multitools for bikes

And this is why I hardly ever come here. There is such a thing as overkill and this person demonstrated it. Here is what a list would normally look like when going for a ride for a few hours (not camping or cross country riding).

Maybe a spare tube but kept in the car.
Pump kept in the car.
Not my complete wallet: one credit card, drivers license, and my AAA card also in the car.
Phone - in the car.

BTW if you need a rain jacket then don't ride that day. This coming from someone that loves to ride.

 

And here is an example of 2 extremes both equally extreme?

Just how much good will the spare Tube and stuff be in the car?
I have had plenty of occasions to carry parts and tools and do as I see fit,maybe you should try riding in another guys pedals before passing too much judgement?
I agree that for me that seems like overkill but then I don't see how it really affects my breathing either,or yours.

I ride in Florida in a spot where flats and cuts from shells are the rule on a Sunday morning Donut Shop ride.
I found out the hard way why I might want to get to know new areas I ride in and learn from the people already riding there.
They suggested I carry 2 or 3 spare tubes for that ride and now I do,and I have needed them all at times too.

I would rather have it and not need it than walk back to the car.

 

My recreational riding involves 5people. I'm Dad, so, yeah, I have tons of stuff. A loaf of bread yesterday. We did make eight miles. (3different size tubes)

 

Wow, nice attitude.

You did notice that the post you quoted mentioned they do distance riding and that the gear was for two persons, right? Not even close to overkill. Then again you probably don't ride distance if you actually keep your spares in the car (seriously?)...

 

Why not just go tubeless tires?

 

Because when riding you want to be as light as possible. Even though that ride cross country only bring the bare essentials. It would be a list as long as his, but things that wouldn't be necessary is a gun lets say.

In the end you do you and I do me and we will live in perfect harmony.

 

Speaking as someone who does 100+ miles a week on a bike: Go over the bike determine exactly what screws etc hold it together and then build yourself an appropriate tool roll. Won't be a lot but, will save you an awful lot of grief.
I have used these specialist tools befor and they frankly are not very robust. Only specialist tool Iwould purchase is a chain link tool.

 

Good tip. Also what I like to do is to replace all possible bolts to have the same head size wherever possible, eg. 5mm, to need as few keys as possible.

 

THIS: Crankbros mini pump, Topeak multitool, Topeak chain breaker, tire levers, spare parts, tube patches and tire patch. All carried in a Camelbak Rogue with an iPhone, headphones, spare tube, energy bars and an old plastic film canister with toilet paper rolled up inside.

 

I don't like multi-tools for bike repairs. I prefer a mini toolbox so the tools aren't all attached to one big ungainly handle that doesn't fit in tight spots. Therefore, I have Topeak Survival Gear Boxes strapped to both of my bikes: http://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Tools/SurvivalGearBox

 

On the road bike I usually only carry a mini pump, patch kit, levers, and loose allen wrenches. On the mtb or cross bike I have a Crank Brothers M19, mini pump, tube, RD hanger, and chain quick-link. I've actually found that crank bros tool and some of the topeak multi tools to be pretty handy, I had a park multi that was a POS though, but nothing compares to a proper tool setup at home. Silca just launched a kick starter for a handy little ratchet and torque wrench combo that looks pretty sweet.

 

Well, I know what I'm getting for Christmas.

Thanks!

 

Same here, it looks like it'll be better than my swiss tool screwzall at work too.

 

The ratchet driver looks cool, but I've never had a roadside repair intensive enough to require that kind of tool without my bike being generally unsafe to ride home.

 

Will be very useful for me, as I have to partially dismantle my bike when flying somewhere I want to do a cycle tour, so this would be fantastic, though maybe overkill for roadside repairs - by Vic Wrench kit does well enough for removing wheels and adjusting things

 

On shorter rides, this is the only tool I bring along:

Bike tool in glove by Magnus Holm, on Flickr

It is a cheap no-brand bicycle multitool I bought at the local bike store. It contains three Unbrako/hex key sizes, a Philips driver and a chain tool. All in a small enough packet that I can stuff it in one of the pockets of my bicycle shirts and forget it's there.

The quality is so-so. The tools aren't very precisely machined, and the steel quality probably isn't all that. For bike maintenance and repair at home, I use a proper ratchet and a good set of quality bits. On the other hand, this little tool is more than good enough for the occasional roadside adjustment or quick fix.

On longer trips, I also bring a patch kit with decent tyre levers and a small pump. I also sometimes throw in my Leatherman Wave, mostly for the pliers, and because it is always nice to carry a blade in the woods.

 

That raises a question --- what are Phillips used for on a bike (besides easily replaced screws on reflectors)? Isn't it JIS which is used for derailleur adjustments?

 

I also use a crankbrothers m17. It's built like a tank and has all the tools I've needed so far.

 

The lightweight version of my bike repair kit, that I use for my short 4 mile (each way) work commute, is a Leatherman Mako Ti with a Stanley 1/4" magnetic bit extension and a couple of O-rings to help it keep in place (only one is really needed, but a spare doesn't hurt), plus two decent plastic tyre levers and one spare inner tube (+ my frame pump) - no way am I going to patch a punctured tube on the road. Oh, and a pair of disposable nitrile gloves (also useful in case my chain comes off (not often, but it happens).

There's room for whichever 4 bits you most need, though the standard ones are a reasonable enough selection (Hex 4mm and 5mm, Torx 25 and Phillips #2) and seem decent quality. I don't really need the Torx, though (no disc brakes), so should probably swap it for another hex bit, though 4mm and 5mm covers most of the important stuff on my (touring) bike.

Works well for me! For longer rides and proper cycle tours I take more stuff, though...

 

I still want that Silca kit, though, that's perfect for when I have to re-assemble the bikes after flying