Crank Brothers M10 multi tool

Crank Brothers M10 is equipped to address most roadside fettling without the weight or encumbrance of chain-tool, spoke keys or wrenches. It's a delight to use and offers plenty of torque for those more awkward fixings. Complete with the same CNC machined, gold anodised aluminium sidebars and lifetime warranty, on many levels there's little to dislike, although a longer 8mm Allen key would've been more appropriate rather than simply scaling down the one on the M17.

Saving a mere 13 g over its bigger sibling, we've the usual suspects-1, 2,3,4,5,6 and 8mm Allen keys, torx wrench for discs and two sensibly sized Philips and flat screwdrivers-a comprehensive skeleton crew for road or hybrids all made from the same hardened, high tensile steel (although curiously, our test samples had some deep scratches in the curves). Fitting beautifully in the palm, its narrower profile is more convenient in tight corners, knurled bars preventing slippage at the crucial point when tightening twin bolt saddle clamps, weathered carrier fixings. Unlike cheaper offerings, there's no hint of whip under pressure, neither have we come close to rounding fasteners.

My major frustration (which isn't confined to the M10) arose when diagnosing a phantom squeak, driving me close to distraction on a midnight meander. Having nipped the saddle, cleats, mudguard and carrier bolts snug, persuading the drive side crank bolt home was frustratingly slow. Forgivable on the M17 but there was ample room to make the bit an inch or so longer without fouling the design or placing disproportionate stress upon the tool.

Verdict

Good everyday tool but longer 8mm key would steal a march over competitor designs.