Whats up Everyone,

I got my multi-tool along with my other tools stolen from me and as a result I am now on the market for a new multi-tool/essential tools. After doing a weeks worth of research I am still nowhere closer to making a decision on a multi-tool that I think is the "best" or has it all. I really just don't know which one to get.

So, I wanted to know if any of you had any recomendations on any tools of any sort or what you guys think would be useful for me to carry. I bike everyday about 30+ miles and need a tool that won't leave me stranded.

Also, I ride fixed only, so I don't know if that makes a difference in your recommendations. Any and all comments/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.

why not just buy the same thing that you had?

this isnt a hard concept, find one with the tools that match the fasteners on your bike.

/thread

here, ill give you a head start: park tool, crank brothers, lezyne, portland design works

It was some german brand that was given to me and I can't find it no more. I just want to buy soemthing that works well, there's just a ot of options.

sorry if this is annoying

My favorite multi-tool is multiple tools.

Avenir roll up tool kit....just about all you need. A little larger than your fist roled up.

Same thing here. Went recently to buy a replacement for my stolen mini tool. I ended up with a Topeak Mini 9 Pro which suits my needs which are admittedly limited in scope.

I just bought my second Park MTB7 tool. It has tools for all occasions.


Ride Safe,

Joe

If you ride fixed only...AFAIAC there is no real need for a multi-tool - keep your bike right & tire repair necessities are all you have to carry for ordinary riding

Having a multi-tool allows you to help fix your friend's multi-gear bike when it breaks down. Last time I pulled out my multi-tool, it was to fix a friend's bike.

Ride Safe,
Joe

If you ride a fixie, or even a SS, do you really need a multitool?

i find the way that people go ape**** over atwoods stuff to be hysterical.

hey look at me i have a rainbow colored assortment of plate titanium hanging off my belt loop for obscure prying and tiny bolt tightening needs. and it only cost me $500!

Because fixed gear bicycles did away with any need for tightening or loosening anything ever...



As far as a tool if you want one that can do a good bit of everything the Mini 20 from Topeak is quite nice I generally take that touring and use it at home.
When I commute I generally take my Park Tool IB-2 (because I need the T25 Torx wrench) and my PDW 3Wrencho and that will generally do everything I need while on the road and if it is more major I am generally on my way home or to the bike shop so I am not super worried.
You could also look at the Urban8 also from Topeak or the Trixie from Pedro's which fit onto bottle cage mounts.

Crankbrothers M19.

18 other tools come attached to one of the best chain tools I've ever used.

here's the tool roll I carry with my commuter. haven't run into anything I can't fix with this, though surely someday I will...

topeak multitool & frame pump, park tool 15mm cone wrench & patch kit, tube, tire levers, pliers and spare valve extender.

Most people carry way too many useless tools. Get the tools you need, put them in a ziplock bag, stuff it into your saddle bag and ride. We are talking about fixed gear bikes, right?

Even the multi tools contain too many useless bits and pieces, too much extra weight and cost too much. Using the Crank Brothers M19 for example (no offense, just using it as an example), from what I can tell it has 7 Allen wrenches, two Torx bits, two Phillips head screwdrivers, a flat head screwdriver, a chain tool, the metal frame which holds it together and the stainless steel carrying case.

I would throw the metal case in recycle bin on the first day and then I would take the thing apart and do the same with the metal frame. I'd replace all of that with a ziplock bag. Use two bags if you are worried. That alone would probably save half a pound.

The Phillips head screwdrivers are useless on a well maintained modern bike. My bike has a few small Phillips head screws which hold the SPD cleats to the pedal body. These I cemented in place with blue Loctite and they will never come out until they need to be replaced many years from now. Give the Phillips head screwdrivers to your buddies with derailleurs and save the weight.

If you have any other Phillips head screws or Torx fasteners on the bike then replace them with Allen head screws. Done.

Flat tip screws? Really??? This isn't wood shop.

