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Submitted by
altruistguy
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | I've been using this product for nine years. I bought it for one reason -- the small crescent wrench. Nothing else about it interested me and I've never used anything except the small crescent wrench. That said, I've used the small crescent wrench MANY times. I use the crescent wrench in conjunction with my Topeak Alien and a pair of old pliers. Those three things get me through virtually all home repairs/maintenance and even took me across the continent in 2000 (Southern Tier).
I've had no problems whatsoever with the small crescent wrench and recommend it heartily. | | Weaknesses: | Everything except the small crescent wrench is unimpressive. | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak Alien. | | Bottom Line: | Small Crescent Wrench is outstanding. Toss the rest and use a good multi-tool to supplement it. Actually, I guess I use the Small Crescent Wrench part of this thing to supplement my good multi-tool. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George
a Weekend Warrior
from South San Francisco
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Monte Bello OSP | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$17.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Fixes more bike repair prolems than any single tool out there. Compact size. Durable, well concieved, and well made. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, prone to rust, and needs rubber band to hold tools in place. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap Mafac pocket-size bicycle repair tool kit. | | Bike Setup: | Dahon Vitesse folding bicyle, with added finger-derailed triple front chain ring, customized folding stem, and shock absorbing seat braket. | | Bottom Line: | I've really looked hard for a lighter replacement for my cooltool, but haven't found anything close that can do everything this tool can do: it can repair more problems on a bike than any other single tool out there. I have the older model that is well made and very durable, so the adjustable wrench is precise, the chain tool is durable and works, and the hex wrenches (which are exactly the only sizes I needed for the past five bikes I've used it on) are very precise and strong. Its too bad the new ones are -apparently- crap: maybe you can get an old one from ebay. I'd love to get that titanium one (lighter and rust proof). Because its always handy, I used it more than the nice set of Park shop tools I had; which I away and now just use the CoolTool, a dedicated spoke wrench (easier to use than CoolTool), a rear cog casset socket wrench, dikes for cable cutting, and a crank puller for all bike repairs. After 11 years I lost the rubber band holding the hex wrenches (have no ideal what kind of rubber can last that long), and now substitued a rubber o-ring: works great!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Chin
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: April 14, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Tujunga | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | got it as a gift | | Strengths: | Number of functions, durability, compact size. | | Weaknesses: | Weight, hex adapter can get lost easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Hex wrench sets | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi Super GL | | Bottom Line: | When I got this tool, I was put off by the weight and I thought i would never use it. I could not have been more wrong. Not only does it have every size of hex wrench I have ever needed (except the little tiny one for adjusting my pedals), but it has every other tool I need as well. This thing can pull off crank arms, break chains, adjust mechs, tighten spokes, and more. I still haven't figured out all the things I can do with it. The weight has actually helped on occasion, when I've had to use the adjustable wrench part as a hammer.
A lot of thought went into this tool. Some of my friends carry tons of stuff in their packs when they ride, but I just pop this thing and an extra tube under my saddle along with a frame pump and I know I can take care of any mechanical problems that might happen.
If you get this tool, people will call you their saviour. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason wood
a
from albany or
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | all | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | won at race | | Strengths: | This is the best toll yet in my opinion. It can straighten rotors. If you add a few small allens and a torx bit, which fits in the small hex slot, than it will do any thing! Mine is 8 years old and still good. And it is a gerber. Won it in 95 or so. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy. Where can I find the Ti version? I want one!! | | Similar Products Used: | Most all. Crank bros, ritchy cpr's, topeak | | Bike Setup: | I have six. | | Bottom Line: | Use it for anything but tire removal. The spoke wrench isn't so good either, but will get you out of a jam. Darn good tool! Add the torks bit ($2 at home depot) and a couple small allens (3mm, 2.5mm). Keep rubber banded together. Thats all. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Downhiller
from Gettysburg, PA
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Stuff with rocks | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Dick's sporting goods | | Strengths: | Fairly small. Has a good spread of tools. I have had this tool since 1995. Fairly easy to use. | | Weaknesses: | Well it can flop apart unless it is contained. Must keep it oiled or it will be a pile of rust. The chain tool works great, but after 7 years of regular use I had to hammer the tip back into position | | Similar Products Used: | I have seen and tried others, but I will keep this original | | Bike Setup: | Modified Mongoose Maneuver 2002. Torch, lathe, and a bunch of braze. It is a very smooth ride..... | | Bottom Line: | This tool is excellent. I bought mine in 1995 and I used it for everything on bikes for three years. I had that tool and a crank puller and that was it till about 2000. Last year I was a little crooked when I was breaking a chain and I bent the tip. I hammered it back and it is as good as new. The tool has plenty of leverage for almost any job because the hex wrenches fit in different sections of it. I wouldn't go back to using this tool as my bike shop, but it did serve my budget when I bought it. I now keep mine in a gerber multitool pouch on the right shoulder strap of my camelbak.
