Multitools - How many is too many?
 

Hi All,

I'm trying to hone my touring minimalism and essentials down to a fine count here. I'm wondering what thoughts are on multitools! I have an awesome Performance Bike multitool from back in the day with 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hexes, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers. That's it. I carry spoons (tire levers) with me separate. I'm looking to do longer rides and include more tours in my future and I'm wondering how do you all deal with:
1- Spoke wrenches (in the tool or separate)
2- Chain breakers (separate (full size or mini), or in the tool)
3- large hex wrenches
4- Anything else?

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated!
Best,
Red

no self reliance? I have a Bag of tools for my on the road Bike repairs .

most multi tools are just inadequate but for day rides to get you home.

It depends a bit on how long of a trip, and the ability to limp home.

Traditionally my bikes have had very few hex heads. And, the ones it had... 7mm???

Anyway, if you're trying to minimize tools, then look at which part of the multi-tools you're using, and what will leave you dead beside the road if it breaks. I think 4mm and 5mm are the most common sizes that I use. What do the cleats use? Although, it is nice to get all of the common tools together.

I've tossed in a full size chain tool, and since I can never quite find the right spoke wrench, so I carry a 3-way spoke wrench (also good if you need to give assistance to someone).

I don't know how reliable your wheels are, how much "stuff" you take with you and how much you weigh. I take with me, in case I break a spoke, a thin lockring tool that can be inserted into the cassette lockring. Reinstall the rear wheel on the bike and using the bike's chain, I leverage the lockring off, to replace a broken spoke. Of coarse you have to have some mechanical aptitude. Other than that, I think you have most other bases covered. It's not a tool, but tire boots are nice. In case you run something over, and get the much dreaded major tire cut.

I have generally made it a habit to use my multitool, a pair of 8-10 MM wrenches, a set of tire levers, and a patch kit for most maintenance even at home. That way I am used to it and know what it can and can't do. Different bikes have different sizes and types of fasteners and the tools should be tailored to the specific bike. Even though the kits vary a bit with the bike the whole bag weighs under a pound for each of mine and stays on the bike even around home.

Ideally, when fitting out the bike you choose gear that all uses hexs, and where only one is needed, no backers.

Then you carry only the tools that fit your bike, and where you could actually do the repair in the field.

in addition, road morph, quick stick, and your favourite patches.

one may require something huge like a pedal wrench for travel.

That is solo strategy, groups have different issues.

I use a lyzene multi tool that the chain breaker in it works very well, so well I've never replaced my old broken cheap ones.
Tire levers of course, and that's about it.

**what am I saying, Swiss Army knive for knive, can opener, corkscrew
also spare cables (never used like raybo--touch wood)
few extra bolts
patch kit
pump

I no longer carry a multi-tool. I carry a set of hex wrenches, a Leatherman Juice 2 (pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, knife), a small chain breaker from a previous multi-tool, a spoke wrench, hypercracker for the lockring, aluminum tire levers, a wrench for the fender bolts, an S&S coupler tool. I also carry 2 tubes, a patch kit, extra spokes, fiber-fix temporary spoke, tire boots, an extra shifting and brake cable (never used).

I have removed all the slotted screws from my bike and replaced them with hex head screws, thus my need for screwdrivers is essentially non-existent.

Ditto, I'd rather hold one 4 mm Allen wrench in my hand to turn a screw than an awkward multi tool.

I have a pretty minimalist tool kit. I've ditched the multi tools because they just weigh too much and have tools that I don't need.
This was the tool kit that I used on my recent CO Trail trip.
Patch kit (I run tubeless but carry two spare tubes) 4 backup matches with needle and dental floss (saved my butt when I got a big sidewall slice) Drillium tire lever (25% lighter, 100% weaker)
CRKT RSK Mk5 knife, tools bolt to handle for use.
2.5 3 4 5 T25 bits (this covers every bolt on my bike, will be different for everyone), spare bits are stored in patch kit. FiberFix Spoke with spoke wrench.
Not pictured, Specialized Chain tool that doubles as stem cap, and holds Quick links. Mini pump
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=476508

Slice in sidewall I sewed up with floss, lasted 160 miles of CO Trail, and I'm still running it.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=476510

multitools are a pain in the butt when trying to reassemble your
bike at the airport, trying to spin the multitool in tight spaces,
like tightening bottle cage bolts or inside the fender bolts.

and what do you do when you need two hex keys or hex and
crescent wrench (or whatever combo) at the same time but
they're both fixed to the multitool?

it's like eating a meal with a really cool knife-fork-spoon camping
tool, but the piece parts don't detach....

round off one of the hexs keys and you'll be buying loose tools anyways.....

Good points, but they don't automatically disqualify multitools IMO. You need to weigh this on a tool by tool and bike by bike basis. It is important to use the tools you will carry at home and when breaking things down for travel. That way you have already worked out what works and what doesn't and there are no surprises.

Nothing on my bike requires two hex keys at once and my hex wrenches are not part of the multi tool. I carry two separate 8mm - 10mm wrenches one open ended one box ended. They are both very small lightweight ignition wrenches.

The best way of dealing with tools on tour is to deal with the bike before the tour. Start with the selection of components. Choose a threadless headset and you only need a 5mm allen wrench (maybe a 4 and 6mm as well since some stem manufacturers can keep these standard:rolleyes:). Choose an external bearing crank and you'll only need a 5 mm wrench to work on that. Shimano...damn them!...is the best choice. Build wheels with cartridge bearings and you'll not need cone wrenches.

Those 3 choices will reduce your tool kit to a 4, 5 and 6 mm allen wrench, tire levers, a patch kit, a Phillips screw driver, (you really don't need the flat one), a spoke wrench and a chaintool. If the bike is in good shape before you go, you probably won't even need to use the tool kit.

A 2mm hex might come in handy to adjust brake spring tension. My multi-tool has one.

If you use a multi-tool, make sure the shanks are long enough to reach the retaining bolt on STI shifters.

I have been happy with my Topeak Mini 20 and have used the chain break and it works just fine and dandy even for home use though a full size version would be better. Though as Cyco said keep your bike in good condition and tune it before you go and you should generally be a-ok. I rarely have to mess with anything on my bike on tour if I have kept things up before hand.

I more use my multi tools at home truth be told simply because I don't have a separate T-25 Torx wrench or chain tool.

For riding within 50 miles of home, bare minimum.

For touring far from home, I bring:
- Either a Crank Bros big multi-tool with chain tool and spoke wrench or an Alien II. If I take the Alien, I take a separate spoke wrench.
- A long 6mm Allen wrench to put on and remove pedals for transport. The multi-tool is not very good for that. Some pedals take 8mm, check which is needed before I leave home.
- Any specific tools that I might need that are not on the multi-tool, each bike has its own oddities that I might need (S&S wrench, 8mm open end, T20, 15mm open end, etc.)
- Separate long arm 5mm Allen wrench in case the drop bar mounted brake levers shift if the bike falls over.
- If I have a lot of assembly or dis-assembly, also bring a 4mm long arm Allen wrench.

You were silent on spares so I also was.

I have one of the Specialized tools like this one and the chain would never sit straight in the breaker. Also, you can't see it in the photo, but the breaker has a hole on the other side for a wrench or screwdriver so you can put torque on it... so you have to carry another tool to use it. Eventually the pin in the breaker folded over and that's when I benched it.

I have another tool that comes apart into three different wrenches with multiple ends, rather than folding out like a jackknife. It works well, but it seems like one of the three pieces is always lost. I couldn't tell you the brand, offhand.