Fabric Chamber Multi-tool

Multi tools tend to be roughly the same design – think Swiss army knife but for bikes rather than camping. This is what you generally see, from the freebie ones you get with a new bike through to the kind you're likely to find in the toolkits of the pro peloton. Fabric, though, has bucked the trend with its Chamber Multi-tool, creating a ratchet tool that functions as a multi tool – and does so very well.

The tool has 13 functions – 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm hex keys, SL3, SL5, PH1 and PH2 flat and crosshead screwdrivers, and T10 and T25 Torx bits – all in the form of heads that sit inside the chamber of the tool. Imagine double-sided extended drill bits sat in a holder that roughly resembles a revolver barrel. These function through the ratchet element that sits at the top of the tool.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The ratchet element is perhaps the best part of this tool, allowing for ease of use in tight spaces and the ability to tighten more than with a regular simple hand tool. One of the key ways this works for getting into tight spaces is the ability to shorten or lengthen the bit in use. The only issue here is that the rest of the bit comes out on the other side of the ratchet, once or twice making things a bit awkward.

It works both ways, to tighten or loosen – you just use one side or the other, depending on which you want to do. It works well too, and much easier than with a traditional multi tool, because of the ratcheting element.

The tools sits well in a jersey pocket, with nothing to snag on material or poke you in the back, unlike traditional designs. At 160g, it weighs around the same as others in its price range.

So, what are the drawbacks compared with a regular multi tool design? One of the main worries is the potential to lose heads over time, which doesn't generally happen with a regular design as it is all integrated (bar some with larger hex key heads fitting over smaller ones). There is also a limit to the type of tool heads – there is no knife, tyre lever or chain breaker, because they wouldn't work with this design, so if you think you'll need them, you'll have to buy/bring them separately. Given the quality of this tool and the superior nature of the ratchet action, it's something I'm more than happy to forgive it for.

> Check out our guide to the best multi tools

With an RRP of £34.99 it's expensive for a 13-piece tool, if taken in isolation, but this isn't your average multi tool. Sure, you can buy them cheaper, but they aren't likely to be as good. If you don't want the ratchet element, the fixed version costs £29.99.

Overall, I was very impressed with this reimagining of the traditional bike multi tool. The design is unconventional, but sleek and practical, something you cannot say for traditional multi tools. There are obvious drawbacks, like the potential to lose bits and the absence of some tools, but what is included works really well.

Verdict

A fine reimagining of the traditional bike multi tool