In article
<6afa78a1-8806-4bac-9d54-176c8186ea43@s48g2000hss.googlegroups.com>,
Chalo <
[email protected]> wrote:
> cmcanulty wrote:
> >
> > Can we discuss the best overall multi tool, price, weight, functions?
> > Especially for touring
>
> For best price and function, you can't beat a real tool roll. A set
> of Allen keys from 2mm to 8mm, 6" adjustable wrench or selection of
> combination wrenches, 4-in-1 screwdriver (I guess that's a multi-
> tool), real spoke wrench, real chain tool, tire levers, and patch kit
> are a good start. Roll them all in a cloth carrier made of some
> washable fabric that you can use to wipe the grease from your hands.
> Lash it to your handlebars or under your saddle rails, or just toss it
> in a pannier. It makes quick work of jobs that would take a long
> frustrating time with a multi-tool.
My Crank Bros tool cost about $25, and it works surprisingly well, The
open end wrenches (8 and 10 mm) are the most marginal tools: I'm
suspcious that they would spread if I needed to really torque or
untorque something.
However, it's rather smaller than my mobile phone. The nice thing is
that if, like me, you're haunted by owning too many bicycles (and
switching between them routinely), you want a tool that's so small
you'll take it, and so compact it can go from bike to bike easily.
If I was touring, I'd probably want an adjustable wrench, and I'd
probably carry a few odd other things.
But my feeling is that for all but the most unsupported Arctic tourists
(I'm thinking of fix-bike-or-die situations), a kit's purpose is to get
you back on the road, however hobbled, in a not unreasonable amount of
time, and in the direction of the nearest bike shop.
Some rides call for more, but the only mechanical failures I've ever
walked away from were a second flat tire on a wet day (I had patches,
but couldn't keep the affected area dry enough to patch, and I knew I
was only a km or so from the nearest dry bike shop) and foolishly
allowing my rear derailer to come in contact with my rear spokes. After
the derailer, chain, and half the spokes in my rear wheel were wiped
out, I don't think much was likely to help. This was indeed my
low-spoke-count (24 rear) race bike, but in that case I was riding to a
race.
When I rebuild the wheel, I think I'll add a spoke guard,
--
Ryan Cousineau
[email protected] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"My scenarios may give the impression I could be an excellent crook.
Not true - I am a talented lawyer." - Sandy in rec.bicycles.racing
