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Topeak Hexus X multi-tool

9
£22.99

VERDICT:

9
10
A very useful and easy-to-use tool with an excellent chainbreaker – just try not to lose the loose bits
Weight: 
172g

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The Topeak Hexus X multi-tool packs a lot of functionality into a pretty tight package. The chain tool is highly commended.

  • Pros: Compact, pretty comprehensive, great chain tool
  • Cons: No flathead screwdriver, loose bits can be lost on roadside repairs

Fitting 21 tools into a package that sits neatly on the palm of the hand is a commendable achievement from Topeak. While the overall finish may not be absolutely the best out there, everything worked well, nothing broke and it's hard to see why you would want anything more to get you out of any sticky situation on the road.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The basic design is quite standard – a solid plastic body carrying two hinges loaded with hex keys, Torx bits and a chain tool; these fold out, quite stiffly as it happens, but a second 4mm hex key mounted on one of the tyre levers allows you to use the T30 Torx bit to adjust the hinge tightness. Don't overdo it, though, because the tools will flop about if loose.

topeak_hexus_x_3.jpg

The tool's body doesn't just rely on the hinge bars to hold it together – there's a solid pastic bridge between the two sides as well. Although there is still a bit of flex, I didn't find this an issue in use and the Hexus X was quite happy to be used to remove pedals without twisting.

Three of the tools are supplied as separate bits which mount onto spigots inside the tool body. Wisely, Topeak has chosen to put all the most commonly used tools and sizes on the hinge bars. The separate bits are the 8mm hex key, which fits onto the 5mm hex key, and a T15 and a T30 Torx which can both fit on either of the two 4mm hex tools. This adds to the versatility of the toolset without expanding its bulk, but the payoff is the danger of losing them, which is easy to imagine during a grass verge repair.

topeak_hexus_x_2.jpg

The 4mm hex key on the tyre lever is also used to turn the chain tool, which is particularly well executed and works better than some workshop chainbreakers I've used. It's comfortable in the hand and makes easy work of rivet extraction. It comes with a chain hook, which I don't usually bother with but has other uses too. Again, being a loose part, it could get mislaid.

The tyre levers clip to the sides of the tool and make it even more comfortable to use while they are in place. One also includes two sizes of spoke key and the other incorporates a valve core remover – excellent for topping up that tubeless sealant.

topeak_hexus_x_4.jpg

I tried using the Hexus as my main tool in my little bike repair workshop for a week and it stood up pretty well. I've yet to find one tool that can reach into every single nook or cranny but the Hexus X seemed quite flexible (in a good way). All the tools were long enough for pretty much any recessed bolt, but not so long that you couldn't get it into tight frame angles.

Like any multi-tool, if you use it all the time it becomes a bit like wrestling with a particularly hyperactive octopus but that's not relevant to the kinds of applications Topeak has in mind. I just like the metaphor.

A look at our buyer's guide (below) and recent multi-tools tested on road.cc also suggests £23 for such a well-made and well-equipped tool is very good value.

> Buyer's Guide: 10 of the best multi-tools

Topeak has chosen to fit a crosshead screwdriver which is okay if all the screws are in good condition, but I find a small flathead usually more versatile and able to shift stuck screws more reliably. You can also use them to force apart brake discs.

Otherwise, this tool should cover most jobs you can think of, and it even managed some you wouldn't. I used it to free off a knot on a towrope that had been used to haul a car out of a ditch on Skye. That was one tight knot!

Verdict

A very useful and easy-to-use tool with an excellent chainbreaker – just try not to lose the loose bits

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Topeak Hexus X multi-tool

Size tested: 21 functions

Tell us what the product is for

Topeak's website pitch: "An award winning 21 functions multi-tool with updated design to store T15, T25, 8mm hex tool bits and side mounted tire levers securely. Includes self-tightening tool (T25 Torx® bit) and Presta Core Tool to tighten or remove two-piece Presta valve cores. The Hexus X is an excellent choice for both road and mountain bike riders."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Topeak:

Allen wrenches - 2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 (2 pcs) / 5 / 6 mm tool bit - 8 mm hex

Torx® bits - T15 / T25

Torx® wrench - T30

#2 Phillips screw driver, 14G / 15G spoke wrenches, steel wire chain hook, 2 engineering grade plastic tire levers, Presta Core Tool and CrMo steel chain tool

Secondary chain link fence, self-tightening tool and chain pin breaker

9 x 4 x 2.7 cm

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

The finish isn't the most glamorous but it all works!