I love this thing.
How many multi tools can change pedals?
It works for me, and has worked hard and reliably for eight years. I haven't lost any parts to it either. I cut a tube like a rubber band and double it up on so the wrenched can't move.
On mine for my nipples the spoke tool works great. It isn't a spokey, but it works. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Delaware
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Strengths: | Adjustable jaws, loose allen keys, crank bolt socket, will straighten dinged rims. | | Weaknesses: | Pointy ends. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey CRP, McGuyver | | Bike Setup: | Singlespeed | | Bottom Line: | Look, bring the tools with you that fix your bike. If you need a McGuyver with the magnifying glass and the fish scaler , then bring that. This tool will will do everything I need, costs less than most, and is really easy to work with. The only beef I have with it, is you need to keep it and your spare tube seperated from each other. I have had the phillips screwdriver puncture the spare tube, but then this is also advice for any trailside tool. I do agree that the finish of the newer tools is of lesser quality than what I remember before Gerber took it over, but I haven't seen it affect the usefullness of the tool. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from Cheyenne, WY
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | gerber online | | Strengths: | looks cool | | Weaknesses: | not as cool as it looks | | Similar Products Used: | a bunch of tools in a bag, crank bros. | | Bike Setup: | hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I was pretty disappointed in this tool. The first time I used the chaintool, it bent beyond use. I took someone's advice and wrapped a small rag with a rubber band around the tool. This was necessary just to hold all of the tools in place. The adjustable wrench was somewhat impractical, unless you own a huffy. I never did find the bottle opener that was suppose to come with it. I tried using what I thought were the spoke wrenches, and began stripping nipples. I stopped before I caused anymore damage. The allen keys work fine, and that's about it. This tool is no longer in my toolbag. I thought it was a wise buy since the gerber multi-tool (the one with retractable pliers, knife, a real bottle opener, etc.) has lasted me three years with total satisfaction. Maybe gerber needs to learn a few things about compact bike tools. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mauka Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from RSM Ca
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$19.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Lots of useful tools. | | Weaknesses: | Not as strong as the classic Cool Tool. Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey, Alien, Crank Bros. | | Bike Setup: | Intense | | Bottom Line: | The product is no longer as good as the Classic Cool Tool. I believe Gerber now makes this product and my new one barely lasted 3 months...while my first one lasted almost 4.5yrs. All the tools are useful, but I cant get over the fact that its just not durable anymore. I am now using the Crand Bros. and we will see how that one performs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
derek lewis
a
from WA
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tiger Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Strengths: | Has all tools you will need. | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY!!! | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Durango | | Bottom Line: | Its awsome. I put on opedels, took things off, everything! All I havent done yet is use the crank puller and chain break! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Nashbar | | Strengths: | versatility, strength | | Weaknesses: | weight, no longer need crank puller | | Bottom Line: | Ten years running, and I just haven't found another tool I'd rather carry. I've removed the crank-puller, since that's no longer necessary, and can't forget the rubber bands to hold the allen wrenches from clanking, but the crescent wrench is still perfect, the chain-breaker works great and it's slender enough to fit well in a pack.
I understand the later-produced Gerber versions may not have been quite as durable, but the one to really look for is the rare Titanium version...I lost mine shortly after getting it, and that's the only time I haven't carried the iron one I've still got.
