Multi tool with decent 15mm

i have an alien something which has a 15mm pedal spanner but i'm wondering has anyone heard of a multi tool with a decent 15mm spanner for doing wheel nuts (no1 say dumbbell please). you'd have thought with the current trend for fixed wheels there'd be a market for such a thing now. if such a thing doesn't exist, does anyone know what it'd cost to make a bunch (maybe brand them lfgss).
for riders of fixed wheels what would be the specs of the ideal multi tool?
for me: allens 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8 on 1 side and the other spanners 10, 13 (cone), 15, maybe a flat and/or cross head.

shame no one does a customise-able multi-tool (shame vanilla doesn't have UK english option).

hmm for me i need a 15mm combination wrench, allen keys, 3 tyre levers, spare tube, pump, maybe patch kit and that's all i need on the road. i dont really think a multi-tool like that would appeal to someone like me. and folks with goldtec and phil hubs wont ever need a wrench either since they dont use track nuts they use 6mm allen.

cone wrenches are more like workshop tools really, where i keep at home with the lockring tool and other bits, i mean, you should adjust your cones properly before heading out anyway right?

I agree with edmundane and also would have some concerns about torquing on axle bolts with a multi tool, folding 15mm spanner. I'd recommend a mini wrench or that you cut one down yourself if you want portability.

Surely not enough leverage possible with a multitool-based 15mm?
The Surly Jethro Tule works for me but can do some damage to your hand with tight nuts - keep your gloves on.
Any smaller than that and you wont be able to get the nuts tight enough and the thing will break after a couple of uses.
I carry a multi-tool and the jethro tool.

buy a normal 15 mm/ Cut to length. File off sharp edges. Cheaper / lighter / faster.

But it's not as nice as the purpose-built Tule which I quite like. They are expensive though so Tommy's cut'n'shut will work nicely on a budget.

Maybe you could get a C02/hand-pump/multi-tool/15mm combo.. what an awesome idea! TheMultiMultiTool

my mavics are allen, my spares are 15mm. i don't need the 13 for my cones but to adjust my 80's dura-ace caliper.
3! tire levers, what rims and tires do you have?
what i like about the multi tool is that it's just 1 thing to find and then put back into the bag when you're finished.
i agree that a multi tool with a 15mm wheel spanner would need to be longer than an alien for example, more like a peanut butter spanner, that said, the surly is not that long.
a socket with a lateral hole through for an 8mm allen would be good.
it's a bit ironic that we ride minimalist bikes but then carry multitools with stuff we don't need and then carry an extra tool to get a wheel off (when running track nuts).

shame no one's done an allen option for use with the hollow axles on formula hubs.

some 1 will do a fixed wheel multi tool and we will all be buying them, it's just a matter of time.

I agree with some of your reasoning, but still wouldn't want to try and torque down track nuts with anything too small or flimsy. I carry a halfords 15mm spanner and use the ring end for everything.

Once solution to make tools easier to carry and find is to have a small pouch with all your tools in it. I've got a multi tool, leatherman, chainring bolt tool, puncture kit in mine and carry a 15mm spanner and pump in my bag pocket.

One thing you could do is get a cheap 13/15 cone spanner. Would handle track nuts in an emergency and will do your brake too.

dr.oblong: what about changing from 15mm nuts to allen nuts? That's got to be a better solution than buying new tools.
I usually leave my 15mm spanner in my bag (other people might need it and it opens beers) but the Soma's Phils require allen key.
I'm not that fussed because the Tule is light and has its spot in my bag.
But, for you where speed fixes are obviously required, changing all your nuts to allen has got to be better? Pain in the butt initially perhaps but worthwhile?

How often do you need to adjust the DA caliper? Can it also be swapped out so only the allen keys are needed? Then almost any multi will see you through.

to change the formula hubs to allens would mean changing or cutting down and threading the axles unless there is conversion kit i've not see. i use the mavics (allen) mostly but i've got to sort something out for my spares and my girlfriends wheels which are all formula hubs she's carrying a DA pedal spanner presently.

i got a really cool pouch for tools, tubes and co2 pump:) just want to make it as light as poss.
the da caliper is actually a rear, since i put the front on girlfriends fuji, so the extended allen nut(?) on the back of the fork engages about 3mm of thread and goes out of adjustment easily (but it's not that serious).

still like the idea of purpose designed fixed multi tool. what does the leathermen do for you? never saw the need myself.

phil woods and goldtec are allen i know, just looked at the soma site they seem to be 15mm track nuts.

couldn't find a reference to soma phils.

oh it's just hippy's got phils on his soma...

yeah, but the thing is does it really make such a weight difference? as momentum said, a 13/15 cone spanner + a few allen keys.

trouble with multi tools it that they are never as strong as good quality seperates. oh and if you loose you one multitool your fooked.

i use a small pencil case, it managed to carry all my must haves, tube, patches, levers, 15mmspanner and a good multi allen key set(gorrilagrip), park chain tool and some spare links, neurofen.

i dropped my multi-tool once and i felt so fscked until i bought myself another set of tools

Err.. yeah sorry.. meant my Soma which has Phils which are allen nuts as apposed to my Raleigh which are 15mm..
Um.. I think I had a point.. yeah isn't it possible to swap the fixings to whichever your prefer? ie. swap axles to 15mm or allen or whatever?
If your wheels are all the same you can lose tools. Nice. Also, as Ed said.. weight? what weight? London is flat so nothing really makes much diff. You notice it for 1st k then nothing.
Still I'd prefer to even out wheel nuts than carry extra toolage. Beer!

