I've got an FWE multi-tool with a chain tool on it. The other week I'd mislaid my 'proper' chain tool so had a go with the multi-tool. Turned out to be virtually impossible to get the leverage on it to actually break the chain, and I was just glad I wasn't trying to do it on the side of the road.
Any recommendations for a decent multi-tool chain tool? Or a lightweight standalone one?
Topeak Hexus 11 (or whatever the latest version is called) always works well. Went through a similar experience to yours with a Park jobbie when my backpack decided to stay at home during an away trip.
Lezyne SV10- I’ve had mine for 10+ years, split and repaired chains multiple times effortlessly. It still looks immaculate.
Nice mini standalone (with a go at offering a couple of Allen keys)
The one on the hexus is a little fiddly but works really well- probably adds a minute or so and a little irritation over a workshop style tool, but does just as good a job.
+1 for the lezyne one, it works well.
Another hexus fan here
I have a Topeak Hexus from a decade or more ago. It has the best chaintool I have used. Better tha nthe standalone one I have.
dunno what the latest versions are like but the old one I have is great
I have a cheapo On-One multitool that I got for about a tenner when I started riding. Chain tool on that does the job just fine, to the extent that I use it for all my chain-breaking needs!
I’ve got a Crank Bros one (one of the original gold ones) and it works pretty damn well. And 8’ve been impressed that not only does it work, but it hasn’t disintegrated on contact with air or water like everything else we’ve owned by them. It looks like the new one which has the tubeless repair bits but without them. It is pretty old now but works the charm and wasn’t that expensive.
Topeak all the way for me. I seem to be obsessed with their stuff - I’ve got an Alien, Hex, Mini 20 Pro and a stand-alone chain tool. Only the one on the Mini 20 Pro is a bit fiddly, but it’s still useable if necessary.
If you get the standalone one (it’s a Super Chain Tool I’ve got), then you can use an Allen key from your multi tool in it, and shove the key it comes with into the handle to give even more leverage. Mine lives in my toolbox but that’s how I use it when I need to.
The Topeak Hexus multitool has a very usable chain breaker. I've used it a few times and it's always worked well. The rest of the tool isn't bad either - good value too.
having had guests snap the pins out of our posh Pedros chain breakers I've always just used the multitool chain tools from either a Crankbros or Syncros set. For a stubborn chain, sometimes I'll use a rag on both hands because I'm a bit soft but they've always worked as intended.
I've had a Topeak one for perhaos 15 years now! But the splitter on my Crank Bro's 17 miltitool has had the most use.
Another happy crank bros user. Seems to work well. I've also got a small topeak stand alone chain tool that I used to take out with me on bigger rides. That is really good and the one I use in the workshop now.
Topeak Alien user here. It's better than my standalone chain tool which is now languishing at the bottom of my toolbox, unused and unloved.
+2 on the Lezyne. It just works and much lighter than the Crank Bros tool it replaced. Mine might be SV13 rather than 11 though.
Topeak here x2 - one lives in the mountain bike bag and the other goes in my jersey pocket on the road.
Both have done sterling service when called upon.
By happy accident, the Hexu was the first chain tool I acquired, and since then have come to realise it is one of the best. Nothing else in my collection is quite as good, even the dedicated one in the toolbox.
Note that 12 speeds often don't work well with older chain tools...
dovebiker
Free Member
Lezyne SV10- I’ve had mine for 10+ years, split and repaired chains multiple times effortlessly. It still looks immaculate
Think that's a +3 ? But I don't have any 12speed bikes
The chain tool on the Crankbrothers F15 is pretty good.
Thanks all, Topeak Hexus ordered - the Lezyne one looks a bit too similar to the one I've got, and the Topeak is discounted at Merlin 🙂
A bit late I realise, but I am currently using the Blackburn Wayside.
Allen keys are secure, but seperate which really helps for typical fiddly trail side adjustments. Chaintool works too, because it uses the standard 5mm allen as the handle.
