Any cyclists out there?

[NutSAK]

The probalem with bike's and multitool's is that apart from a adjustable spanner and a set of allen keys the things you will need to fix a bike are pretty specialist tool's punture repair kit, pump, BB socket, cone spanners, chain set wrench/socket Etc Etc .. Ive never seem a single multitool with any of those on .. the best Ive ever seen are with a chain link remover ... and that's only useful when the chain needs lengthening/shortening ... most chains have a quick release link in them now which will get you out of 50% of chain related problems. I wouldn't mess about with a chain in the field unless I absolutely had to.

Sorry, but I can't really buy into that line of thinking...  I've had to repair broken or bent chains mountain biking in the field MUCH more often than adjust a bottom bracket or bearing cones.  A quick release in a chain is useless if you break a link in the middle of nowhere.

If you're having to adjust your bottom bracket or bearing cones in the field, then you are probably not spending enough time maintaining your bike with 'specialty' cycling tools when you're not in the field.

[I'm Still Bison]

Have you had a chance to scope out any of Park Tool's multis? They seem to be fairly selective about who is a dealer,the nearest authorized Park Tool dealer is about 70 miles from me,and a bit on the upmarket side. I think the Topeak Alien may well be the most popular cycling multi,and by seeing what it carries onboard,it's easy to see why.

[Roadie]

I do a bit of cycling here and there, none of my bikes are brilliant but they get the job done and i don't have enough money to keep all these hobbies upto date! As for tools, well i tend not to carry them, usually as i'm out with friends who have them with them and it seems pointless doubling up, but when i do, i tend to carry proper tools in a rucksack.

First my road bike, got me from Lands End to our old house (nr Leeds for the UK people) about 400/500 miles last year. And has served me getting around at home quite a bit this holiday.


My MTB. A land rover! not the best but i love this bike, i think it looks a lot more expensive than it is. Pic taken after a little outing at uni.


Ryan

[I'm Still Bison]

 You gotta admire the person that has a Raleigh I have semi-vintage Raleigh Wyoming. That MTB has more mud on it than some of the ATVs I've seen coming off the local off-road trails !

[J-sews]

That MTB has more mud on it than some of the ATVs I've seen coming off the local off-road trails !

Yeh, I can only imagine how much mud was on the rider! Betcha had a wide brown stripe up your back that day? 

[Roadie]

I was indeed covered in mud!!  :grin:
Mud might make it harder to get places but its so much more fun on the way! And you don't notice how bad your forks are when its soggy, much more noticeable in the dry.

The Raleigh is their bottom of the line one, but it was cheap and was there when i needed it and apart from slightly noisy gears its a pretty nice ride.

Ryan

[Grant Lamontagne]

Just like a good Jeep, a mountain bike doesn't look right when it's shiny and clean!

Def

[J-sews]

Amen to that!!

I really love my MTB. (Although my wife doesn't seem to always understand how important it is to me!)   

[Splat]

I do a bit of cycling here and there, none of my bikes are brilliant but they get the job done and i don't have enough money to keep all these hobbies upto date! As for tools, well i tend not to carry them, usually as i'm out with friends who have them with them and it seems pointless doubling up, but when i do, i tend to carry proper tools in a rucksack.

So, you're one of THOSE kinds, eh!     I used to hate it when riding friends would always rely on me having a spare tube, co2 cartridge, etc., but nowadays it doesn't bother me. I usually ride alone now but do still ride with friends when everyone's schedules permit.

Nice bikes, Ryan. That muddy mtb brings back memories!   I've got a Specialized Allez Elite w/Ultegra components and Speedplay stainless Zeros. I'm planning on getting a set of Ksyrium Elites this summer. My mtb bike is a Giant Rainier. I do all road these days but the Giant was my first $$ bike and it's got some sentimental value to it so I still have it.

[prime77]

I used to mtb allot, it's been years since I last went riding. Looking back it's surprising how much I didn't carry.  Sometimes I went out with nothing but some extra water and a candy bar or two.  The only thing even close to a tool would be a VIC Soldier that I always carried back then.  My old mtb bike looks pretty bad sitting on the back porch covered in dust with two flat tires

[knife-man]

The probalem with bike's and multitool's is that apart from a adjustable spanner and a set of allen keys the things you will need to fix a bike are pretty specialist tool's punture repair kit, pump, BB socket, cone spanners, chain set wrench/socket Etc Etc .. Ive never seem a single multitool with any of those on .. the best Ive ever seen are with a chain link remover ... and that's only useful when the chain needs lengthening/shortening ... most chains have a quick release link in them now which will get you out of 50% of chain related problems. I wouldn't mess about with a chain in the field unless I absolutely had to.

Sorry, but I can't really buy into that line of thinking...  I've had to repair broken or bent chains mountain biking in the field MUCH more often than adjust a bottom bracket or bearing cones.  A quick release in a chain is useless if you break a link in the middle o nowhere.

If you're having to adjust your bottom bracket or bearing cones in the field, then you are probably not spending enough time maintaining your bike with 'specialty' cycling tools when you're not in the field.

