SKS Microtool?

Derk said:

Hi,

I have been checking out the lightest tools, that are still useful enough
to take with you on rides not too far from home.

Is there anyone who owns the SKS Microtool?

TIA! Derk

The lightest and still useful: 3 allen wrenches and keep your bike in
good shape. For the rest take your chance and a creditcard/money.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Lou Holtman said:

Derk said:

Hi,

I have been checking out the lightest tools, that are still useful
enough
to take with you on rides not too far from home.

Is there anyone who owns the SKS Microtool?

TIA! Derk

The lightest and still useful: 3 allen wrenches and keep your bike in
good shape. For the rest take your chance and a creditcard/money.

Lou

Its kind of funny that people always want to save weight on the rides
not too far from home... when weight shouldnt be too much of an issue.

IMO the SKS tool is a waste of space : light but just too limited.
Better is the Blackburn mini tool - levers, chain tool, 4 hex keys and a
spanner bar. Light and Small. Opinions divided :

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tools/product_23466.shtml

Better yet, heavy (275 gramme, but comprehensive) is the Topeak Alien.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tools/product_23466.shtml

The thing with these small tools is that they generally centre around
hex keys etc. Why would one need them? if a cable goes then you need a
new cable too : which means carrying one. Dont skimp. Get the right tool
- and thats the Alien. I quite like the Topeak Survival Tool too.

--
Walter Mitty
-
Useless, waste of money research of the day : http://tinyurl.com/3tdeu
" Format wars could 'confuse users'"
http://www.tinyurl.com

Walter Mitty said:

Lou Holtman said:

Derk said:

Hi,

I have been checking out the lightest tools, that are still useful
enough
to take with you on rides not too far from home.

Is there anyone who owns the SKS Microtool?

TIA! Derk

The lightest and still useful: 3 allen wrenches and keep your bike in
good shape. For the rest take your chance and a creditcard/money.

Lou

Its kind of funny that people always want to save weight on the rides
not too far from home... when weight shouldnt be too much of an issue.

IMO the SKS tool is a waste of space : light but just too limited.
Better is the Blackburn mini tool - levers, chain tool, 4 hex keys and a
spanner bar. Light and Small. Opinions divided :

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tools/product_23466.shtml

Better yet, heavy (275 gramme, but comprehensive) is the Topeak Alien.

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Tools/product_23466.shtml

The thing with these small tools is that they generally centre around
hex keys etc. Why would one need them? if a cable goes then you need a
new cable too : which means carrying one. Dont skimp. Get the right tool
- and thats the Alien. I quite like the Topeak Survival Tool too.

Wow, where do you need all those tools for on a road bike? I carried one
for years. I never had to use it. I threw it out of my saddle bag. I
rather carry a extra spare tube. On my ATB I only carry a very small
chainbreaker and 3 hex keys.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Derk said:

Hi,

I have been checking out the lightest tools, that are still useful

enough

Quoted message said:

to take with you on rides not too far from home.

Is there anyone who owns the SKS Microtool?

I have had a Topeak (Power 21), although claimed to be quality alloy,
mine snapped in half (like many others at mtbr.com). If I had to do it
again, I'd go with Park Tools:
<http://www.parktool.com/tool_indexes/catindex_take.shtml>

I have their MT-1 multi-tool, it's really well made, unlike the Topeak
stuff. I like the looks of <http://www.parktool.com/tools/PPM_3.shtml>.

Lou Holtman said:

For the rest take your chance and a creditcard/money.

Do you really think a VISA card can save me in the middle of the polders,
where there's no ATM within 20 miles, but just the odd farm? ;-)

Greets, Derk

Walter Mitty said:

IMO the SKS tool is a waste of space : light but just too limited.

Well, it has: a spoke key and 3,4,6 hex wrenches, phillips, plus 2 tyre
lifters. The main question is: won't the tire levers break? I normally
carry a Park tool CT-5 and this SKS tool:
http://www.sks-germany.com/de/stage.php?mod=detail&cid=3&id=5&zg=0&seite=2&start=3

Quoted message said:

The thing with these small tools is that they generally centre around
hex keys etc. Why would one need them? if a cable goes then you need a
new cable too

In that case I'll call my wife with my cell phone. In my dreams she'll hurry
and jump in our car with walking shoes, dry shirts and something to eat
and/or drink. In fact, she did just that when I called her last year after
being stung by hornets in France.......

Greets, Derk

Derk said:

Lou Holtman said:

For the rest take your chance and a creditcard/money.

Do you really think a VISA card can save me in the middle of the polders,
where there's no ATM within 20 miles, but just the odd farm? ;-)

In the middle of nowhere in the Netherlands??? Ha, ha, ha. Take your
cellphone with you and help arrives within 10 minutes ;-)

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

Lou Holtman said:

Take your cellphone with you and help arrives within 10 minutes ;-)

That was before all the financial cutbacks that were made the last few
years, Lou!
I think the ANWB Wegenwacht (car breakdown service) should be forced to help
it's members, even when they're on their bikes.

Seriously: I think one should at least have some tool with hime that could
keep him from walking a long distance on cleats, while heavy rain is
falling and a storm is blowing. Remember: we're on Murphy's territory here!

Greets, Derk

Derk said:

Lou Holtman said:

Take your cellphone with you and help arrives within 10 minutes ;-)

That was before all the financial cutbacks that were made the last few
years, Lou!
I think the ANWB Wegenwacht (car breakdown service) should be forced to help
it's members, even when they're on their bikes.

Seriously: I think one should at least have some tool with hime that could
keep him from walking a long distance on cleats, while heavy rain is
falling and a storm is blowing. Remember: we're on Murphy's territory here!