A great basic tool with no uneeded frills. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark B
a Cross Country Rider
from Hoboken, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Provides basic needs. Was my only tool for 16,000 mile bike trip. | | Weaknesses: | Chain tool doesn't provide sufficient leverage to break a worn chain. Limited allen sizes only provide 70% coverage of needed sizes. No fla-head screw driver, so you've got to carry more tools anyhow. | | Bottom Line: | Nothing special, but neither is it terrible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Shen
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bukit Timah | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$18.00 | | Purchased At: | Lim Seng Kee Cycle Co. | | Strengths: | It does its job. Pretty nice design. Doesn't have too many parts. | | Weaknesses: | It started to rust a few months after I bought it. It's not able to hold or lock it's parts together. | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Instinct | | Bottom Line: | You'll have to maintain it and keep it dry once in a while to prevent it from rusting .....And make sure it doesn't comes in contact with water especially when you're cycling in the rain | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
grease monkey
a Cross Country Rider
from North America
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Works | | Weaknesses: | The provided allen keys are a little silly, so I threw em in the toolbox and I carry a folding set | | Similar Products Used: | shop tools, swiss army knife, some funny shaped lump of metal with allen keys cast into it | | Bike Setup: | Which one? | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is not how light or trick your tool set is. It's can you fix your bike when it breaks in the middle of the woods, or 50 miles from the nearest bike shop on the side of a tertiary highway out in the sticks. With this tool, I can, though I carry a folding hex key set (more sizes) and a Leatherman (knives and pliers, cable cutter).
I can do pretty much anything with all that except take off the cassette, replace the bottom bracket or fix a threaded headset. Other tools may look neat but often one piece gets in the way when you're using another, or you have to use a hex key against a wrench that is on the same piece of metal, or something. It's the best tool I have used, though I like the looks of the Alien, which is the only other multi tool I would even consider.
I can't comment on the apparent reliability problems of the new models, I have one of the early originals not one of the Gerber ones. The old ones seem pretty reliable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Can take the bike apart with this tool. Gerber's warrenty is awesome. | | Weaknesses: | HEAVY, lots of parts | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey CPR | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail with mixed components | | Bottom Line: | This is my tool of choice for long rides, but it's heavy, with lots of little parts to rattle around and lose. You can fix darn near anything on your bike with this one tool. It does need some tlc to keep it working, and a heavy rubber band or a short length of wire to keep it together. Gerber was great when the chain tool broke. I contacted them and they sent out a replacement free of charge, and threw in a new allen wrench for the one I lost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Velocipede Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Does most everything | | Weaknesses: | The allen keys it comes with are cheesy | | Similar Products Used: | Shop tools | | Bike Setup: | various | | Bottom Line: | Other tools may look neat and weigh less but the test is when you have to fix something out in the boonies. With this and a set of folding hex keys (and maybe a Leatherman to cut cable ends) I can fix most things that go wrong on the bike - anything but the bottom bracket or a threaded headset - and I've fixed lots of things with it over the years. I use it as my normal chainbreaker, too. It's important to have the hex keys separate from the wrenches, which some tools don't have, so you ca hold the nut while you turn the bolt. This little thing is great to have when touring remote places.
I did throw out the allen keys it came with and buy a folding set with more sizes. Only 4 shrivelled okra because of that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
daniel steinberg
a Weekend Warrior
from san francisco ca
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
it does work | | Weaknesses: |
not very well thought out, I bought it because it looked cool, but soon found out it was pretty uncool. keeps falling apart and the hex tools keep getting jammed in the holes, its been like this since I bought it. the crescent is too slack for small nuts. | | Bottom Line: | get something else | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gonzo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Margaritaville
Date Reviewed: November 1, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Stout | | Weaknesses: |
Heavy as sin. | | Similar Products Used: |
Blackburn | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale F2000, Fatty, XTR and some XT, Gripshift 9.0 SL | | Bottom Line: | Gerber makes great knives and this product is also well made. However the thing weighs a ton and rattles around in your saddle bag and beats the living crap out of everything including spare inner tubes. The thing is complete overkill and a waste of money and gets one steaming turd. Get the Blackburn unit, it rocks. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Timo
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, VA
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Weaknesses: |
Stripped; rusted; fell apart | | Bike Setup: |
Diamondback; rigid | | Bottom Line: | The thing rattled around in my bag/pack for four years seeing the occasional use to tighten a cleat or adjust handlebars. Then when I needed it the most (in a race with a totaled derailleur hanger) I broke two of the allen wrenches, the adjustable wrench was rusted shut, and the chain tool was stripped. It's never provided much leverage (though what tool does?!) and I solved the noise/loose parts problem with a small ziplock (didn't seem to stop the rust though). Will definitley replace w/ something else. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Mason
a Cross-Country Rider
from Vancouver, BC.