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Near-perfect: did everything I asked of it, although I'd prefer a flathead screwdriver bit to a crosshead if I had the choice.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Apart from the danger of losing the loose parts, the tool was well up to any job you could reasonably ask of it.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10

Very good for a tool with this versatility.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10

Generally a very comfortable multi-tool to use; especially the chain breaker which can be unpleasant on some multi-tools.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

A look at our buyer's guide suggests £23 for 21 good quality tools is very good value. Should give you years of use, a good investment.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Sensibly arranged and organised, accessing all the tools can be a bit fiddly but once done it all works very well and was hardly ever beaten by an inaccessible nut or bolt. There was nothing on this tool that I couldn't find a use for on one of my bikes. Unless you need open spanners, this should cover all your needs.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

General design, compact package, excellent chain breaker.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

No flat head screwdriver.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Taking in its great value, usefulness and quality, it's an excellent multi-tool. It's easy to live with and inspires confidence that you will get back on the road in the event of a mechanical. The addition of a flathead screwdriver would make it near-perfect.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 52  Height: 6'2  Weight: 73kg and holding steady

I usually ride: Cannondale CAAD10   My best bike is: Tomassini Prestige

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
dassie | 2 years ago
0 likes

Good tool, have had it for a while., but, yep, have lost all the separate bits e.g. chain hook & torx bit.

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Lefty | 4 years ago
0 likes

Just bought this cleverly-made multi tool. Hexus X looks so simple, but the tools themselves are of good quality. It's not as flashy or shiny or good-looking as the Crank Brothers M17, Fabric 16, Birzman e-version 15 (or is it 16?) i was eyeing, but it got almost all the tools i may need for my road bike in case of an emergency. Just a flathead screwdriver and it would be perfect for me. I'm impressed at Topeak's ingenuity, cramming 21 functions in a small, lightweight, compact body.

I counted only 20 functions though. What's the 21st?

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Fluffed | 5 years ago
0 likes

Great tool, but yea the levers are emergency only type. I always carry 2-off Park Tool levers as well.

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riskymoth | 5 years ago
0 likes

At the time of writing these are £11.99 at Chain Reaction - says for "1 week only"...

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aegisdesign | 5 years ago
0 likes

I think they renamed the Hummer to the Hexus some time ago, presumably so as to not conflict with trademarks. I've had a couple of Hexus II tools. The first one got left in a damp saddle pack and rusted up and I snapped one of the tyre levers. Despite that I had no hesitation buying another.

The good points on the previous Hexus II were the really good chain tool and almost full length allen keys. The bad points were the weak tyre levers and losing the torx and 8mm bit.

It looks like they've tried to solve both the bad points but in the process shortened the allen keys and lost the flat screwdriver. I'm not sure that's a good trade off.

https://www.topeak.com/global/de/products/mini-tools/350-hexus--ii

Avatar
Darren Franks | 5 years ago
0 likes

This has been my tool of choice for the Transcontinental and the Trans Am races. It's an impressive design that packs in pretty much everything you would want to carry in a self-supported ultra into a very compact tool and each of the tools themselves are more than up to the job. The recent updates have beefed up the tyre levers and they cope well even with my stubborn tubeless tyre-rim combo.

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seiklmeikl | 5 years ago
0 likes

Yes, seems to be a Hummer update. I bought that one several times as a gift to friends. Very useful and it gives you some peace of mind when riding. Used it in our volunteer bike workshop as well as a fallback, when the right proper tool is in use or those damn 2 meters too far away (you'd have to walk then, you know).

The tire levers of the Hummer are not unbreakable, I have to say. But you can order them seperately as spare parts (best use a local dealer, otherwise you might pay nearly the same price as for the complete tool...). Those are made of 5mm plain, massive plastic. The Hexus tire levers look a bit more elaborated: I doubt, that this improves their stability.

Regarding loosing parts, I lost 2 of the 3 on my Hummer, but in this respect the Hexus seems to offer better protection by covering them with the tire lever. If not in a more hectical workshop use, I don't think this is a big issue. Normally you should be able to keep track if all parts are in place again. 

 

Avatar
alexb | 5 years ago
0 likes

I've the old Hummer for years, this is just a minor update to it. It's been bullet proof and I really like it. The chain breaker works extremely well, it'll happily handle a 10 speed chain both removing and adding links.

 

 

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