reason #6,173 why I carry a MT

Breezy12 · **on:** August 05, 2013, 08:18:42 PM

I rode my bike into work today, and about halfway there, my rear wheel made an awful sound and skidded to a stop. Turns out the strap I had been using to hold the bike lock in place while I ride got caught in the rear derailleur somehow, and the results weren't pretty. I had to completely remove the rear wheel from the frame and cut some of the strap away before I could even begin trying to untangle it from the gears.

I spent about 30 minutes cutting, pulling, and swearing, but I finally got it cleared out and the bike put back together. I wish I would have taken a few more pics, but at the time, I was more concerned with "how the smurf am I going to get to work?" aspect of the situation.

All I can say for sure is that without my Skeletool CX, I would have been stranded and had to call someone.

Zed · **Reply #1 on:** August 05, 2013, 08:37:52 PM

Glad you was ok mate

and cool the cx saved the day

Delta10 · **Reply #2 on:** August 05, 2013, 09:14:55 PM

Well done, sir.

Glad to see you were prepared. Always nice to have a reminder of how your trusty Leatherman always has your back!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #3 on:** August 05, 2013, 09:17:55 PM

Usually each thing your tool does for you isn't worth carrying a tool for specifically, but the many times it comes in handy justifies it.

That having been said, there are times like this when they become invaluable!

Def

Breezy12 · **Reply #4 on:** August 05, 2013, 10:08:59 PM

thanks guys.

there are plenty of other plier-based MTs that could have done the same job; I just like the Skeletool CX for cycling/mountain biking due to its relatively slim form factor and light weight. I don't know if keychain-size pliers (like on a PS4 or Dime) would have been sufficient as I was using quite a bit of force to get the strap out of the gears.

Quote from: Grant Lamontagne on August 05, 2013, 09:17:55 PM

Usually each thing your tool does for you isn't worth carrying a tool for specifically, but the many times it comes in handy justifies it.

That having been said, there are times like this when they become invaluable!

Def

well said, Def. I certainly don't use pliers every single day, but I was very happy to have them with me this morning.

stealth007s · **Reply #5 on:** August 06, 2013, 12:08:16 AM

I'm sure glad you came out of this ok Breezy. Being stranded without a MT just sucks!¡! I dropped the Charge Ti from my spare tube bag when I got the Crank Bros B17 but I replaced it with an original Wave. This post reinforces the reason I carry one.

Breezy12 · **Reply #6 on:** August 06, 2013, 06:27:45 AM

thanks stealth!

I would have really been up the proverbial creek without my Skeletool... I checked on google maps, and I was almost exactly at the halfway point between home and work when it happened.

I have to admit, when I finished removing the strap pieces from the gears and got the bike back together, I tested it out, and my first thought was, "yup, that's why I carry one of these every day!"

of course, I have also had that same thought after completing much more trivial tasks, such as changing the batteries in my sons' toys or opening a beer.