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Submitted by
Bob Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Anchorage, AK
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2006 | | Favoriate Trail: | many | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Dept. at the Motorcycle Shop | | Strengths: | Are there any?? | | Weaknesses: | Chain tool broke on first use. The two parts of the tool don't come apart without being pried apart with something like a stick or tire wrenches. Cheap. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | k2 zed 3.0 frame, mostly shimano xt components, yeah it's crappy | | Bottom Line: | I agree with many of the other reviewers, the cheap metal makes for a lightweight tool, but a crappy one. The chain tool broke after one use, now I have to drive to work tomorrow. Enough said. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marc
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheelaway | | Strengths: | small, lightweight, reliable
| | Weaknesses: | small flathead screwdriver tough to fit in | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey CPR-13 | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bottom Line: | This tool has worked great for me for over three years. I see that others have had problems w/reliability and I'm shocked. I'm pretty demanding on my bike and tools. I have:
used the chainbreaker probably 30 times w/o any problem.
used the tire levers over 50 times, at least (pinch flats)
used the hex wrenches in hard to reach places because they have versatile ball ends.
This tool has worked out really well for me on my Cannondale SV2000 and my Heckler, having just what I need and nothing else. I bought one as a gift for a friend and he swears by it too. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Knightmare
a Cross Country Rider
from Kentucky
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Tire levers work | | Weaknesses: | Chain tool and allen wrenches are cheap and break after the first use. Wrench is too small to use and spoke tool rounds off nipples. | | Similar Products Used: | Crank Brothers | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel | | Bottom Line: | I had to think hard to find anything of value about this tool. The only thing I could come up with was that the tire levers haven't broke. Everything else about this tool is cheap and breaks the first time you try to use them. The chain tool part broke the first time I tried to use it and the T allen wrench broke taking a water bottle cage off. The wrench park is too small to use and the cut outs in it for adjusting spokes are too big and round off the nipples.
I have never own a tool that was so pathetic. I bought it on clearance and now I know why. It had a lifetime warranty but wasn't worth the time, effort, or cost to send it to Blackburn. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Racer
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | looks like a great tool | | Weaknesses: | reliability | | Similar Products Used: | various | | Bottom Line: | I bought this tool, used it once, it broke, I threw it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Serge
a Racer
from La Mesa, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight and small. Fits in saddle bag nicely | | Weaknesses: | Lightweight and fragile. I dropped the thing in dirt and the metal on the chaintool broke rendering it useless. | | Similar Products Used: | Alien. | | Bottom Line: | Piece of junk. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Rome
a Cross Country Rider
from sydney, australia
Date Reviewed: July 4, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | oaks | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | cranks bike shop | | Strengths: | ultra light weight, very compact, strong and has only useful tools | | Weaknesses: | it could use a phillips screw driver but nothing else | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper allens key sets | | Bike Setup: | gaint yukon | | Bottom Line: | It great tool for an emergancy and even better if your a cross country rider. It fits easily into your back pocket or seat pack and has as much tool as something twice its size and weight. But i do repeat its an emergany tool, its not made for a home workshop. So if you need a tool with lots on it than this is your one its small, light and very useful. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | University Bicycle Center | | Strengths: | Small, light and has just about every tool you need for on-the-trail adjustments. | | Weaknesses: | The chain breaker: the pot metal is VERY weak and cracked the first time I used it. Also, the plastic body flexes a bit when using the wrenches. | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale multi-tool. No chain breaker though. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper M4 | | Bottom Line: | Buy another tool. I would gladly accept a couple more ounces of weight for a stronger tool. I thought this was the perfect carry-along multi-tool for about a week. Then I used the chain-breaker. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
The Notorious R.O.B.
