I pretty much go everywhere with a multi-tool – as I'm testing bikes five days a week I'll more often than not be found somewhere in Wiltshire tightening nuts, adjusting saddles, brakes and anything else that need's fettling on a bike. So that means I'm always looking for a decent tool that'll slip into a jersey pocket and provide enough tools for most road side fixes.
Spurcycle aren't the first name I think of when it comes to tools. They've made their name with resoundingly loud bells and their beautifully machined ringers can be found on my commuter bike and on one of my gravel machines. Their new tool, though, is a marvel of minimalism. The main piece is a machine turned tube of high-grade titanium slotted through a titanium chuck (with a niobium magnet set inside). Into this you slot one of 10 chromed-steel bits which are held in place tenaciously by the aformentioned magnet.
I like that you can slide the bar either to the centre or to one end or the other making for better leverage, and making it easier to get into hard to reach places too. With 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm hex bits, a size 2 Philips driver head, and T10 and T25 Torx bits I found I had pretty much all I needed (save for a chain tool) for on bike adjustments.
The tool itself is made in Richmond, California by what Spurcycle call Grade 5 titanium. I'm assuming that's a good thing. The tool sits inside a slim bag that's very nicely hand-made in San Franciscoand from sail-cloth. It's compact at 110mm x 40mm (about the size of a small energy bar) and weighs just 89g (tool, bits, and bag) so you don't really notice it at all. There's just enough space in the bag to fold up a £10 note for your mid-ride coffee and cake.
The only downside is its pricey at £69 from the UK stockists I've found ($69 from their online shop), but if you've a partner, parent or friend looking to get you a gift then I'd be sending them links to this classy little tool.
