Confessions of a tool junkie

[canny colin]

I normally find cycle multi tools very expensive or crap . But have been very impressed with the slim 11 tool from Spa cycle . Even the chain breaker works on eleven speed  . Very canny for 12.50  .  I obviously get no reward for this recommendation , I am open to offers thou . 

[quixoticgeek]

I normally find cycle multi tools very expensive or crap . But have been very impressed with the slim 11 tool from Spa cycle . Even the chain breaker works on eleven speed  . Very canny for 12.50  .  I obviously get no reward for this recommendation , I am open to offers thou . 

I have a Topeak ratchet rocket. And it's been brilliant. In fact I now have two of them. Great kit. The chain breaker works great, the ratchet thingy is a joy to use. I highly recommend. It's not the lightest tool on the market. But as a usable tool it's far better than any other bike multi tool I've used.

J

[Kim]

I have a couple of multitools, and while they're well-thought-out, I'm coming round to the couple-of-allen-keys-and-a-spanner way of thinking.  It seems that a significant minority of the time a multitool falls short on account of either being an awkward shape or lack of leverage.  To say nothing of partially-arsed chain tools that only work for breaking chains.  And sometimes what you really want is a decent set of pliers.

[canny colin]

I used to always carry a mini park tool chain breaker / set of wera allen keys and a few exquisite  double sided  vessel screwdriver bits with handle  . But I got sick of hunting around on the road side for missing tools . I admit the torx driver is rubbish on the multi tool , but that's because the discs are  on the wrong side on my up wrong trike  Still won't replace my dog bone spanner for the old  trike conversion axel . Viva la difference .   

[JefO]

I have a couple of multitools, and while they're well-thought-out, I'm coming round to the couple-of-allen-keys-and-a-spanner way of thinking.  It seems that a significant minority of the time a multitool falls short on account of either being an awkward shape or lack of leverage.  To say nothing of partially-arsed chain tools that only work for breaking chains.  And sometimes what you really want is a decent set of pliers.

Presently re-equipping myself with the most minimal bag capacity for UK day rides, I am trying to wean myself off the comfort of a full set of Wera Ball End Allen Keys, and an adjustable spanner, alongside my multi-tools, for my 1950s bike set up. It seemed sensible to take the full-size tools with me just after the refit, as every thread had been undone and replaced, but with 500km on the bike since its rebuild, the time is high to get tough with myself!

[Cudzoziemiec]

IMO&E multi-tools fall short of promise in at least five ways: they are an inconvenient shape and bulk; they lack leverage; the metal used is an alloy of fromagium; they don't have all the tools you need; they include several you will never need, which get in the way of the ones you do need.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

On the flipside, during a PBP Audax some years ago, I mostly hovered at the back of the group, helping change flat tyres and pacing dropped folk back to the bunch. In the bunch, my trusty Topeak Alien multitool acquired the same sort of reputation as Doctor Who’s sonic screwdriver. Tightening loose nuts on a ‘50s Singer, snugging up loose disc Torx bolts or singlespeeding a carbon wonderbike, completed quickly and efficiently. Several of the problems couldn’t have been solved with a less comprehensive (and lighter) multitool.

The only unfixable problem was when a hydraulic brake hose was pulled out when a rider crashed. Luckily it was just a few kilometres from the arrivee and the rider still finished, just using one brake.

After the finish, some riders presented me with some flashy bubbly for saving their PBPs. I count that as a win.

[Tim Hall]

I bought my Young Lady an axe for Christmas. A pizza axe from Raven Forge.

Like this.


It's a proper bit of kit. 440 stainless steel on an ash handle. There are skanky knock offs on the bay of thieves. Don't give them house room

[Jurek]

I bought my Young Lady an axe for Christmas. A pizza axe from Raven Forge.

Like this.


It's a proper bit of kit. 440 stainless steel on an ash handle. There are skanky knock offs on the bay of thieves. Don't give them house room

Nice tool.

[Feanor]

Yes, a nice tool, and the right thing for the job.

I have a 2 foot long mezzaluna type thing, which you rock over the pizza.
I like this, because unlike a wheel, it does not push the toppings all over the place.

[Jurek]

Yes, a nice tool, and the right thing for the job.

I have a 2 foot long mezzaluna type thing, which you rock over the pizza.
I like this, because unlike a wheel, it does not push the toppings all over the place.

I've  a short mezzaluna with parallel blades which is great for herbs and suchlike. It wouldn't really cut the mustard with a pizza thobut.

[Mr Larrington]

Mustard onna pizza belongs in the “Food Crimes” thread…

[Jurek]

Mustard onna pizza belongs in the “Food Crimes” thread…

No.
Mustard on white grapes.
Both lovely individually.
You'd not believe how bad they are when they are combined.
Go on.....

[quixoticgeek]

From voiding warranties, to bike multi tools, to cutting pizza with axes in just over a dozen posts.

Yep. That's yacf...

J

[Jurek]

From voiding warranties, to bike multi tools, to cutting pizza with axes in just over a dozen posts.

Yep. That's yacf...

J

Hold on to your seat...

[Ham]

From voiding warranties, to bike multi tools, to cutting pizza with axes in just over a dozen posts.

Yep. That's yacf...

J

Hold on to your seat...

Any other VW group car will do

[Jurek]

From voiding warranties, to bike multi tools, to cutting pizza with axes in just over a dozen posts.

Yep. That's yacf...

J

Hold on to your seat...

Any other VW group car will do

Are you on the right forum?

[robgul]

Surely no self-respecting pizza-consuming cyclist should be without one of these:

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/pizza-tool-pzt-2


(But then my daughter cuts pizza with a pair of scissors dedicated to the function)

[Jurek]

Surely no self-respecting pizza-consuming cyclist should be without one of these:

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/pizza-tool-pzt-2


(But then my daughter cuts pizza with a pair of scissors dedicated to the function)

I use scissors to cut pizza.

[Mr Larrington]

Surely no self-respecting pizza-consuming cyclist should be without one of these:

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/pizza-tool-pzt-2


(But then my daughter cuts pizza with a pair of scissors dedicated to the function)

I've got one.  The handlebars broke off in the washing-up

[Gattopardo]

Mustard onna pizza belongs in the “Food Crimes” thread…

No.
Mustard on white grapes.
Both lovely individually.
You'd not believe how bad they are when they are combined.
Go on.....

English or french?

[spesh]

From voiding warranties, to bike multi tools, to cutting pizza with axes in just over a dozen posts.

Yep. That's yacf...

J

Hold on to your seat...

Any other VW group car will do

Are you on the right forum?

I believe Ham was riffing on the ownership of Sociedad Española de Automóviles de Turismo for the purposes of humour m'lud... 

[Tim Hall]

Surely no self-respecting pizza-consuming cyclist should be without one of these:

https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/pizza-tool-pzt-2


(But then my daughter cuts pizza with a pair of scissors dedicated to the function)

I've got one.  The handlebars broke off in the washing-up

Here's mine, plus a lightweight racing model I picked up at an exhibition.

[Feanor]

This is kind of thing I have, and recommend:

https://www.bakerybits.co.uk/pizza-cutter

[rogerzilla]

I was told by a Glaswegian colleague that they just fold them in half, dip them in batter, and deep-fry them.  No slicing involved.