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fair Hill, Md. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, Blackburn warranty, the way the tire levers and all attach to the main body | | Weaknesses: | The chain tool part of this thing. | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak Alien, Park mini tool kit. | | Bike Setup: | 2 wheels, a seat, and a Lefty! | | Bottom Line: | Overall, this tool blows goats. I've gone thru 3 of them. That's because I work at a shop and the Blackburn rep keeps giving me new ones. One of these days I'll buy something real. The aluminum body is so soft, that when you try to use the chain tool ara, it bends or breaks the little holding tabs.---What good is a full replacement warranty when you keep getting the same crappy product? I give 2 for value and 1 Flamin' Osama Bin Ladin for an Overall. DON'T BUY IT! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Beau Johnston
a
from Moscow, ID
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | This is a great emergency tool. Taking up very little space, it has every tool you would need for a minor trail adjustment. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a
from CA
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | This little tool has worked wonderful for me. Granted, I've only used it for emergency trailside repair work so... oh, wait, that's all it was intended for. Go figure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ville Lekholm
a Cross Country Rider
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Velodrom Stockholm | | Strengths: | Light weight, compact size, lifetime warranty (use it!). | | Weaknesses: | The 4,5 and 6mm allen wrenches are completely useless. Way overpriced. No no.2 phillips screwdriver. | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak Alien, Park tools allen-set, Blackburn toolmanator | | Bike Setup: | F2000 '98 | | Bottom Line: | Buy something else. If you already own this goodlooking peice of scrapmetal, use the lifetime warranty and trade it in for something else (such as the toolmanator). The allen wrenches bend or break at the slightest pressure. Includes some superfluous tools such as a 6mm hex wrench, but no phillips screwdriver. Sure, it's light weight, but it's 70g you don't need on your bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dominic Guinta
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Zurich, Il
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Favoriate Trail: | Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | tailwinds | | Strengths: | Light weight. | | Weaknesses: | OK so this product is light, but that's not going to do you a lot of good when you are pushing your bike out of the trails. The few times I have had to use it the tool has always broken on me. First it was the tire levers, then the hex tool broke. I put this tool in the trash and went out and bought a Topeak Alien. The Alien is great! Yea it weighs a lot more, but now would I rather put an extra pound on my bike and ride out of the trails or save a pound and push it out? Do your self a favor get the Alien! | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak Alien | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 2 | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this product sucks! Blackburn is great about their warranty and the product is light, but what good will that do you when you are pushing your bike back to the car? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a
from Washington, DC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail Outfitters | | Strengths: | small, light, many tools | | Weaknesses: | its a POS, not enough leverage on the tools, box wrenches hard to use in tight places (all stacked together, so they wont always fit) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Gary Fisher Tassajara | | Bottom Line: | dont buy, it seemed good to me at first because of its size and different tools, but the only part of this tool that has actually helped me was the tire levers, i needed the allen wrenches many times but didnt have enough leverage to move any of the screws and what not one bit, so that really annoyed me, now im gonna go buy a ToPeak Alien tool, seems that will actually do the job for me when i need it, rather than having to take it to a bike shop every time i need a minor adjustment, bottom line is dont buy this tool, it may seem good but when its needed, it doesnt help! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | Don't know of any, got rid of it right away. | | Weaknesses: | Rounded allen wrenches. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | '00 Gary Fisher Kaitai | | Bottom Line: | Tried to use this for the first time over the weekend while out on the trail to tighten up a loose cleat on my SPD shoes. The ends of the allen wrenches have little rounded balls on the end that are supposed to prevent puncturing anything. They may serve this purpose, but they completely suck for tightening anything. I tightened the cleat the first time, and the allen wrench started to get stripped. I also couldn't get enough leverage, so when I tried to stop 10 min. later and get my foot out of the pedal, the cleat just twisted and I fell on my ass. After a second attempt at tightening the cleat, the end of the allen wrench got COMPLETELY stripped and was worthless. Not only was the rounded edge on the end of it horrible, it seems to be made of a really soft metal that easily gets stripped. It's a good thing I was with my friend who had an Alien tool with real allen wrenches and was able to tighten the cleat the way it should've been the first time.
