[ForrestJones]

I've got to agree with the majority here. I've got a Leatherman (forgot which) and a much smaller and lighter Gerber. So I carry the Gerber in my hydro pack thinking that sooner or later (its gonna be later, or never) I'll need those damn pliers.

The knife could be of use to kill and skin out a rabbit or porcupine for lunch, I guess, but I usually just bring sandwiches.

I'm of the opinion that one shouldn't go out in the woods without a knife, preferably fixed blade or locking. If for no other reason than "its just wrong not to."

 

[ElwoodT]

That comment grabbed my attention. I'm only asking this to be the devil's advocate for a moment, but would you be saying the same thing about carrying a spare inner tube if you happen not to have a flat tire for hundreds and hundreds of miles, or about bear spray while riding in bear country if you're not attacked by a bear for hundreds and hundreds of miles of riding?...quote
__________________Considering I haven't had to put a tube in in ages and still carry one that statement isn't true for me. However I just cant conceive of what trail-side repair job I couldn't do with out a leatherman. I mostly ride single speed which is nearly bomb proof.

 

[AndrwSwitch]

While I don't carry a leatherman to go riding, the pliers can be handy to pull out a staple. More of a road issue, and I've always managed without it.

 

[ltk1144]

Ideally i would carry a skeletool and a topeak alien II. The juice is also a nice thing to carry, i have the blue one


Sent from my carrier pigeon

 

[steadite]

Squirt PS4 is a fantastic pocket tool--I carry and use mine every day. U do also want a bike-specific tool.

 

[Shark]

In 9 years of riding, I've only used mine maybe 3 or 4 times. But it's not really noticeable sitting in the bottom of the backpack so why not.
I think I have the wave.

Used the knife once, scissors once to cut some gauze & fix up some kid's toe because he was riding in sandals, & the pliers to tighten up a loose hub once.

I'd rather be prepared than not, so I bring mine even if not used often.

 

[s0ckeyeus]

I like the Victorinox multi-tools, but I never bring mine biking. I don't know if you'd ever need one on the trail.

 

[BigWorms]

For good feedback everyone. Thanks!

 

[dirt farmer]

While my reply is neither here nor there, I feel I must add that the old Leatherman that I found on a secluded dirt road on the rural outskirts of Bend, Oregon, in approximately 1997, turned out to be the very first model they made! It is now "retired" from their product lineup:

The Leatherman PST

I still carry it with me on every ride, and have yet to use it.

 

[1niceride]

To those who think just cause they haven't needed it, others might need your help at some point and then one might wish one had one.

Like that bird I found in a tree with mono fishingline around its leg. Like the homeless guy who couldn't open up his beer cause of a broken tab. Like holding on to things that are hot...or cutting twigs that might poke out eyes...give me 10 min I'll give ya 100 situations I've used mine for. And the quality of steel in a leatherman is excellent.

 

[James_spec]

Buying a multitool is all based on prefrence. Personally i went with a victorinox swiss multitool super tinker model because i wanted something small, light weight and had basic phillps, flat head and scissor as a option and cost around $20. Sadly Leatherman didn't offer a model with those tools together at my price range. But if you want to ultimate multi-tool, the victorinox swiss tool x is hard to beat.

 

[Ken in KC]

Apples and Oranges...

That comment grabbed my attention. I'm only asking this to be the devil's advocate for a moment, but would you be saying the same thing about carrying a spare inner tube if you happen not to have a flat tire for hundreds and hundreds of miles, or about bear spray while riding in bear country if you're not attacked by a bear for hundreds and hundreds of miles of riding?

I carry bike specific parts, regardless of how many times I've actually used them. I carry a spare chain link in my pack. In 20+ years of riding, I've probably used a spare link around 5 times on the trail. Why? Because there's no other tool for the job.

Your tube analogy is the same example. I ride tubeless. Technically, I don't need to carry a tube. But if I need a tube, I can't fabricate one from something else. So I carry a tube.

