What is your tips for the lightest bike tools that will not destroy my wallet?
Like the lightest Ratchet tool, chains breaker, pump, tyre levels or any combo tools that help bring the weight down.
I had my eye on the Topeak ratchet rocket lite dx (at 164g) for a while but I wonder if there is anything lighter around.
by Damayonnaiseman
10 Comments
Why does it need to be lighter? At some point usefulness/robustness gets obliterated by less weight.
You’re better off eating one fewer hot dog the evening before your ride. Same weight savings.
Just bring the Allen keys you need. Depending on your bike you probably only need 3 or 4 to do most roadside fixes. Way more functional than a multitool and a bit lighter usually.
I have one of those but never use it. I have a specialized mtb which comes with a multitool and a chain breaker built in. I know saving weight is important and it’s like a switch. Once you turn on the switch and focus on weight it’s hard to turn it off. But there are some things or some points where saving weight is a fallacy. Especially if your body weight % is higher than 10%. Because the body is the best way to shed grams. I think a solid strong reliable multitool which can be used on all bolts on your bike (possibly with exception of pedals) and a chain breaker are essential. I find with that little Topeak it’s lacking. Also it comes with tyre levers that are as useful as dry pasta. I personally use pedros. Topeak make some good stuff and for what it does that tool is not bad. It’s actually a handy wee tool to have around the house for tight spots but not for biking in my experience. There are better tools. When not on my specialized I have another one from Lezyne. There’s also some awesome after market built in tools from companies like one up components that save space and work well.
Who weighs tools? Just ride your bike.
I mean a crank bros m19 is a pretty comprehensive tool to carry along, on sale for $27 right now, and weighs 175 g. Includes a chain breaker and spoke wrenches, seems worth the 11 extra grams over the ratchet kit. IMO the m19 is the best product crank bros makes.
Tools are one of the highest risk, lowest reward ways to save weight in a bikepacking rig imo. Just bring what you need and save the weight by bringing less luxury items for your camp or better water/food management or whatever.
Doesn’t fit your request to save your wallet, but I think the Daysaver Essential 8 + Coworking 5 are probably the most attractive lightweight toolset around.
68 grams for 7 hex bits and a torx, plus a chain breaker, tyre lever, spoke wrench, valve core remover and quicklink holder, plus it actually works like a normal tool rather than a clumsy folding multi tool.
Light Tools, usually equate to WEAK TOOLS, something I definitely don’t want to deal with in the middle of nowhere
Buildup my up my own kit right now.
When I say building I mean I’m making my own UL ratchet tool and hopefully torque wrench. Carbon fibre body with space for all the bits I need inside 🙂
I kind of agree with the other comments about weight on here, but that said I still want my kit as light and functional as possible, and it’s fun knowing you’ve got the lightest still functional gear possible.
i use and like a presta-cycle torq-ratchet set with a customized bit set and holder- exactly what i need
i have one of those topeaks and it doesn’t feel any where near as strong- the torq-ratchets are rated to 60-nm (no way i’m gonna test that though and have an indicated range of 2-10 nm
then real but lightweight tire levers and chain tool.