As a none regular biker I often find that when I need it stuff gets scattered to the winds, and the small all in one tool I bought with allen keys screwdriver and chain splitting tool has annoyingly taken to the hills.

Having bought a new bike back in January I still have hopes of riding it during 2024 and thought it would be an idea to put together a small emergency kit to carry with me.

I have the usual patches and glue, and wonder about a titanium 10 - 15 mm ring spanner, but I'm considering buying a new all in one tool .

Any positive experiences of such a tool? There is so much rubbish on offer these days.

Or a compact easy to carry kit that can just strap under the saddle.

Would appreciate the benefit of others experiences.

As a none regular biker I often find that when I need it stuff gets scattered to the winds, and the small all in one tool I bought with allen keys screwdriver and chain splitting tool has annoyingly taken to the hills.

Having bought a new bike back in January I still have hopes of riding it during 2024 and thought it would be an idea to put together a small emergency kit to carry with me.

I have the usual patches and glue, and wonder about a titanium 10 - 15 mm ring spanner, but I'm considering buying a new all in one tool .

Any positive experiences of such a tool? There is so much rubbish on offer these days.

Or a compact easy to carry kit that can just strap under the saddle.

Would appreciate the benefit of others experiences.

 

Information Link

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Information Link

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Cheers looks like you travel pretty tooled up.

I forgot to mention the tyre inflator I bought from aldi which uses CO2 bulbs. Spanners I have in plenty having previously worked in engineering for 49 years and even worse owned a land rover.

I'm considering buying a new all in one tool .

Any positive experiences of such a tool?

 

Which specific all in one tool you have in mind? There are many out there.

For my Brompton, I have most all of the tools I need in a teensy bag underneath the rear of the saddle.

 

Of the multitools I have looked at the Tern Multitool was the one that covered the most;

 

https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/accessories/472/tern-tool

 

The 15mm spanner is good enough for the wheels, yes I did try before I needed to.

 

However, do not assume anything. Its imperative that you go around the bike checking your 'multitool' can reach every nut, bolt and screw. When I did this on Brompton I found I also needed a 1.5mm allen key and an straight\angled bit driver.

 

The Tern screw driver bits were pretty naff, so I found a real small bit driver;

 

 

 

Spare inner tube and puncture repair patches and glue of course, no self-adhesive patches here.

Which specific all in one tool you have in mind? There are many out there.

I saw this one :

Link

 

Or this one :

Link2

 

But this one looks better:

Link3

Crankbrothers? I bet their schooldays were fraught

Edited April 28, 20242 yr by Ray Winder

They look OK. Depends what you expect. I have many multitools I gathered over years and they are always a compromise. They just good enough to patch up things and get home. Good enough is all what you need really.

They look OK. Depends what you expect. I have many multitools I gathered over years and they are always a compromise. They just good enough to patch up things and get home. Good enough is all what you need really.

Yes I can imagine that any type of tool like this has to be a compromise, but these days there are so many cheap Chinese immitations, it would be frustrating to buy someting which turned out to be made from solder and just makes things worse

Yes I can imagine that any type of tool like this has to be a compromise, but these days there are so many cheap Chinese immitations, it would be frustrating to buy someting which turned out to be made from solder and just makes things worse

When I was at the Shanghai bike show, the guy, who makes the Crankbrothers tools was there. He makes the same tools for various brands and some are unbranded. They're all identical apart from the branding. The only difference is the price you pay from the retailer. The best thing was that at the end of the show, he'd sell his display tools for next to nothing, so I got a few. The multi-tools on Ebay range from really good to rubbish, but you can identify the good ones by the precision, particularly in the chain-splitter. The crab ones have rounded corners and the good ones have a very clearly defined shape. The good cheap ones were all over Ebay a few years ago, but now I only see the branded ones.

Saw this one on e bay

Tool

Don't overthink it. It is just a multitool. Buy one and get on a bike.

 

PS I like multitool I bought at Lidl. It was only few £

 

Topeak make good multi tools, which are often copied by cheaper sets which tells you much.

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/75-Mini-Tools

 

As pointed out above. It is something you're going to have to rely on in a situation, so buying cheap might leave you stuck. We arent talking about bank breaking sums.

 

I've a Topeak something or other. I think its the PT mini30. Got it half price in the CRC sell off. Bargain. Not that I've actually used it yet, but it lives in one of the panniers, just in case.

 

You can get little tool kits that hide inside the handlebars at the grips, and theres another that goes down into the steerer tube and even one that goes into the crank axle, if youve the hollow axle type, but the most popular of that type lives in the steerer tube.

