Multitools - a nice idea in theory?

[fossyant]

In all the years I've been cycling, I never carried anymore than a pump, puncture kit and a couple of spare tubes. Even when commuting 20 miles to the middle of know where.

Now reading forums, got me paranoid, so decided to get a few. Got a cheapo Tesco one for the commute and a 15mm spanner (for the fixed track nuts) and have only used an allen key and the spanner a few times. Colleagues have borrowed it though !

For the road bikes I bought a decent Crank Bros multi tool - only used the allen key a couple of times - to tighten /adjust a stem bolt, and to tighten front mech. It has come in handy with other folk's bikes, removed a broken spoke on a forum ride - nice to know the spoke key was good, and it was used to tighten some cleats at a CC track meet. Other than that, it's just added weight.

 

[aberal]

My multi-tool weighs 0.25kg. A full water bottle weighs in at just under 2kg and I carry two of them. So unless you are actually racing, what's the big deal about something weighing a mere 250g? They're only there for emergancy use - it's not as if you will ever need to carry out a full service or anything. Each to their own I suppose. Personally I'd rather fix that rattling water bottle cage, adjust the derailleur, fiddle with the the cantis, the front mech or whatever, rather than put up with niggly problems spoiling my enjoyment.

 

[Smokin Joe]

I still carry a Cool Tool, which has (if memory serves) an adjustable spanner, five allen key sizes, a chain splitter, 14 and 15mm sockets for old style crank bolts and a cross head screwdriver, all in a little package not much bigger than a standard adjustable spanner.

I've still got mine too.

 

[beanzontoast]

Used to, but I don't carry a multi-tool any more. Never found one with everything I needed / without things I didn't need.

I just carry what's needed for 'get me home' repairs nowadays - and as home isn't more than 6 miles away when commuting, I can even walk the rest of a journey if needed.

 

[yello]

Personally I'd rather fix that rattling water bottle cage, adjust the derailleur, fiddle with the the cantis, the front mech or whatever, rather than put up with niggly problems spoiling my enjoyment.

As would I. Nobody is suggesting spoiling enjoyment, nor going without tools, rather just doing an assessment of what you need and carrying that.

I'm willing to bet that there are many folk who carry a multitool and have no idea if it covers their needs - they just hope and assume it does. I'm certainly in that category. I couldn't honestly tell you whether there's an odd 3.5mm allen bolt (say) on one of my bikes that I don't have an allen key for.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

but in 45 years I've only broken one chain so I wouldn't call it a must.

You can't worry about every possible disaster

I agree wholeheartedly with that, aside from tyre repair stuff, I carry a small multitool with allen keys and screwdrivers on it, and 2 little spanners. I've never broken a chain, never had bottom bracket problems, never suffered from too many loose spokes that couldn't wait until I was home.
I think you can over plan and over think these things, although obviously a long distance tourer will carry more than a 5 mile commuter.

I wonder if those here who carry chain tools have had to use them much?

 

[snailracer]

I have a Topeak 18 multitool, and it has far more tools than I need for my bike, I only need 3 allen keys, the chain tool, spoke wrench and screwdriver and they fit everything on my roadbike. I did do a posting on this some while ago, about why a manufacturer cannot bring out a multitool which can be stripped down or added too, to suit the bike you ride and prevent having to carry all the extra weight as some of these multi tools are quite heavy and bulky.

I would say that a single conventional screwdriver is more bulky than a multitool. If your multitool has only 2 screwdrivers, you're well ahead. Not to mention the screwdriver will poke holes in whatever bag you're carrying it in.

It's easy to overlook the fact that a multitool has an angle-adjustable and usably large folding handle conveniently built into its design, especially useful for freeing seized allen-head bolts.

Here's an 1,800 year-old Roman multitool, in silver-plated steel:

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I agree wholeheartedly with that, aside from tyre repair stuff, I carry a small multitool with allen keys and screwdrivers on it, and 2 little spanners. I've never broken a chain, never had bottom bracket problems, never suffered from too many loose spokes that couldn't wait until I was home.
I think you can over plan and over think these things, although obviously a long distance tourer will carry more than a 5 mile commuter.

I wonder if those here who carry chain tools have had to use them much?

Yep. I broke my chain on a 12 mile commute once, two miles from work at 4pm. Instead of being faced with a two mile walk in SPDs, followed by an evening at work and a 12 mile scoot home at 4am, I spent ten minutes fixing the chain at the roadside. Like all these things, you may not need it often, but when you do need it you really need it.

 

[aberal]

Yep. I broke my chain on a 12 mile commute once, two miles from work at 4pm. Instead of being faced with a two mile walk in SPDs, followed by an evening at work and a 12 mile scoot home at 4am, I spent ten minutes fixing the chain at the roadside. Like all these things, you may not need it often, but when you do need it you really need it.

Yep..me too. Broke my chain and the front mech almost exactly a year ago, 12 miles from home. Partly my own fault as I'd split the chain to fix a new mech earlier and hadn't joined up the chain properly. So be it. The link caught itself in the mech and next thing, there I was, miles from home with no way back. Except for the amazing multi tool with chain splitter which came to my aid.

 

[zacklaws]

I would say that a single conventional screwdriver is more bulky than a multitool. If your multitool has only 2 screwdrivers, you're well ahead. Not to mention the screwdriver will poke holes in whatever bag you're carrying it in.

I'm not talking about carrying individual tools, I'm talking about a multitool which can be modified to your requirments so you only carry what fits your own personal bike at the time.

 

[yello]

[quote name]Partly my own fault as I'd split the chain to fix a new mech earlier and hadn't joined up the chain properly.[/quote]

I think we've all fallen foul of the 'not quite right' home fix (hence me depersonalising the above quote).

Which kind of leads me to a related thought; perhaps the best tool you can have is a properly maintained bicycle. If you regularly check your bike; cables, chain, spokes, etc etc etc, perhaps you can lessen the odds of having to perform a ride side repair?

In total honesty, I've never had to perform a road side repair other than punctures. Not even a rattly bottle cage. I'm no bike mechanic but I do check the state of components, I know the mileage they've done and I replace bits on a kind of maintenance schedule. I don't wait for failures. But then, I'll be the first to admit, I could just be lucky.... and now, having tempted fate, I'm stuffed!!

 

[zacklaws]

This is a step in the right direction:-

http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/38/tt2351/topeak-toolbar.html

and only weighs 68grm's compared to the 185grms Mini tool I have now, but lacks a chain tool and also the tyre levers are metal. But I have some good tyre plastic mitchelin levers, maybe a shop around for a good light weight chain tool or just use the one of my Topeak mini 18. Another idea I have been thinking about is, strip my Topeak mini 18 down to what I need, then reassemble with smaller bolts than the original.