I still think the greatest multitool was the cool tool its based on an adjustable spanner with a chain tool in the handle. Putting the allen keys in the wrong way round gives you plenty of leverage to tighten up track nuts or take off pedals. I still have one and use it as my only chain tool and for doing up my phils as you can use the allen keys with the other part on to get better leverage than normal allen keys. I wouldn't want to use it all the time on track nuts though as you could end up rounding them, which I think maybe happened on my cheapo track hubs. Don't think thier made anymore and they are bigger than modern multitools but definately the most multi of tools I've used.

dr.oblong
the da caliper is actually a rear, since i put the front on girlfriends fuji, so the extended allen nut(?) on the back of the fork engages about 3mm of thread and goes out of adjustment easily (but it's not that serious).

Haveyou tried a longer allen nut? They come in different lengths and so you might be able to get one that engages better, which is what I did for the rear brake on the front of my girlfriend's bike.

what does the leathermen do for you? never saw the need myself.

Pliers, knife, bottle opener. Don't use it that often but it's useful when something unexpected happens or I want to drink.

yeah i got 3 allen bolts and that 1 was the best fit and left it at that.
most of the guys i work with have leathermen and use the knife to make a pigs ear of cutting gels instead of using a gel cutter. i guess i just like being a bit anti them cos so many people have them. for me they are a kind of symbol for guys who want to be an 'alpha male'/'utility man' (that was once what swiss army penknives were before the 'septics' got in on the act). although the alien has a knife, if i've got to carry 1 i like the opinel. it's cheap, light, comfortable, well balanced, nice lock and even though they can rust they sharpen up really easily. great for picnics.

dr.oblong for me they are a kind of symbol for guys who want to be an 'alpha male'/'utility man'

Haha - the best are people who carry them on their belts in a pouch with a mobile next to it in another pouch and wearing a g-shock going to a meeting about lightbulb procurement wearing an M&S easy iron shirt and a cheap suit. Norman the outdoor machine! I keep mine hidden in my bag and only really have it with me for the pliers.

I've got a small spiderco knife which is tough, small and sharp and good for taking hiking and stuff like that. If I wanna be alpha male then I've got a big sheath knife but only use that when I'm in Lapland!

Momentum [quote]dr.oblong for me they are a kind of symbol for guys who want to be an 'alpha male'/'utility man'

Haha - the best are people who carry them on their belts in a pouch with a mobile next to it in another pouch and wearing a g-shock going to a meeting about lightbulb procurement wearing an M&S easy iron shirt and a cheap suit. Norman the outdoor machine! I keep mine hidden in my bag and only really have it with me for the pliers.

I've got a small spiderco knife which is tough, small and sharp and good for taking hiking and stuff like that. If I wanna be alpha male then I've got a big sheath knife but only use that when I'm in Lapland![/quote]

I know what you mean I work in engineering and everyone has leathermans on their belt, only ever seen people use them to sharpen pencils. I do actually own 2 myself though but they are never on my belt, I do take one mountainbiking as you never know when you could get stranded 5 miles from a road and need to whittle a branch into a spear when you get hungry

daccordi I still think the greatest multitool was the cool tool its based on an adjustable spanner with a chain tool in the handle. Putting the allen keys in the wrong way round gives you plenty of leverage to tighten up track nuts or take off pedals. I still have one and use it as my only chain tool and for doing up my phils as you can use the allen keys with the other part on to get better leverage than normal allen keys. I wouldn't want to use it all the time on track nuts though as you could end up rounding them, which I think maybe happened on my cheapo track hubs. Don't think thier made anymore and they are bigger than modern multitools but definately the most multi of tools I've used.

+1. lost mine at lands end when I was 16, and have been on the lookout for one since. After fruitlessly searching high and low, I'd figured that they'd gone out of production, when a relative surprised me with some nos in their local bike shop in north wales. Always have it in my tool kit, but generally only have to use a couple of 5 & 6 mm allen keys that always live in my bike jacket. Cool tool is definitely my favourite multi-tool. That said, the gerber lives in there too- I find it outshines the leatherman with its simple construction and lockable pliers- good for those stubborn teeth...

a couple of links...
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=16&item=SS-15
http://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m7b0s71p2624
not exactly multi tools but tools!

ha

comedy

How about?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330257968506&cguid=b0d699d611e0a0aad5a5af45fb7130be
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=148414&Referrer=Froogle

Not multi tools, but cheap and fairly small.

Toodle pip

http://www.winstanleysbmx.com/product/4603/DK_Random_Wrench

DK Random Wrench
Perfect for putting in your bag on a ride, this wrench is 9 tools in one. This item is invaluable when you knock your wheel out of line on the first attempted grind of the day…
15mm Pedal wrench
19mm Deep socket for pegs
3/8" Socket driver
14mm Socket
15mm Socket
7/32" Allen key
1/4" Allen key
5mm Allen key
6mm Allen key
£19.99

there's that designed for bmx but it would work so long as you don't think it's too big...