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1339-MINI-PT30

 

Steerer tube kits

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/3-best-steerer-tube-tools-ridden-and-rated-oneup-edc-specialized-swat-bontrager-bits.html

Handlebar kit

https://www.biketart.com/products/lezyne-tool-insert-kit-black?variant=41575647412403

Wolftool make a good mini tool that incorporates a set of quicklink pliers. If you've any experience of quicklinks, you'll know how difficult to remove they can be, which makes having the pliers with you a breeze.

https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Wolf-Tooth-8-Bit-Pliers_234486.htm

I don't bother with mini tools. I carry every tool I need for small repairs and adjustments, including chain link pliers and a Top Peak chain link remover/connector - all of the cheapos are single use. Mini pump, magic link, spare chain link, pliers, spoke keys, Allen key set, small adjustable wrench, small multi spanner, spare QR skewer, multi-screwdriver, all sorts in a small but heavy bag... I used to carry inner tubes and a puncture repair kit too, but with Marathon Plus, they're not needed - in the event, I'd fold my bike into a taxi/bus/train. All of my toolkit tools are well used tried and tested. "Be prepared" as Bruce Wilis used to say, but I doubt he remembers.

Edited April 28, 20242 yr by guerney

Appreciate all the input, that wolf tool looks interesting

While I've been sitting here on this wet afternoon I found this offer:

Offer

So I jumped in and ordered (looks like a decent price) now I need to pack up my mini saddle bag with the patches and other stuff.

Going to spend some time checking for what fits what to make sure I have what I need.

Appreciate all the input, that wolf tool looks interesting

While I've been sitting here on this wet afternoon I found this offer:

Offer

So I jumped in and ordered (looks like a decent price) now I need to pack up my mini saddle bag with the patches and other stuff.

Going to spend some time checking for what fits what to make sure I have what I need.

 

I'd be hopping mad ... if the chainlink tool on this turned out to be single use:

 

https://www.crankbrothers.com/products/m19

I did build a 'cheap' toolkit for eBrompton, here is the writeup

 

Individual tools.

 

You can build up a kit of the needed tools, but to get the weight close to the Tern setup (209g) you will need to use a 15mm Titanium wrench, see below.

 

A 1.5mm allen key is needed for the grub screw that secures the gear inner wire on the chain pusher at the rear of eBrompton. Here a 1.5mm hex bit on something like the angled drive shown below can be used but then so can a standard plain allen key. So why use a hex bit when you can use a real allen key ? In a 1.5mm size the allen key is lighter than a hex bit too, by around 4g.

 

Most small hex bits weigh about 5g, which is around the weight of a 3mm allen key, so it makes sense, and its more convenient to use proper allen keys in the 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm sizes. Then use hex bits for 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm sizes. For instance even a short 8mm allen key weighs in at a hefty 17g whilst an 8mm hex bit is a mere 9g.

 

Something like a normal simple screwdriver handle could be good for the hex bits but they tend to be a bit big and heavy. The simple ratchet wrench as supplied with the Brompton kit is almost satisfactory but if you actually try to use it its awkward to impossible to reach some bolts where you really need to use a long allen key in a screwdriver fashion.

 

Sure a simple ratchet driver can make for quick work and is good and for workshop use. However we are building an embedded tool kit for use when out and about and hopefully we might never use it, so does it really need to be sleek and efficient or is ‘it will do’ good enough ?

 

I searched around and I found a simple holder for the drive bits, its a cross between a screwdriver type handle and an angled hex drive. It cost £3, weighs 52.7g. See the picture below.

 

A 3.2mm and 3.5mm spoke key is needed, the lightest I found was on Aliexpress, 24.6g.

 

Separate rivet extractors tend to be heavy, around 75g. There is a low cost, around £6, multi tool that is similar to the Tern multi tool that has a built in rivet extractor, and cut down this provides a rivet extractor that weighs in at 29g.

 

Compared to some multi tools most of the above mentioned set of individual tools is very low cost, so we can slash out on the decent 15mm wheel spanner that we need. The ‘substantial’ titanium one I found on Aliexpress costs £16 and it weighs in at 23.6g, it also has the 10mm spanner needed for the mudguard bolts, left on the picture below. An equivalent steel spanner of the same type would weigh around 50g.

 

We need to add in small open ended 8mm, 10mm and 15mm wrenches. Thin versions can be found very cheap on Aliexpress.

 

The total weigh of all these individual tools is 201g, just lighter and a lot cheaper than a toolkit based on the Tern tool.

 

 

 

 

 

I did build a 'cheap' toolkit for eBrompton, here is the writeup

 

Individual tools.

 

You can build up a kit of the needed tools, but to get the weight close to the Tern setup (209g) you will need to use a 15mm Titanium wrench, see below.

 

A 1.5mm allen key is needed for the grub screw that secures the gear inner wire on the chain pusher at the rear of eBrompton. Here a 1.5mm hex bit on something like the angled drive shown below can be used but then so can a standard plain allen key. So why use a hex bit when you can use a real allen key ? In a 1.5mm size the allen key is lighter than a hex bit too, by around 4g.

