Yes, always. It saved a race one time when my front derailleur cable came loose, and I had the correct size hex wrench to fix it, only took a couple minutes since I had the multi-tool.

If you get a small/light one it is only a couple of ounces. That is great insurance for a wide range of mechanicals.

Yeah, I've always raced with one. I was just curious what everyone else does.

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Yes, I always carry a multitool. I never had an incident in race where I needed it, but have used many times in training rides.

I also carry some self-adhesive patches (for when I run out of tubes or if there is a rip in my tires) and a extra chain "missing link" (and yes, I have used patches and link in training rides).

I never have but I probably should. I carry an allen key set tool with me during training but its a bit heavy so I don't carry it with me during races. My speed concept is all allen keys except for the brake wedge which I would need a wrench or socket for.

Got a suggestion for a light weight and small multitool?

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blog

I don't even train with a multitool. I carry a couple of small allen wrenches (but never needed them) and a spoke wrench (needed that back when I had shitty wheels). Not saying one shouldn't bring a multitool in training just because I haven't needed it though (you'll see, now I will jinx myself and break my chain next ride out)

I've got https://www.specialized.com/...s/emt-pro-mtb/117913 and the https://www.specialized.com/.../emt-pro-road/117925


I'm preordering the Silca Tredici and Nove. https://silca.cc/...?variant=25283258376

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Make Inside Out Sports your next online tri shop! http://www.insideoutsports.com/

Thanks....

I have the tredici pre-ordered from the Eolo wallet package.

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blog

I don't/haven't for sprints and Olympics but for HIM and above I do. I use the to Topeak Mini 9. Less than $20, really light and small (it fits in that back little section of the DSW bento box that is too small for anything else) and it has just enough tools to get me rolling again. The only potential issue is no spoke key.

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Matt

I have the same Topeak.

For training I have blackburn wayside multi tool. It's much heavier and has chain breaker, hex, torx, etc. I'll take this for my first IM next year as well. I'm not FOP I'm not worried about the extra weight.

Yes. In case of seatpost slipping, or shifting cable coming loose. Etc... A 30 second fix with a tool. DNF without a tool. Never needed a tool in racing yet. Needed it plenty of times in training.

Yes. I have a Topeak mini-6. It comes with a little neoprene pouch. I have it ziptied to my Garmin mount on my Zipp BTA mount. So it's super accessible and hidden by the bottle.

Graphical representation:

Garmin |
------------------| BOTTLE | shifters
Topeak tool |

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"Non est ad astra mollis e terris via." - Seneca | rappstar.com | FB - Rappstar Racing | IG - @jordanrapp

Mine is in a small keg in a bottle cage behind the saddle, along with spare tube, spare valve extender, CO2. Topeak Hexus II with built-in tire levers. Pretty tight fit in a small keg. Nothing rattles around.

Carry 3 alen wrenches

Yes, some no-name multitool with allen keys and a passable chain tool.

I think we are a break to the norm ...

Here is my way of thinking / my experience :

Swapped all my torx on the bike to hex.

Checked all the hex wrench sizes I needed (only four and no screw drivers).

Butchered my lezyne multi tool to give me the perfect combination.

Sorted, or so I thought ...

Training ride, computer mount came loose, pull out the multi tool, DOESN'T BLOODY FIT ... ! lol

The combination of a short tool (steady now) and a proportionally fat handle prevented the tool from getting where I wanted :-(

So, I now carry four 'normal' Allen keys held together with some heat shrink sleeving holding the long stems together (but they still slide out). Small, neat and perfect to use.

In addition I am familiar with normal Allen keys in use, you get a feel for the torque you are applying. That principal goes out of the window with a multi tool and I suspect most people would under torque the larger fasteners and over torque the smaller ones (by quite a margin both ways).

In addition I carry the smallest 'proper' chain tool I could find, separated into its two main parts.

