Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
|
Reviews 1 - 10 (10 Reviews Total)
| |
User Reviews
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA, USADate Reviewed: July 18, 2006
Strengths: lightWeaknesses: arm /allen wrench a bit cumbersome at timesBottom Line: hard to find this tool these days - this is a handy tool that is light and not too bulky - I want to buy another! I suppose I could be more methodical about considering what can fail on the bike and what capabilities each tool has. I just wing it and figure my luck will be good - one day it might catch up with me but I try to do preventive maintenance and don't have problems on the trail much.
Favorite Trail: black diamond
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: don't remember
Similar Products Used: Crank Bros Multi-17
Bike Setup: several bikes & setups
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bikerguy
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WADate Reviewed: August 7, 2005
Strengths: Small, light, lots of tools.
This is a review of the cast version.
Has 3/4/5/6/8mm Allen, 8/9/10/14 hex socket; flat/phillps screwdrivers, chain tool; spoke wrenches (which are thick enough to use, whereas Topeak ones are not!)Weaknesses: Not all the tools you could want. Early versions had iffy casting (3mm did not fit 3mm on my first one). Got a newer one a couple years ago and lovin' it. Sharp, pokey, awkward, ouch to carry around (but solvable: carry in an Altoids tin with a hole punched in the lid for the 8mm/philips). No Torx or tire levers. Ritchey no longer makes these (bummer!).Bottom Line: This is my favorite trail tool so far. Works well once you figure out to carry it in a tin so it doesn't shred other stuff (I carry patches + Torx + extra bolts, etc. in tin, too). Basic tool is 71g. With everything else in tin is about double that and still less than an Alien.
Favorite Trail: Skookum Flats
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: Cycle Path
Similar Products Used: Bunch of all-in one tools like Topeak Alien; also bag-full-o'-tools.
Bike Setup: Generic nice FS XC, also road bike.
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from SLO, CADate Reviewed: February 15, 2003
Strengths: Very light and compact. Chain tool is nice. Has most everything you really need.Weaknesses: None. Although you have to be careful with the little plastic thing that keeps the allen/flat screwdriver from falling out of the chain tool.Bottom Line: I love this tool. It's chain tool is by far the best on a mini tool I have seen. Other than that it has the essentials. It is a great little tool, and it is extremely light and compact. I highly recommend it.
Favorite Trail: Shooters
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Tested/demoed : Topeak Alien, Park MTB-3
Bike Setup: Fisher Sugar 3
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
brad
a Cross Country Rider
from st. louis, MO USADate Reviewed: May 24, 2001
Strengths: light weight, small and useful. box wrenches are strong and fit where they are supposed to. chain tool has been a lifesaver at times.Weaknesses: doesn't have everything you need, but then again, it is a small, basic multi-tool, that's the point. the chain tool guide pegs bent after a few years, but i did put it through a good bit of use, still worked just fine despite the bends. some of the allen wrenches are a bit difficult to get into tight spaces.Bottom Line: good little tool. useful for quick repairs or when you don't feel like fumbling for the entire allen set. the chain tool proved useful on a number of occasions and was easy to use. good choice for those of you who care about an extra 150 grams. by no means a complete multi-tool, but worth the cash.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: local bike shop
Similar Products Used: serfas multi-tool, topeak alien
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dane Thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from Stockholm/VailDate Reviewed: December 7, 2000
Strengths: Has most of the essentials to at least help you limp home, very lightweight.Weaknesses: The sharp edges are hell on Fig Newtons.Bottom Line: Great for the gram-conscious person who wants to be able to get home if (when) something goes wrong. This is lightweight insurance, not an alternative to shop tools. It should not be judged on how well it works for normal maintenance because it is not built for long term durability or ease of use, it is built for speed. With this, a mini-pump, 2 tire levers and the patch kit of your choice you should be able to handle a wide variety of unforseeable mechanicals or minor trailside adjustments. If you want/need something more substantial, get the Topeak Alien.
Favorite Trail: The happy ones
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At: Can't remember
Similar Products Used: Current: Topeak Alien, Previous: Loose tools and a rubber band.
Bike Setup: Rigid beater (I am getting too old for this!)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Rod Angler
a Weekend Warrior
from planet of New OrleansDate Reviewed: October 9, 2000
Strengths: Review is for cast version, the CPR 14+.
Multiple uses in cleverly designed, lightweight package.Weaknesses: Cheap casting, I broke one of the "teeth" using the chain tool.Bottom Line: Note: This review for the CPR 14, which is the "investment cast chrome/moly" version, and not the anodized aluminum version.
Clever design, but alas, a "pot metal" casting, as I broke one of the chain holding teeth off first time I used the chain tool.
This is not a "shop tool" whatsoever, but it is a lightweight emergency trail tool, and is so much better than nothing if you bust a chain. So for that reason, it barely eeks out 2 spontaneously combusting drummers.
Favorite Trail: hooper
Duration Product Used: 6 months
Price Paid:
$22.00
Purchased At: LBS
Similar Products Used: Park chain tool (not multifunctional, but robust and appropriately designed)
Bike Setup: yeah, it's setup
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Collins, CODate Reviewed: July 17, 2000
Strengths: Very small and lightweight. A great race tool. The chain tool works very well.Weaknesses: The hex wrenches are tough to use and the sharp edges of the tool are tough on the tubes in my seatback. Missing many essential trail tools.Bottom Line: A good tool for the racer due to it's light weight and small size. A good tool to compliment a few allen wrenches thrown in your bag. Good durability. I just lost mine out of the saddle bag but I am going to replace it with a Topeak Alien due to the higher number of useable tools.
Favorite Trail: Horstooth rock - Wathen trail
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Similar Products Used: None
Bike Setup: Klein Mantra Race
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Eduardo
a Weekend Warrior
from PortugalDate Reviewed: March 3, 2000
Strengths: Basically for trail use its BOMBPROOFWeaknesses: NO tyre levers .. not a real problem really just meant i had to get a separate pairBottom Line: Small ,light well built .. essential tool if you dont want to walk home
Favorite Trail: Sintra
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Similar Products Used: Blackburn ..
Bike Setup: Scott Octane FX3
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
April
a Cross-Country Rider
from New YorkDate Reviewed: November 7, 1999
Strengths:
Light weight; all the tools I need for the trailWeaknesses:
The odd shape sometime bump into nearby parts.Bottom Line: Nice selection of useful tools in a compact and light weight package. Nice construction. Strictly for trail use though. Not a good choice for big job at home.
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Similar Products Used:
Topeak ? (not enough tools)
Bike Setup:
Fuji SX w/ RS Judy C
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean C. *
a Cross-Country Rider
from HoUsToN, TXDate Reviewed: July 12, 1999
Strengths:
quality of construction and functionalityWeaknesses:
I'm concerned about falling on the damn thing just right in my MULE...seriously considering a Saddlepack.Bottom Line: IT CAME TODAY...and I loaded it into my bag for a post-workday ride...as I assended from the trailhead on the return trip my chain busted and my knees said HELLO to my LX pods...OUCH! Needless to say...IT SAVED ME FROM A FOUR MILE WALK! Be Prepared...NOT A HIKER! Buy ONE!
Favorite Trail:
Ho Chi Men
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Similar Products Used:
Nothing Worth Carrying on a ride
Bike Setup:
Giant XTC Se-1, Self-tuned Rock Shox '99 Judy XC
|
Reviews 1 - 10 (10 Reviews Total)
| |
Review Options:
Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating |
