Topeak Alien

Walter Mitty said:

I'm looking to buy a sturdy multitool for a forthcoming tour.

The Topeak Alien + a pedal spanner + crank remover + adjustable wrench + spoke key would seem to
be all I need.

Can anyone verify the robustness and usefulness of the Topeak Alien before I order one?

thanks,

I've used an Alien for a couple of years, and haven't broken anything. It has a couple of defects-
-There are a few loose pieces that you need to hang onto when you're opening it up. -Only one side
of the two-part tool has a locking mechanism for extended tools (including the straight-blade driver
and the knife). The other side, with most of the Allen wrenches and the Phillips, has free swivels
so its harder to keep these lined up with your work.

Still, its very handy on the road, and I even use it sometimes in my garage because its so easy not
to pick up a new tool for each move.

As it happens, I've not had the need to use the tire lever feature, or the chain tool, so I don't
know how well these work.

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

Quoted message said:

I've used an Alien for a couple of years, and haven't broken anything. It has a couple of defects-
-There are a few loose pieces that you need to hang onto when you're opening it up. -Only one side
of the two-part tool has a locking mechanism for extended tools (including the straight-blade
driver and the knife). The other side, with most of the Allen wrenches and the Phillips, has free
swivels so its harder to keep these lined up with your work.

Still, its very handy on the road, and I even use it sometimes in my garage because its so easy
not to pick up a new tool for each move.

As it happens, I've not had the need to use the tire lever feature, or the chain tool, so I don't
know how well these work.

I've carried one for several years too and have found it to be almost invaluable. The only gripe I
have is the locking mechanism. If you have one blade in the locked position and don't get all of the
other tools firmly nested back into the handle, the errant tools will open the lock and you might
get a nasty surprise. As usual, I learned this one the hard way.

There is one tool that snaps in place when closed and tends to fall out. Just keep an eye out for
it. The chain tool works quite well as do the tire levers.

The Alien has worked well for me. A bit too bulky for the seat pack on the road bike, but fine for
the Camelback.

-Buck

Walter Mitty <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I'm looking to buy a sturdy multitool for a forthcoming tour.

The Topeak Alien + a pedal spanner + crank remover + adjustable wrench + spoke key would seem to
be all I need.

Can anyone verify the robustness and usefulness of the Topeak Alien before I order one?

I've got one. I haven't put it through a full-bore "robustness" test, but it's a terribly useful
little thingie.

I carry a little Park MT-1, which is just a few allen key heads, a screwdriver, & 3 different hex
nut heads all in less than the space of a stubby pencil. This, combined with the Alien, lets me
reach in and tighten/loosen most things on the bike, with the exception of course of the crank,
pedals, and casette.

-Luigi

"Luigi de Guzman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Walter Mitty <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm looking to buy a sturdy multitool for a forthcoming tour.

The Topeak Alien + a pedal spanner + crank remover + adjustable wrench + spoke key would seem to
be all I need.

Can anyone verify the robustness and usefulness of the Topeak Alien

before

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I order one?

I've got one. I haven't put it through a full-bore "robustness" test, but it's a terribly useful
little thingie.

I carry a little Park MT-1, which is just a few allen key heads, a screwdriver, & 3 different hex
nut heads all in less than the space of a stubby pencil. This, combined with the Alien, lets me
reach in and tighten/loosen most things on the bike, with the exception of course of the crank,
pedals, and casette.

-Luigi

What about a chain tool? Does the Topeak Alien have a chain tool?

--
Bob ctviggen at rcn dot com

The Alien's fine, but I prefer the Hummer (also made by Topeak). Still has the important stuff you
need (including a chain tool), costs less, is lighter weight and you don't have to pull it apart
into two pieces in order to use it.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.comOpen ↗

"Walter Mitty" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm looking to buy a sturdy multitool for a forthcoming tour.

The Topeak Alien + a pedal spanner + crank remover + adjustable wrench + spoke key would seem to
be all I need.

Can anyone verify the robustness and usefulness of the Topeak Alien before I order one?

thanks,

--
Walter Mitty.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Walter Mitty wrote: I'm looking to buy a sturdy multitool for a forthcoming tour.

The Topeak Alien + a pedal spanner + crank remover + adjustable wrench + spoke key would seem to
be all I need.

Can anyone verify the robustness and usefulness of the Topeak Alien before I order one?

I have an Alien. A couple of weak points- but mostly fine. One- when you take the two halves apart
it is a pain to get them back together. Two - When the locking side is "locked" it is a pain to get
it unlocked.

I frequently just throw them in a pocket/bag after use to fold/assemble later at leisure after
cussin' and getting frustrated.

Otherwise- fine product.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Jay said:

I frequently just throw them in a pocket/bag after use to fold/assemble later at leisure after
cussin' and getting frustrated.

I do stuff like that too, when I don't have my reading glasses handy.

cheers, Tom

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