As soon as I got home I took it right back to the store and switched it for an Alien. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michel Slakouvski-Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Québec, Qc, CDN
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Mont Ste-Anne | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Fournel Bicycles | | Bike Setup: | Giant Iguana SE | | Bottom Line: | I've used this product something like 10 times. But the first time I used it in wood, it was to fix my chain and the product broke at place. Result: 30 minutes to walk to the nearest road! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Lancaster, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | How can anybody ride the same trail over and over? | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | REI in Seattle? | | Strengths: | Simplicity & Weight | | Weaknesses: | none unless you have weak hands or need to weld your frame back together. Maybe it's a little spendy - try to catch it on a sale. | | Similar Products Used: | Selected Pieces from Park Mini Tool bag, Avenir Allen set, Cool Tool. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale V500 | | Bottom Line: | Why would anybody carry anything more than this or the Ritchey out on the trail? Besides, All of those crazy megacoolbutveryheavytools seem intended for garage use. There are no sharp edges that would wear a hole in your spare tube. Park and Topeak have some good looking stuff, but I think the best way to lighten a bike is to not carry stuff you do not need. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brandon
a Downhiller
from Houston Texas
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | the bowl | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | size
design
versatility
weight | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | a good emergency tool. nothing bad about it... 5 flamin' pickles | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eduardo Teixeira
a Weekend Warrior
from Portugal
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2000 | | Favoriate Trail: | Sintra | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Compact design | | Weaknesses: | Build Quality | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey CPR 13 | | Bike Setup: | Scott Octane FX3 | | Bottom Line: | Bit of a let down, first time it was really "needed" on the trail i bent the chain remover pin !! Far to "fiddley" . I have now bought a Ritchey CPR 13 (Seems bombproof) and use the tyre levers fron the blackburn ... Oh well .. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Weekend Warrior
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 1999 | | Favoriate Trail: |
Tiger Mountain | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
small and light, all the tools you need and no unnecessary ones | | Weaknesses: |
after a few years need to hold the parts togeter with elastic band | | Similar Products Used: |
gerber cool tool, topeak alien | | Bottom Line: | Its small enough and light enough that it fits in a small saddle pack and all the parts work great. Simmilar products like the alien are cool because they have so much stuff but I don't need all they offer and I'm afraid of the knife blade. I had the blackburn for over three years and unfortunately lost it on a ride. I liked it so much I bought the same model as a replacement. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vince Zaccone
a cross-country rider
from Goleta, CA 93117
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought mine out in Sedona in Spring of 1997. It works pretty well for an emergency tool. I bent the pin on the chain tool nad Blacakburn was really good about replacing it right away (I called them up and 2 days later an entire new tool body showed up at my door). The T-wrench can do most repairs, but it's not really designed for high torque applications. I found this out the hard way when adjusting my seat. I was using the 6mm allen with the box wrench attatched for extra leverage when the allen snapped into three pieces. Again I called Blackburn and three days later I received 2 replacement T-wrenches in case it ever breaks again.minus 2 for breaking it twice, plus 1 for great customer service
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PM
a weekend warrior
from VENEZUELA,Currently in the U.S
Date Reviewed: September 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This little tool can save nobodies ass, the allen wrenches havent been able to loosen or thighten any screws on my bike before braking my fingers, specially the phillips 'cause it doesn't have anything for those, the combination of a normal folding tool and a CHAIN PUP is way more efficient, especially when u r alone in the middle of nowhere. The tire levers do their job though, but you dont want to spend 30 bucks for some tire levers. IF you still want one of his i'll sell mine for 5$.Two chilies, one for the levers, and one for the convertion to a race tool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Glenn
a weekend warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had one for over a year , have snapped the allen keys twice and both times my local cycle shop ordered new ones for me from Blackburn , so their warranty is worth something. It goes everywhere I cycle and is excellent apart from the allen heads snapping under duress. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart
a racer
from Christchurch, New Zealand
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is the only tool (apart from a pump) that I take on rides / races. The chain tool works ok, the wrenches and stuff work in emergencies (which is what it is intended for) and best of all it's small and light. I broke a tire lever trying to get a tire of a road bike, but apart from that I haven't had any problems with it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
TIPPY
a weekend warrior
from VAncouver, B.C.
Date Reviewed: August 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Recieved this tool last Christmas (1997). I love it. It has worked flawlessly for on the trail
adjustments. At home I use full size standard tools. Interestingly, I was recently in Switzerland where I saw this EXACT tool with a VICTORNOX logo stamped on it (SWISS ARMY knife company). So who really produces this tool, Blackburn or Victornox ??