In m,y long years of biking and working in bike shop's Ive never seen a chain break without a obvious cause .. such as a bad repair or a overly worn chain .. both of which should be noticed before it becomes a problem. Do bear in mind that a bike chain should have been tested to take a load up to 300 KG when correctly maintained.

I didn't say you would need a cone spanner or BB tool In the feild, but rather that a set of allen key's and a adjustable spanner ( and a chain link tool possibly l) will serve you as well as most of the cycle multitool's out there possibly even better .

[I'm Still Bison]

The probalem with bike's and multitool's is that apart from a adjustable spanner and a set of allen keys the things you will need to fix a bike are pretty specialist tool's punture repair kit, pump, BB socket, cone spanners, chain set wrench/socket Etc Etc .. Ive never seem a single multitool with any of those on .. the best Ive ever seen are with a chain link remover ... and that's only useful when the chain needs lengthening/shortening ... most chains have a quick release link in them now which will get you out of 50% of chain related problems. I wouldn't mess about with a chain in the field unless I absolutely had to.

Sorry, but I can't really buy into that line of thinking...  I've had to repair broken or bent chains mountain biking in the field MUCH more often than adjust a bottom bracket or bearing cones.  A quick release in a chain is useless if you break a link in the middle o nowhere.

If you're having to adjust your bottom bracket or bearing cones in the field, then you are probably not spending enough time maintaining your bike with 'specialty' cycling tools when you're not in the field.

In m,y long years of biking and working in bike shop's Ive never seen a chain break without a obvious cause .. such as a bad repair or a overly worn chain .. both of which should be noticed before it becomes a problem. Do bear in mind that a bike chain should have been tested to take a load up to 300 KG when correctly maintained.

I didn't say you would need a cone spanner or BB tool In the feild, but rather that a set of allen key's and a adjustable spanner ( and a chain link tool possibly l) will serve you as well as most of the cycle multitool's out there possibly even better .

I won't argue with you,it is true that nothing will ever beat a dedicated tool for the job,and I also bow to your experience,but many cyclists prefer to ride as light ( in weight and volume)as possible,and that is where a multi begins to shine. Welcome to the forum,and make yourself at home.

[knife-man]

I won't argue with you,it is true that nothing will ever beat a dedicated tool for the job,and I also bow to your experience,but many cyclists prefer to ride as light ( in weight and volume)as possible,and that is where a multi begins to shine. Welcome to the forum,and make yourself at home.

This is where we will agree to differ.

Personally I prefer the Allen key's and spanner and most defiantly a spoke wrench something which allot of multi tool's skip over (and forget or put hard to use or impossible to use ones on)but can be a god send for a "get me home" solution(and possibly a chain link tool) because I wear a bag which is usually half empty anyway (so Im not pressed for space) and I'm not weight orientated rider .

But then again If I was a weight and space orientated rider I would probably go down the multi tool route.

It's also worth bearing in mind I used to ride with other people who had different bikes to me and didn't have the knowledge or tool's to fix them .. something simple like a "old fashioned" wheel nut being loose can end a ride early if your multi tool doesn't have a 15MM spanner. Then again like other's have said if you can convince someone else to carry the kit then you may as wel load the whole toolbox onto them 

Different people, Different riding styles, different group's of rider's .. we cant all be expected to agree all the time .. thats what makes forum's interesting 

[I'm Still Bison]

Some of  the riders,I've encountered couldn't even be bothered with carrying  a spare tube,patch kit,and levers !

[NutSAK]

In m,y long years of biking and working in bike shop's Ive never seen a chain break without a obvious cause .. such as a bad repair or a overly worn chain .. both of which should be noticed before it becomes a problem. Do bear in mind that a bike chain should have been tested to take a load up to 300 KG when correctly maintained.

I rarely repaired a chain due to breakage or twisting when I worked at the shop either.  What I repaired at the shop is beside the point though, because I wouldn't use a multitool at the shop, but rather the more specialized tools.  Chains break or twist frequently on mountain bikes, and I have repaired them in the field many times.  True, they take a huge load along one axis, but not a heavy side load.  All it takes is a branch to be kicked up into the rear derailleur or cassette to induce twisting or breakage.  What happens when you twist your quick-release link?  You won't be using it any more.  Also, If that branch that gets kicked up severely bends, or rips your rear derailleur off (which I've also seen and experienced several times), again, your quick-release link is worthless, as you have to shorten your chain and run a single gear.

I find that the Topeak Alien multitool, along with a patch kit, spare tube or two and pump or CO2 carts covers most of the bases for mountain biking.  It also has most of the tools that you mentioned you like to carry (spoke wrenches, allen keys, chain tool, tire levers, etc.) minus the 15mm spanner, which I have no need for. 

FWIW, I carry a lighter kit on the road bike, and I don't tend to bring tools to fix other people's bikes, but concentrate more on my own.  Most of the folks I ride with are current or ex-bike shop employees and likewise take care of their own needs. 

You're right--it does matter what type of riding you're doing and who you're riding with, and even the terrain you're riding on.  It also matters how your bike is built.  For instance, you mention an adjustable spanner, but there's very little on any of my bikes that it would be handy for.  The only fastener on my mountain bike that requires a spanner of any sort are the wheel bearing cones and locknuts.