There's nothing that I can think of for a trailside repair in which a Leatherman is the only tool that will do the job. On the other hand, if you try to perform a trailside without a bike specific multi-tool, chances are you're walking back to the trailhead.

 

[erginguney]

I carry bike specific parts, regardless of how many times I've actually used them. I carry a spare chain link in my pack. In 20+ years of riding, I've probably used a spare link around 5 times on the trail. Why? Because there's no other tool for the job.

Your tube analogy is the same example. I ride tubeless. Technically, I don't need to carry a tube. But if I need a tube, I can't fabricate one from something else. So I carry a tube.

There's nothing that I can think of for a trailside repair in which a Leatherman is the only tool that will do the job. On the other hand, if you try to perform a trailside without a bike specific multi-tool, chances are you're walking back to the trailhead.

Makes sense.

As long as "not getting used for X hundred miles" is not the sole criterion, like the way it originally sounded...

 

[smilinsteve]

Seems like whatever I google, MTBR has something on it.

I just bought a Wingman for 40 bucks. Its my first Leatherman besides the keychain type, and I'm really impressed with the quality. Very nice smooth polished feel, very smooth action to open the tools with no binding or wiggle etc. So, its just a nice thing to have.

With that said, I don't see any reason to carry one on a bike ride. Bike multi tools have the right stuff and are much lighter and smaller.

I will keep it in my car center console. I admit, these things don't always get used a lot, but they are nice to have when you need them, and I will use mine. For example:

Beer bottle opener - no explanation needed
File - finger nail maintenance when stuck in rush hour traffic
Scissors - nose hairs
knife - stabbing bad guys
Other tools - At least I'll have some tools with me in my car!

 

[jjaguar]

I agree that a full-size Leatherman is overkill, too heavy and half the tools don't fit anything on a bike, but something more minimalist is useful. In addition to a bike multitool, I keep a Leatherman Freestyle in my CamelBak. It has just three tools - A decent knife, pliers, and a wire cutter (Leatherman claims like 5 or 6 tools, but that's because they use Hollywood accounting to count things twice). It's only about 3 or 4 inches folded up, so it disappears in the bottom of my pack, and I've used all of them at one time or another. The pliers especially come in handy from time-to-time.

 

[trhoppe]

I agree that a full-size Leatherman is overkill, too heavy and half the tools don't fit anything on a bike, but something more minimalist is useful. In addition to a bike multitool, I keep a Leatherman Freestyle in my CamelBak. It has just three tools - A decent knife, pliers, and a wire cutter (Leatherman claims like 5 or 6 tools, but that's because they use Hollywood accounting to count things twice). It's only about 3 or 4 inches folded up, so it disappears in the bottom of my pack, and I've used all of them at one time or another. The pliers especially come in handy from time-to-time.

This right here. I carry that Freestyle everywhere. Biking, Camping, Backpacking, Bikepacking, etc. Between a simple multi tool, and then the knife/pliers/cutters on that, there isn't anything I can't do on a bike. I've used the pliers/cutters more than the knife, but they were really valuable when needed to pull out/bend a broken spoke, fix a busted derailleur cable, etc etc

 

[ace.chen]

Leatherman juice cs4 is always in my toolpack if im carry my Osprey raptor.

 

[Miker J]

Leatherman Kick.

Don't think they make it anymore, so I've hoarded a few from ebay, but they a still easy to find. Got a few other models, like the Charge, that are nice but not as compact and simple as the Kick.


It is one of their smaller , full-sized tools. Minimalistic. Light. Pliers, knife, screwdriver, opener.

Then I carry a few separate hex keys, but no bike specific multi tool. I like the hex keys separate. I keep a separate stash for a chain tool.

That Kick got me out of one predicament where I would have otherwise had to walk a bike out many miles.

 

[ace.chen]

View attachment 974705

My Leathermans through the years.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Osco]

I bought this cheap eastern made knock off at the auto parts store, you know that bin full of cheapo tools....
I paid $10 for it years ago, looks just like an expensive leatherman..
Works fine and I've tried to break it.
Even came with a terrible looking vinyl case.