Its one of those things that doesn't often get use but when its needed, it needs to be able to get the job done. Often forgotten about so I like to keep one o each bike so my increasingly failing memory ont let me down and leave it in the shed.
For me it the Topek Hexus. Robust, decent chain breaker, not very expensive. Got two of them; one In a backpack and one in a sadle bag on a different bike. I'm looking to store another one on a different bike using a frame strap thing so tempted to get a smaller, lighter multitool. I know I could just take one I already have an put it in a pocket but I WILL forget.
What multitool do you use and why?
I really like the OneUp EDC in the steerer with plug tools in the ends of the bars.
However, having recently found I might need a Tx 10, I've been looking at the 711L mini ratchet tool to supplement it.
Crank Bros M19. All the bits I've ever needed to dissemble / reassemble my bike.
Still on the Hexus here too. Wish they were just a little bit better made, more rust resistant etc but they're good tools, and it functions great as a multitool, even the chain breaker is good. The tyre levers are dreadful obviously but most multitools that size don't have tyre levers and the few that do are equally terrible (and one of them becomes the chaintool lever).
Ninja master topeak
Sonder Trailside 16 is my leave-it-on-the-bike tool. Cheap, small and covers most requirements.
https://alpkit.com/products/sonder-trailside-16-bike-multi-tool?variant=31073004093545
My put-it-in-my-pocket/pack/saddle bag tool is a Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX. It’s a handy, versatile tool but the tyre levers are useless.
https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1075-RATCHET-ROCKET-LITE-DX
My 15guage pneumatic nailer has a built in pencil sharpener- does that count?
I'm liking the toppeak mini pt30 at the moment. Small but still has a tool for inserting tubeless plugs if you need and another tool for removing the quicklink if you need and an allen key big enough to remove the wheel on my daughter's bike. Seems like a sensible combination in a small package
I've had a Crank Bros m17 since.... Well, when they first came out. 20+ years ago. Maybe 30?
I carry a Topeak Alien and some sort of baby Leatherman, Juice or Squirt or something, the one with the pliers. The pliers have probably seen more use trailside than the rest of the tools put together, maybe aside from the chain breaker. Counting riding friends' and random strangers' mechanicals I've probably repaired more chain links than punctures.
I’ve got a wee Silca one (like the one @dove1 has posted, but with a place to store a quick link). That and a pair of Hutchinson steel-core tyre levers.
It’s been fine, if I was buying again I might go for some sort of mini-ratchet.
Another Hexus. I have a few. One lives with my commuter. One lives with my mtb stuff and the other my roadie gravel stuff.
Normally also have a big chunky tyre lever for stubborn tyres stuck on with sealant. Mini pliers too when off road.
Topeak Hexus. What you need, at a decent size, nothing more.
(Carried an original Alien for about 20 years but a bit larger and heavy and various tools on it that were no longer relevant (the spanner bits) or never used. Have a CrankBrothers 19 that lives in my road bike saddlepack but the Allen keys are a bit short for a lot of things.
Topeak Alien and Gerber Dime Mini in my pack, Spesh SWAT tool in the steerer tube. I also carry small chain pliers and a Dynaplug Race.
(Carried an original Alien for about 20 years but a bit larger and heavy and various tools on it that were no longer relevant (the spanner bits) or never used.
Say what you like about the Alien, it might be crap for bikes but if you ever have to assemble a 90s climbing frame halfway through a ride you'll be glad you had it.
I've had the Pedros RX on my bike for about 2 years now - strapped to the frame between an inner tube and it's almost faultless, no rust, no issues, nothing.
Stores quick links, has effective tyre levers, and almost every tool I need to do a full bike (annoyingly my Hope cranks have a 10mm allen key bit that this doesn't have)
Sport Direct have the Crank Bros m19 (in gold) for £19 atm.
Topeak Alien II, because I bought it 20 years ago and it's still going strong. Can't say fairer than that really!
I like my stainless Lezyne SV multitools - possibly the older SV11 model, whatever one's got a chain tool built into it. The current range looks a bit different. Usefully smaller and lighter for packing lighter than the Crank Brothers equivalent I had before (which is still in use in another bag somewhere).
Topeak Hexus for me, it replace a CB17 when the pin on the chainbreaker wore out. I liked the CB 17, but always thought the allen key were too stumpy, to reach some places.
Topeak Alien II because it pretty much has everything and the garden sink. I've even used the spanners to fix a kid's bike that the pedal had fallen off in the middle of nowhere. I also carry a 1990's vintage Leatherman with the naughty locking blade, but the pliers can be a godsend at times.
I have a very old Crank Bros M19 or 17, I never counted the tools). I think it’s the only Crank Bros product I’ve owned that didn’t dissolve on contact with UK weather (1st Gen Mallets, cleats, Dropper, wheels with silly spokes). Has all the bits I need and survived anything thrown at it
CB17. Got it when they were cheap on amazon last year.
Some old Pedros thing with hex keys and a T25 on it. And mini pliers. And a chain tool. And a little box with some plugs & bits in.
