Multitool

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

Ian H

Ancient randonneur
I have one that goes with me on the bike. I'd never consider using it at home, I have proper tools for that. Last time I used mine was to true a friend's wheel after a child on a bike ran into her.
 

Punkawallah

Über Member
Large magnet and hammer to fix it then?
Nothing so advanced. Usually a rock and a stick.
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
I'd forgotten about the tyre levers. My Topeak multi tool includes tyre levers but I've never trusted them. They look a bit weedy.
 
I'd forgotten about the tyre levers. My Topeak multi tool includes tyre levers but I've never trusted them. They look a bit weedy.

Is it a Hexus II before I retired my 3rd one of them (I lost one from my saddle bag which bounced of the Forth Road Bridge into the estuary circa 50m below, I got sick of them in general bouncing out of pockets/bags and rusting) I used the tyre levers plenty of times; including as alternative to another CC'ers who snapped theirs trying to remove a Marathon +. They are strong and well designed and were about the best bit of the tool.
 
The only actual tools I carry on the bike are the multitool and 3 tyre levers - only plastic but they get the marathons on and off with a bit of a struggle when necessary

I always feel disappointed when I stop to see if someone needs help and it turns out that they don't!!

I was so happy when I stopped once to a group of about 4 people who looked to have a problem
They had a good set of tools to take on group rides but everyone had thought it was someone else's turn to bring it
there were 3 men and one woman - when they said why they had no tools the eye rolling from the woman was EPIC!!!

anyway - they had a spare tube and just needed the levers although I left them with a patch just in case they needed it later.

having said which the main tool I have needed to help other people has been rocks and sticks to unjam something
 

Dogtrousers

Kilometre nibbler
My Topeak tool has a bit of springy wire, about 4cm long with the ends bent up like a long low U shape. It took me ages to figure out what it was. To begin with I thought it was part of the tool folding mechanism, but it turns out it's to hold the two ends of a chain together while you fit a quick link. Very clever.
 

Conrad_K

unindicted co-conspirator
A friend ordered a trike in a box a few months ago; the kind that looks like a girl's bike with two rear wheels. I told him I'd put it together for him if he would bring it over.

The bike came with a folding multi-tool. It wasn't mentioned in the instructions. I used my own tools for most of the assembly, then wound up using the multi-tool for most of the fine adjustments. I had no idea such a thing even existed until then. It wasn't a particularly comfortable tool to use, but it sure was convenient, and I plan to order a couple of my own, one for each bike.
 

Big John

Legendary Member
I've got a multi tool in a fancy pouch that was a present from my son in law. Tried using some of the many gizmos on it to no avail. The whole thing was cumbersome and wouldn't fit into the spaces it needed to fit in. I get round this by having a large saddle bag so I can carry proper tools. My hands don't seem to fit multi tools. That said I have a set of allen keys that work a treat that cost me £1 many years ago from Halfords.
 

mikeIow

Guru
Location
Leicester
My tools for longer rides…including the multi tool, which has seen some action, including chain-splitting by the roadside…
IMG_3211.jpeg

Used a few, but they are also an insurance: I hope never to claim 😉
 
Top Bottom