Review on Multi-Tool for Bikes: Blackburn Switch with 8 Essential Functions by Brad Knierim

I would take this kit on a longer bike tour without any problems. It has solid, fixed parts and no moving parts (except for the small spring balls that hold the bits to the handle). long-handled tool. The design is a perfect balance between lightness and comfort and reliability. Round hex keys are great for finding the right angle on hard-to-reach fasteners when you have shelving and the like in your direct access path. The whole point of this tool is having something that won't break, has a punch, and doesn't add a lot of weight to your kit. Obviously switching bits in and out of the knob has to do with how easy it is to use, but you already knew that. The potential loss of your bits in the thick grass in the field is another concern, although I'd say it's difficult as the bits are about two inches long and shiny. Just keep your bits either up your sleeve or in your grip at all times and you'll be fine. Using the crank as a medium torque T is rough and therefore unbalanced and tends to prefer using the two hands you sometimes need to steady the bike in the field. All in all, unless you use the tool every day, the added complexity of using it shouldn't be a problem. It's about the ability to get the job done without being overly heavy, and this tool set does a great job of doing that. without rounding the corners of the tool head (I'm not usually familiar with these types of hexes) or rounding the surfaces in your fastener heads. I have a feeling that with round polygonal heads you have less contact area with the screw and are more likely to round off an old screw that hasn't been loosened in a while and may have some rust on it. weakens it. Last time I checked, touring can sometimes cause rust on your mounts. ;-) At this point I'd say this tool gets a 5/5 for what it should do, as long as it lasts a long time and can be used on older fasteners that are at a higher risk of rounding.