We recently took receipt of blackburns top-of-the-range multitool, the 'Toolmanator 16' to put through its paces. Previously the only blackburn product iv used was their 'airstik' pump, which I had many happy years with until it ejected itself from my jersey pocket somewhere mid-ride.
An everyday riding essential, a decent tool tends to last, often outliving the bikes it adjusts, and this 16 element gadget certainly does looks the part. A mini-tool represents one of those boring and seemingly needless purchases, but plumping for a decent quality model provides that peace of mind that when that rare occasion rises, you're well equipped to get back on the road.
Its around 7cm square, but only 1cm thick, so it can tuck neatly into something like an essentials case, or even into a smaller saddle bag should you not have a pocket for it. I liked how low profile it was compared with my chubby weighty old model. This desirability does come at a price though... the cheapest I found online was just a shade under £30 at ribble. Whilst some might balk at the thought of dropping that much on a tool, in its defense the toolmanator does feel like a £30 multitool should. Il be interested to see if its still in good shape with a year of all season use and drops etc, but the signs look good.
Full specs: 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm Hex Keys, Torx T25 and T30, Schrader Valve pump, bladed and Philips #2 screwdrivers, 10 speed chain breaker and 14/15 gauge spoke wrenches.
An everyday riding essential, a decent tool tends to last, often outliving the bikes it adjusts, and this 16 element gadget certainly does looks the part. A mini-tool represents one of those boring and seemingly needless purchases, but plumping for a decent quality model provides that peace of mind that when that rare occasion rises, you're well equipped to get back on the road.
Replacing my tired old cheapo mini-tool, the toolmanator feels like a quality product from initial handling. The tools are made from, and I quote, "hardened, forged and drawn chrome vanadium". Now, I literally have no idea what that means, but what I do know is the tool bits seemed much better quality when compared to my old lifeline budget model. My older tool heads had a habit of rounding off, or stripping the bolts.
So, what does this small package boast? 8 hex sizes, 2 torx heads, a bladed and phillips head screwdriver, 2 spoke keys, a 10-speed chain breaker and a mini shock pump. The mini shock pump is shraeder fitting only, so sadly redundant to me as a roadie. I tested the chain breaker out, and whilst it took a bit of wile to crank it round, it cleanly popped out the connecting pin without too much trouble.The fixtures are fitted into a sleek one-sided aluminium housing, helping to keep the weight down to a svelte 114g. You're certainly not going to notice this in your pocket on a ride. Also included in the package was a nice little neoprene sleeve to wrap around the device, keeping things neat and avoiding catching any of the tool-heads on stuff.