3mm, 4mm and 5mm Allen wrenches will cover the seat clamp, seat post clamp, chain ring bolts, stem, brake caliper mount, brake cable clamp, brake pad mount and brake lever mount. The bigger bolt in the center of the cranks is unlikely to come apart and if it does then an Allen wrench probably isn't going to help you.

The chain tool on the M19 actually looks like a good idea with integrated wrench. I don't carry a chain tool but I maintain my chains meticulously and change them often.

Instead of a heavy, expensive multi-tool with a bunch of stuff you are never going to need, why not ride down to Sears and buy some Craftsman 3/4/5 mm Allen wrenches and a stubby 15mm combination wrench? Tire levers, patch kit, spare tube, pump or CO2 cartridges and a folded dollar bill for the inside of the tire when you get a hole are the only things else most riders are are ever going to need while on the road. This is all I carry.

As IAmSam correctly said, a well maintained bike should not break often. A tool you don't know how to use might as well be left at home. As for fixing other riders bikes, the rest of the peloton can carry their own tools.


-Tim-

Not a fan of mulit tools and if you ride fixed, why?

Peanut Butter wrench for taking off a wheel and tire irons at most. A Campy one for style points:



or if you must have a multi tool, Portland Design 3Wrencho



and maybe a Park Y Allen Key thingy.

Can you help me understand? I'm sincere, not trying to challenge but really curious.

Where do you have torx on your bike?

I can't think of a place on the bike where Torx could not be replaced with Allen, or for that matter why a manufacturer would use torx in the first place, but wonder if there is a legitimate need that I have overlooked.


-Tim-

maybe hes using a bolt on cog?

What do you use a 3mm allen wrench for...? Extra tire lever, spare tube are a waste of space; I carry my money in my wallet.

Yes, many people carry too many useless tools. I am guilty of this. What I carry to service a few different bikes in on-road/trail emergency situations:

The cheap-o Bontrager multitool with the plastic handle (9 tools).
Small adjustable wrench
tire lever
self adhesive patches
CO2 cartridge w/ inflator head

The adj wrench covers wheel nuts, pedals, the seatpost clamp on my vintage Schwinn frame.

On the Bontrager multitool:
- Useless in my life: flat blade screwdriver, two of the three smallest allens, 2, 2.5, or 3mm.
- Specialty: the small allen which fits shimano SPD tension adjustments. 8mm adaptor for loose crank bolt. Neither of these have I actually used in the field.
- Phillips head is useful if I ever need to adjust the limit screws on my geared bikes, and I've used them to tighten up the screws holding the cages to pedal bodies.
- Useful many times over: 4, 5, 6mm allens.

I'm not a weight weenie, so I'm not going to take the tool apart just to discard the tools I don't use. Why bother? Plus it keeps them handy, all in one place, and I don't need a zip lock bag or two to keep them together, individual tools don't go wandering off.

To bolt a disk brake disk to a hub. Torx are much better than allen head bolts, which tent to strip out way too easy in that application.

i can count on my hands the number of times ive used any of the tools other than the patch kit and tire levers while out on a ride, but i still carry a multitool, 3 wrencho, VAR bead jack, co2, pump with a gauge on it, and a patch kit, along with a pair of nitrile gloves and a shop rag

I don't see the appeal of barely being prepared.


You can keep your zip lock bag.

Release tension on the SPD pedals uses 3mm. I can't think of anything else offhand and probably should have typed 4/5/6 instead of 3/4/5.

The Phillips makes sense if you also ride geared bikes. Fair enough.

High end tires such as the Micheline Pro Race and Vittoria Open Corsa require two levers to get off. Require is subjective I guess. I find it a lot easier with two.

Carrying a spare tube isn't a waste of space for me. Most people can change a tube and be down the road in the time it takes to even find the leak on the punctured tube. This is a big deal when it is cold or going to be late for class or late for work. I sometimes ride in the evening and don't like to get caught out without lights.

It's extremely hilly where I live. 12% grade is not uncommon and it is 14% getting into my subdivision. Flat roads are a luxury here and weight matters. That's just me.


-Tim-

take a big **** before your ride. youll save more weight than you would if you left your whole tool kit at home.