Smallest multi-tool that's any good

[SVS]

Can you help? I'm after a very small multi-tool to carry for emergencies. Happy to pay for quality, but it needs to be small.

Any ideas?

[nammynake]

Depends what tools you need...

[SVS]

It's for a road bike. So, a small selection of hex keys and the odd screwdriver ... I guess

What emergency tools would you recommend carrying for a road bike? (Aside from a puncture kit, obviously.)

[Magic919]

I carry a Topeak Hexus II. If that's too big, they make a smaller one that I can't recall the name of.

[anonymous-user]

I've got one of these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-sv-5-multi-tool/?la...



£10 or less

I've also got a larger one that came free with something, I think it's got tire levers also but I tend to use some plastic ones in my saddle bag

Edited by el stovey on Saturday 8th October 19:02

[47p2]

Lezyne V10

Think this is the V11 (one extra tool over the V10)

[anonymous-user]

Magic919 said:

I carry a Topeak Hexus II. If that's too big, they make a smaller one that I can't recall the name of.

I have the hexus 2, it's the smallest thing I found that really does have everything you need to get you home

[tenohfive]

pablo said:

Magic919 said:

I carry a Topeak Hexus II. If that's too big, they make a smaller one that I can't recall the name of.

I have the hexus 2, it's the smallest thing I found that really does have everything you need to get you home

Same here. Not many (any?) smaller and lighter with the same range of tools on it.

[Some Gump]

I have a 5mm allen key with a crosshead on the "long" end. It's pretty much the most minimalist item you could get!

[smifffymoto]

I tend to take out loose allen keys etc as you can actually get them in where you need them and turn them instead of having to just do quarter turns because of the bulk of the rest of the tool.

[smifffymoto]

As an addition to my least reply.

Does anyone make a ball ended allen multi tool? This would overcome the access difficulty often associated with multi tools.

[SVS]

smifffymoto said:

Does anyone make a ball ended allen multi tool? This would overcome the access difficulty often associated with multi tools.

Yes, Wiha's Pocket Star range includes a folding multitool with ball-end hex keys (including 7- and 9-key versions). Google "Wiha PocketStar MagicRing".

Although I haven't tried a Pocket Star specifically, Wiha tools are generally made-in-Germany and excellent quality

Edited by SVS on Sunday 9th October 09:47

[Steve vRS]

47p2 said:

Lezyne V10

Think this is the V11 (one extra tool over the V10)

Is the chain tool useable? If so, that looks great!

[broster]

Steve vRS said:

47p2 said:

Lezyne V10

Think this is the V11 (one extra tool over the V10)

Is the chain tool useable? If so, that looks great!

Yes it is, i have this tool and have used it to fix chains a few times.

[Craikeybaby]

Another Hexus 2 fan here, although that V11 looks good too.

[upsidedownmark]

topeak mini 6. Separate chain tool if you want to carry one.

[SVS]

upsidedownmark said:

Separate chain tool if you want to carry one.

Good idea! Any idea recommendations for a small but easy-to-use chain tool?

[snotrag]

Speialized EMT has all the allen keys, T25 torx, screwdrivers, pad spreader/shim, chain tool (that actually works). Had it years. Its all well and good getting one 30% smaller, but it has to actually work when you need it to.

[upsidedownmark]

Saddlebag and contents:

Spare tube (with valve extender attached)
Levers
2x Co2, plus genuine innovations air chuck
KMC chain link
Park Tool CT-5 Chain tool (works)
MUCH BIGGER topeak mini 9 (the 6 works just fine for everything on the bike), I just don't have it to hand right now
Spoke key that works (yes, I've broken a spoke, and trimmed the wheel up enough to ride using this)
DI2 cable tool (my TT bike carries a spare long cable up one of the extensions just in case - extreme paranoia)
Patches (as a backup if > 1 flat)
Usually there's a tyre boot too.

All goes in the little specialized pack.

I have a slightly larger pack that allows a 2nd tube and used to carry the little tool for shimano cranks (but I don't use a shimano crank anymore)
IF I was going long and solo I'd maybe carry a little pump, but they're borderline useless anyway. The above is fairly 'race' oriented.

[yellowjack]

SVS said:

Good idea! Any idea recommendations for a small but easy-to-use chain tool?

The Park Tools CT-5 that features in upsidedownmark's photo above.

It's an awesome little tool, and I've used it numerous times. I don't even have a 'workshop' chain breaker now. The one in my Aldi bike toolbox broke, and if I need to shorten a chain to fit a bike now I just dip into my saddle pack for the CT-5.

Previously I used a two-piece Topeak chain tool. The one where you screw the handle into the head of the tool. That one came in a 'filled' saddle pack with a bunch of useful spanners and a decent multi-tool and was a really good chain tool. Sadly, the bag itself split, and distributed it's contents around a MTB trail. I recovered both main parts, but the chain pin itself was missing so it's of no use now...