Multi Tools - what's good?

[Bearbonesnorm]

I keep thinking that some type of small multi tool type thing might be a handy thing to carry. I've searched the net and pretty much confused myself with all the options

Does anyone carry one ? Can you recommend one ?

Don't want to spend vast amounts but would like pliers of some description and can happily live without a bottle opener

[pedalhead]

I really like the Topeak Toolbar. Nice & light and you only need to carry the attachment bits that are relevant to your bike. I think they're discontinuing them though in favour of the Ratchet multitool. Obviously it doesn't have pliers, but I'm not aware of a decent bike tool that does...which is why I also have a Leatherman Juice as well. Having seen a mate's Leatherman Squirt, I'm gonna get one of those (smaller, lighter, still as useful) and keep the Juice in the van as a general purpose handy tool.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Mark, it was a Leatherman / Gerber type thing I was asking about. Glad you mention the Squirt, it's one I'd seen and quite liked the look of.

[Dyffers]

I've also nearly bought a Squirt in the past, mainly as I wanted a set of small pliers for trailside brakepad changes.

Otherwise, my trust old (but not the lightest) Topeak Hummer and low-end swiss army knife combo does everything else I need.

[pedalhead]

Ah ok I thought you wanted it all in one. The Squirt seems pretty effective for something so small. It's not super heavy duty or anything but I reckon the pliers would be properly useful rather than flimsy (which I originally thought they might be before I handled one). That said, if you want something a bit beefier, the Juice is a quality bit of kit. Mine's the S2 & weighs 124 grams.

[Dan_K]

I've got this:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/crank-brothers- ... ulti-tool/

Has got everything except pliers and a bottle opener (I also carry a swiss army knife for those bottle opening emergencies). I've got a Leatherman Charge Ti as well that come out for extended trips instead of the swiss army knife.

[restlessshawn]

spd pedals are actually perfect bottle openers, have done this many times :)

[chris n]

I like my Leatherman Skeletool - one of the smallest full size tools, as far as I can tell. Pliers with wire cutter, locking knife, 2x flat and 2x Philips screwdrivers and a bottle opener. You can even get one with a carbon insert, if you want to save a gram or two. The knife's perfect for cheese. :D

[slackman99]

I've got http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/article/rose ... aid:477838 one of these and it seems pretty decent. Not the lightest or smallest thing, but comes with everything.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Anyone tried something as small as a Gerber Vice ? Seems to have the minimum features required, very small and light (less than 80g) and it's also cheap

[Mart]

Not tried anything else but my Topeak one is holding up pretty well (hexux II)
http://www.topeak.com/products/Tools/hexus2

[Nick]

Stu, I've got a Vise and I think it's a perfect partner for a bike specific multitool - (crank brothers 17 in my case).

Nicely made, sharp if small knife, wire cutters will get through a brake or gear cable, but not as cleanly as a decent set of wire cutters.

So small and light it sits in a little pocket on my pack all the time.

[Matt]

Leatherman Squirt PS4

Dead small
Has pliers
Has nice sharp blade (not big though, you won't be skinning Bears with it)
Surprisingly useful file
2 'flat' screwdrivers

Just really really small so you can carry it always.

Also I'm pretty sure Ian has one (stole my idea like he stole Taylor's fitted scourer idea)

[Ian]

Leatherman Squirt PS4

Also I'm pretty sure Ian has one (stole my idea like he stole Taylor's fitted scourer idea)

I do have one, yes. T'was a birthday pressie, so there
The nice sharp blade is OK until you use it, then it looses its edge and becomes useless :(
Pliers are good for their size though
The spring broke on my scissors within 4 months of getting mine, but sent it back and got a new one FOC within a fortnight. Could have been quicker, but I'm happy. Guarantee is about 25 years I think.

I refined Taylor's fitted scourer idea by making it a dual purpose scourer

[Taylor]

How is it dual purpose?
1.Scourer
2.Rattle stopper?

[Ian]

Correct. Could also be used as a coaster?

And, if you wanted to play some music through your iPhone for the enjoyment of other people in, say, a bothy, and, for example, you used an empty pan to amplify the sound a bit, then the scourer in the bottom of said pan does a good job of reducing the treble a bit

So, that's four uses.

[Taylor]

Using the pan was my idea, you stole that too.

[Ian]

Using the pan was my idea, you stole that too.

Wot-ever

Could also have used it as a muffler for your loud mate. Only difficulty would be deciding which end to put it

[Taylor]

I'd have gladly put my hands around his neck as a muffler.