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SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING
LATEST UPDATE: APRIL 26th
HOW DO WE DECIDE OUR OVERALL RATINGS FOR PRODUCTS WE REVIEW?
Topeak Hide ’n’ Tool
88g £57.99
The Topeak Hide 'n’ Tool is a refined, if not completely original take on the making use of forgotten space narrative. Design kudos aside, it’s a fantastic way of ensuring you’re never caught without a multi tool and frees up space in jersey pockets and bike luggage. That said; while the seven functions cover most bases, especially on a contemporary mountain, or gravel bike, the lack of a 6 mm key may be a turn off.
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Pros: Nicely designed, good tool quality rattle-free, covers most bases.
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Cons: Pricey.
Materials/Specification
Measuring 13x2.5x2.5cm, its part of a tool family designed to fill “dead space”, in this instance, within Hollowtech II type cranksets measuring 124mm through the straight section and 19-25mm internal diameter, courtesy of an expandable wedge (think bar end plug).
Aside from the “engineering polymer” plug, its reassuringly well made, using 6061 T6 heat-treated aluminium alloy for the body and 13spd chain tool, while other functions are electroplated chrome vanadium steel. Unlike designs, such as the Torque Covert the tooling is a traditional “pen knife” multi-tool, rather than individual bits, which, save for the chain joiner eliminates potential for loss in that long grass, or watery puddle.
In terms of bits, there’s a 13speed chain tool and chain connector, 2,3,4-, 5- and 8-mm Allen keys, T25 Torx and a flat head screwdriver.
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Not quite the pocket workshop but as I said in my opening paragraph, covers most bases. I’d still carry an 8mm for pedals, a 10mm for crank preload and a T30 Torx for chainring bolts, adding a 6mm Allen key and Philips screwdriver on longer outings. Probably in the form of a multi tool, tucked in my wedge pack, or bottle cage tool caddy, but that’s straying off track.
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The external “cage” feels solid and lodges within the crank courtesy of an expanding wedge- turn clockwise to lock, anti-clockwise to release. This, coupled with the magnets is designed to prevent chatter, while keeping nasty wet silty stuff from sneaking inside.
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That said, at present, spares aren’t available, so I’d be inclined to give it a quick shot of silicone protectant spray to keep it supple and nourished. Good practice anyway, to be honest. The expander wedge means it protrudes further from the crank than the Torque Covert 7 Crank Multi Tool - something I was initially conscious of and feared winter booties, such as these FLR Defender, might foul. They ran close, but I'm pleased to report this was unfounded.
Durability/Corrosion Resistance
Tucked away inside the crank, this genre of tool is always with you but very easily forgotten. In the interests of journalistic intrigue, I resisted my default urge to treat tooling to a quick oily rag once-over and just left the Hide 'n’ Tool slumbering inside. Several wet, cold and muddy weeks down the line, (coupled with storm Babet) I was pleasantly surprised to discover taint largely conspicuous by its absence. Obviously, tool quality plays its part, but the bung’s seal clearly helps.
Testing aside, I’m inclined to give the tool bits a quick, oily rag once-over. Aluminium alloy chain spreader slots have always felt a weak spot. Arguably, chain tools are only intended for emergency rescue, used sparingly and making this a moot point. I’d steer away from beefy single speed and track chains but ours has spliced (and, where appropriate, rejoined) several others reliably.
Mind you, 250 miles down the line, I noted the end worked its way adrift, resulting in some unexpected internal rattling, so also added a lick of blue (medium strength) thread lock to prevent this and potential loss.
Performance 3.75/5
Aside from the chain tool incident, I’ve been delighted by the silence - washboard tarmac, lumpy lanes, railway crossings, bridlepath and forest trails couldn’t induce any annoying tinkling, let alone chatter. For context, the Torque’s magnet system had lost some bite and was allowing minute movement, leading to minor marking of the crank’s anodising.
The folding penknife design fits nicely in the hand and though there’s not much separating the designs in terms of leverage, I found the Hide n’ Tool more convenient. Especially when the temperature’s tanking and needing to nip a headset tight, or tackling recessed fasteners, such a bottle bosses.
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In common with the Torque, mudguard fixings (chainstay) called for a standalone key- unless you had cause to remove the rear wheel. The tool length ensured the 4mm made refreshingly short work of cleat hardware (although there’s always the T25 for more weathered examples), recessed bottle cage hardware on small semi/compact geometry framesets.
Again, the pen knife layout meant effortless switching- say going from 5mm stem bolts to 4mm Star fangled nut when adjusting headset bearings. That said; the 5mm is too short to tackle some recessed brake levers. Assuming this applies you’ll need a lofty standalone on a tour/similar endurance adventure. The absence of a 6mm might also divide opinion but I was pleased to find an 8mm for tightening and removing/refitting pedals.
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Minor grumbles aside, its location and convenience mean I’ve happily defaulted to the Hide n’ Tool for roadside tweaks and those little jobs spotted at home. Its arrival coincided with a “time to chuck” reading of Ursula’s 10spd chain.
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I’m pleased to report the Hide n’ Tool’s splitter ploughed through the link like a knife through butter and this song remained the same with 9, 8, 7 and 6 speed models. It also joined traditionally joined models with similar finesse. To date, these have made minimal impact on the spreader slots-just some trace marks in the anodising. However, while its most obviously aimed at trail audiences, I’d shy away from beefy single speed chains- might be a consideration for those pooling tools on group rides.
Value 3.25/5
£57.99 is £18 dearer than the Torque Covert, which includes a 6mm Allen key allowing for some added tunability- adding an 8mm cap, for example. However, while good, the tooling is more susceptible to corrosion, and the magnet could be stronger, resulting in rattle over rougher, or washboard surfaces. It’s also heavier at 167g. Giant Clutch Crank Storage is £69.99 (although we’ve seen it heavily discounted online). In terms of design, its closer to the Topeak but also employs magnets to bond it with the crank.
It’s claimed adjustable and therefore, theoretically compatible with a wider range of cranksets, from Hollowtech II to Sram and Praxis cranks. It offers 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6. there’s a Torx T25. It also features a hinged chain breaker with a recess for carrying a quick link. However, it’s also £10 dearer than the Topeak.
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Those not set on a concealed design and/or on a budget might be better served by a pocket workshop model, such as Passport CDW (now £26.99 rrp) which has 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm + 8mm adaptor, chain tool, 8, 9 and 10mm ring spanners, tyre levers, knife, T25 Torx, screwdrivers and a bottle opener. The Lifeline Pro 18-In-1 Multi-Tool with CO2 Inflator (now £21.99) impressed Steve with its design and performance.
Summary
Much will depend upon what you need. Some riders like to build custom tool kits for their specific machines, keeping things relevant and minimalist, others fall into the “kitchen sink” camp. The Topeak Hide 'n’ tool is a very well executed, lightweight and minimalist design. Standards of build and refinement may swing the balance over the Torque Covert and though undeniably pricey for a multi tool, it’s not the most expensive of this genre either.
Michael Stenning
Verdict: 3.75/5 Well designed with decent quality materials but pricey compared to traditional multi-tools.
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PUBLISHED DECEMBER 2023
