Review: Crank Brothers Multi-17 Tool

I'm a geek for tools. Bike tools, mostly. That said, I'd like to mention that within the vast spectrum of bike tool "types"....I am particularly fond of multi-tools. They're the Swiss-Army Knife of the bike world. Really. I'm not quite sure one of these guys will save you from a bear in the woods (although some do have knives), or start a fire like the name-sake, but if you happen to be riding in the Swiss Alps and need a derailleur adjustment....Boom. Swiss-Army bike tool. I'm slightly obsessed. My fiancee likes to tell me that it's "because I'm a boy," but I like to think that it's more than that, that it's just because multi-tools are just pretty darn nifty. I'd also like to think that this fondness isn't gender-specific. Multi-tools can like girls, too. 

Having worked at a bike shop for the past number of years, I've accumulated a decent collection of bike tools. Some I'd consider a good buy-like the Surly Jethro Tule-and others I'd consider a waste of my time. One thing I have a lot of is the aforementioned multi-tool. They're small, generally lightweight, boast an array of necessary allen wrenches and screwdrivers for on the fly adjustments, and half the time they double as a bottle opener. 

....Bikes and beer. They go together well. 

By far my favorite of these tidy little cycling Swiss-Army knives, though...is my Crank Brothers Multi-Seventeen tool. At a $27 MSRP it's not too out of the park outrageous, in fact, it's pretty average for many of the tools on the market today. Crank Brothers simply describes it as "17 features in one lightweight tool."

It's loaded with an 8,9, and 10-speed chain tool; spoke wrenches #'s 0-3; hex wrenches #2, 2.5,  3, 4, 5, 6, 8; a phillips and flat head screwdiver; a t-25 torx wrench; 8mm and 10mm open end wrenches...and a lifetime warranty. It's basically every tool needed for any quick-fix with nothing unnecessary (one of the options we sell at the shop has two valve tools, a shock pump, and only one size of spoke wrench). My only complaint, though...is that it doesn't have a bottle opener. 

for the past number of weeks, I've been volunteering at a local mission fixing up the beaten and bruised donated bikes. It's a place that relies on donations and volunteers, so the variety of tools needed for bike "stuff" is...lacking. That's where this little guy has come in handy! 

It's been a saving grace a number of times out on the road or the trail....and recently in the basement of a cold Michigan warehouse. All in all...I'm pretty happy with this one, and I don't think I'll be looking for another multi-tool any time soon. 

....no matter how much I'm obsessed with them.

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Note: No Drive. Just Ride. is not being paid, nor bribed for this review and we will strive always give our honest thoughts and opinions.