Steep mountain side trails, daily ride to work, laid-back leisure riding on the weekends, whether you use your bike for leisure or work or even both, having a bike multi-tool with you at all times can prove to be very helpful. A multi-tool can easily get you out of a tight situation when your bike is misbehaving and you are running late for work. With its help, you will make the minor adjustments required, up its performance and be on your way. However, while it might be an important tool to get, one that you should have gotten as soon as yesterday, the choosing process is not one that you should rush. It’s just like a trusted friend. You should not rush the process. Let it happen naturally if the friendship is to last long enough to bear any fruits or even give you deserving friendship returns. For the case of multi-tools, they are the one thing that stands between you and your bike switching places. Think of the long walk home pushing your bike. How hard, tiresome and pissing it will be. Now take the below factors into consideration when you are making your bike multi-tool choice.
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Weight and portability
Whether you choose a heavy or light tool entirely depends on your preference and whether you have the space to carry it. if you are like many people, you will not be carrying a bag along every time you are riding your bike. So the only other place you have to carry your bike’s multi-tool is your pocket. For your pockets, you will need a small lightweight object. One that will not get in your way as you ride or get in the way of you looking cool in the attire you picked out.
Strength, quality, and durability
This goes without saying. You will want a product that will last for a long time. If possible one that you will never need to replace. To get such a product, you will need to ensure that the multi-tool is strong and durable enough. Preferably it should be made from steel. This will solve your weight issue seeing that steel is light and one of the strongest metal there is.
Truth be told, most of the times you will be making some very minor repairs and other times you will be making adjustments that require you to get a bit physical. The tool you choose should be able to contain the pressure you exert from time to time.
Functional design
They are called multi-tools for a reason (they are many tools in one). But as you soon might notice, being the ultimate bike repair tool does not make all of them functional. The design is very important. It should allow you to access any too you require with great ease. You should also be in a position to make use of it without the other pieces getting in your way. Comfort, ease of use are very important.
You may, however, find yourself having to compromise one factor for the other with certain tools. For instance, small tools are light, yes, but very few of them are functional in the way you might want since everything is tiny and cramped up in the small space. Larger tools, however, do not save on space but are very functional.
Versatility
Ideally, you will be making use of a single function on your multi-tool. All the other functionalities will probably, sorry to say, go to waste for the most time – though you still cannot rule out their need. With regards to versatility, you might decide to get a tool that provides you with functions that you know you will need – the bare minimums to fix your most recurrent problems. Alternatively, you might decide to get yourself an all rounded tool – one that can fix just about any problem known to plague bikes. Whichever you prefer is entirely up to your budget and personal preference. But regardless of the tool that you will choose, it should provide you with basic value.
Cost
Yes, it just had to make the list. Think of all the times you have picked up your newspaper, or logged on to a news site only to find saddening predictions that the economy will fail soon. Remember that sinking filling in your stomach and the need to save for those tough times when they come knocking. As you make your choice, be sure to stick to your budget. Do not set your eyes on a product that you know you cannot afford, or that will ruin all the financial plans that you have made.
Basic multi-tools are for the most part inexpensive and will serve you well. Generous gadgets, on the other hand, will be costly, which is expected. The prices vary from one store to the next and as such you should do your research well to ensure you get the best price in the market.
Top Bike Multi-Tools Reviews
Now that we have the theory part down, let’s get into knowledge application. What will considering all the above factors get you? For one, you can rest assured to have the very best working for you. Speaking of which, below are some of the best products the market has to offer you following the above cheat sheet.
Lemo Bike Repair Tool Kit
This is one of the very few deserving products in the market. They truly have earned the right to be on a top list given their quality and efficiency.
If you are in the search for a small multi-tool, one that can fit in your pocket while you are riding to work or otherwise, then this is the piece for you. It is compact and easily portable. When folded, it measures an impressive 3.54” x 1.69” x 0.98”.
The most surprising bit is that even with its compact nature, it contains many of all the bike repair tools that one would need. As a matter of fact, it comes with a whopping 16 tools. These tools include screwdrivers, nut drivers, socket hex wrench and many more for that unfortunate day when your bike breaks down. Impressive right?
