Tool kit? *weight weenie warning*

[FeloniousDunk]

I've been lugging around a friggin' boat anchor and it's time to chuck it over board!

It seems after every trip, I come home and scrutinize my gear as I unpack it.  Happily, each time I've refined the gear more and more and I'm getting quite happy with most everything I'm carrying.  But there are a few more suspicious items.  This time my eyes are set on my tool kit.  I've been carrying around the do it all-and-more Topeak Alien 2 for a few years now.  I thought I was clever about a year ago when I took off the unneeded box wrenches and put a little spacer in there saving some weight.  But after this trip it has come to my realization that that thing still weights over half a pound!  Sure, if need be I can take apart a Buick out there or I could likely kill a large wild animal with a good throw of it, but do I really need to    I do think I need the chain tool, the phillips for derallier adjustments, a couple allens for everything else, torx for rotors I suppose, but not much else (any thought on that?).  I've even thought about the possibility of changing bolt sizes on the bike to make fewer allen sizes (that may not be feasable).

Has anyone found what they think to be the ultimate lightweight tool kit short of paying $100+ for a titanium/carbon wonder tool?  If not, I'll probably just buy the Crank Brothers Multi 17 at 0.37lbs and see if I can do some improvements to it.

[Mike Brown]

Shaun- I really like the Crank Bros tool.
I carry the following and am always glad I do:
CB tool
Leatherman Juice
Extra brake pads and spring clip
One tube, one patch kit with at least 4 patches.
One good tire boot.
One of each size/type bolt on my bike.
Baling wire- you know- the thing before zip ties.
About 3 links of chain.
All fits into a sunglass hard case (except tube).  I use the lens pockets for organizing. 
I've NEEDED to use every single item on that list on either a standard ride or a bikepacking trip. 
Yes, I am not a weight weenie, by any strech...

[FeloniousDunk]

Thanks Mike.  I've read a lot of good reviews of the CB 17. 

Baling wire- you know- the thing before zip ties.

Nice!   BTW, I have something for you next time I see you. 

[mnmtb]

I have been searching for a way to reduce some weight in the tool dept. too and am thinking about the following combo:

Leatherman Skeletool - 5oz
- knife
- pliers
- Wire cutters
- Bit holder
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000XU9NXW/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Then select the bits I need such as 2-6 mm, T25 and slotted and philips drivers:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002H49D0/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Finally add the bit extender:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0022G72BK/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Add a chain breaker and this could be a usefull and light toolkit.  Anyone have some thoughts or concerns from experience?

[jonesy792]

is this lightweight enough for ya?
http://www.pedros.com/tulio.htm

[Slim]

The Pedros Tulio: Pretty cool and looks very lightweight. It is missing the small 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 mm hexes but those are very light on their own, and you could cut them down a bit too. Those are used for reach adjuster screws on brakes, locking grip set-screws and clamps for handle bar remotes. If you don't need too many of the small hexes this ight just be the lightest tool set-up around.

[wookieone]

Funny I was just going thru my bike kit, man the whole thing weighed in at 918 grams!!! But I just can't seem take anything out, but I am a paranoid bike mechanic and I can imagine all sorts of things going wrong and if I took out something that would save my but how stupid would I feel? So I am still debating the best course. I hardly ever use anything in my kit, but.......better to ride a heavy bike than push a light one!!!!

[WillyK]

Funny I was just going thru my bike kit, man the whole thing weighed in at 918 grams!!! But I just can't seem take anything out, but I am a paranoid bike mechanic and I can imagine all sorts of things going wrong and if I took out something that would save my but how stupid would I feel? So I am still debating the best course. I hardly ever use anything in my kit, but.......better to ride a heavy bike than push a light one!!!!

I couldn't have said it better, except that it has been a while since I went through mine. Last summer I know mine weighed around 2 lbs, and I think that was without pump or spare tubes.

[sean salach]

.6lb seems pretty light for what it's got. You could always attack it with a file and a drill. You probably only need one of the spoke wrenches, so file off the other one. Bottle opener/flathead still there? drill it out if you must have it, if not, ditch it. You could probably file/grind the shafts on the allen wrenches round and save a couple of grams. The body looks like it could be drilled out a little. I wouldn't bother with any of that, and it'll weaken the tool you're drilling/filing, but if weight is your primary concern, go for it.

[mnmtb]

HELP!

Which tool are you refering to? Crank Brothers, Pedros or Leatherman?  All commenst would seem to apply to any of these.


FWIW, I would not trust the Pedros on any critical or multi-day events.  I don't like my tools exposed to the elements and damage.

Pretty cool and looks very lightweight. It is missing the small 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 mm hexes but those are very light on there own, and you could cut them down a bit too. Those are used for reach adjuster screws on brakes, locking grip set-screws and clamps for handle bar remotes. If you don't need too many of the small hexes this ight just be the lightest tool set-up around.

.6lb seems pretty light for what it's got. You could always attack it with a file and a drill. You probably only need one of the spoke wrenches, so file off the other one. Bottle opener/flathead still there? drill it out if you must have it, if not, ditch it. You could probably file/grind the shafts on the allen wrenches round and save a couple of grams. The body looks like it could be drilled out a little. I wouldn't bother with any of that, and it'll weaken the tool you're drilling/filing, but if weight is your primary concern, go for it.

