Multitools - a nice idea in theory?

[yello]

I'll be the first to admit to carrying a multitool on each of my bikes. Luckily, I've never needed to use one on the road (but I've used them in the workshop).

But I was thinking recently that it might actually be overkill, and I'd probably be better served carrying only the specific tools I need... and that probably only boils down to a couple of allen keys and a small phillips screwdriver.

Further, I should probably work out what other tools (spanners for instance) I ought be carrying in addition. For instance, I carry a jethro tool on my fixed (for the axle bolts) plus an 8mm spanner for the chain tugs but I've not got the same bike specific stuff on my other bikes.

It just occurred to me that I've been riding with the mistaken (ignorant?) belief that my multitool has everything I might need. It doesn't. Time for a proper audit methinks.

 

[Salad Dodger]

Your post has made me question whether my toolkit does in fact cover everything that I might reasonably expect to have to adjust/repair on a ride. I shall have to look a bit more closely.

But chances are that a multitool might have the right sized allen key or spanner to fix your mate's bike - cos it's always his one (you know - the mate who doesnt bother with much of a toolkit) that needs something adjusting or repairing...

 

[Night Train]

I think Toyota got it right with the MR2. Almost anything that can be fixed at the road side can be fixed with a 10mm and a 12mm spanner.

I carry a Leatherman Wave, a cheapo multitool that has a hex drive for screwdriver and allen key inserts and also a 100mm adjustable spanner as a keyring.

I think on a bike a couple of openended spanners of the right size, a small adjustable and a set of the necessary sizes of allen keys would do it.

 

[gaz]

I have a parks tool multitool. It has a flat head and philips screw driver and 4 types of allen key. Everything i need to fix a few issues on the road. I also carry a spanner for wheel nuts and a pair of pliers for getting debris out of tyres, removing the chain and removing the gear change cable from my hub.

 

[vernon]

Mutlitools - a nice idea in theory?
Yes if you are Dick Dastardly

 

[zacklaws]

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.

 

[yello]

Almost anything that can be fixed at the road side can be fixed with a 10mm and a 12mm spanner.

Yes, that was kind of my thinking.

Clearly, you can't carry everything you need to cover all possible scenarios (unless you want to load up the panniers!) so it perhaps makes sense to go over the bike and work out which tools you'd need to do road side repairs - and only carry those. You have a mobile phone for the rest!

 

[aberal]

Depends what kind of riding you do. For touring or off road you will need more tools than on a road bike or commuter. On the road bike I carry a simple Minoura multi-tool with 6 allen keys, a cross head and flat head screwdriver and a chain splitter and would guess that I have used all the Allen keys at one time or other but have probably never used the flat head screwdriver. A chain splitter is a must. For touring you would also need a spoke key and 8-10mm spanners and a cassette remover and possibly pliers for pulling or cutting cables.

 

[HLaB]

On the road bike I carry a Topeak Hexus; unfortunately I've had to use the tire levers a few times, The allen keys and screw drivers are usefull too but mainly at home. I don't think I've use the chain tool though.

On my hybrid I've a cheap asda multi tool it has allen keys and screw drivers and are usefull too. I also started to carry another multi tool which has a chain tool because I was deliberately seeing how long my chain would go before it snapped and I've used it. The second tool also has spanners of various sizes which was usefull when I was setting the mud guards up but on the whole I don't think I need them.

 

[yello]

Depends what kind of riding you do.

Absolutely! That's part of the equation. A mobile phone's sod all use in areas of no coverage! You might well need to carry a bottom bracket tool, chainwhip etc... along with the associated spares!

 

[Smokin Joe]

Depends what kind of riding you do. For touring or off road you will need more tools than on a road bike or commuter. On the road bike I carry a simple Minoura multi-tool with 6 allen keys, a cross head and flat head screwdriver and a chain splitter and would guess that I have used all the Allen keys at one time or other but have probably never used the flat head screwdriver. A chain splitter is a must. For touring you would also need a spoke key and 8-10mm spanners and a cassette remover and possibly pliers for pulling or cutting cables.

I have one on my multi and it gives a nice sense of security, 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, the biggest pain in the butt I have suffered in recent years was a newly fitted Italian BB which I hadn't tightened enough so I ended up stopping every mile to screw the R/H cup back in by hand. I still wouldn't carry a C spanner though.

 

[longers]

I carry more than a minimalist might and am happy to do so in the thought that what I've got might help someone else who's less prepared. They do exist.

 

[Night Train]

Yes, that was kind of my thinking.

Clearly, you can't carry everything you need to cover all possible scenarios (unless you want to load up the panniers!) so it perhaps makes sense to go over the bike and work out which tools you'd need to do road side repairs - and only carry those. You have a mobile phone for the rest!

With Toyota they just used two head sizes regardless of thread size to make it work.
Maybe on a bike it might be possible to remove any odd sizes and replace with the next size up to match the others. Spare fixings can then be added to the tool kit.

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.

That should be a possible Dragon's Den moment.

Many multi tools consist of two sides with a bolt at each end. The various tools are then on the bolts between the sides.
It could be made and sold in the same way as the filofax was. A sort of mutitool pick and mix that either you assemble yourself or a point of sales person assembles for you. Amazon could sell single tool parts and longer bolts by freepost.

Altenatively a stubby screwdriver with accessories like this with some allen key inserts and a small adjustable would cover most things most times. The pliers in a multi tool is useful though.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

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. It's by far the best multitool I've ever used; everything I've bought to replace it has either been binned, given away or hidden in the bits box, never to emerge. I could do with a new one, but I don't think they make them any more.

 

[yello]

Maybe on a bike it might be possible to remove any odd sizes and replace with the next size up to match the others. Spare fixings can then be added to the tool kit.

That's an idea worth looking at. Not sure, as I sit here thinking about it, how achievable it would be in practice but then everything is possible with time, effort and money!

I like the configurable multitool idea too. Identify the tools you need and then bundle them together just for ease and portability.

I like the sound of Rhythm Thief's Cool Tool (stop giggling Fnnar). Might have a google around to see if they can still be found.