Best (leatherman) multitool for bikes?

[El Dopa]

Well, it's that time of year again, and the missus has just asked me what I want for Christmas.

I've always fancied a leatherman multitool of some type, and I'm thinking that something along those lines would probably come in useful for minor roadside maintenance as well.

I've had a wee look around the shops, and there are about a dozen different variations, each model having a different tool combination.

So, anyone who owns one, or one of the other brands, which one do you recommend, and why?

All other comments and opinions welcome.

[madmal64]

Well Ive got a Leatherman "Wave" Ive had it for 3 years now and its the most used peice of kit Ive got while riding.
I use the pliers and the scissors quite a bit and having both a phillips and flat head driver is very handy. Infact I think ive uses most of the tools on it at least once apart from the halliard thingy ma gigiy.
Bloody expensive to purchase but well worth it. I decieded to get one after a little off I had and a mate of mine ened up cutting me out of a fence (a long story) and along with my tool kit and the leatherman we got my bike running and I was able to ride it home.
Since getting mine Ive only used to for very minor work on my bike while out riding, but now I dont leave home without it.

[slopster]

I've got a gerber multiplier and it is one of the best pieces of kit I own. I use it everyday for work and always take it with me on the bike. Better then the leathermans cos the pliers slide out instead of folding out so you can open it with one hand which is real good when your holding something with the other hand. Wasn't stupidly expensive either. Only thing to watch with all those tools is the pliers arn't made for cutting heavy wire and if you do it burrs the cutters and they are hard to open and close.

[Wolf]

I always carry the Leatherman Wave, used it for a great number of things. File, saw, two large one-hand-opening knives, a variety of screwdrivers including philips, scissors, needle-nosed pliers - excellent combination. I've seen that some have adapters available to allow the use of a limited range of sockets but I do not know how efficacious these would be. The sockets available tend to be the smaller sizes anyway.

No pocket tool is going to have everything you could possibly need, but so far I've found that between the Wave and a Victorinox pocket knife (which has a corkscrew and an awl that the Wave lacks) I have been able to perform most improvised repairs and needful tasks (opening cans and bottles and extracting corks).

Cost me $260 when I bought it - a good investment by my calculation.

I'd definitely buy a Leatherman or one of the Victorinox pocket tools as a present for someone based on my experience with those makes. I understand Gerber is very good but I've never used their products so i can't speak from experience.

[Wolf]

I've got a gerber multiplier ... Better then the leathermans cos the pliers slide out instead of folding out so you can open it with one hand which is real good when your holding something with the other hand.

That's what I liked most about Gerber's design. I got the Wave because I liked the way the knives can be opened one-handed like a "Spyderco" knife.

I can still open the Wave one-handed anyway - "Butterfly knife" style.

[Fordy]

Note of caution: I've got Hein Gericke multitool which was good value and well made. It has the pliers, knife, saw, yada, yada that the Leatherman has plus interchangeable screwdriver bits like you use on a cordless drill, 9 bits in all that stay in little elastic pockets on the inside face of the pouch it comes in.

BUT, when its under my seat vibrating away the little bits shake themselves out of their little pockets So I now wrap my tool in plastic before shoving it under the seat so I don't lose any bits

[Wolf]

Note of caution: I've got Hein Gericke multitool which was good value and well made. It has the pliers, knife, saw, yada, yada that the Leatherman has plus interchangeable screwdriver bits like you use on a cordless drill, 9 bits in all that stay in little elastic pockets on the inside face of the pouch it comes in.

BUT, when its under my seat vibrating away the little bits shake themselves out of their little pockets So I now wrap my tool in plastic before shoving it under the seat so I don't lose any bits

Sounds like the pouch is a bit of a frost. What's it like when you wear it on your belt, do the bits come loose then?

Edit: I notice you're relatively new here, which might explain why you were naive enough to post something about "wrapping your tool" in anything. Rest assured, you've done what it takes to learn about Bugjuice "the hard way"...

[Fordy]

Never tried to wear it on my belt, the Tool Time Tim look just isn't me.

Rest asured the double entendre was entirely intentional...you didn't pick up on the 'shoving it under the seat'... ffnnar, ffnnar

[myvice]

My wife got me a Gerber a couple of years ago, best thing you could ask for!
Didn’t like the Leatherman ones, the Gerber isn’t as hard on your hands and all of the blades lock back.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I looked at the gerbers,and thought the flick out pliers looked more flimsy than the Leatherman.......

Looks like we've got another 'my oil is better than your oil' unresolvable thread going....

[Motu]

I've got a Schrade Multitool,it's the best one I've ever seen,but they don't make them any more.I had my first one stolen from my van,and when I went replace it was not impressed with ''other'' brands,after the Schrade they were crap.But then I found one on TradeMe and it stays with me all the time now.

[750Y]

Get the McGiver model with optional gas canister,subsonic reverberator & laser pointer, or the deluxe that comes with retractable toilet roll holder.. 8-)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ive got one of the original Leatherman ones which is ten? years old now and stillworks as good as new. It goes everywhere with me pretty much, either mountainbiking or on the motorbike and its been very useful.

every home should have one.

[El Dopa]

Thanks for all your replies. I will ponder and make my decision.

[geoffm]

Got an original Leatherman PST. Now over 10 years old, and has cut miles of flexiduct wire (mig wire). Not recommended but it worked...
Only complaints is mine doesn't have locking tools - this is a real pain as things fold up as you push on them.
The knife blade doesn't hold a good edge.
The new ones may be better in these regards. I carry mine everywhere - it is small enough to be inconsicious. I work in an office, and arriving to a meeting with clients looking like Tim the Toolman or Bob the Builder is not a good look.
I hate these airport rules where you can't carry multitools or army knives on the plane.
Geoff