Bit-based multi-tool recs

[weaponsgrade]

This past weekend I discovered my Lezyne multi-tool can't reach the high/low limit screws of my front derailleur. I'm thinking about picking up a bit-based tool and have looked at Fixit Sticks, Victorinox Bike Tool, Mineral Designs Mini Bar, and the Spurcycles Tool.

I'm leaning very heavily towards the Victorinox which I understand is made by PB Swiss. It's not too expensive, comes with tire levers, and isn't too much heavier than the Spur (which doesn't come with tire levers). Thoughts?

What I don't like about the bit-based tools is that there's no chain breaker. So, I'll have to pick that up separately. Any one have a recommendation there? The Mineral Designs Barstow chain breaker is slick, but I want to be able to transfer between bikes.

[SpeedyChix]

I've been really pleased with this Toepeak ratchet.

https://www.todson.com/collections/tools/products/topeak-ratchet-rocket-10-function-kit-tt2520

Having been stuck unable to access things with a multi tool or wrench, limited to making 1/16 of a turn at a time, etc. this has been a game changer. I have one on the workbench now too. If it doesn't have all the bits you need it takes standard bits so you can assemble what you need.

Have had fix it sticks and others in the past and too many times can't get to what the wrench needs to be on.

[simonov]

I found the PB Swiss/Victorinox tire levers to be pretty useless unless you have loose fitting tires. The tool is great otherwise. So is the Spurcycle. I don't think you can go wrong with either of those.

[zzy]

Topeak ratchet rocket + Silca torque shaft is a pretty decent combo

[weiwentg]

Cyclingtips did a review on bit based tools last year (https://cyclingtips.com/2018/10/the-best-bit-based-cycling-multi-tool-shootout-16-tested/). They rated Mineral Designs, Spurcycle, PB Swiss, and Fix It Sticks as their top choices. Make of that what you will.

[joosttx]

I used quite a few (it’s kinda a fetish for me). Spurcycles is the best

https://www.spurcycle.com/products/tool

[joosttx]

I found the PB Swiss/Victorinox tire levers to be pretty useless unless you have loose fitting tires. The tool is great otherwise. So is the Spurcycle. I don't think you can go wrong with either of those.

The victorinox levers Break easily and the bits rust.

[simonov]

The victorinox levers Break easily and the bits rust.

I had the same experience with the levers, but not the bits. Though, to be honest, I use the Spurcycle much more often and it still looks new.

[SlowPokePete]

I used quite a few (it’s kinda a fetish for me). Spurcycles is the best

https://www.spurcycle.com/products/tool

Yup...agree:hello:

SPP

[Clancy]

I used quite a few (it’s kinda a fetish for me). Spurcycles is the best

https://www.spurcycle.com/products/tool

This is what I carry although Fix-it stixs are a very close second.

[Ronsonic]

As a bit-based set, I like my very old-school Chapman set. But I rarely carry it alone. It'll go with my MTB kit in the camelbak or I'll pack it if I'm expecting to do a lot of adjustments.

For me and my exertion based clumsiness, bit-based is too fiddly for unplanned roadside repairs, but they are better tools if I can take the time.

Want to try the Fixit Sticks and see if that isn't a best of both worlds situation.

[joosttx]

This is what I carry although Fix-it stixs are a very close second.

I think the mineral designs is second. I did not like the fix-it-stiks at all. Probably should look at them again.

[joosttx]

Not mention is the I-9 Matchstix. If the spur cycle multi-tool was not such high quality I would be using this.

https://industrynine.com/matchstix

[R3awak3n]

I think the mineral designs is second. I did not like the fix-it-stiks at all. Probably should look at them again.

mine rusted....


the spurcycle one doesn't rust easily?

I love my 2 PB swisses but one is starting to rust.

[joosttx]

mine rusted....


the spurcycle one doesn't rust easily?

I love my 2 PB swisses but one is starting to rust.

I have on spur for at least two year and another for about a year and a half. Neither have shown any signs of rust. The tool is titanium or at least part of it is.

[jfranci3]

Both these are super tiny (when you toss the case and carry loose) and great:
Hex ratchet (good for shop and ride)- https://amzn.to/308fUAf
Slightly smaller - https://amzn.to/304qg3o

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514fwQjehxL._AC_SL1000_.jpg
https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-seller-content-images-us-east-1/ATVPDKIKX0DER/AL3PM2CMR6UEA/c5126bb1-d6a9-43f7-98b6-df402caf1516._CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970__.jpg

[joosttx]

Both these are super tiny (when you toss the case) and great:
Hex ratchet (good for shop and ride)- https://amzn.to/308fUAf
Slightly smaller - https://amzn.to/304qg3o

the blackburn one bits wobbled in when in the tool and were really hard to remove IMO.