Date Reviewed: July 25, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Pacific Spirit Park | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Very versatile | | Weaknesses: |
The chain breaker fell apart first time I needed it. You have to supply a decent rubber band to keep it together. | | Similar Products Used: |
I wish. | | Bike Setup: |
Rocky Mountain | | Bottom Line: | The first and only time I needed this tool was in a rain storm in Germany when my girlfriend's chain broke. The Cool Tool worked great till the little thingee that pushes out the link disappeared in a flood of rain. The reindeers Donner and Blitzen, that's thunder and lightning in German and we walked home in it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Woody
a Cross-Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Knuckles | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
adjustable spanner | | Weaknesses: |
rusts | | Similar Products Used: |
Topeak Alien | | Bike Setup: |
WCS custom with full XT, Z3 lights | | Bottom Line: | This tool rusts to sh1t every time water gets in the pouch.
And the allen keys fall out into the dirt and get lost.
And it's nowhere near the quality of the alien.
buy one of those instead, I think. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jac
a Cross-Country Rider
from Redding, CA
Date Reviewed: June 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Lemurian | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Durability, Customer Service | | Weaknesses: |
Weight, Keeping everything together | | Similar Products Used: |
Ritchey Cp series | | Bottom Line: | I bought this tool when I purchased my first mountain bike in 1994. It has held up well, and even served as my toolbox for general bike maintenance as well as trail use while i acquired shop tools.Probably the thing I like the most about the product was the service I received when it rattled apart in my tool pak. I lost the screw that held the roller for the wrench in place and sent the product back to Gerber to get it back together. I was expecting to receive a bill for repairs and in a 7day turnaround I had received a brand new tool, you do not see that everyday. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Ripper
a Cross-Country Rider
from Nelson Canada B.C
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Kenville Mine Road | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Can take your whole bike apart with it. | | Weaknesses: |
Heavy. need something aroud it to keep it together. | | Similar Products Used: |
Black Burn. | | Bike Setup: |
Kona Fire Mountain. | | Bottom Line: | This is one cool tool!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TONY
a Cross-Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: April 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
FOREST PARK FOR THOSE WHO KNOW... | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
ALL I NEED IN ONE. | | Weaknesses: |
THE DAM WEIGHT, BUT IT SHOWS IT'S DURABLE. HOW THE HELL DO YOU KEEP it TOGETHER. | | Similar Products Used: |
TOPEAK ALIEN. | | Bike Setup: |
96 TREK ZX ALU FRAME, YELLOW TRICKED OUT TO THE MAX. | | Bottom Line: | THIS TOOL IS GREAT AND ASIDE FROM THE WEIGHT, WHICH IS GOOD IN CASE THEY TRY TO TAKE YOUR BIKE YOU CAN HIT EM WITH IT, THIS TOOL ROCKS. I HAVE PUT THIS TOOL THROUGH HELL AND HAVENT STRIPPED ANYTHING ON IT, ONE THING THOUGH THE WRENCH DOES HAVE SOME PLAY. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a weekend warrior
from Dallas, TX
Date Reviewed: February 1, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought a Cool Tool several years ago; the chain tool part broke the first time I tried to use it. The overall quality seemed to be a bit sub-par. Perhaps they've made some improvements since then, but based on my experiences, I would not recommend it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Keith
a cross-country rider
from usa
Date Reviewed: January 19, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
It has never failed me, period. You can take you whole bike apart with it. WEIGHT COMPLAINTS??? Its way lighter than 24 lbs of disbled machine. By far the best all in one Ive seen. 5+ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lorne Ash
a cross-country rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I like the wide assortment of applications provided with this tool. My major critique is the chain tool. Imagine the frustration of reaching for my cool tool to fix a broken chain only to find that the threads are stripped. I was fortunate to have encountered another rider who had a Park chain tool that worked beautifully. This problem seems consistent with other reviews of this tool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
carlo
a cross-country rider
from toronto
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
it heavy, but it is my friend. it stays by my side through everything. i work in a shop and end up doing little fix it jobs all day long. owning the cool tool, i never have to look for an implement. after four years, the cresent is a little sloppy, and the 6mm/phillips is missing in action (a fellow employee has it at home), but i still find it quite useful. for a while, it was the only wrench i owned which was small enough to adjust brakes. after i stole the 8mm/10mm adapter from my boss', it was complete emergency tool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john jans
a cross-country rider
from princeton, nj
Date Reviewed: May 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I keep this multitool in my pack at all times. I bought the titanium model (when I found it on sale... limited edition...no kidding!). I've used it a few times without complaint. I also carry seperate levers, patch kit, extra tube, etc. (read here - heavy pack) so that every ounce counts. Even the Ti model is 'heavy' but it sure beats carrying a wrench, allens, chainbreaker, etc. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Kane
a weekend warrior
from west chetser pa
Date Reviewed: May 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had the tool for about 3 years, didn't use it much, other than a chain tool, but the threads were stripped after just a few uses. also, the allen wrenches would jingle around in my seat pouch. well, since the people at MTBR have become my 8th grade english teacher, i am told that i have to have 50 words or more, so now i guess that i have 50 by now. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark L.R.
