Hi, this is Pam and Gilbert from 2Bikes4Adventure. When we experience a roadside mechanical
problem while touring with our Bromptons, having the right tools can make the difference between
a minor delay and a major change of plan and even without an emergency, we need to be able
to maintain our bikes day to day and possibly reassemble them if we pack them in a suitcase.
In this video, we compare some multi-tool solutions suitable for traveling with Bromptons.
The evolution of the bicycle multi-tool follows the technology used in bicycle manufacturing.
In the 1980s and 90s, when bikes were mostly assembled with hex nuts and bolts, multi-tools
included wrenches or sockets in addition to conventional screwdriver bits and tire levers.
One of the first widely popular multi-tools was the Cool Tool patented in 1994. With its adjustable
wrench chain tool, allen keys and sockets, it was well adapted to repair bicycles of that century.
Nowadays, most modern bicycles have hex and torque set fasteners.
Commonly available multi-tools followed the trend and now consist primarily of a set of hex keys,
possibly supplemented with features like a chain breaker, spoke wrench and tire levers.
Designed for regular road mountain or gravel bicycles, they rarely provide the necessary
wrenches required to remove the old-fashioned nuts and bolts still found on Brompton bikes.
In addition to the 15 mm axle nuts, Brompton bicycles use eight and ten millimeter
nuts plus hex heads from 2 to 8 mm as well as a few Phillips and Pozidriv screws.
Our ideal multi-tool has to support all these fasteners plus include a chain breaker, spoke
wrench and tire levers, preferably in a light compact and self-contained package.
We'll compare three popular multi-tools to see which is closest to that ideal.
The first obvious option is the Brompton Toolkit. Released in 2012, it's designed to fit in the front
tube of the long wheelbase Mk4 Brompton. It won't fit in older short wheelbase Bromptons (the
pre-2005 models). With a rubber coated magnetized tip at one end and a rubber wedge shape at the
other, it stays in place when the bike is folded and doesn't rattle while in motion.
It contains the all-important 15 mm wrench for the front and rear axle nuts.
Note that we leave the wrench in the assembly when removing particularly difficult nuts
for a more comfortable grip and better leverage.
The opposite end of the wrench doubles as a reversible ratchet. The ratchet makes performing
most mechanical adjustments a lot easier than a conventional folding type multi-tool.
The Brompton tool comes with four double ended 1/4 inch bits,
2 and 6 mm keys, 2.5 and 5 mm keys,
3 and 4 mmkeys and a size five flat head and size 2 Pozidriv head.
We have to point out Brompton's choice of the Pozidriv bit instead of a standard Phillips bit.
They look similar, but there's a subtle difference and they're not interchangeable.
A close look shows that the Pozidriv has a blunt tip and small ribs
at 45 degrees to the main slots. The PZ marking on the bit also gives it away.
Corresponding Pozidriv screws have recognizable small tick marks set at 45 degrees from the
main cross as can be seen on the Brompton front carrier block latch or the rear triangular latch.
It's important to know that a Pozidriv bit does not fit well in a Phillips screw
such as on the pedal reflector. If you're using the Brompton Pozidriv bit on a Phillips screw,
be careful not to apply too much torque as it may damage the screw.
The toolkit also includes two tire levers that double as 8 mm
and 10 mm box end wrenches. A small magnet joins them together to prevent rattling.
In the early version of the toolkit, these levers were made of a composite plastic metal assembly,
most likely to prevent damaging the tire or tube,
but after reports of premature failure they were replaced with a full metal version.
All new Brompton Toolkits come with a metal version. Tube patches and sandpaper complete the kit.
The entire assembly weighs 190 grams and costs about $90 US. The advantages of the Brompton Toolkit
are as follows: Having the tool handy all the time in the bike frame is a huge benefit.
The reversible ratchet tool is ergonomic and user-friendly,
superior to a comparable compact folding multi-tool.
Because it was specifically designed for the Brompton, it's compatible with most of
its screws and bolts and doesn't waste space or weight on unnecessary features.
The overall design is just impressive.
Its disadvantages are: The dual end bit arrangement makes them particularly short when inserted in the
ratchet as compared with the regular bit, this means that the tool may not reach some recessed
areas of the bike here are some examples: With the seat position on the Pentaclip lower rail,
some saddles may interfere with the tool, making it difficult to insert the 5 mm key in the
adjustment bolt. It's also impossible to access the front carrier block bolts. Similar ratchet-based
multi-tools, like the Topeak Rocket solve this issue by including a magnetized bit extender.
Using box wrenches limits the range of options where they can be used.
For example, the 15 mm wrench cannot be used to remove the right pedal,
the 10 mm wrench cannot access the rear brake pinch bolt on a Brompton equipped with a
rack. It's difficult to adjust the cable anchorage pinch nut with the 8 mm wrench.
The tool also doesn't include a spoke wrench nor a chain breaker.
And finally, it's expensive compared to other options.
Our suggestions for upgrades for the Brompton Toolkit version 2.0,
are you listening Brompton?... a dual ended bit compatible extender,
the challenge would be to figure out how to store it in the limited free space in the toolkit.
Modify the 10 mm key bottom hook to convert it to a simple 3.2 mm spoke wrench
and include an 8 mm key for the left pedal.
We also have a Tern Tool. Made of coated steel, the slim package of the Tern Tool provides easy
access to the key set. The space was optimized by embedding the smaller size keys at the base
of the bigger ones. In addition to the usual keys, the set also includes a Torx T25 of no use for
Bromptons, but possibly handy for other bikes you may own, for instance any with disc brakes.
The top of the assembly consists of a solid chain breaker tool. Gilbert can
vouch for its functionality as he's used it when installing new chains on our Bromptons.
