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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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)

Fantasticmrmatt wrote: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

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

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.

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

flatfishy wrote: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

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