a weekend warrior
from Fair Oaks, CA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I like to call it the way-too-cool-tool. I've found it to be very versital. I've even used it to repair a tree saw during trail work up in Auburn. It's hard enough to find a tool which will work well on your bike out on the trail, but one that helps out in other places is only way-too-cool.
The crescent wrench is tight as in not sloppy. it's thin for the right places. Since I have a threadless headset, I didn't need the adapter. I purchased a leatherman mico to compliment the cool tool (which has small scissors, tweesers, and acouple of other useful things to help with potential medical problems). Since I keep my extra's in my hydration pack, I really don't notice the weight (hell I weigh 225 as it is). The fact the alan wrenches are really alan wrenches is also a big plus. It's a bummer to try and make a 45-in-one-piece little doo-doo-tool work when you're out stranded somewhere. I haven't had to use the chain breaker yet, but it should be fine if it falls in line with the rest of the tool. I give it 5 chiles for its usability and durability.... | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Souka
a racer
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great Tool. Use it all the time working on bike matenience eventhough I have a decent tool set.Narrow cresent wrench gets where it needs to. Allen keys are perfect. I don't bother with any of the available accessories as I have yet to need them.I would recommend wraping a rubberband around the body of the tool to keep the allen keys from falling out. I wrap a small towel around, then a ruberband...the towel protects my Camelback Mule and serves as something to wipe my hand on after fixing the bike on the trail.Also the price of $20 at many LBS/Mailorder is hard to beat. Durable and reliable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a cross-country rider
from Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This thing has saved me from a dozen walks home. The chain tool has been put to the test at least a half dozen times it always worked a treat. Who cares if it weighs a ton, it works. I haven't carried anything else for the last five years...haven't needed to. uummmm 5 chilis arrrrhhhh | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dr.Zen
a cross-country rider
from There's Dirt in Nirvana
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had mine for about two years. One small complaint. I lost the 10mm adapter. I think its my fault, I probably put it on the ground and the cats found a new toys.
Any way, I have a complete tool box and still use this for most of my repair. On the trail it does everything (except remove 8 and 10mm allen bolts). The most needed tools on a bike are exactly what it has. A wrench (that can hands pedals and hubs)4-5-6,8,10mm allen keys, chainbreaker,spoke wrench, phillips,etcWhat makes it work, is that they DIDN'T try to build some freaking swiss army knife for bike. The allen keys, when insert backwards make the wrench equivalent to a 10inch adjustable, plenty 'o' torque.It may be heavy, but if you think the weight slows you down, try not being able to fix a mechanical. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony D
a cross-country rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: March 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really like the Cool Tool. I've been using it for about a year and unlike other travel tools, I've found it to be pretty darn durable. My one complaint is that it doesn't like getting wet and I had to do a little rust-proofing. It would be nice if it could take off pedals, but otherwise a beautiful little piece of engineering. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a cross-country rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Had this tool for about four years and don't have too many complaints except that the chain tool is a bit of a pain to use. The handiest part of the tool was the cresent with a headset wrench adapter which save my ass twice. But now with an aheadset on my new bike I've pitched the cool in favor of the coolest tool, the Topeak Alien. Very hard to beat the Alien for an all around utility tool and quality. About 10 grams more than the CT. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kathy
a cross-country rider
from New England
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had one of these for a few years, and it comes in handy. I have needed everything except the chain tool. I like the fact that the hex wrenches are separate and more conventional than the ones that stick off of the main body of some other tools. On the downside, it is a little heavy and pointy, so it can damage the other contents of your tool pouch. I recommend slipping it into a piece of an old inner tube to protect its neighbors. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BobC
a weekend warrior
from RI
Date Reviewed: December 6, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Compact tool. The adjustable wrench is very useful. Whole tool is
very sturdy. To keep from rattling, slice off an old section of
an inner tube and slide it in. I got the older model before the
10mm allen adaptor was included. That's a useful hex. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ralf
a cross-country rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: October 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Cool Tool is heavy! Cool Tool isn't pink or blue or green! Cool Tool must be junk!
