BBB Prime Fold M multi tool

This excellent little multi-tool from BBB would make a great stocking filler and it's shiny enough to hang from the Christmas tree as an ornament.

It's a pretty standard setup, black side plates with an array of tools set between them. The tools run the full length of the cage plates on both sides, so it's a very compact design at just 73mm long.

The principal requirement for a multi-tool, for me anyway, is how it feels in hand. I don't know about you but trying to mongo a bottom bracket bolt with a tool that's trying to cut my hand in half is not my idea of fun. Happily this dinky little tool is very comfy to use, even my wife agrees and she has delicate lady hands.

You get the usual range of bits: allen tools from 2 - 8mm, screw drivers (Philips and flat) a T25 Torx head and an 8mm box wrench with three spoke keys cut into it. As seems to be common practice, the 8mm hex is a separate bit that sits on top of the 6mm. It's a snug fit though, which means that it should stay put while the tool is rattling around in your saddle bag. Despite being a compact tool, the various bits are actually quite long, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting into awkward gaps. The 6 and 8mm heads are rather shorter, which is sensible given that the bigger the bolt the more force is required and you don't want any unnecessary flex.

The spoke keys are a bit of an oddity. Given that you get three you'd expect them to be different sizes but for some reason they're all 4.5mm. It's an odd size, but a quick test on my stable suggests they will fit most spokes. They don't offer the same level of grip as a proper tool, which means you'll struggle with really stiff or corroded nipples, but they'll most likely get you home. To be honest I've never come across a multi-tool where the spoke key was anything other than an afterthought, so the BB doesn't lose any points for this.

Overall this is a very nice tool. It looks smart, feels nice in the hand and if you shop around you can find it at a some bargain prices too, I've found it online discounted to under £7.

Verdict

Small, shiny and pleasant to use - everything you'd want from a multi-tool. Superb value for money if you get it discounted.