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Light weight & unusual tools
In a never ending attempt to reduce that 'lump' of tools in my kit, I would be interested to learn what alternatives to the 'normal tool' you are using.
Alloys/ innovations etc. It can be any tool as long as it one which has been 're-thinked' to maximise versatility (2 in 1 or more etc) and minimise weight. Picture would be appreciated. |
Some of the bikes "standard" tools in the tool kit are in fact fairly light and small.
BMW use short length spanners, short in the handle not the nut/bolt area. Lighter in weight and smaller is size. KTM .. well ... Possible to buy individual toolkit tools? - ADVrider -------------------- Combination tyre irons with rear axle nut spanner look good. eg Motion Pro 32mm/tire iron |
I use an adjustable spanner instead of spindle, sprocket tools.
However, those spindle tools which double up as tyre levers are nice. Zen Overland sell them. I also use a reversible screw driver. Often I change all the screws and bolts to the same type and size of head for everything that I safely do with. 5-6mm HEX usually. That saves the amount of tools you need to carry in the first place. |
Thinking of tools...
I started with over 4kg of tools, now down to 1.5kg. One major part of that was buying a Motion Pro kit and adding the Allen bits not in the original kit. adventure spec tools motion protrail tool
Part of the innovation of lightweight tools is around the thinking about tools. What do you really need? REALLY? I run tubeless tyres so just carry tyre plugs and a small compressor. I need a torque wrench to tighten my wheels correctly so I figure if the wheels must come off it will be in a workshop. Therefore I carry no tyre levers, no torque wrench, no heavy tyre changing gear. I looked at the recommended kit for my bike, then eliminated any tools that had less than three uses, and those few single-sized nuts and bolts were replaced with more standard heads/sizes. I also worked on the bike with the remaining tools and considered what my skills and tools could realistically do on the side of the road (e.g. change filters, remove plugs, undo covers). Once again I removed tools from the kit. Finally I removed any tools left that were doubled up, used a lightweight tyre pressure gauge in place of my heavy one, and even used lighter-weight bags for carrying the tools. It's still a work in progress!! PN |
Howabout some pics!
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Although expensive at around £50. The MotionPro trail kit is by far the best investment I've made for use on my bike. I added an extra allen bit and an extra socket and I've used it more times than I can remember. I do need to replace my spanners with an adjustable one though.
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You can remove them by drifting them off with a screw driver etc. Or pierce the very thin skin with a screw driver. That's only if they were put on too tight. You can often remove them with two hands and a cloth. Putting them on is easy by hand. They aren't meant to be on tight. 10 NM. :thumbup1: And c-spanner ?? Do you adjust your rear shock during a trip ??? |
PITA - I'd keep the filter tool - light and small and saves a lot of hassle. Same goes for C-spanner which can double up for head bearing adjustment/disassembly in some bikes.... agree there are multiple bodges to get around tools like this, but just how minimalist one wants to be varies from rider to rider....
IMHO.:D Quote:
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I've got three full size roller cabinets full of thousands of pounds worth of tools and now I have to go out and spend another £50 on this Motion Pro kit because I'm now jealous of lightweight tools.
You bunch of *&%£$*~* :rolleyes: Still, the tool kit on my last trip weighed more than all of my camping gear combined so I think I need to invest.. These are all available from Zen Overland. :thumbup1: |
+1 on the above comment
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You just need the 'bear necessities" la la la la la!
p.s Ted , the tools in top of my 2 pics come from Oz not zen overland. |
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The Terra X chain tool is a really good bit of kit - not cheap, but good quality normally isn't...
Bertrand, which brand are those lightweight tyre levers?, they look very well designed, how is the profile for changing tube tyres, any pinching? Ive got a pair of the Motion Pro levers with 19mm and 24mm ring spanner ends for front and rear spindle nuts, but the profile is no good, too much of a 'spoon' and too easy to push the lever in too far and pinch a tube. Im always trying to shave weight off my gear where possible, good thread. |
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tyre levers are good- that tiny lip does a great job of lifting but I also have one special Michelin Moto lever not in pics above who's the Daddy! That one has a cylinder of steel welded below the lever thereby helping the rolling motion when levering the tyre off the rim. I have only done one tyre change in the comfort of my garage so far to test them out so it would be wrong to say they can't pinch! IMHO, you can always catch a tube whatever you use. The Motion Pro levers assist as well- My 140 Heidenau K60 are a real *&! to come off the rim but then the tyre was cold- TIP! Levers also come from Terra-X but hurry as he told me when stock ends he is not making any more so... chop chop!! I'll update with new pics shortly as my tool bag is forever changing!:innocent: |
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