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Toolin' about with Park

Park Tool MTB-7 Rescue Tool

The Park Tool MTB-7 Rescue Tool
Photo ©: Cyclingnews

For any ride more than half an hour from your car or home, a good multi-tool is a necessity; Park Tool's MTB-7 Rescue Tool comes up against Paul Mirtschin in a battle of the tools.

Ever since I started mountain biking, I have tried to be self-sufficient when it comes to repairs. There has always been a multi-tool (and sometimes two) in my pack, along with a set of metal tire-levers for those really stubborn tires. However I have always found that there was something missing from the tool, and as often as not, it will be the tool you need on that ride.

Park Tool's MTB-7 Rescue Tool has almost everything you will need on the trail, and a few things you will need for those post-ride nibbles and fizzy-drinks. The full list of 21 different tools is as follows:

• Two tire levers as part of the body
• A Phillips head screwdriver
• A flat head screwdriver
• A T25 star-shaped driver for disc rotor adjusting
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm hex wrenches
• 2 x 8, 1 x 9, and 2 x 10mm box wrenches
• .127", .130" and .136" spoke keys
• A chainring nut wrench
• A serrated knife
• A bottle opener

As you can see, there is not much missing from the kit, and the inclusion of a chainring nut wrench as part of the fitting that holds the two sides together is very handy for tightening those loose chainring bolts.

The MTB-7 Rescue Tool open and ready for action
Photo ©: Cyclingnews

All the tools apart from the chainring nut wrench and the 8mm and 10mm box wrenches are part of the two moulded nylon handles, ensuring a good grip if it is needed. One each of the 8mm and 10mm box wrenches are part of the metal "clasp" that holds the halves together, as is the chainring nut wrench. The halves slid apart easily, a good thing for those cold and muddy mornings when you can't feel your fingers. Unfortunately, after time the halves can wear enough to slide apart too easily, but that is easily fixed with an elastic band.

Although the MTB-7 Rescue Tool has 21 different tools, it does have one tool missing; a chain tool. I have found that almost every multi-tool I have tried has been missing at least one tool, and this has meant that a second tool or multi-tool needs to be added to your kit. The big brother to the MTB-7, the MTB-3, has all that the MTB-7 has, with the addition of a chain-tool and a pedal wrench, so this may be a better buy. If you can afford the extra cost.

The quality of the tools is on par with other quality multi-tool, as you would expect coming from Park. Multi-tools are not designed to be used for every-day usage, so the quality will not be as high as a pro-quality tool. The tools all worked as expected, showing no signs of premature wear or distortion; something some multi-tools are known for.

When using a hex key on a tight bolt, some flexing could be felt in the handles, but not enough to cause any problems or concern. All five of the bladed tools, the knife, bottle opener and box wrenches, all locked securely into the handle; there will not be any lost fingers due to a knife blade folding shut.

If you don't already have a multi-tool in your kit, you should take a good look at the MTB-7 Rescue Tool; you just might need it one day.

Photos

Images by Cyclingnews

• The Park Tool MTB-7 Rescue Tool all packed up
• The MTB-7 Rescue Tool open and ready for action

Recommended retail price: US$22.99 (but we've seen them as low as $15.95)
Pro: Solid, cheap, easy to use
Con: Missing a chain tool
More information: Park Tool website
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