Greets, Derk

I mean calling a cab ;-)
What failure makes you walk home that could be prevented carrying a
minitool? Breaking a chain is the only thing I can think of. Let's see
how often did I break a chain on a road bike?.....Never in twenty years
of cycling. I carry only three good quality hex keys, mainly to adjust
things, two tubes and a patch kit.

Lou
--
Posted by news://news.nb.nu

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:05:52 +0200, Derk <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I have been checking out the lightest tools, that are still useful enough
to take with you on rides not too far from home.

Is there anyone who owns the SKS Microtool?

TIA! Derk

I like the Crank Bros Micra-17, it doesn't have tire bars, but I
prefer carrying the seperate set of 3, that are easily replacable.

Hopefully, we will never need a chain tool, but I like having one. If
you are using a Shimano chain, be sure to carry a spare pin.

Micra-17:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0350&sku=5971&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Life is Good!
Jeff

"Jeff Starr" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Thu, 21 Apr 2005 17:05:52 +0200, Derk <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I have been checking out the lightest tools, that are still useful enough
to take with you on rides not too far from home.

Is there anyone who owns the SKS Microtool?

TIA! Derk

I like the Crank Bros Micra-17, it doesn't have tire bars, but I
prefer carrying the seperate set of 3, that are easily replacable.

Hopefully, we will never need a chain tool, but I like having one. If
you are using a Shimano chain, be sure to carry a spare pin.

Micra-17:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0350&sku=5971&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I like mine. I've had to use the chain tool once on the trail... riding
buddies who chainsuck and try to backpedal out of it once it's chunked into
the frame will invariably need it. Didn't need a Shimano pin though... the
chain made it through the rest of the 20-mile ride.

There was a really good suggestion a ways back that recommended
duct-wrapping a Wipperman/SRAM quick-release link onto a length of brake or
shifter housing. That way, you'd never lose it, and it'd always be there.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Phil said:

There was a really good suggestion a ways back that recommended
duct-wrapping a Wipperman/SRAM quick-release link onto a length of brake
or shifter housing. That way, you'd never lose it, and it'd always be

there.
I always take a SRAM link with me. I once met a cyclist who had a branch
destroy his rear der. (derailleur that is, not derriere). He had no tools
or parts with him. I took of his rear der. and made the chain shorter so he
could make it home. I needed all tools I had on me. The guy even hardly
thanked me for the help, but that's another story.

Greets, Derk

Squid-in-Training said:

Quoted message said:

Micra-17:
http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0350&sku=5971&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

I like mine. I've had to use the chain tool once on the trail... riding
buddies who chainsuck and try to backpedal out of it once it's chunked into
the frame will invariably need it. Didn't need a Shimano pin though... the
chain made it through the rest of the 20-mile ride.

There was a really good suggestion a ways back that recommended
duct-wrapping a Wipperman/SRAM quick-release link onto a length of brake or
shifter housing. That way, you'd never lose it, and it'd always be there.

Hi, well I keep the pin in a small bag and place that in the plastic
box that my Park Tool patch kit comes in. Which all goes into my under
seat bag. Where, incidently I also keep my Micra-17.

I finally bought a Sram Power Link. I haven't needed to change my
chain, since I got it, but I'm a little leary about using it with a
Shimano DA 9-speed chain. I bought three of the DA chains, when they
were on sale, then subtracted 20%, and got 10% in Team points. Put
them down to about $16, per chain.

As an aside to chains, I just recently bought the Park Tool CC-3 Chain
Checker. I used to use a ruler, but was always worried that I wasn't
precise enough. The tool is a breeze to use and I believe will
encourage me to check more often. For the appr $8 it cost me, it was
well worth it

Life is Good!
Jeff

Derk said:

I always take a SRAM link with me. I once met a cyclist who had a
branch destroy his rear der. (derailleur that is, not derriere). He
had no tools or parts with him. I took of his rear der. and made the
chain shorter so he could make it home. I needed all tools I had on
me. The guy even hardly thanked me for the help, but that's another
story.

Derk met a jerk! Good on ya for helping the ungrateful sod. (I always
carry a chain tool and quick-link, too -- why take a chance on getting
stranded?)

Bill S.

Bill Sornson said:

Derk met a jerk!

I fear there might be at least one helpful person who calls me a jerk too
because I refused his help: this winter I had 2 flat tires on a very windy
track that leads along a big lake here. I tried to change the inner tubes,
but I managed to ruin both valves, because my pump turned out to be
defective by rust (Zefal HSP5). Anyway, this 3 mile track is very dangerous
for cyclists, because many men cross it to go to a beach. You can call me
naive, but I once asked a cycling friend why it was so crowded there even
in winter time and he responded: "this is a place where men go to pick up
other men, you know". So only then I realized that hormones were the cause
of many dangerous crossings that were made there. It was just there of
course that I had 2 flat tires and ruined both spare inner tubes. A guy
walked towards me and immediately offered his help. It's far too cold here,
he said, I have a holiday home nearby and you can make a phonecall from my
place and have a coffee in the mean time. Well........I decided I wouldn't
take a risk and cycled 30 miles home instead, standing on the pedals. The
next day I really had painful legs. I think this guy was just being
friendly, but I really didn't want to give any signal that could be
misinterpreted. Maybe he'll never help another cylcist again and it will me
my fault!

Greets, Derk

Made a lot of typo's here. I'll repost.

Derk said:

Made a lot of typo's here. I'll repost.

My server ate your other (previous?) post, so never saw your reply.

(Fascinating, I know.)

Bill S.