I'm looking for a lightweight and compact multitool for road cycling. These two are the most interesting ones I've found. Do you have any experience with them? Or do you have other suggestions?
– Daysaver.fun Essential8 with Coworking5 extension
– PB Swiss Tools Biketool PB470
I like that the Essential8/Coworking5 combination has a chain breaker but I'm not sure if one tire lever is enough. I usually use two and I'm a little worried about what would happen if it broke. Does anyone here have experience with how robust this “coworking5” thing really is?
That's also the thing I like about the PB470 it comes with two tire levers and they're replaceable. I've broken quite a few tire levers over the years I've been cycling while I've never had a broken chain.
Does anyone have experience with these tools, and do you consider a chain breaker to be essential? I always have one with me and also a quick link but I'm just unsure if I will ever use it.
by foreverchapie
5 Comments
They both have what I call “lose-able parts”. I like the compact VAR tool that velo orange has, also the no longer made park tool mt-1 (I have 3 of them!)
I have the PB Swiss one. Bit quality is excellent and easy to replace if lost. Haven’t needed the tire levers yet (knock on wood). I find these types of tools work better for hard to reach places. I was having issues with a crank preload and a lot of the multi tools simply couldn’t reach the bolt.
My favorite tool kit in rotation:
– PB Swiss bits
– Wolftooth encase pump with plugs + chain breaker
– Wolftooth master link pliers + link
– Knipex XS cobra pliers
– TPU tube wrapped in a nitrile glove
I’ve never seen a chain break cleanly in the field. It’s always bent or partially broken and requires a breaker to fix.
Edit: other really good options are the Topeak ratchet and Spurcycle tool. Topeak makes a version with a chain breaker that my buddy has used for years.
I have the PB Swiss tool (and the old version without the tyre levers), however my current favourite tool is the [PRO Performance Minitool 17](https://share.google/f33KslVFGYrGKLabq), of which I have two.
PNW Pebble or the specialized Zee cage that mounts a mini tool right to it:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/zee-cage-ii-with-tool–right/p/172071?color=277091-172071&searchText=43020-2151
Wera do something like the day saver which works with their tyre levers.
I like the topeak ratchet, the one with the chain breaker can be easily modified to store a quicklink too.