Two keys complete the tool. As with the Brompton Toolkit, they also double as tire levers.
But unlike the Brompton, they have an open wrench configuration. The 15 mm wrench can be
attached on the side of the main tool to provide extra leverage when removing difficult nuts.
This leverage is particularly important when extra torque is required, for example
when removing a pedal. Additionally, the lever can be used for 10 mm nuts, 4 mm spokes
and bonus, as a bottle opener. This is also where the 8 mm Allen key is located.
The second lever includes a 6 and 8 mm open wrench and two additional spoke
adjustment notches of which, the 3.2 mm notch, is compatible with Brompton spokes.
The embedded 5 mm key is also used to activate the chain breaker tool.
A tire patch kit is also included in the set. Note that the latest 2.0 version comes with an
external strap to attach it under the saddle. The Tern Tool costs $40 dollars and weighs 180 grams.
The advantages of the Tern Tool are: crescent (open) wrenches make them more versatile than the
Brompton box end wrench option. The problems we mentioned with the Brompton wrenches are
not an issue with the Tern Tool. It comes with a chain tool and various spoke wrenches.
It's the only multi-tool we've found that contains all the most necessary features in one package.
Because it was not designed for a specific bicycle type, it could be used on other
bicycles you may own, thus reducing cost per use. The disadvantages of the Tern Tool are:
the location and length of the 5 and 8 mm keys significantly reduce
their usefulness. It can be challenging to use the 5 mm key with the Pentaclip or
the rear brake assembly. The folding design makes it less ergonomic to use than a ratchet solution.
It may be difficult to reach the target screw head with some of the smaller keys.
If a Brompton or Tern Tool is too expensive or difficult to acquire,
another option would be the Park Tool MTC-30. Designed for fixie bikes, it's one of the very
few conventional multi-tools that incorporates a 15 mm wrench. Lighter and much cheaper than
the two previous tools, it's also widely available. Furthermore, it incorporates an 8 mm
adapter hex key that can be used on Brompton left pedals which the two previous tools cannot.
The Park Tool MTC-30 costs $22 (not $27) and weighs 130 grams. Its advantages are: it's light inexpensive and
easily available it has a usable 8 mm key that can be used to tighten the left pedal.
All keys have sufficient reach. Like the Tern Tool, it can be practical for a variety of bicycles,
not only the Brompton. Its disadvantages are: the combo flathead Phillips screwdriver is not optimum
and may cause damage to a screw if too much torque is applied. It lacks a 2 mm key that is
needed for brake pad replacement and derailleur speed adjustments. It doesn't have a 10 mm wrench
for the brake pinch nut. Finally, it doesn't include a spoke wrench, tire levers nor a chain tool.
There are other options as well of particular interest if you're on a tight budget and you
already own a conventional compact bicycle multi-tool such as the Topeak 9 mini.
Bring the multi-tool along and supplement it with a stubby 15 mm wrench available for a few
dollars in the local hardware store or online. To complete your emergency kit, add some tire levers
and possibly a small key holder like the SwissTech 14 in 1 multi-tool for the rare cases when
you need to tighten those 8 and 10 mm nuts. It also incorporates spoke wrenches.
A small 4 inch or 10 cm adjustable wrench could possibly replace the 15 mm
wrench and the small key holder, but it would be at the limits of its capability
with the 15 mm axle nuts and should probably be used in emergency situations only.
If you prefer the convenience of mini ratchets like those in the Brompton Toolkit,
various models are available including the Topeak Rocket
which includes a chain tool and eight bits, all contained in a unique compact case.
Topeak also has other options including this 11 bit version that comes with the bit extender.
All these mini ratchet kits come with tire levers and standard 1/4 inch bits
which can be easily replaced or upgraded to your preference at a hardware store.
If on the other hand money is no object and weight is the issue,
the adjustable wrench can be substituted with a 42 gram titanium Leatherman Mako
which, in addition to the necessary boxes spoke wrenches, can accommodate four additional bits
and can be used as a screwdriver. In a pinch, this could serve as your only tool on short trips.
This Mako tool is available on the second hand market.
Perhaps surprisingly, the original Cool Tool, which can also be found on the secondhand market
or maybe in your father's toolbox, would still be a suitable tool for the Brompton.
Maybe not so surprising after all as both were designed decades ago.
Finally, whatever solution you favor, considering the cost of a Brompton, we strongly suggest to
invest in good quality tools. They are less likely to damage your bike and, like your Brompton,
should last you a lifetime. It's tough to beat the convenience of having the Brompton Toolkit always
with you on day trips. However, for longer journeys, its deficiencies will be obvious.
You would need to compensate by bringing additional tools such as the Park Tool CT-5 chain
tool and the SW-7 spoke wrench which, of course, would increase the total weight of your luggage.
In our overseas travels, we never bring our Brompton tool, favoring the Tern Tool instead.
We supplement the Tern shortcomings, especially concerning the stubby 5 mm key,
by bringing a lightweight secondary tool an Origin-8 Micro Toolbox. This micro multi tool has been
discontinued but is still available on Ebay for less than $20. Its small form factor
makes it ideal to use in hard to reach places. It can easily be kept in a pocket, handy to use at any time.
There are many bicycle multi tools on the market, but few contain everything that could
ever be needed for anything that could go wrong on a Brompton. While we always hope to avoid technical
difficulties on our trips, we want to be prepared to make repairs quickly and get back on the road.
In an upcoming video, we'll discuss some do-it-yourself options to have all the tools
you need in a convenient package at a small cost. In the meantime, we hope that you're able
to successfully deal with any bike problems that may find you on your Brompton travels