need a lighter multi tool

[DMC]

I carry the topak alien ll with me now, and I'm finding it too heavy. I'd like to be able to take my under seat bag off the bike all together, but I can't imagine carrying that alien thing in my jersey.

Any suggestions for a light multi tool?

[OakLeaf]

I have that one too and I agree it weighs a ton! The bulk also makes it kind of a problem to get anything at all out of my seat pack, to change a tube or whatever.

Topeak has come out with a couple of lighter multi-tools lately, that have all or almost all the tools on that one, but I haven't seen or held them to know how functional they would be.

What kind of riding do you do? If you're never out in the boonies, you could get by with 4,5,6 mm Allen plus whatever it is your cleats attach with.

[aka_kim]

I have a Knog multi-tool which I bought specifically for its light weight. I haven't had occasion to use it yet, but it seems very well-designed. I have the 12-function kit, but it comes it several other configurations too.

[DebW]

I think the lightest you can go is to skip the multitool and carry 2 or 3 small allen keys (4 and 5 mm, or 3, 4, and 5 mm) that fit the parts on your bike. See what your bike really needs, and don't forget your shoe cleats and fender bolts. I also like this tool. (http://www.parktool.com/product/multi-tool)

[DMC]

OakLeaf: I'm never that far from people. Most of my riding is around the city (where there is always a bike shop within walking distance), or on highway 9W in New Jersey/NY. Its the main drag for roadies and triathletes training and there is always someone around. I can't even stop for a breather and some water without someone asking me if I need help!

I'm guessing I really only need to carry a few allen keys, CO2, spare tube, tire levers, patch kit, chain tool and a chain link.

Anything I'm forgetting?

[OakLeaf]

I would think the chain and chain tool are overkill for the riding you're talking about.

Have you broken chains in the past? (Touch wood ... I never logged my miles until I got my new road bike, but) I have to have well over 50,000 lifetime miles and I have never broken a chain. Risk factors for breaking a chain would be if you're a heavier rider with very strong legs - climb steep hills standing - do a lot of sprints - and/or poor chain maintenance/failure to replace a worn chain.

By the time you throw in the chain tool, you may as well throw in spare cables (which take so little space and weight that it's hardly worth not carrying them - you can just toss your old cables into your seat pack for emergency spares the next time you replace them), a hand pump, spare spokes, a spoke wrench and a cassette tool ...

There are a lot of things that can theoretically happen that would leave you walking, but you need to balance the likelihood of them happening - and the amount of hassle or danger it would be for you if they did - vs. the weight and bulk of carrying the kitchen sink around on every ride.

[Catrin]

I am currently debating this very thing - in the process of getting accessories for my Gunnar. I COULD say that I can just change seat-bag when I move from one bike to the other - but that will grow old. I know me :o

I do tend to head out for the boonies, where I don't get cell phone reception...

[Becky]

I am currently debating this very thing - in the process of getting accessories for my Gunnar. I COULD say that I can just change seat-bag when I move from one bike to the other - but that will grow old. I know me :o

I used to have a seat bag for each bike...then I got too many bikes :o Now it's a seat bag for each wheel size...the road bikes share a bag, the 29er and the 26" mountain bike each get their own. The commuter's stuff goes in the panniers.

I carry a small multi-tool on the roadies...with 3, 4, 5, 6 mm allen keys, and a Phillips screwdriver. I don't really sweat the brand...as long as it's small and has what I need, it's all good. I also keep a spoke wrench in the seat bag, in addition to tire stuff. I stopped carrying a chain tool on the go-fast bikes several years ago (although the MTBs and commuter each have one.)

[badgercat]

DBF got me this little Lezyne (http://www.lezyne.com/crv-12) for Christmas and it's been great. It does have a chain tool, which I thought was a little overkill myself, but it only weighs 115 grams (google tells me your Alien II weighs 290 grams) and is compact but sturdy-feeling.

[DMC]

I would think the chain and chain tool are overkill for the riding you're talking about.

Have you broken chains in the past? (Touch wood ... I never logged my miles until I got my new road bike, but) I have to have well over 50,000 lifetime miles and I have never broken a chain. Risk factors for breaking a chain would be if you're a heavier rider with very strong legs - climb steep hills standing - do a lot of sprints - and/or poor chain maintenance/failure to replace a worn chain.

By the time you throw in the chain tool, you may as well throw in spare cables (which take so little space and weight that it's hardly worth not carrying them - you can just toss your old cables into your seat pack for emergency spares the next time you replace them), a hand pump, spare spokes, a spoke wrench and a cassette tool ...

There are a lot of things that can theoretically happen that would leave you walking, but you need to balance the likelihood of them happening - and the amount of hassle or danger it would be for you if they did - vs. the weight and bulk of carrying the kitchen sink around on every ride.


I haven't yet broken a chain, and I'm pretty religious about keeping everything shipshape, but I am also a bit obsessive and a worst-case-scenario worrier (I can at least finally admit this things out loud), and I often need someone to say 'DMC...c'mon, really? I mean...REALLY?'. So thanks for that. ;)

I like that Park Tool MT-1 thing that DebW posted. Looks perfect to throw in my jersey with the tube stuff. Will definitely check that out.

[Eden]

MT-1 rocks.... can do most small emergency repairs in a tiny light package. The only way they could make it better is to add a spoke tool (which doesn't seem unreasonable or impossible - just put a slot across one of the ends or maybe in the tip of the largest allen)

[DebW]

MT-1 rocks.... can do most small emergency repairs in a tiny light package. The only way they could make it better is to add a spoke tool (which doesn't seem unreasonable or impossible - just put a slot across one of the ends or maybe in the tip of the largest allen)

How about tire levers with 3 spoke wrench sizes and 8,9,10 mm open wrenches? These came with a carry-along chain tool that I have, and they are quite nice. Wish you could buy then alone.

[purdyd]

lezyne sv5 would be my suggestion

http://www.lezyne.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/thumbnail/500x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/v/sv5-r0_1.jpg