Now, did you ever see a real mechanic work with lightweigt, fancy-colored tools? No, Cool Tool is a piece of mind to get the bike fixed when your are out in the woods and there is no human lifeform around except you. Who cares for the weight of a tool? I don't! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike kane
a cross-country rider
from west chester pa
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
i have had the cool tool for quite a while. i didn't use it for much other than
a chain tool. i full set of allen wrenches is easy enough to carry in a seat pouch, and i don't really ride for long enough durations to really need a spoke wrench with me on ride. as a chain tool it worked fine...twice. after that, the treads were stripped. whats with that? beats the hell out of me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from California
Date Reviewed: September 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A good product. If you find the allen wrenches fall off, wrap a rubber band
piece of wire around them. Note that the jaws of the adjustable wrench
don't always fit in everywhere. I couldn't get them to fit the 10mm nut
on the back of my XT cantis one day when they were squealing. Also, I broke
the largest size allen wrench- sheared it when I was trying to get the legs
tighter on my old Rock Shox RS-1. No biggie, I just substituted two I had lying
around for the one on either end of the original.
I haven't yet found a lighter tool that will do all that the cool tool will. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Timmy the Tire
a weekend warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: May 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
It will fix about anything you need it to, unless you need to do some welding or want to relube your drive-train in the middle of nowhere. Despite the heavy weight, it weighs less than carrying all of those tools around individually. It pretty much lives up to it's name. I give it six stars. ;) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wade
a cross-country rider
from Marblehead, MA
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great tool; chain tool works well and fast, allen keys for most trailside fixes, phillips
screwdriver for derailleur adjustments, and a thin adjustable wrench. Spoke wrench should be
improved (it tends to jam against rim when turning), and with 5 separate pieces a heavy duty
pouch should be included so you don't lose parts. So far with this tool I've always ridden out. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shmooks
a cross-country rider
from Vermont
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This was given to me as a gift half a year ago and I have ridden with it ever since. Incredibly handy, the Cool Tool has fixed almost all my trailside problems, from bent big rings to broken chains. It is heavy but it is definetly worth its weight to have it on you when something goes wrong. The only bummer is that it doesn't have an allen wrench small enough for the two derailleur pulleys. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen F. Ruffin
a weekend warrior
from MD
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
What? No CoolTool opinions in here? Well, let me say . . .I have been a professional mechanic, ran my own welding business, a product-review writer, and I
like good tools. I have Snap-On wrenches older than most reading this. I have learned to be leery of wrenches and other tools made in Asia. I've had some decent
Japanese wrenches, but so much of that stuff is junk. Drill-press chuck jaws that won't grip,
wrenches that spread or break, sockets that don't fit or split when pressure is put on them. Well,
you know.The Cool Tool is different. It is sturdy, well made, and fits a need. There is a pair of thin, to fit
wheel bearing retainer nut, adjustable jaws with an adjustment wheel that is not sloppy like too
many adjustable wrenches. In a lot of use, the jaws have neither bent nor indented. The tool has compactly fitted allen keys that fit most bike socket-head bolts, a
socket with square external or 3/8 internal drives to fit crank-arm bolts or nuts, and a chain
breaker. One of the Allens is double ended, the other has a Phillips (about No. 1) end.I've used this a lot. It is compact, and extremely handy. An ingenious design, and well made. I
paid about $5 more for this at a bike shop than I could have
gotten it for via the net, but you know how it is...I wanted it NOW. Still, no more than the price of
a Snap-On combination wrench about 5/8 size. | | Overall Rating: |
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