Multi Tools - Grouptest Part 2

Check out Part 2 and the all important verdicts from MoreDirts Multi Tool Group test featuring 7 of the best all round tools out there just in time for xmas.

If you missed out on Part 1 and an introduction to the test you can catch up here...

Lezyne RAP 14 LED Multi Tool

The Lezyne Rap 14 LED features all the functionality of the original Lezyne RAP 13 multi tool but with an extra added bonus of a small 1 lumen LED light that attaches to the end of the 5mm allen key. It also features 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm allen keys, A Mavic spoke wrench, 2 other standards spoke wrenches a T25 and T30 Torx key and a phillips head screwdriver.

The RAP 14 all packs away very neatly inside the stylish machined aluminium side plates and features a stretchy neoprene cover that once again much like the Blox 23 from Lezyne is a very tight fit but does a perfect job of protecting the tool. The lack of a flat head screw driver proved to be a bit of a mystery to us during testing and means it isn’t really an all in 1 tool considering how often a flat head screwdriver is required during repairs. Personally I think they would have been better dropping the Torx 30 key and including the Flat head as realistically how many times have you undertaken an emergency brake fix trail side compared to a quick adjustment to a limit screw on the rear mech? The LED light is a cool addition, it’s nothing to write home about but it has helped me find my keys after a night ride on a few occasions!

The Lezyne RAP 14 LED has an RRP of £21.99

Lezyne are distributed in the UK by Upgrade bikes.

Solid construction with an innovative light at a great price but the absence of a flat head screwdriver lets it down.

Lezyne Multi Block Multi Tool

The Lezyne Multi Block is a little different to the other tools we have featured in the test as it only features 8 different functions but focuses in generating a more comfortable user experience when using the few selected tools with a longer profile for increased leverage. The functions included are an 8mm allen key perfect for tightening crank bolts, phillips and flathead screwdrivers a disk brake wedge, 8 and 10mm wrenches a tyre lever and the all important bottle opener!

The Multi Block tool doesn’t come with a cover but due to it’s fairly sparse nature, packs away neatly and is incredibly lightweight. The frame of the tool is of “I beam” construction much like you would see on a steel girder in a building that gives incredible stiffness when applying force. You certainly won’t feel any flex while using the 8mm allen key. The wrenches and screw drivers also benefit from this increased stiffness but once again the tyre lever much like the Blox 23 we featured yesterday has the fatal flaw with the tin opener style wrench on the front of it. If you are fighting with a tight tyre on the rim and you stick the lever too far down inside you’ll slice the tube before you even know it.

The Lezyne Multi Block has an RRP of £16.99

Lezyne are distributed in the UK by Upgrade bikes.

Bombproof construction that will generate lots of leverage with zero flex but at a cost with limited functionality.

Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi Tool

The Topeak Mini 20 Pro features 20 different functions including allen keys ranging from a monster 10mm down to a 2mm L shape key, T25 and T10 Torx key for Disk Brake work, a phillips and flat head screw driver, 3 spoke keys and a Mavic spoke key and some other good additions like a flip out tyre lever and a thin metal hook to keep the chain in check while attempting to break it alone! It also features a fully removable chain tool that uses the 4mm allen key on the main bulk of the tool to generate some great torque that means it can easily break a chain.

The tool packs away very neatly but the loose chain hook is more than likely to break free at somepoint and be misplaced but the Topeak branded neoprene carry case will definitely help combat that. The sizes of the allen key’s have been stamped on each tool that proved to be a big bonus and makes for good reference when attempting to make speedy fixes trail side! The clever inclusion of the inclusion of the 10mm allen key would be fantastic for somebody who uses the Race Face X-Type self extracting crank bolts but don’t expect to generate any huge leverage as the footprint of the tool is tiny!

The Topeak Mini 20 Pro has an RRP of £27.99

Topeak are distributed in the UK by Extra UK

Tiny with an awesome amount of functions and a great little case but certainly not the most user friendly interface.

The Verdict

So all that's left to do is to decide our winner for the last MoreDirt group test of 2012...

It's been a tough decision with the Crank Brothers, Pedro's and Lezyne Blox 23 all making a valiant effort for the top spot but all with slight limitations. The Lezyne's tyre lever lever fault, the Pedro's plastic construction, that gives us slight durability concerns and the absence of the Mavic spoke key on the Crank Brothers tool. Those 3 tools are all absolutely fantastic as long as you are aware of their limitations but for us the tool that is the complete package is...

The Crank Brothers M19