Fabric Eight Tool

Here's a mini multi-tool that actually won't snap the first time you try to use it. At least, I didn't manage to break the Fabric Eight Tool, and I break a lot of stuff (including myself).

Sleek and simple, the Fabric Eight incudes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm hex keys, a flat and a cross-head screwdriver and a T25 Torx. They are tidily arranged on two pivot pins, at either end of the tool, sandwiched between a pair of aluminium side bars. The whole arrangement is tidy and looks great, with a smart peened finish, as well as being minimal weight. You won't notice this in your pocket.

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Good looks and light weight only get you so far and are no consolation if you are sitting in the pouring rain on the roadside with your bike in pieces and an Allen tool snapped off in a bolt. The all-aluminium construction sowed some doubts in my mind, but all the CNC-cut tools were engineered to good tolerances and fitted snugly.

Given the low torques required on modern bikes, you shouldn't find anything that you could tackle with this tool that would require wrenching hard enough to break it. The toughest job I could find on any of my bikes was tightening up the non-drive crank nuts on a Shimano HT2 chainset. They need to go up to about 12Nm and that was well within this tool's working zone. Some 6mm bolts in saddle clamps also require a higher torque. Being able to open the tools out at both ends gives an extra bit of leverage if required.

The inclusion of a 2mm hex key but not a 2.5mm may be an issue for you. Some brake blocks are held in with a screw that requires a 2mm, but others need a 2.5mm. Also, my Cannondale's removable rear mech hanger requires a 2.5 (though I never remember to carry a spare hanger). Check which you need. Fabric may have done better to include a 2.5mm at the expense of a cross-head screwdriver, as I find most screws on bikes can be adjusted with a flat-head in an emergency. The decision not to include an 8mm hex means you probably won't be able to get your pedals off either.

The compact design meant I found this tool fitted into all those awkward corners. The 5mm hex key wasn't long enough to reach the deeply recessed mounting bolts on some SRAM rear mechs, or deeply recessed brake-mount bolts, so do check.

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Confucius says, 'Rider who doesn't take chain tool turns into a walker sooner or later'. Provided you know how to use one, you will have to take a dedicated chain tool, which negates some of the weight saving offered by the Fabric Eight.

On the whole, though, provided you are in the habit of keeping your bike well serviced, this tool should deal with most minor tweaks you may need to make at the start line or on the road, and it's a lovely thing.

Verdict

Lovely to have, works well provided it has the tools you need and you can reach any recessed bolts