Description:The Alien XS A lightweight, compact version of our famous Alien tool. 17 functions. The 17 tools fold into engineering-grade plastic body for easy carrying. Molded plastic body provides excellent gripping surface while using tools. Tools include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8 mm Allen wrenches 8, 9, 10 mm box wrenches Philips & flat head screwdrivers Spoke wrenches for 14g & 15g Chain tool adapter Stainless steel knife Bottle opener Nylon case Size: (LxWxH) 82x45x40mm
Submitted by
Knowlton
a Cross Country Rider
from East Dover, VT, USA Date Reviewed: June 17, 2003
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Strengths:
tools, looks, size
Weaknesses:
strength
Similar Products Used:
alian
Bike Setup:
gary fisher sugar 2
Bottom Line:
This is an OK tool. the one big flaw in it is that plastic holder for all of the tools. this is weak. My brother tried to screw somthing in with this, and the plastic handle snapped from the strain! there doesnt seem to be any other big problems at the time though.
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Submitted by
Horace
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA Date Reviewed: January 15, 2003
plastic tire levers (which I'll be loath to try and use), some tools don't lock, tool-housing arrangement may make some jobs unreachable
Similar Products Used:
park mt-1c, topeak x-tool, topeak folding tool
Bike Setup:
gary fisher gitche gumee 2000
Bottom Line:
Clearly a closeout, so don't pay too much attention to the price. TJ Maxx won't restock this item either. Their inventory is based on opportunity. Why Topeak sought to dump some of the XS at a store like this, who knows. Also saw Topeak Joe Blow and mini pumps at the store.
I just commute, so it is probably a bit more tool than I need at any given time But I couldn't get the park aws-9 or topeak folding tool for this little money. Thought about the higher end Aliens and in fact a metal housing would probably make the tire levers usable. Though in most cases I just use my hands for tire stuff.
Tis a shame someone doesn't make a bike directed Leatherman. What I really wanted was a stripped down leatherman with a few fixed allen heads (I know, Victorinox, Gerber, Leatherman and Coast Cutlery all make models with hex sets but if it isn't attached, things like that eventually get lost). I'd have paid plenty for such a gizmo. The XS is a sorry concession on that score, but at least it has a knife and bottle opener.
I'd say "weekend warrior" is about the speed for this tool. Any more than that and you probably need the chain tool and a better housing. I like previous reviews which have pointed out that this is all about applying the proper tool to the proper job. This thing is intended to deal with emergency situations. Real bike repair requires real tools. Don't confuse the two.
Anyway, time will tell what strips and what doesn't. I've seen poor reviews of Topeak pumps and the Q Beam rack, but the tool reviews always seem favorable. I fully intend to follow up with customer service if it craps out quickly. Thusfar it has performed adequately.
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Submitted by
Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from Clovis, NM Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$15.00
Purchased At:
Wal-Mart
Strengths:
Price seemed reasonable.
Weaknesses:
Don't know. I haven't had to use it yet!
Similar Products Used:
None
Bike Setup:
Not important
Bottom Line:
You read it right! When I saw the Next Alien XS at Wal-Mart for $15, I had to take a closer look. It's the same multi tool with the same weight, same tools, and most important same trademarked name! The case has the Next logo on it , but otherwise it's the same too. Not the stongest quality tool, but very-good for a multi tool.
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Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from Glastonbury, CT Date Reviewed: July 16, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Case Mountain
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$19.00
Purchased At:
TJ MAXX (seriously)
Strengths:
It works excellent and it was under 20 bucks
Weaknesses:
You have to buy the chain tool separate...that's a hassle.
Similar Products Used:
Crank Bros Micra 17
Bottom Line:
This tool works great. There's every tool I need except for that pesky chain tool...but you pay less for not having it I guess
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Submitted by
Brad Herder
a Cross Country Rider
from Pittsfield, MA USA Date Reviewed: July 1, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
LBS
Strengths:
Quality - stainless steel tools.
Weaknesses:
Design. Useless tools.
Similar Products Used:
Crank Bros. Micra 17 and other cheaper multi-tools.
Bottom Line:
Yes - this tool is probably one of the highest quality multi-tools you can buy.... BUT...
I just DON'T like it. It takes up too much room in my seat bag. I've hung it off the bottom of the seat bag and have put it in without it's case... but it's just too bulky. Having to remove it from my seatbag and then remove it from it's own pouch in order to use it bothers me. It has a bunch of tools I never use - specifically the box wrenches, bottle opener and knife. The screw driver flops around and is tough to use.
It's plastic edges the worst thing. They are NOT rounded and hurt your hands when applying a lot of pressure. I try to use the allen wrenches without taking it apart in order to have more surface area and less hurt in the hands but everytime I do the two halves seperate and I end up using only half of it and it's just plain brutal on the hands.
I even like my generic (probably Walmart purchased) cheapo multi-tool better than this thing.
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Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Westfield,Massachusetts Date Reviewed: May 5, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Granville
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Kittery Trading Post
Strengths:
Great selection of tools to put into one compact thing. Every tool I need is there to get me home if something happens to go wrong.
Weaknesses:
Can't get enogh leverage and torque to really take off tight bolts or screws. Why put a knife in with the tool? Can opener?
Similar Products Used:
toolbox at home
Bike Setup:
2001 Mongoose Valiant
Bottom Line:
Very good product to use if you want to go for ride and come back. I do not recommend using this tool as a prime tool. Try to get another Topeak tool that is better.
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Submitted by
Cook
a Weekend Warrior
from London, ON, Canada Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$25.00
Purchased At:
ToWheels
Strengths:
Light and compact
Weaknesses:
It might blow up
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Brodie Holeshot '02
Bottom Line:
Bad news: The XS is so small it is hard to get leverage, but that's ok, because it's not meant as a 'repair' tool, but as an 'emergency' tool to get you home. Also, mine blew up after about a year.
Good news: Customer service at Topeak is awesome! I shipped my disabled Alien to them, it went missing, they took my word for it and are shipping me a different model, (an upgrade actually), no questions asked. But don't get any ideas about trying to get a free Alien, I did have to show them evidence of my mailing....!
$ 29.95
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