[telemike]

I've carried a topeak multitool for several years now but have used it very little. I've used it to break a chain when I munched my derailleur too allow two miles of pleasurable walk a bike but not for much more. Recently, I've been trying newer swept back handlebars (no winner yet). To get the position right, I've been adjusting the bar angle and, of course, the brake and dropper locations using the multitool during rides.

I must say, using short allen wrenches on a large bodied tool is a real pita. The tool is inconvenient to use because the large body is always in the way. On top of the bulk issue, the allen keys all rotate out of the tool for use and also rotate when I don't want them too. There are some bolts where I have only a quarter turn or so before the body of the multitool hits the brake lever or the dropper lever.

I am now carrying four long allen keys, a chain breaker, a small pair of folding pliers that I've always carried anyway, two cleat screws, and a derailleur hanger and it still weights less than the multitool. I don't use the knife on the multitool any because it is too small and doesn't lock. I carry a 4" folding and locking knife anyway to defend against mountain lions so the knife in the multitool is superfluous.

Perhaps someday I'll have a problem that my ad hoc kit won't fix that the multitool would. So far, the absolute worst thing to fix on the road is a flat that requires using a tube. The Maxis minions do not like to separate from the WTB scrapers and I may not be able to do this on the road at all, but the multitool is not helpful for this kind of repair.

 

[Harold]

I got fed up with shitty short wrenches on multitools, also.

got one of these recently and it works great.

Fix It Sticks Replaceable Edition With Carrying Bracket

 

[milehi]

I recently picked up a One Up EDC but still carry a large Bondhus allen key tool, mainly for the 8mm key. Also the smaller Park chain breaker and Park DH tire levers. I carry alot of other crap in my pack too.

 

[J.B. Weld]

One good thing about a multi tool is that all the tools are always there in one place. I carry a tiny one that's slightly inconvenient to use but I don't care because I hardly ever use it.

 

[Hurricane Jeff]

I've been using the Blackburn Big Switch, which uses a small, hollow head racket and comes with all the popular sized tools and chain breaker. It even has a hollow end on the handle that fits the tools to fit those hard to reach spots. It all fits into a small bag that also has a tube/ tire levers/ C02 holder and velcro strap.
www.blackburn.com/big switch

 

[Jayem]

One good thing about a multi tool is that all the tools are always there in one place. I carry a tiny one that's slightly inconvenient to use but I don't care because I hardly ever use it.

Yep, loose stuff is a PITA.

 

[DIRTJUNKIE]

telemike, I totally understand your frustration with that multi tool. I’ve carried a Topeak Alien multi tool for 22 years. It’s a tank of a tool with all the issues you’ve mentioned. Not sure if I’m ready to go through replacing it with separate Allen wrenches and such like you have. There are better multi tools on the market these days. Maybe some will chime in here if some better options.

 

[Wheelspeed]

Yeah i throw a full size allen-wrench in my pocket if I know I'll be messing with ergonomics during a ride.

Otherwise, I have a Specialized multi-tool that I haven't used for like 3 years, just for emergencies. It has drilled-out allen wrenches to save weight. That Multi-tool with included chain breaker is only 108g.

But I get it. Most people don't care about a couple hundred grams to save weight. I also sometimes carry a folding wood-saw with appx 7" blade to cut through small fallen trees, so I'm not a total weight weenie. But the specialized tool is pretty cool. The allen wrenches aren't even super short, just drilled to have a similar weight as shorter ones.

EDIT- Sorry, it has shorter allen wrenches than I remembered. Like I said, I hardly ever use it. It just lives in my bag.

 

[Shark]

I have a Leatherman, heavy thing, hangs out in the bottom of the backpack.

It has however saved me a couple different times from having to walk out.

I know if I remove it, I'll need it. Kind of like a spare tube

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Sparticus]

... Bondhus allen key tool ...

^^^ FTW. It stays in an outside pouch on my Wingnut (tethered to the pack via strong magnet) where I can grab it in less than 2 seconds.
Plus a separate chainbreaker and a few other valuable small separate tools stashed together in a small zippered pouch inside the pack.
I use the Bondhus allen block a hundred times for every time I get any of the other tools out.
=sParty

 

[chazpat]

I carry a small multitool but a Park chain breaker after struggling with one on a multitool. If I've adjusted something and suspect it may need tweaking, I'll carry the appropriate tool for it but otherwise I won't.

