One thing leads to another. The zipper on my current saddle bag blew out, and the bag I replaced it with is slightly larger. Although I've never used any tool out on the road but a tire lever to change a flat or a 4mm hex wrench to adjust my saddle, I figured it's time to put together a proper tool kit.
Mostly, it's the portable chain tool that I'm having a hard time deciding on. The nice, small modular ones are disappointingly not 11-speed compatible. The Park IB-3 was a front-runner; I would have disassembled it and carried only the chain tool and the tire lever, save for the 8/9/10 limitation.
Same goes for the Crank Brothers Y15/Y16. The chain tool can be used with an 8mm hex for the handle and a 5mm for the crank. Also, only 8/9/10 compatible. Review here.
The Topeak Mini 20 Pro is 11-speed compatible, so it might be an option for disassembly, though a bit pricey to do so. Good images here.
The Park CT-5 always gets recommended, though it's not much smaller than my 25-year-old Cyclo Rivoli. The CT-6.3 is small, but not cheap or light.
Here are some I've mostly ruled out, are of questionable quality or utility, or are hard/expensive to get in the US.
--Tacx T4870, https://tacx.com/product/mini-chain-rivet-extractor/
Available directly from Tacx, but it's $70 with shipping to the US, or $40 from down under. Looks promising, but I've been unable to find out much about its performance.
--This tool is sold under multiple names (here, here, and here).
--Connex/Wipperman, Poor review here.
--ProX, https://26bikes.com/shop/tools/hand-tool-kits/hand-tool-kits/prod/prox-c
Another EU source, and no review on how well it works (or not).
Anyway, I'm sure there are many more than what I've listed, but if there is a tool that any of you have used and would give two thumbs up, I'd like to hear about it.
Mostly, it's the portable chain tool that I'm having a hard time deciding on. The nice, small modular ones are disappointingly not 11-speed compatible. The Park IB-3 was a front-runner; I would have disassembled it and carried only the chain tool and the tire lever, save for the 8/9/10 limitation.
Same goes for the Crank Brothers Y15/Y16. The chain tool can be used with an 8mm hex for the handle and a 5mm for the crank. Also, only 8/9/10 compatible. Review here.
The Topeak Mini 20 Pro is 11-speed compatible, so it might be an option for disassembly, though a bit pricey to do so. Good images here.
The Park CT-5 always gets recommended, though it's not much smaller than my 25-year-old Cyclo Rivoli. The CT-6.3 is small, but not cheap or light.
Here are some I've mostly ruled out, are of questionable quality or utility, or are hard/expensive to get in the US.
--Tacx T4870, https://tacx.com/product/mini-chain-rivet-extractor/
Available directly from Tacx, but it's $70 with shipping to the US, or $40 from down under. Looks promising, but I've been unable to find out much about its performance.
--This tool is sold under multiple names (here, here, and here).
--Connex/Wipperman, Poor review here.
--ProX, https://26bikes.com/shop/tools/hand-tool-kits/hand-tool-kits/prod/prox-c
Another EU source, and no review on how well it works (or not).
Anyway, I'm sure there are many more than what I've listed, but if there is a tool that any of you have used and would give two thumbs up, I'd like to hear about it.