And that’s not all. Each of its functional tools is made from steel (high quality) that is not only durable but lightweight and very convenient. The fact that it is made from steel can guarantee you that it can take a beat down when the situation calls for it.
The tools are arranged in a manner that they do not get in each other’s way they are in use. You will thus work fast and efficiently saving yourself a great deal of time.
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Bike Repair Tool, Misslemo 16 in 1 Multi-Function Bicycle Mechanic Repair Tool
Truth be told, it sucks when you have prepared for a bike hike with your friends for ages, and then your bike decides to disappoint you just when you have started the climb. Or worse still, when you have gotten a considerable distance from the foot of the hill and the only way you can possibly go, so that you do not feel wasted is up now you have two options, to carry it up or repair it. Repairing it is the best possible option but only if you have with you a tool for the job. For this, the Misslemo bike repair tool has got your back. No more will you have to suffer the disappointments.
It is a nifty little tool. One that you can carry around every time you are out riding. It can fit in your pocket perfectly without encumbering your ride or making your feel uncomfortable. It is able to provide you with this benefit given that it is small and compact. In addition to this, it is lightweight.
Speaking of its weight, at a glance, you might think it weighs a ton. But this cannot be further from the truth. The material it is made from makes light. You can have it in your pocket and totally forget it is there. Steel, the material it is made from also has the added benefit of being strong and durable.
Moving on, it features a plethora of tools that come in handy during a repair. For instance, it has a solid wrench, a socket extension rod, a hex key wrench, a spoke wrench and many other tools (16 to be exact) that you might be in need of.
Undoubtedly, for your emergency bike repairs, this is the tool for you.
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Lezyne 1-mt-stl-20t06 Stainless-20 Multi Tool
Many of the multi-tools available in the market are colored black. It’s very much okay since after all, black is a neutral color. But you never know what you are missing out on until someone else points it out. Black might be a great color, but a shiny gray exterior is even better. Why? Well consider a situation you are repairing your bike in the grass or on the rocky hillside and in your rush to get the repair over and done with, you place your tool right next to you (or so you thought) but for some reason just cannot find it. A shiny exterior will be easier to find especially when the sun is out. No, as a matter of fact, you will be found by it.
This is perhaps one of the greatest advantages that this Lezyne Multi-tool has over its competitors. But that’s not all. It also is very functional, light and highly durable even under great pressure. And to top it all off, this mini tool features a bottle opener and a tough steel chain breaker.
The designers of this tool must have put a lot of time into its engineering and actual design. Here is why. It has been built with a perfect mix of precision cut steel and aluminum for its sidings. This helps to keep the weight on the lower end of the scale. In addition to this, the aluminum sidings make it possible to repair your bike even with gloves on. The steel sees to it that it is corrosion free and should serve you for several years.
It comes with a variety of tools including spoke wrenches, serrated blades, screwdrivers, disc brake expander and several Allen keys for simple adjustments.
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Crank Brothers Multi Bicycle Tool
If there is a tool that defies the norm, then it is the Crank Brothers multi tool. While many other tools available in its price range feature 16 tools, it goes the extra mile to provide a whopping 19 of them. Now this might look like a small figure to make a big fuss out of, but consider it in the form of functional tools. The three tools just might be the cause you arrive late to work or early depending on its availability or lack thereof. Every tool in this product is functional and its power and use cannot be underestimated.
Crank Brothers Mini tool has been designed with a serious business look. Now while it might scare off some, it will provide a sense of confidence to many in search of a multi-tool. Fixing your bike with a tool that you know can and will get the job done for you gives a feeling of relief and peace.
The 19 tools it comes with are 4 spoke wrenches, 7 hex wrenches a universal chain tool and screwdrivers. These tools will come in handy in fixing the errant spokes and disc brakes.
It is also worth noting that it comes with a polymer carrying case and an aluminum frame. Its tools have been created using steel which guarantees a long life. In addition to this, the company provides a limited warranty to back the quality of its product
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Conclusion
Well, there you are – a tried and tested smorgasbord of the best multi-tools available in the market. Just like you took your time choosing your bike, also take the time to choose the right tool – one that reeks of your personality and fits all your needs. If you do it right, you just might never have to hit the stores again.
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