Anyway it works great, but don't expect it to be your at home use it everday for major overhauls tool. It was designed for on the trail adjustments, and boy has it saved my ass a few times. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a cross-country rider
from Woodcliff lake NJ
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is about as basic a tool as you can get. It is great as the race tool but when I had to use the chain tool it was so small I didnt realized I cross threaded the mechanism. I returned it and bought the Topeak Power 21 (great tool + all you need). Blackburn is strickly for racers. To small and delicate for normal use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
wayne galbraith
a weekend warrior
from Perth, West Australia
Date Reviewed: July 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Good idea, has lots of tools in one. The only problem is that it is simply too small to be of real use. A little be of design review and this tool will be spot on. I'm looking forward the the next generation of the tool, until Blackburn do I'd go for a Park tool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Armstrong
a weekend warrior
from Eliot, Maine
Date Reviewed: July 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Bought one at same time I bought a new Klein. Better than carrying a heavy tool bag on short trips. The shop hadn't put together the brake cables right and I lost the rear brake. The allen wrenches did a great repair job. It's a good light tool if used carefully without overtorqueing. But I wouldn't ride into wilderness areas without a stronger kit. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean OFlaherty
a cross-country rider
from Williams Lake, BC
Date Reviewed: June 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I really like the allen keys on this thing. The rounded pre-edges make it a cinch to drop into any groove. I don't know what they are made of but they are super strong. Had to use the chain brake on it the other day for the first time and totally uneventful - did't heave my water bottle into a tree or anything. !Have even saved the day for a few other riders on occasion too. Only thing is the tube wrenches are a little awkward. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zander
a weekend warrior
from Riondel BC CANADA
Date Reviewed: May 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
O.K. The tool is expensive, but compare it to the other tools out there, the cool tool,(You might as well be carrying a set of vise-grips, and duct tape) this tool is sleekly designed, not just to look good, but to keep it from putting holes through your seat bag, like all the other irregular shaped tools, whether it be your only set of Park shop Tools, or needle nose pliers. For you bunch of ninny fingers out there, if you bring a 6 foot long, 1/4inch ID pipe along with you those seat binders can be done up just right!! I like this tool, I lost the first one, and my girlfriend gave me another one for Christmas, Sweeeeeet!, It's saved so many rides, and of course it's not a shop-tool replacement. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JRB
a cross-country rider
from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got the Blackburn tool and have had to use the chain tool already. It worked fine. The allen wrenches could be larger. They don't provide enough torque for large adjustments (seat, seat tube). The smaller wrenches work fine. I like the compact size and am looking forward to the next version of the tool. If there is one. I got mine second hand for a good price and have very few complaints. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian Mac Allister
a weekend warrior
from B'more, MD USA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a trail tool and it works fine. Some people complain about the price but it is the cheapest and the lightest tool with the amount of options that it provides. Two drawbacks are the lack of a phillips head and the chain tool can't break my Sachs chain: the pinwell isn't deep enough for my M90. I always try to use this tool at home when I do repairs so as to get used to it should I ever need it in an emergency situation or in a race(an emergency situation:). True, the individualized Park Tools are better but you don't want to lug them around on your frame or your back. I am an avid supported of Blackburn's sleek, cheap and functional designs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Clinton Seppala
a cross-country rider
from Thunder Bay Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: April 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This tool is great for quick fix's for things that get lose and broken on the trail. It's tiny, compact, and has all the tools you need in one package. Don't use it for home fixing thet tool isn't meant for that use big tools at home. I have had to use it many times and lent it out and works really good. Fits almost everything on the bike. Haven't had a complaint yet except a little expensive. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kinetika
a weekend warrior
from Kansas City MO
Date Reviewed: March 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Don't let the slick design fool you. While the appearance is awesome, the allen wrenches don't give enough leverage to work with, the chain tool works sort-of ok, and it desperately needs a phillips head bit of somekind to really be effective. I use other tire tools so without the tire levers attached, it's a great tool to toss in a pocket and have ready just in case. For serious duty, look for something else. Slick looks won't save your tailside 30 miles in the middle of nowhere. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parker
