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Which camp do you sit in ?
Always been in the multiple tools camp myself.
Small Allen key / screwdriver set.
Chain tool
Tyre levers
Spoke key.
But going to replace them with an all in one option.
Maybe. Unless you all think that would be silly.
What are you all using.
Multitool in my riding pack. A Topeak Alien actually which I reckon must be 15 yrs old at least. Separates for proper maintenance.
I've got a oneup EDC now.
Previously had multiple tools, but not by choice, more that I started with a multitool+tyre lever, then realised through a bit of trial and error that I needed more.
For example
First time I snapped a chain I had no idea that it could happen, or that carrying a spare quicklink was a good idea. I owned a chainbreaker, only used it for sizing new chanin at home.
Thanks to the guys in the club that helped me out on that ride.
OneUp EDC for me
I've got the victorinox/pb Swiss tool, a few other bits to go with, a pedros tyre lever, a park tool chain breaker with a chunk of the handle ground off, and a Gerber dime. Tubeless repair kit too.
Was always just a multitool- with a really good one like a Hexus there's little downside, you could pretty much build a bike with one. And a couple of lezyne levers because literally no multitool has good levers. But I just recently added a little set of pliers and I think probably I should have done that a long time ago. Even though I think I've only needed them twice (would have used them a bunch of times but only 2 times was it really a big deal) it'd have been worth it.
Thinking about it rationally, the things that have gone wrong when I've been out have needed little more than quick tighten or adjust with an allen key, or to do with air into/out of tyres. Occasioanlly, a thing has broken so spectacularly that no tool, short of a portabl welding set, would have fixed it.
Topeak and Park seen to be the go to brands, any other suggestions? Though my little set of Birzman allen keys is quite lovely.
[Stands up]
My name is nick and I have too many multi-tools and can't seem to stop buying them
[sits down]
My CrankBros M17 covers hex keys, torx, screwdriver, Chain tool, Spoke key in one item.
The trouble these days is that I now also carry Tubeless plugs and related tools (gravel and MTB), as well as levers and occasionally a CO2 cart+adaptor.
All my bikes have a pump of some sort, as well as a (last resort) tube mounted on the frame so I can't forget them.
But it all becomes a collection of various small items to remember rather than just one or two simple things to remember.
I use the Silca Italian Army Knife 20. Has everything I need plus storage for quick links. OTT and I could get away with a less but it is all there for the stuff I need on the bike.
I carry multi tools, tyre levers and a chain splitter as a minimum on all my rides. Depending on where and how far I am going to ride, I will add extra specific tools/spares, like Northwind ,I have just added tiny pliers as valves and split links can be a real PITA. Multi days, I carry even more stuff that doesn't get used 😉 .I shouldn't say this and tempt fate, but I don't have many breakdowns.
I've ended up with the One Up Pump with tools inside and a tube/pedros tyre lever and co2 cannister on the bike.
This covers pretty much everything. The chain splitter on the one up v1 tool is pretty crap but has done the job when i've needed it.
If i'm going somewhere remote i'll add a few other bits and carry a pack
I carry a multitool on the bike - the noise of rattling Allen keys is pretty annoying, plus they can damage / abrade things like inner tubes if packed together or you can lose the one you need. My go to is a Lezyne SV10 which I've carried for over 10 years, has a good chain tool and it's never let me down. I have a pair of Granite tyre levers which interlock to make chainlink pliers.
Im a oneup EDC fanboy now. Cant figure how i survived without one before 😂