MultiTool Recommendations Please!

JamesLondon

Hi there,

I'm just getting back into commuting and road cycling and am keen to get a decent multitool to carry in my wedge pack (rather than ramming about 10 different tools in there!)

Having looked around a bit it basically seems to be a choice between the Topeak Alien range or the Specialized EMT range.

Thoughts from those who have experience of either/both would be much appreciated.

In Particular, how strong/useful are the chain tools in both ranges? I assume they must make up quite a proportion of the weight of a multitool and I'm wondering how useful they are?

Many thanks,
James

cachehiker

Hi there,

I'm just getting back into commuting and road cycling and am keen to get a decent multitool to carry in my wedge pack (rather than ramming about 10 different tools in there!)

Having looked around a bit it basically seems to be a choice between the Topeak Alien range or the Specialized EMT range.

Thoughts from those who have experience of either/both would be much appreciated.

In Particular, how strong/useful are the chain tools in both ranges? I assume they must make up quite a proportion of the weight of a multitool and I'm wondering how useful they are?

Many thanks,
James

I use a Topeak Hummer I received for Christmas a few years ago. The chain tool is for emergency repairs and after fifteen or twenty thousand miles I still haven't needed it... yet. I would never use it once I've gotten myself home, but I like having it in the bag anyway. The Hummer also has pieces you can lose. If you lose the tire lever with the wrench you lose the chain tool too.

I think it weighs a mighty 200g. A heavier multi-tool will cost you an additional 0.01 mph. When racing, my friends leave the multi-tools behind to get the extra 0.04 mph. They either carry nothing at all or one CO2 cylinder, one tube, and sometimes a tire lever.

What you should carry depends on how you ride. I do a lot of solo 45-75 mile rides and carry enough to survive most minor problems including multiple flats. The added 0.04 mph is meaningless to me. The inventory: one tube, one 12g CO2 cylinder and chuck, one ultralight frame pump, one multi-tool, one patch kit, one mylar patch for a tire boot, and one SRAM power-link.

Powerful Pete

If you do regular maintenance and check your equipment I really doubt that a chain tool is that necessary on a road bike multitool.

Topeak Aliens are nice but might be a bit overkill. Why not go for a set of tire levers and a basic multi-tool - I have a topeak folding x-tool that I am extremely happy with and has everything that I have ever used in close to 20 years of riding for roadside repairs. If you want Topeak you might also consider their new mini-tool series:

http://www.topeak.com/products/miniseries.html

The mini 6 or mini 9 seem to be exactly the right thing to carry. Enjoy!

Don't know anything about specialised tools. Park also has a basic folding multi-tool which some people I know have and are quite satisfied with.

fix

I have the Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool, but I can't give a glowing review. It has plenty of the needed tools, but I was disappointed that the allen wrench that I had used to tighten my SPD cleats stripped after a few roadside uses.

I've never used the chain tool. Hopefully, I'll avoid that emergency and didn't bring bad kharma by mentioning it. :p