Which multi-tool do you rely on for on-the-road fixes? Tell us in this week’s People’s Choice poll.
Ever since Cannondale put its logo on a folding Allen key set back in the 1980s, multi-tools have been a seat pack essential. Over the years they’ve evolved, shedding spanners as Allen key heads completely took over, and recently sprouting Torx bits for some chainrings and disc rotor bolts. You wouldn’t want to build a bike from scratch with a multi-tool, but they can get you out of trouble when a relatively minor mechanical would mean begging a lift home.
Here’s your chance to tell us exactly which they are.
Swiss Army knives — the inspiration for cycling multi-tools (CC BY 2.0 Jim Pennucci | Flickr)
Here’s how it works:
- Post a comment to nominate a product. Check it hasn’t already been nominated. Add a link to the product wherever you can.
- Like a comment to vote for that product.
- One comment per product. Any multiple comments will be deleted and their likes will not count towards a product’s score. The first nomination will be the one that is counted.
- One product per comment. Otherwise the voting doesn’t make any sense.
- Maximum 30 nominations per award. Once we hit 30 nominations we will close the nomination process.
- All votes will be counted up until the closing date. Votes after this may appear but will not be counted.
- We reserve the right to remove any comment at our sole discretion.
- Closing date is 10am, Tuesday, March 15.
Over to you!
20 thoughts on “Which is the best multi-tool? Help decide the road.cc People’s Choice”
The original CoolTool was
The original CoolTool was pretty much perfect for its time – three allen keys, cross-headed screwdriver, chain breaker (which worked), slimmed down monkey wrench which would do axle cones as well as other nuts, an adaptor for 1″ headsets and a crank bolt socket – all in a compact package which fit easily into a pocket. I still have mine and use it from time to time.
I like my old Topeak Alien.
I like my old Topeak Alien. Its well built and its split nature means you can use an spanner with a scredriver etc. The bits seem well made and I havent rounded any allen keys like some tools I have and out on my bike it hasnt let me or my ride chums down yet.
Like the above the chain tool hasnt fallen apart like it was made of cheese.
Topeak Hexus II for me, the
Topeak Hexus II for me, the tools you need and none of the ones you don’t. Compact, lightweight, job done!
http://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Tools/hexus2
I agree with the first
I agree with the first comment. I still have my original Cool Tool which was purchased around 20 years ago. Its neoprene cover is a mass of holes, but that is because the cover and Cool Tool survived being run over several times when it dropped from my broken saddle bag (zip failure) onto the A4 two years back. And, it is still the chain breaker I use whether on the move or at home.
Fabric Chamber – a fantastic,
Fabric Chamber – a fantastic, new interpretation of the multi-tool but one that sadly may not get a lot of votes seeing as it’s fairly new on the market.
Check it out – http://fabric.cc/shop/tools/chamber/
Sadly I lost my Cool Tool
Sadly I lost my Cool Tool years ago, but this
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crank-brothers-y-16-multitool/
is my current favorite. Crank Brothers Y16. It’s relative un-cheap but it does include a CO2 inflator and a really good chain breaker tool as well as a good array of torx, allen etc.
I use the Topeak Rocket
I use the Topeak Rocket Ratchet.
It does everything I need. Nothing more, nothing less. Perfect.
ParkTool MT-1 – keep it
ParkTool MT-1 – keep it simple. Its cheap, leightweight, compact, lots of tourqe and supremely dureable.
I can fix anything on the road on a multi week roadtrip and asemple my bike in the airport useing the MT-1.
3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex wrenches
8mm, 9mm, and 10mm socket wrenches
Straight blade screwdriver
http://www.parktool.com/product/multi-tool-mt-1?category=Multi-Tools
The only thing it can’t do is shortening the chain – which i have never needed (i cary a CT-5 for that when rideing offroad or century rides in desolate alpine arreas – a single michelin yellow tyre lever can be usefull as for a wide variety of purposes just like a very small tube of superglue).
I love the Richey 5nm torqekey with a selection of bits (hex, torx, phillips and straight) too thoug. Sometimes i bring that one with me instead of the MT-1 when weight and size is of less concern. I the homeshop the Ritchey is used when ever posible.
http://ritcheylogic.com/6-bit-torque-key-4nm-or-5nm
How about total waste of
How about total waste of money tools too. I have a Birzman multitool, that looked lovely, but the chain tool crumbled like cottage cheese on the first use and the allen keys rounded out or were loose fitting. now thrown away in disgust.