Other than flat fixing stuff, I reckon if I need to fix anything that can be done with the tools above, I have broke something fairly major and will need the fix it van anyway ... :-(

WD :-)

Similar to the poster above. I carry tubes and Co2 on Sprint/OD. But a multi tool for training and IM

Like the above poster when I had my first and so far only race mechanical. I needed a 13mm spanner. Guess what is not on the TopPeak tool I have!

30K with a seat that wont stay level is not fun, and I have no doubt set in motion a series of events (Some of my own doing) that ruined my race. Albeit I finished. And so much for "Neutral service" either Stopped at every marshal or motorbike ref or aid station I could until I found one with some tools!

Nope. I don't race or train with one. No real reason other than I don't

Yup, I race with one. It's a Topeak 10 piece kit and I even have their miniature 5 piece 4NM torque bit set. I can use it for everything from tightening my seat post to removing my pedals to adjusting my brakes. It's not just part of my flat kit but also part of my travel tool kit.

I do with my mountain bike only

I bring the big Park Tools one

Yep. And also tiny pliers (with wire cutter) with a knife blade on them. Also a piece of tyvek paper to hold a tube in if a sidewall gets ripped. Pliers to get a grip on things like cables when hands are too sweaty or cold and the blade to pick glass bits out of tires before they puncture. I usually ride for hours solo out in the middle of nowhere and have to fix my own stuff if things get ugly out there. I ditch the extras when racing shorter stuff up to a 70.3, but often carry it all when doing an Ironman so I can make sure I finish and get my money's worth out of the day. I've got the Speed Concept's storage box, so there's tons of room for way more than that.

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Zen and the Art of Triathlon. Strava Workout Log
Interviews with Chris McCormack, Helle Frederikson, Angela Naeth, and many more.
http://www.zentriathlon.com

No, I have been racing since '81 and have never needed a tool during a race and only needed an allen wrench twice while training -that is a couple hundred thousand miles. Check your bike thoroughly before race day. I do carry one to the race, but have never needed it. Bike should be ready to go, right.

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Team Zoot So Cal

Hello BryanD and All,

Thanks .....

I like this one ..... (Disclosure .... We make and sell them)

http://www.shop.view-speed.com/...ool-610098716037.htm



We are temporarily out of the aluminum/Ti model ... 24 grams ..... but have in stock the all Ti model which is stronger .. . 28 grams plus the bits you select that fit your bike. The handle serves as a tire iron.

If you have the View-Speed S4 skewers ..... the 3 blips are a spanner matching the skewer ...... or you can use the 5mm hex bit.

For the ingenious ..... you can fill the 5mm hex part of the S4 skewer with epoxy and make it only work with the spanner for some extra wheel security.

The steel bits (selection of blade screw driver, torx, hex/Allen, etc.) are security bits with a hole so they also work on security fasteners .... and that makes them a BIT lighter (pun).

For those times when you are incarcerated you can unscrew the window fasteners in the toilet and escape .... keep this tool with you at all times.

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Cheers, Neal

+1 mph Faster

https://www.amazon.com/...s=cycling+multi+tool

I rider a speed concept. Just have it in my draft box with CO2 and tubes.

sure the Park IB-2 small light and covers all my needs

Hello ZenTriBrett and All,


You can also make a nice boot by cutting out a piece of the sidewall in an old tire to an oval or use the plan B folded dollar bill ... but the tire side wall boot holds better.

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Cheers, Neal

+1 mph Faster

I carry a Topeak Ratchet Rocket in the seat bag of my road bike and the draft box on my Felt IA during training and racing.

The only time I ride without a multi tool is cyclocross racing. If I have a mechanical there my race is over and I go back to the car to fix it before the next race or go home.

