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In the mountain bike community, the Topeak Alien has long been heralded as the veritable Swiss Army Knife of bicycle multi-tools. And while countless manufacturers produce similar tools, the Alien is so ubiquitous that when someone needs to make a trail side repair, and someone else offers up an Alien, it’s well-understood that they’ll have access to virtually any tool they’ll possibly need. Of course, for the urban rider, especially the fixed gear rider, the one tool the Alien doesn’t have is a 15mm wrench. Aside from that, it’s pretty much got you covered.
The latest version, dubbed the Alien III CB DX, has 25 tools and a carbon fiber casing. Highlights include 2-10mm hex wrenches, a cast chromoly chain tool, flat and Phillips screw drivers, a bottle opener, tire lever and a really sharp stainless steel knife. The knife portion of the tool incorporates a locking mechanism that’s both a convenience and safety feature.
The materials and construction are second to none, and in my experience Topeak products are built to last. I’ve had one of their mini pumps for over 10 years now, and it still works as well as the day I got it.
The Alien III is a fairly substantial little tool, but not so big or heavy that it’s going to make a huge difference in your messenger bag. It measures 3.1” x 1.8” x 1.8” and weighs in at 260 grams (just over half a pound).
The Alien III CB DX retails for $103.95, the Alien III CB $86.95 and the Alien III $63.95. Visit www.topeak.com for more info.
From the links:
“The chain tool is compatible with all single and multispeed bicycle chains, including hollow pin chains (Campagnolo, Shimano, SRAM).”
That’s awesome. I like to roll incredibly over-prepared somedays, and finding a multitool with a chaintool that works on 1/8″ chain is a pain. (The closest I’ve had is a LeZyne that breaks 1/8 chains, and presses the pin back in, but can’t do the little bit where you press the pin from the other side to loosen an over-tightened link)
Really? Please someone enumerate the problems the Alien III can solve that the Alien XS can’t.
The Alien XS, with 17 tools, is a great product and should have you covered. It doesn’t have a 10mm Allen wrench, which admittedly is probably the least common size. For the road/urban rider, the lack of a T25 wrench shouldn’t be a big deal, but most disc brake rotors use torx bolts, and my #1 commuter bike has disc brakes. Neither tool has a pedal wrench, which the 27 tool Alien DX does have.