I have a Probikekit own brand one that I got for a fiver that is really good, weightier, but very solid and well made.
The Topeak Hexus looks excellent.
It might not have all mod
It might not have all mod cons, but it’s got a great chain splitter…and it gets used on the odd occasion when it’s needed…like in Dec when I converted my 10 spd into a single (ish) speed in order to get home when I …erm…ripped off my rear mech.
…it was also used on the infamous ‘Blair Atholl Death Run’ in my MTB days…but we don’t talk about ‘those expeditions’ any more, too many mental scars…those who know, know!
Still using my Topeak Power 21 from around 1997.
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/tools/topeak/power-21/prd_353484_152crx.aspx
Lezyne SV10 for tiny size and
Lezyne SV10 for tiny size and weight but works when you need it
I use the Xtreme FT03 from
I use the Xtreme FT03 from Rose bikes. Solidy built plenty of tools included inluding a mini chain breaker which I have used instead of my full size chain breaker on multiple occasion when working at home. Its never let me down so much so that I bought a second for my winter bike’s saddle bag. Its small enough to fit in a small topeak wedge bag with 2 (28-35c) tubes.
https://www.rosebikes.com/article/xtreme-ft-03-mini-tool/aid:114175
I carry a Topeak alien III
I carry a Topeak alien III which has been faultless, other than a little heavy. However when my chain jammed in my rear derailleur today was grateful to a BMW driver who stopped and assisted with a pair of pliers! Which is somewhat ironic given that I carried a general multitool which converted into pliers for 4 years without needed them once, so decided to ditch them and save the weight, perhaps I’ll start carrying them again…
Crank Brothers 19 function
Crank Brothers 19 function multi tool (in gold). Looks great. Feels like it’s going to last for years. The chain tool made short work of my brother’s rusty broken chain. Plus comes with a metal case to keep it looking pristine.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crank-brothers-19-function-multi-tool-gold/
I have 2 of these older
I have 2 of these older models though On on each bike, one over 10 years old now and still going strong. no brakages and the chain tools have been used and work well. I realy like to clip for holding the chain togeather while you fiting the missing link. Had good service of topeak as well.
Topeak Hexus II 16 Function Multi Tool
TopPeak Mini with the chain
TopPeak Mini with the chain breaker and around 20 tools. It’s the model from 2 years back, now replaced by the Mini 20 Pro. Bought two in the closing sale and they are the bees knees. Imagine the Pro is the same but slightly lighter
I like the Serfas 17. It’s
I like the Serfas 17. It’s not popular for some reason but here’s why it’s pretty great:
– light at 118gr
– has co2 inflator so you don’t need a separate one
– has a spoke tool, chain tool, all common hex, etc.
– has a quick link tool (thats quite rare and very useful, so you dont need to break your chain if its not necessary)
– did i mention its light for all it packs? didn’t find any better with the same feature set
Been using it for a couple of years now, no problems.
https://www.serfas.com/products/view/135/referer:products|index|bags-tools|mini-tools
Topeak Mini18+
Topeak Mini18+
Small, light, neoprene pouch means it can sit unoticed in jersey pocket. Have used it to true a wheel with a broken spoke enough to get home, free a stiff chain link, adjust headsets, adjust saddles, make a single speed, make an x1 and tighten a loose cleat. Just bought a 2nd one to replace the Park beam in my MTB bag.
The Jobsworth Get-You-Home
The Jobsworth Get-You-Home Micro Chain Tool & Hex Key Set – the longest name for the smallest tool imaginable that does exactly what it says. For 90% of tasks, you only need a couple of hexs so this tool is striped right down. When I knackered my rear mech in a Bavarian forest I was able to shorten the chain and limp back to civilisation 15km away.
http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOJWSSMT/jobsworth-get-you-home-micro-chain-tool–hex-key-set
I’m a fan of the ‘Stique
I’m a fan of the ‘Stique ML125CF (the one with the chain breaker included) http://stique.bike/collections/multilever . It’s not the lightest but it is convenient to use, the tyre levers work really well and it’s got spaces for chain links, spare battery (for HRMs etc) and a couple of pound coins.