In addition to the multi tool I usually carry a tube, 2 levers, glueless patches/tireboot. Co2 and inflator. I also carry a quicklink incase I need to fix a chain.

i race with a vittoria pit stop only. i might start racing with two.

when i train, i ride with two co2's, single tire lever, multi tool, vittoria pit stop (if it's a drop ride and over 75 miles), patch kit, tire patch.

i bring the kitchen sink with me during training. racing.. meh.

john

For HIM:

• one tube
• one CO2
• X-Lab Tool Kit (99 grams, has a tire lever as well) https://www.xlab-usa.com/tri-tool-kit.html
• X-Lab Speed Inflator chuck (like the red colour)
• Silca Pump Disk Wheel Adaptor (came with my disk wheel)

For full - the same, only two tubes and three CO2


I don't see the reason not to carry the multitool - 99 gram isn't a huge price to pay, especially if the other side of the equation is a DNF due to a missing hex tool.


From reading other comments, I will also include a patch in the future.


Kitchen sink? Please... tell me how 99 grams is the only thing that stands between you and that KQ.

No -> too heavy.
I only take a 4 mm allen key and a "hat" on that which makes it a 5 mm one.

Just weigh your tool, you'll see you can save some weight there.

Short course I don't carry anything. Learned my lesson for long course after racing the bike of a (hilly) 70.3 in one gear for want of a hex key.

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No coasting in running and no crying in baseball

here's one option, although no chain tool: http://fixitsticks.com

I don't carry a full multi-tool. I just take the three tiny allen keys used on my bike and put them in a small zip lock bag. Probably ends up being 1/10 the weight of the multi-tool.

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Favorite Gear: Dimond | Cadex | Desoto Sport | Hoka One One

I carry a small lezyne tool almost always. The carbon is like 44g, the V5 is about 50g

http://www.lezyne.com/...ols.php#.V_Ei_DRHanM

I also train and compete with a chain tool. If my chain breaks I can fix it, and if my rear derailleur goes I can convert to a (rear) fixie.

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"It's Ironman - it's supposed to be hard!"

Author of "Letters to a Driving Nation: Exploring the Conflict between Drivers and Cyclists." http://www.brucebutler.ca

Recommend me a chain breaker tool?

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http://www.parktool.com/...-ct-5?category=Chain

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"It's Ironman - it's supposed to be hard!"

Author of "Letters to a Driving Nation: Exploring the Conflict between Drivers and Cyclists." http://www.brucebutler.ca

Perfect! Exactly what I was looking for.

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Planet X do a few small / compact / cheap types (that's what I carry).

WD :-)

I usually race with the Park MK-257. It use a Burley trailer to haul it all, though sometimes I leave the stool behind. I have yet to finish a race because I'm always dealing with other riders' problems.

http://www.parktool.com/...arged/MK-257_001.jpg

Nah, I used to, but never had any problems (touch wood) so ditched it. And never had any problems on training rides, so don't bother when training either.

I know two people who could have used one. Jeff Symonds being one of them - at Kona last year. I fixed my saddle slip at Challenge Penticton last year too. Cost me 2 mins or so but saved my race. It is an incredibly small price to pay for self sufficiency.

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https://www.pbandjcoaching.com
https://www.thisbigroadtrip.com

Yes, same collection of tools that I train with. Multi tool with chainbreak, tiny leatherman, tire levers, flat patch kit, couple of zip ties, bar end plug, also a spare nut for a hub, small amount of electrical tape, cotton ball, razor blade. It packs down very small into an underseat bag with two spare tubes. Honestly, I use it more for getting other people out of trouble than myself, but I won't get stuck for long with minor mechanical problems.

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Sharon McN
@IronCharo
#TeamZoot
Clif Bar Pace Team 2003-2018

Nope, don't even have a flat kit for short course racing, i'd just DNF if i flat. I take a multi tool and flat kit with me on training rides though, it sometimes avoids calling someone to pick me up.

I was always packing a specialized multi tool with chain breaker. When I had a chain breakdown in Roth I found out it doesn't break my shimano pin.
Sramchain worked.

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-shoki