Silca Italian Army Knife Venti Multi Tool (20 Function)

The Silca Italian Army Knife Venti has pretty much every tool you should need at the side of the road, and more importantly it is very user-friendly thanks to its shape. There are a few little niggles here and there, but on the whole it's one of the better ones I've used – though I'd expect it to be at this price.

• Pros: Good selection of tools, impressive quality
• Cons: Magnetic holder for the chain tool isn't strong enough, pricey

Venti is Italian for 20 and, surprise surprise, that's how many tools you'll find at your disposal, made up of:

* Hex 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8

* Torx 8/10/20/25

* PH2/SL4

* 7mm box wrench

* 8mm flare nut wrench

* 10mm open end wrench

* Disc pad spreader

* Valve core remover

* Spoke wrenches - 13G / 15G

There is also a forged chain breaker too; we'll start with that.

The pin extractor part of the tool is part of the main setup, but a large plate threads onto it which holds the chain in position to allow you to push the pin out. Its size gives you plenty of leverage to pop the pin and it also contains the spoke keys, 10mm open wrench, disc pad spreader and valve core removal cutout.

The only thing that irritated me a little is that when it is not in use you slide it onto the tool and then it's held in place by a magnet. The magnet isn't really that strong, so it falls out easiy when you get the tool out of your bag or pocket. Not something you are going to want to happen on a dark, wet evening with a mechanical on your hands.

The same could be said for the 8mm hex bit, as it's a short piece that sits on the end of the 5mm, held in place by a little ball bearing. It's pretty secure but it is easy to drop if you need to use the 5mm on its own.

The tools are made from hardened tool steel which is then coated with Silca's high-grip chrome plating apparently, which provides better torque transfer. I can't confirm whether it does or not, but it seems to stop any corrosion.

The tolerances of the tools are tight and there is no slop between the tool itself and any hex key or Torx bits.

The downfall of many multi-tools is that they can be fiddly to use and not give you much leverage from the short body.

The Silca has steel side clamps of a decent size and they are shaped to accept your fingers to provide better grip. I found it comfortable to use.

> Buyer's Guide: 12 of the best multi-tools

You can pick up multi-tools from a few quid, depending on how many attachments you want, but no matter which way you look at it the Silca is right up there at the top end. At £45 it is quite an outlay. The 21-tool Topeak Hexus X, for example, costs just £22.99 and scored very well. Or there is the Vel Slim 17 tool which was pretty good, but we still reckoned it was pricey at £34.99 – so the Silca is up against some tough opposition.

It is a good tool, though, and feels durable, so it should last plenty of years I reckon.

Verdict

User-friendly multi-tool with plenty of options for the roadside, if you are willing to pay for it