a
from CA
Date Reviewed: February 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this as a gift. I loved it from the looks, but then came the day when I had to use it. Its so sleek, compact, light and small that YOU CAN'T USE IT TO FIX ANYTHING!!!! Its not a tool I'd take on a ride that's too far to walk home from. I really want to give it 1 chili, but I don't want to hurt my Sister-in-Law's feelings so I'll give it 2. (I looks cool though)
Form over function. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joshu
a weekend warrior
from Coquitlam, BC
Date Reviewed: December 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This seems to be an excellent tool, provided it is used judiciously. What I mean it dont use it's wimpy little allen keys for adjusting major load bearing components on your bike. since it is an emergency repair multitool, it's tool as designed for quick-fix operations like fixing a chain or something (remember this is just my interpretation, for reasons which I will outline later)So, of course it small allen keys do not have enough strength to handle fully torquing your seatpost or whatever, because of it's tiny leverage the amounbt of torque you apply will be totally disprportionate to the tool's strength.Thus, I only use mine's allen keys for operation the chain tool - which Is very good I might add) or its hex wrench, etc. Or I use on parts that do not require high torque.So, I give the tool 5 stars, as long as you use it properly.So why do I view the tool this way? well, I think it is because I carry a delicious set of Campagnolo forged allen keys and wrenches in my tool bag - they're incredibly strong, and a nice length for large leverage.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rusty
a weekend warrior
from Burlington, NC
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have used this for about 1 year. Find it very useful on the trail. I have almost dis-assembled my entire bike at one time or another. The chain tool is great. The allen wrench could be a bit larger but it sure is small. The tire tools are okay. Screwdriver is almost good. Overall very handy but I still carry an adjustable 4 cresent wrench. More useful than the Alien with the exception of the screwdrivers. I give it a 4. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Burton
a weekend warrior
from Franklin,Tn
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have been very happy with my tool. It is very light and it hasn't had any problems and even if it did I would still prase it because of it's design and its many uses. It is also at a good price. I give it 5 chillies.
Thank you and happy riding | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Rider (not my real name)
a cross-country rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: November 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Like most reviewers here I really like the design of the Blackburn tool -- nice sleek shape, light weight, everything fits together nice, and a useful variety of tools. But, like others here, the head on the 6 mm hex key broke off as I was adjusting my seat post. I appreciate Blackburn's lifetime warranty but this is a trail tool and if it's not reliable, it's almost useless. I like many of Blackburn's other products so I will be generous - two chiles. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chico the spoondadee
a cross-country rider
from New Jersey and Rhode Island
Date Reviewed: November 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
i loved the tool when I first got it. I mean it looks pretty cool, compact and sleek. However, this thing left me stranded about ten miles away from salvation. Here's the story. It was a beuatiful friday afternoon. Classes were over for the week and I had no commitments that day. My buddy and I went out to do a little trail riding. There was a slight uphill section that I couldn't quite clean. I moved aside and let my partner plow through. When I getheres myself and started to crank down I felt a slip in my drivetrain. I thought I just threw the chain but when I looked down the chain wasn't in one piece anymore.
I thought fine I would just remove a link with my trusty tool and I would be able to get back home fine. OH NO, I was wrong!
As I started to turn the chain tool all I heard was a little metal clink. It was the hex head to the tool breaking off in my hand. So now what I had was was a chain tool stuck to my chain ten miles away from campus on a beutiful friday afternoon. I had to coast on my bike for a good 1-1.5 hours.
Do yourself a favor. Buy two for when the first one breaks. THe lifetime warranty is great but it doesn't help when your ten miles away from home.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike kane
a cross-country rider
from west chester pa
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
i was riding with my brother in law when i needed to adjust my seat angle. i did not have my cool tool (junk), so i borrowed my brother in law's blackburn tool. these allen wrenches they give you suck. they are about as soft as lead. i broke the head off of it and it stuck in my screw head. i would not mind if the tool were mine, but i felt bad breking my brother in law's. just carry a set of park allen wreches, park chain tool, and park tire levers. look at what the pros use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morten Hoff
a weekend warrior
from Bergen, Norway
Date Reviewed: October 10, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A very nice and compact tool, I haven't had any problems with it.
My only complaint is that the flat head screwdriver could have been
a little bigger, a Phillips driver in addition would have been nice.