[jonesy792]

I wouldn't use the pedro either except mabe on the road bike, but the thread said weight weenie so I submitted a weight weenie tool

[boddunn]

Long time lurker, first time poster; by the way, thanks for sharing guys, lots of inspiration although seeing the amazing scenery you Americans have makes me pretty jealous!

Ritchey CPR9 multi tool: hurts your hand on stiff bolts but surprisingly tough and works great otherwise, even the spoke key (honest!). 24g

Topeak Super Chain Tool: Bit flimsy, wouldn't use it unless I had to but I've used it at least 5 times and it still works fine, it's cheap anyway so can be replaced at the first sign of wear. Also has 4 & 5mm allen keys as a back up to the multi tool. 60g

Pedro's tyre levers: The best I've found, much better than Park etc. in my opinion so worth the weight. 42g

NBT2 cassette remover: Great little tool! Only used it one in anger but was a god send. 24g

Wippermann Connex link: Never had to use it but they seem to come apart easier than SRAM judging from other bikes I've worked on. 3g

Park tyre boot: For some reason I have 4... Again, luckily I've not used them but the UK doesn't seem to have the same extreme terrain as other places. 7g (all 4)

Park tyre patches: I put 2 or 3 kits in one box. Some people hate these but since I've got the knack I've not had one fail and one repaired inner tube I use is nearly 3 years old. 4g

Nitrile gloves: This is my commuting tool kit too so keeps my hands nice and clean and because I'm a bit of a wuss at heart. They also stop me getting grease on my waterproof clothing which ruins the DWR. 12g

Bag to keep it all in: Homemade nylon bag which looks rubbish but seems to be tough as old boots. 18g

That was a bit of an essay... If you're still reading hope it was of interest. I'd say I ride 6-8 thousand miles a year and I've not come up against anything I couldn't fix apart from a worn out bottom bracket in France which lasted 400km after I noticed it.

Total weight around 200g or 7oz for those across the pond.
Also, sorry for not providing links, not too good with HTML

[DiDaDunlop]

I am planning to ditch the multi tool altogether.

I think that it's possible to get only a few (two or three) sizes of allen bolts on the bike. Substitue the smaller allen bolts with screws that have a screwdriver head (like the derailer adjustment screws) and get separate allen keys for the few sizes that you need. That way you have get a better quality allen key and screwdriver and use less tools. Also separate tools meaybe a bit smaller to pack than a bulky multitool. Only thing I am still looking for is a lightweight chain tool.

At the moment I use the topeak survival gear box combined with a leatherman. Quite a neat combo. Altough I am planning to get rid of some of the tools in the box. Like the smaller allen keys and the spoke keys. I always take a good spoke wrench with me (spokey) and the leatherman can sustitute for the box wrenches (not a very neat solution but it will work when needed).

[stevage]

>Also separate tools meaybe a bit smaller to pack than a bulky multitool.

Also, separate allen keys are much easier to use than keys attached to a multitool. Come to think of it, does a multitool even make sense - it's heavier and clumsier than individual tools. The only benefit is the convenience of having everything together in one place and not forgetting the one tool you need.

[boddunn]

I'm convinced multitools are much too heavy; the Crank Brothers multitool 17, which is the lightest with a chain splitter, has a claimed weight of 168 grams (and you know it'll be more than that) where as my entire kit weighs 200 grams.
 Like you say DiDA, if you replace all the odd bolts on your bike you can get away with just 2 or 3 different allen keys, mine are all 4 or 5mm with a 6mm bolt on my Hope Hed Doctor (I only stuck with it because I really like the design).
 Some people carry adjustable spanners or mole grips which make me apoplectic with weight wiener rage   

[DiDaDunlop]

And you absolutely need to have titanium hex keys:

http://www.pbtools.us/titanium/index.html

[boddunn]

You're absolutely right! I can't live without these! Must... Resist...
 $55 for a comprehensive set seems pretty good value though, I spent about £40 on some Snap On ball end hex keys a few months ago; shame I live in the UK, weak Sterling and import duty is a killer.

[DiDaDunlop]

Also Ti is not that suitable for high torque applications.

Check those charts and the torque specs before buying a tool that will deform.

[boddunn]

I see what you're saying but it's titanium... 
 I searched for some in the UK and one company want £55 per allen key! Maybe I'll just stick with the steel ones, steel is real after all!

[neve_r_est]

I'm still using my Gerber cool tool....after giving a few days thought I think it's pretty close to perfect. That mini cresent is handy for all kinds of stuff.

Originally it had a thin jaw cresent wrench, spoke wrench, chain tool, 4/5mm allen, 6mm allen/phillips screwdriver, 8/10mm allen adapter sleeve that slid over the 6mm, a 14/15mm socket that fit in the jaws of the cresent for recessed crankarm bolts, and the chaintool press pin doubled as an emergency crankarm bolt. Original weighs in at 216g with the socket, 190g without.

If I were to update that design I would make the cresent body and allens out of ti, make the tip of the chain tool driver a 4mm for der pulley bolts(or maybe swap the phillips tip for a 4mm and all phillips bolts on the bike to 4mm allen), and make the short end of the 6mm/phillips allen a t25 torx for rotor bolts(can't find anything on my bikes that takes a 6mm, or at least anything 6mm that couldn't be swapped to 5mm), and leave out the socket.

http://www.epinions.com/bike-Components-All-Gerber_Cool_Tool_CT41945

DG