 

Most small hex bits weigh about 5g, which is around the weight of a 3mm allen key, so it makes sense, and its more convenient to use proper allen keys in the 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm sizes. Then use hex bits for 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm sizes. For instance even a short 8mm allen key weighs in at a hefty 17g whilst an 8mm hex bit is a mere 9g.

 

Something like a normal simple screwdriver handle could be good for the hex bits but they tend to be a bit big and heavy. The simple ratchet wrench as supplied with the Brompton kit is almost satisfactory but if you actually try to use it its awkward to impossible to reach some bolts where you really need to use a long allen key in a screwdriver fashion.

 

Sure a simple ratchet driver can make for quick work and is good and for workshop use. However we are building an embedded tool kit for use when out and about and hopefully we might never use it, so does it really need to be sleek and efficient or is ‘it will do’ good enough ?

 

I searched around and I found a simple holder for the drive bits, its a cross between a screwdriver type handle and an angled hex drive. It cost £3, weighs 52.7g. See the picture below.

 

A 3.2mm and 3.5mm spoke key is needed, the lightest I found was on Aliexpress, 24.6g.

 

Separate rivet extractors tend to be heavy, around 75g. There is a low cost, around £6, multi tool that is similar to the Tern multi tool that has a built in rivet extractor, and cut down this provides a rivet extractor that weighs in at 29g.

 

Compared to some multi tools most of the above mentioned set of individual tools is very low cost, so we can slash out on the decent 15mm wheel spanner that we need. The ‘substantial’ titanium one I found on Aliexpress costs £16 and it weighs in at 23.6g, it also has the 10mm spanner needed for the mudguard bolts, left on the picture below. An equivalent steel spanner of the same type would weigh around 50g.

 

We need to add in small open ended 8mm, 10mm and 15mm wrenches. Thin versions can be found very cheap on Aliexpress.

 

The total weigh of all these individual tools is 201g, just lighter and a lot cheaper than a toolkit based on the Tern tool.

 

 

[ATTACH=full]57480[/ATTACH]

 

 

 

[ATTACH=full]57479[/ATTACH]

Now that has me thinking about a project to make something similar. You are right about the allen keys being lighter and better, even if I put in some of my ball end Bacho ones weight would be low, need to look at the 15 - 10mm titanium spanner but not the alli express ones

need to look at the 15 - 10mm titanium spanner but not the alli express ones

 

Mine is just fine .......

Multitool

Small pump

Co2 cannister x 2

Puncture repair kit

Spare tube

Tyre levers

Spare quick link

Zip ties

To throw a spanner in the works as it were ...has anyone mentioned the nut on hub motors (assuming you are using a hub drive) is usually 18 mm?

 

I commute over 20 miles each day. I rarely carry any tools, not even a pump or repair kit. Modern puncture resistant tyres mean you almost never get a puncture and I keep the bike in a good state before I ride.

 

I wouldn't over think it, unless you are travelling long distance into the back of beyond.

To throw a spanner in the works as it were ...has anyone mentioned the nut on hub motors (assuming you are using a hub drive) is usually 18 mm?

 

I commute over 20 miles each day. I rarely carry any tools, not even a pump or repair kit. Modern puncture resistant tyres mean you almost never get a puncture and I keep the bike in a good state before I ride.

 

I wouldn't over think it, unless you are travelling long distance into the back of beyond.

Just bought a crank drive this year but yet to size up all the fittings on the bike.

My old carrera bike has a hub drive and it's tighten to 40nm so trying to shift that without the correct tools would potentially be a problem, also putting it back without tighten it up correctly could lead to disaster.

Now... You've got a torque wrench haven't you ...

 

In my youth, the standard motorbike toolkit joke was 'a big hammer and the bus fare home'.

 

On my longer trips I don't carry much, because the nearest bike shop / DIY store / Screwfix is never far away, and the nearest helpful person is always closer than you think.

 

I like separate Allen keys, and my latest set packs 1.5mm to 5mm very neatly in a little plastic holder - don't need any larger sizes - I do carry one normal smallish straight and pozi/Philips screwdriver - good enough for a range of sizes at lowish torque - and I do carry three special tools: Park Tools CT5 chain tool, always there, never yet needed, spoke key, and the special splined cassette tool, because (1) my cassette does loosen off despite 40Nm, and (2) I've changed my centerlock disc retainers to the early style that only works with qr axles, but uses the same tool which means I can access all spoke holes to change a spoke should I need to. I carry a couple of spokes these days, the best of my old ones kept from recent wheel rebuild.

 

I don't carry a vice or large adjustable spanner to use with the cassette tool - that's where the nearby helpful person comes in!

I always carry this too - quick to access via keychain and surprisingly, more useful than it looks. I've made a cover for the pointy end using self-amalgamting rubber tape, surrounded by gaff tape, to prevent it making holes in my trouser pockets.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QinMMSPORTS-Stainless-Utili-Key-Screwdriver-Improvement/dp/B0BBS99RDV

 

That Fiat screwdriver might be of limited use...