[jfranci3]

I haven't had an issue, but you do need to get the bit in past the retaining thing. It's not shop grade, but waaaayyyyyy better than a folding tool because you can change the length, it doesn't take the cube space of a folding tool, and doesn't had the girth of the folding tools when you're using it.

[hummus_aquinas]

I'm throwing in this suggestion. I have a set and it feels great, very well thought out. Feels less like a "band-aid" multitool that's "just good enough" and more like a proper hand tool. It's a bit bulky if you're going to travel with the whole deal.
https://countycomm.com/collections/view-all-tool-products/products/versatool-pro-driver-set

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1437/9632/products/versatoolpro1_grande.jpg?v=1558036507
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1437/9632/products/versatoolpro3_1024x1024.jpg?v=1558036509

[jfranci3]

Good luck tightening a bottle cage bolt with that.

[FriarQuade]

The one thing to keep in mind with bit based tools, bit quality is EVERYTHING. There's some pretty slick looking tools out there that come with garbage bits that are undersized, soft or both. If you get sucked into one of these tools, get some decent bits from a company like Wera, Whia or another name brand source. Avoid the garbage you see in the bulk bins at the hardware store.

[R3awak3n]

The one thing to keep in mind with bit based tools, bit quality is EVERYTHING. There's some pretty slick looking tools out there that come with garbage bits that are undersized, soft or both. If you get sucked into one of these tools, get some decent bits from a company like Wera, Whia or another name brand source. Avoid the garbage you see in the bulk bins at the hardware store.

Agree. The PBSwiss tool bits are super nice, I just wish they did not rust :/

[benb]

I've had Fix it Sticks on my go fast bike for 4 seasons now.

On that bike I carry:

Fix It Sticks In their little carrier pouch
Separate Park chain tool
Tube
A Pedros tire lever (my favorite)
A Mavic Tire lever (it's a crap tire lever but it has the proprietary wrench for their spoke nipples on it which I need in case of emergency)
Patch kit that is in a little plastic box
Spare chain pin goes in the little plastic box with the patch kit

Anyway I really like the Fix It Sticks in use, and they haven't shown any sign of corrosion yet. However that bike doesn't get the worst weather use. The fix it sticks little carrier pouch provides extra protection against the weather, and on that bike I have a bontrager seat bag that has a waterproof lining + sealed zipper, so that seat bag is much better at protecting tools than any bag I've ever owned prior.

Pretty much everything else I've ever owned before has rusted. My Gravel bike has a Crank Brothers multi-tool in it and that's super rusted. My MTB has a Topeak multi-tool in it and that's also very rusted.

[jfranci3]

The one thing to keep in mind with bit based tools, bit quality is EVERYTHING. There's some pretty slick looking tools out there that come with garbage bits that are undersized, soft or both. If you get sucked into one of these tools, get some decent bits from a company like Wera, Whia or another name brand source. Avoid the garbage you see in the bulk bins at the hardware store.

Bull****. For shop tools that you’re going to use everyday and not lose, sure fine. For bits you’re using occasionally and going to lose? Wwhhhhaaaatt? Most bits are fine. Maybe a high grade 2 and 2.5mm just because they are so small, break, and the screws tend to fail.

High quality or low quality bit, that AL chainring bolt is still going to fail, that pedal screw is still messed up, and most bolts aren’t made to to the quality your fancy hex bit is. Lots of decent bits are better than quality.

[benb]

Other than SRAM my experience has been the bike fasteners are pretty good quality and you're not going to chew them up.

I don't go crazy trying to get really nice tools but junk tools are a waste of time IMO. Those bits from Harbor Freight and stuff like that... what is the point? They save so little money and they fall apart and you have to deal with it every time you use the tool, and in the worst case they destroy/damage something. Over time you end up with N sets of the junky ones and you spent more over time than one set of nice ones that would have lasted forever.

I see people I know leave a super cheap multi-bit screwdriver somewhere handy and the nice tools are in the toolbox in the garage or something. So you've bought nice tools, and now 99% of the time you use the junk one that is left in the house.. it seems so pointless and backwards.

I don't use that many bit-based tools, certainly not for cycling.. I think this is more critical for your core set of allen wrenches that get used constantly. But when I want to use my Torque wrench(es) I have a set of Craftsman allen bits that are high quality and have lasted a very long time already with no wear and no destruction of any parts. They were not expensive in the grand scheme of things.

To be clear I am not advocating for anyone to go buy silly stuff like Effetto Mariposa stuff that is 5X overpriced... but stuff like Pedros & Park tools are worth what they cost.