Avenir Woodsie

The cycling world is awash in multitools, Swiss army-like bundles of hex wrenches carried about by cyclists for on-the-fly adjustments and repairs. The Avenir Woodsie tools, available in 8-, 10-, and 11-function versions. A dollar or two more expensive than the Trail Tech series of basic tools, the Woodsies add a touch of style with real wood panels. Unfortunately, they're not as stylish as this Woodie:

The eight-function tool has all of the basic cyclists' needs -- hex keys in 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm hex wrenches, plus phillips and flathead screwdrivers. I've got no idea what on a bike takes a flathead screw, but I've had some 2.5mm adjustment bolts on random bits that frustrated me when all I had was a 2 and a 3! Realistically, 90% of fasteners on a modern bicycle are 4, 5, or 6mm.

Woodsie 8

Woodsie 10

Woodsie 11


The Woodsie 10 adds an 8mm hex wrench and a t-25 torx. If you've got a SRAM / Truvativ GXP crank, let me tell you from personal experience -- keep an 8mm wrench on you at all times. That single crankbolt is the key to the whole system. If it works its way loose on a harsh ride, you'll irreparably damage your crankset. As for the T-25 torx wrench, this roadie isn't sure where it's useful, since those Shimano chainring bolts need a T30.

Really, though, you should pay the extra couple clams for the 11-function tool, which adds a chain breaker. If you ever hopelessly garble your chain, this plus a Wipperman or SRAM masterlink will get you back on the road full speed, without resorting to the walk of shame in your cycling cleats! It's actually a fairly useful chaintool for a pocket one, with a flip-out lever to give you the extra torque you need for a feisty, gunky chain.


Some super fancypants multitools give you knives, pliers, and kitchen sinks, but, really, this is what you need without what you don't. Except the wood panels -- those are just neat.

One quick word to the wise -- refolding that chain tool is a bit of an origami game. I get best results opening the hex wrenches, folding the chain tool first, and then refolding the whole deal. The extra-leverage arm for the chain tool is curved to fit snugly against the rest of the tools.


Review and write up by: Tyler Stetson