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Looking for a compact mini tool to fit inside frame bag. Ideally with a chain breaker. so something that is not too wide.
Was thinking maybe crankbrothers m17/m19, park tools IB3, topeak mini 18.
what are people using/recommend?
Think we just had a thread on this. But for me, Topeak Alien II because I've had it 20 years and it's still going strong.
Think we just had a thread on this. But for me, Topeak Alien II because I've had it 20 years and it's still going strong.
Will have a search and see if can find it 🙂
The Topeak mini PT30 has a masterlink tool now which is a quite nice addition. It also has a tool for insterting tubeless worms which saves another tool. Used to use Aliens but don't find them so useful now
I’ve used the Crank Brothers M19 for about 20 years. When I needed another tool recently for my hip pack, I bought another M19.
When I lost my Crank Bros, I bought something else. Then soon bought another Crank Bros
Topeak Hexus X, bought after a recommendation on here.
Hexus, always. Wish it was a wee bit better made, they can go rusty and eventually they tend to go a wee bit loose. But the tools are all decent and long enough, it all just kinda works, and the chain breaker is absolutely excellent. The tyre levers suck donkey balls but there's never been a multitool with good tyre levers and most don't have them at all so I forgive it, they're basically just parts of the casing anyway.
Topeak mini 30 here. In the past couple of years I've had call to use pretty much all the tools out on the trail. They all work well, inc the chain tool and the knife blade (lockable) is surprisingly useful.
Previous to that I was using an Alien but it's outdated nowadays, there's no need for ring spanners and a slotted screwdriver. The bottle opener was useful though 🍺
It's pricey but the Wolf Tooth 8-bit Kit One or Two is well made and pretty slim line (or their Encase system kit and just stick that in your bars, I use that on my road bike and the 8-bit kit for MTB)
Topeak Alien RX. Don't think they ever made many but it's a nice bit of kit without the useless spanners and a decent chain tool and indeed tyre lever.
Still have an Alien in my big pack, but a Hexus in my hip pack. Really should buy another as the Alien is a huge chunk of metal, most of which is obsolete on modern bikes. Never had anything the Hexus couldn’t fix that the Alien would have.
Avoid anything too small as they won’t have the leverage when you really need it.
+1 for Crank Bros M17. I think it's best thing they ever made.
I was gutted when I lost my original one with the green band.
I think I've got a Crank Bros one (probably as above) and a Lezyne Pro V17 one - both very good.
One Up EDC (in Pump) on my XC bike
Hexus on my fat bike
Topeak Mini 20 on my Gravel bike
Still using my Cool Tool from the mid-90's
It's seen plenty action and still going strong! One of the best things I have ever bought 🙂
A lezyne something - doesnt appear to be a current model however this one:
https://ride.lezyne.com/collections/multi-tools/products/super-sv-tool
is pretty close. Stainless finish is great, mine still looks fantastic after years of hanging under the bike or being left in stinking gross camelbaks and kit bags (I've had a number of other tools go rusty). Really well rated, I highly rate their mini pumps too for similar reasons.
I have a Topeak Alien III which has been very helpful over the many years I've had it, but it's a brick an most of the tools on it don't see any use so I'm probably going to replace it the Topeak BB Hide N Tool, or maybe a OneUP EDC if I can find someone local who has the thread tap.
@kiwijohn Ah, didn't realise there was threadless version. Cool that it still uses the V2 tool as opposed to the Lite.
I guess this question would apply to any of the EDCs, but my UntieCo Renegade stem has a recess for the top cap recess to sit flush, would the EDC fit ok?
Might need a spacer on top to lift it up enough.
I've moved my EDC to my pump because it's not compatible with my new Factory 38. That flush cap does look very cool though.
Hexus replace my CB17 (wore the chaintool pin out), and is better IMO, as it has longer allen key arms.
Might need a spacer on top to lift it up enough.
I've moved my EDC to my pump because it's not compatible with my new Factory 38. That flush cap does look very cool though.
I'd need to check if it's compatible with my 36 Rhythm, which I know has some changes vs a standard 36.
Might just got for the Topeak BB tool as it's only really missing the 6mm hex vs the EDC V2 tool, plus it's only 40 notes.