed to keep it going. They should supply a tool with the bike or for that matter, offer a choice or two in case you do not want to cover everything or to cover several variants of a single frame.
07-27-16, 12:30 PM
#71
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the damn bike manufacturers know every bolt and nut they put on their bike and the least number of tools needed to keep it going. They should supply a tool with the bike or for that matter, offer a choice or two in case you do not want to cover everything or to cover several variants of a single frame.
Not that you would carry it, but it's handy to have for checking torques after cleaning the bike.
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