 

[DIRTJUNKIE]

Hey peoples, anybody recommending a certain tool could you please provide a link to said tool for us Google challenged.

 

[Sparticus]

Here you go, young fella.

Bondhus 12592 GorillaGrip Metric Fold Up Hex Key Set, 1.5-6 mm, 7-Pc

The Bondhus® 12592 HF7MS GorillaGrip® 7-Piece Metric Folding Hex Key Set features Protanium® high-torque steel blades and a 90° stop that converts the tool into a spin wrench. A ProGuard™ finish resists rust. The space-age composite handles are stronger than steel. The handle is not temperature...

www.specialized.net

=sParty

 

[milehi]

Here you go, young fella.
View attachment 1958330

Bondhus 12592 GorillaGrip Metric Fold Up Hex Key Set, 1.5-6 mm, 7-Pc

The Bondhus® 12592 HF7MS GorillaGrip® 7-Piece Metric Folding Hex Key Set features Protanium® high-torque steel blades and a 90° stop that converts the tool into a spin wrench. A ProGuard™ finish resists rust. The space-age composite handles are stronger than steel. The handle is not temperature...

www.specialized.net

=sParty

These make great bottle openers too. The ends of mine are grooved and chewed up.

 

[DIRTJUNKIE]

Here you go, young fella.
View attachment 1958330

Bondhus 12592 GorillaGrip Metric Fold Up Hex Key Set, 1.5-6 mm, 7-Pc

The Bondhus® 12592 HF7MS GorillaGrip® 7-Piece Metric Folding Hex Key Set features Protanium® high-torque steel blades and a 90° stop that converts the tool into a spin wrench. A ProGuard™ finish resists rust. The space-age composite handles are stronger than steel. The handle is not temperature...

www.specialized.net

=sParty

Thanks, care to photograph and show your McGyver tether system to your pouch? 😀

 

[Wheelspeed]

Hey peoples, anybody recommending a certain tool could you please provide a link to said tool for us Google challenged.

Hey Junkie... after your first comment, I edited my post to show the Specialized multitool. I forget which exact one I bought, but obviously take inventory of the bolt sizes you have and choose the smallest multitool that works.

Also, along the lines of recommending a tools, I replaced my old steel spoke wrench with a Spokey. My steel spoke wrench fit 4 different nipple sizes. But after checking my bikes, all my nipples were basically 3.25mm - 3.3mm, so I got a dedicated Spokey that is super light. (13g Spokey vs 48g of the steel one.) EDIT- Also the Spokey grabs the nip at 3 sides instead of only 2 like cheaper spoke wrenches, so it's great for soft nipples. (aluminum)

For Google-challenged, type "Spokey" into the search bar. Pro-tip: don't forget to hit enter.

Off topic- Snip didn't used to work here I don't think... but now it is. So that's a super easy way to post stuff. Just snip and paste.

 

[DIRTJUNKIE]

Thanks Wheelspeed, it’s nice to be able to come back to a thread and find different options when in the market.

 

[milehi]

Hey Junkie... after your first comment, I edited my post to show the Specialized multitool. I forget which exact one I bought, but obviously take inventory of the bolt sizes you have and choose the smallest multitool that works.

Also, along the lines of recommending a tools, I replaced my old steel spoke wrench with a Spokey. My steel spoke wrench fit 4 different nipple sizes. But after checking my bikes, all my nipples were basically 3.25mm - 3.3mm, so I got a dedicated Spokey that is super light. (13g Spokey vs 48g of the steel one.) EDIT- Also the Spokey grabs the nip at 3 sides instead of only 2 like cheaper spoke wrenches, so it's great for soft nipples. (aluminum)

For Google-challenged, type "Spokey" into the search bar. Pro-tip: don't forget to hit enter.
View attachment 1958331

Off topic- Snip didn't used to work here I don't think... but now it is. So that's a super easy way to post stuff. Just snip and paste.

So don't enter "soft nipples" into the search bar

 

[DIRTJUNKIE]

So don't enter "soft nipples" into the search bar

Hold on let me try that….

edit 👀

 

[Sparticus]

Hold on let me try that….

edit 👀

Post results here!