McGuyver would have been proud of this one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chucko
a
from Silicon Valley, USA
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Pros: Very stylish, very compact.Cons: Lots of sacrifices in the name of style and compactness. The Allen wrenches are too short and too weak to be useful. I broke the head off the 2mm Allen on its first use! And the 6mm can't get enough leverage to loosen my seat. In the nit-picking department, the tire levers won't stay attached to the rest of the tool in my saddlebag.Overall: Light and compact is cool, but trailside tools *must* be functional. Since these aren't as functional as I'd hoped, they only get 2 chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Quinn
a weekend warrior
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The Blackburn replaced a Rhode Gear (which broke far too easily). The Blackburn feels great in your hand: so smooth, so curved, so compact...well you get the point. I haven't had any problems with it over the last year. The hex wrenches work fine. Not the greatest torque, but it gets the job done. I was able to true a moderately bent-up wheel with the spoke wrenches. Haven't used the chain tool yet. Also, I haven't given the box wrenches a real work-out either. A bit pricey, but it just feels so nice. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from Sapporo, Japan
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I like the light weight, the allen wrenches are fine when you use the box end wrench for added leverage. The box end wrench though is not offset at all (Ritchey CPR 9 has the same stupid design flaw), so when you flip the wrench, nothing happens. Regular wrenches are offset so by flipping the wrench you can access bolts from various angles. For working on cantilever nuts, this non-offset wrench is frustrating. First time I used the chain tool I found out that you can't push the pin all the way out. I fixed the chain using the original pin, not the hyperglide extra pin you're suppossed to use. The chain worked fine, but you should be able to remove the pin if you want to. For the worthless box wrenches and the limited chain tool, this tool is not it. I wonder if anybody really ever tested it before putting it on the market. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a cross-country rider
from Vernon BC
Date Reviewed: April 23, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had to use my tool several times on the trail and have been very happy with the results. I noticed a couple of reviews saying that you can't get enough leverage on the allen keys. Well if they just thought about it for ooh about a second they would have figured out that you can use the wrench as extra leverage. I feel that this is a very good product and would recomend it to anyone. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sherman
a weekend warrior
from British Columbia, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have owned it for only a week when I messed up the chain tool body by applying too much pressure to the chain. I don't know what happened but I think it did not line up with the hole. I had to send it back. Maybe I will see if I can sell it. Most bikes these days don't even have any hex nuts. They are all allen bolts so the box end wrench is not needed. Just need more allen keys. The tire levers are alright but I don't really recommend this tool unless you like mailing stuff back and forth with Blackburn. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a cross-country rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 30, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Tool is worthless. The 3,4,5,& 6 allen wrenches have no leverage (couldn't
even adjust brake shoes). For the money ($30), it should at least work on the trail for quick fixes (doesn't).
Screwdriver/hexhead falls off in
saddle bag. Chainbreaker works, but who needs a $30 version. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Sarduy
a cross-country rider
from Tampa, FL
Date Reviewed: October 9, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
LOVE this tool. Excellent design and feel. I feel like James Bond every time I
use it. I don't need the tire levers and they are easily left behind. Have used
the chain tool at least 7 times between me and my buds and have had no problems.
I particularly like how you can use the tool body for added leverage for the
removable wrenches, etc. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike DeGeorge
a weekend warrior
from Branchburg, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 1, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I really liked the Blackburn Mountain Tool for it's compact design and versatility. The durability of the product, however, is another story. I was using the chain tool to remove a few links from a new Shimano IG and when I applied some pressure to the T the entire body of the tool cracked right down the middle. This was only my second time using the chain tool in the 3 months that I've owned it. I'll stick with my old Ritchey chain tool from now on. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay Brenn
a weekend warrior
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
My chain broke biking to work the other day. Fortunately I had the Mountain Tool,
and was up and running in five minutes. This solid little package has come
through for me and my tooless friends consistently in times of desperation.
It's comforting knowing that your covered should some of your components require
surgery in the middle of nowhere. The Mountain Tool is small, light (just under
3oz), well thought out and crafted. Most importantly, it gets what you need done.
Since my tubes have Presta valves, I've added an adapter so that I can get air
from a Schrader pump or gas station air hose. These standard brass adapters
(available in every bike shop) fit perfectly into the chain tool slot. The tool
would be more efficient if it had a small phillips head screw driver, but this
is not necessary. You can't go wrong with this little tool. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Rizzo
a weekend warrior
from Tampa, Florida
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I am new to MTBing but I know a good thing when I see one. The Blackburn Mtn
Tool is very handy it has 15 tools in one compact package. It contains
2 tire levers
a chain tool
3,4,5,6mm hex wrench
3 size spoke wrench
flat blade screwdriver
6,8,9,10mm box end wrench
you can even make a smaller lighter package by configuring the tool without the chain tool.
It carries a lifetime warranty and has already come in handy on a few occasions.
| | Overall Rating: |
| |
$ 35.00
