Multi tool

Crank Bros CB17. Still good after nearly 20 years.

Topeak Hexus- it's not clever, it just has really good tools that are easy to use. I've had nicer tools, lighter tools, better made tools but this is the one I want to be actually fixing stuff with at the trailside.

Oh, the tyre levers suck donkey balls though.

I've been using a Topeak tool for about 20 years. Initially used it as my main tool for fettling bikes when I didn't have anything else. It's been out with me for tens of thousands of miles and does pretty much everything I need of it. Definitely had good value out of it.

Recently bought a Crank Bros, because it looks the part, but I've not used it yet because it looks too good to be used. It's waiting for a special occasion.

Oh, the tyre levers suck donkey balls though.

to be fair one does double up as hex wrench for the chain splitter 😉 which does ok as a fence cutter at a push.

Crank Brothers here too

Also had the crank brothers 17 for a while, a properly excellent little tool.

Topeak Mini 20 Pro. Had mine for a good few years now and hasn't let me down. Had to use the chain splitter a couple of times on mates' bikes and it works well.

Topeak PT30 for bike specific and Gerber Dime (mini Leatherman type tool with pliers, scissors etc.) on a key ring.

Blackburn Big Switch Ratchet

Best I've had by far.

Crank Bros CB17. It’s the only CB thing I’ve owned (for years) that didn’t dissolve and it’s been really good from day one.

There's one that looks good from Banana Industries https://bananaindustries.co.uk/products/banana-bamboo-multi-tool

Klunk
Free Member

to be fair one does double up as hex wrench for the chain splitter 😉

Yup- and actually it's a really good chainsplitter! Better than some workshop tools. But I wish they'd just made it a better handle/wrench and not made it also a shit tyre lever.

Topeak Mini 20 Pro, I got three these days but even the first one is still in use, I just wanted to have three packs fully ready all the time. My only criticism is that hex keys are quite short.

Most of my old ones have failed one way or other. CB-17 made of cheese, old Ritchey CPR split during first use etc.

https://bananaindustries.co.uk/collections/tools/products/hooray-essential-multi-tool

Can totally recommend one them. Really good quality. On sale too.

+1 for Crank Bros. I think mine's a 17. It has a chain breaker anyway.

I used a Topeak Alien for years and years but realised that much of its apparent functionality is nowadays redundant; bikes nowadays don't use hex nuts and a wide range of Allen bolts. They do have Torx fasteners though. I've way too much experience of damaging chains so a chain tool is a must along with Torx and hex keys. Tubeless tyres may require an anchovy insertion tool. A small sharp blade come in handy often too. In the end I opted for this:

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/topeak-mini-pt30-multi-tool/rp-prod197838?gs=1&sku=sku795867&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=base&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxb2XBhDBARIsAOjDZ37nzvEHXLTmqTO7LlHdn6PvlnI8HAOTwVaFADFsRADDXBUMzLl--I4aAtcnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

another vote for crank brothers

Got an m19 and m17 and never been tempted by anything else

Yeah I have an Alien too bought pre-2000 and like Ambrose realised its a bit limited for a modern bike. Chain splitter has fixed plenty chains.

Bookmarked.

Lezyne SV-10, small very well made and a nice “flat” profile means it’s hashes in pockets etc nicely.

I just ordered a LifeLine Pro 18-In-1 Multi-Tool when they were discounted to £12 and it appears great - very small and includes both a chain tool and a CO2 adapter. I tried out the CO2 adapter at home and although a bit compromised hence fiddly it works perfectly well.

I'm another 24+ years user of a Topeka alien and like others have said it's useless bar the chain splitter and built in tyre lever for new bikes, I just can't part ways with it though....

That BB ratchet looks very similar to the wera bike tool kit (not really portable), which has come in handy as I've just used it to fix a part of the rented caravan my daughter has ham fistedly broken..

Crank Brothers - F15 is the neatest I have seen and owned.It even has an 8mm hex and a bottle opener.

I used a Topeak Alien for years and years but realised that much of its apparent functionality is nowadays redundant;

So many of us. Mine came from 9feet.com (was that what became wiggle?)

Currently carrying a Topeak Hexus instead. Tools are long enough to be useful (some of the micro tools people are carrying now don't reach the bolts). Has a decent chain breaker. Chromed so shouldn't rust. And you can pick them up for less than £15.

it's one big failing is that the 'useful' size of torx (the one on sram lever clamps) is on one of the adaptors rather than on one of the folding tools

Love my oneup EDC. Does require threading the steerer tube though. For multiple bikes, you can purchase an additional carrier, and swap one tool between them.

If I was starting from scratch however, I'd probably go for the oneup pump too, put the tool inside that and attach pump to frame (or in bag for longer rides).

That’s what I do. Although it’s getting a bit crusty after three years or so

I've got the new version that doesn't need a tapped steerer & the pump under the water bottle has a CO2 stashed in it.
For my HT, I swap the tool into the pump which has a mount for it. A spare pump mount is cheaper than an EDC carrier (& the HT has a straight steerer).
Would have got the 100cc pump if I could have, but the 70cc still fits the tool with the plugger attached.

Question for all the chaintool enthusiasts, why don't you just carry a split link?

Question for all the chaintool enthusiasts, why don’t you just carry a split link?

because you can't remove the damaged pieces of chain with a split link

Hey Tom,

I prefer the non penknife sort of tools such as:

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1075-RATCHET-ROCKET-LITE-DX ( I used this one)

Or same with chain breaker

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1159-RATCHET-ROCKET-LITE-DX+

Similar from Wera:

https://products.wera.de/en/tools_by_trade_tool_sets_for_bicycles_and_e-bikes_bicycle_set_1.html

Same sort of weight as penknife style, loads more usable and the little wallet also good place for tyre boot, emergency cash, quick links etc.

I got one of these recently. Used it a few times. A pleasure to use. No trying to turn huge penknife style units in tight spaces under saddles etc.

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/178-RATCHET-ROCKET

Comes ina nifty case. Everything in one wee package. Even has mounting options.

It doesn’t matter which one you buy, just make sure you take it with you.
I took the kids out yesterday for a cycle along an old railway line and forgot to take my multi tool so my poor daughter was stuck with her seat slammed to the frame and her knees up by her ears when she was riding along, bless her.

When the chaintool pin on my Crank brothers M17 wore down (after many many many years), again as above it's the only CB piece of kit that I've seriously rated, I went to the Topeak Hexus. The Topeak Heux is nice and compact, has all the tools I need, but not those stupidly short allen keys you get on many knowdays, as they try to cram more onto the tool. Nothing worse that getting a quarter to less than half a turn out of a allen key, as the tool body hits part of your bike.

Hexus X £12 at Halfords says not online but it let me order and I got two through the door this morning £24 posted. Also available click and collect.

What to do with my Alien? 😢

Hexus X £12 at Halfords says not online but it let me order and I got two through the door this morning £24 posted. Also available click and collect.

The Bezos Emporium of Modern Curiosities also has them currently listed at £12