Bike multi-tools, whilst incredibly useful, can be a bit unwieldy when you come to use them. Having a chain breaker is good ‘n’ all, but do you really need to rotate that chain tool, plus 17 other ones, when all you want to do is tighten your outfront GPS mount?
The Daysaver 9-function multi-tool purports to solve your on-ride ergonomic fixing woes with its simple design. And in this post I’m going to review it.
I bought it on Kickstarter way back in September 2020 it finally arrived in April 2021. Which I understand isn’t too long a lead time in the world of the Kickstarter (twisted firestarter).
Now this is not a long-term review – at least not yet. At the time of writing, I’ve only been using it for a couple of months. This is more a preliminary feedback-review-type post (thingummy).
And also, just to get it out of the way: this is an expensive multi-tool. The Daysaver is not exactly large and it costs CHF95 for the tool and the dedicated frame-mounted holder.
(For the non-Swiss, that’s ~$103 or £74).
Daysaver – The Background
The Daysaver is intended to be a lighter weight and more sleek alternative to your standard bike multi-tool.
It was designed by three young Swiss men who decided to launch their idea on Kickstarter and have partnered with the tool manufacturer PB Swiss Tools in order to make the thing.
They actually wrote to me just before the launch of their campaign in order to promote it. It seems I ignored that email but i did go on when the Kickstarter launched and actually purchase one of these multi-tools.
How The Daysaver Works
The tool comprises a standard (for a hex key) L-shaped handle and then within it we have four magnetic bits. Slotting together the bits in various combinations allow you to fulfill nine different bike-related tool jobs.
The handle itself is a size 8 hex key (Allen key in the UK). For the bits we’ve got:
- Hex sizes 2.5, 4, 4, 5 and 6
- Torx 25 screwdriver
- Phillips #1 screwdriver
The idea is that you can slot the bits into either end of the handle here in order to create the required tool.
The good thing about having both ends is that you can both use it like this and get into smaller spaces:
Alternatively, if you need higher leverage, you can use the slightly longer handle bit end in order to exert more force (physics!):
The other clever thing about the Daysaver is that each of the bits slots into another one and then slots into the handle so you don’t lose them when you’re out and about.
A ‘Bit’ More Info (Har Har)
The bits are plasma coated, which apparently means they are less susceptible to corrosion.
As you may be able to see in the photos or in the video, they are a slightly different color to the silvery handle.
The two slightly purplish bits slot together, as do the two goldish ones. You can’t slot a purplish into a goldish.
(And yes, purplish and goldish are recognised colours)
Finally, if you yearn for a tool bit that is not supplied with the Daysaver, you can use the size 4 hex bit as a sort of generic adapter to attach any sort of other micro-bits.
Sure, you’re unlikely to carry an additional micro-bit in your saddlebag or your jersey pocket, but at least you know the option is there.
Onwards!
Daysaver vs Crank Brothers 19 Multitool
Let’s compare the Daysaver to a regular bike multi-tool. In my case that means the Crank Brothers 19 Multi-tool, which I’ve owned and carried on rides for the best part of a decade.
The Crank Brothers tool is significantly heavier and bulkier than the Daysaver. Because of its size and weight, I’ve always carried the Crank Brothers tool in my saddlebag (in the little mesh pocket on the back of the opening flap-door-thingy).
The sleek design of the Daysaver gives more flexibility over where you carry it. I can see me carrying it in a jersey pocket, next to my mini-pump. Alternatively, there is a neat frame mount, which I’ll come to in a minute.
Wait, Weight?
So how much heavier is the Crank Brothers than the Daysaver. Being a serious investigative bikeblogger that does his own research, I decided to weigh them with my kitchen scales.
The Daysaver came out at 39 grams (the makers claim 45g, which casts doubt ‘pon the accuracy of my scales). The Crank Brothers 19 registers a whopping 178g.
Quick maths: that’s an extra 140 grams you’re lugging around with the Crank Brothers multi-tool versus the Daysaver.
Functionality
Although it’s significantly heavier, you do get many more (er, 10 more) tools with the Crank Brothers. It can potentially save you in a few more bike maintenance jams than the Daysaver.
It has tools to break your chain, to fettle your spokes and there are more hex key and screwdriver variants.
For those that like a multitude of tools on their multi-tool, the Crank Brothers (or equivalent) trumps the Daysaver. The latter is going to be of little use if your chain breaks on a ride. A multi-tool with a chain tool at least has a slim chance of saving your day.
However, when it comes to using the Crank Brothers tool, none of the functions are particularly ideal.
Being foldable is of course handy, but the individual tools do have a tendency to fold and move around when in use. The bulky body of the multi-tool does not make for a particularly ergonomic handle.
The Daysaver is nicer to use and more effective for the functions it does have.
It works just like a really nice hex key. You can get into narrower spaces when using it length ways. Switch the bits to the shorter end and you can use the longer handle to exert more force.
The Daysaver avoids the annoyance of foldable multi-tools, er, because it’s not foldable.
Standard multi-tools are definitely more unwieldy (less wieldy?) than the Daysaver.
Every Day (Ride) Carry
I’ve mentioned that I keep my old multi-tool in my saddle bag. It’s caused some damage to the mesh pocket where I keep it.
One of the selling points of the Daysaver is that it’s not going to cause that same level of damage .
In fact, as part of the package, you get two rubber caps that go on each end. This prevents damage to your clothing if you decide to keep it in a jersey pocket when riding.
The caps also keep the bits safely in place to avoid losing them (which would be highly annoying).
The downside of these rubbery end pieces are that they rather take away from the Daysaver’s industrial beauty and cleanness of line. It doesn’t look quite as premium when you have these rubber end bits on.
Frame Mount
You don’t have to keep the Daysaver in your jersey pocket or in your saddle bag. There’s an alternative solution.
In for a penny, in for a pound (Swiss franc), I also invested in the Daysaver’s dedicated frame mount.
It is 3D printed (which is quite cool – perhaps the first time I’ve bought or seen something that has been 3D printed).
The mount bolts to the standard bottle cage mounting points on your frame. It is low profile and supplied with spacers so you can still attach the bottle cage on top.
Fitting the bottle cage on top of the mount does raise it up slightly (12.5mm according to the website), which is something to be aware of if space is limited in the triangle below your top tube. But most people (like me) won’t have any issues.
Once bolted in place, the mount is subtle to the point of hardly being noticeable. The Daysaver clips in with a satisfying clunk. It doesn’t rattle. The design of the mount reduces the likelihood of bits falling out.
The Daysaver won’t fit in the mount if it is sporting the rubber end caps. This is probably a positive from an aesthetic perspective.
Using The Daysaver
I’ve been using the Daysaver for a few months now. I must admit, I’ve found it very useful.
In many respects it works just like a standard, good quality hex key (which shouldn’t come as a surprise).
The fact that you can change the bits at each end doesn’t impact performance.
The bits fit snuggly into the handle ends – they don’t jiggle around, impacting ‘hand feel’ (a term I feel should exist but possibly doesn’t). Each respective bit/handle combination works as well as a dedicated, single use version of that same tool.
All of which means, in addition to grabbing the Daysaver from the frame mount whence working on the bike where the tool resides (i.e. attached to my main Trek Domane road bike), I often find myself reaching for it for little jobs on other bikes.
Case in point. My son just got a new bike and the saddle height needed adjusted. I went off and grabbed the Daysaver.
Beyond seeing that it required a hex key of some sort, I didn’t need to establish the size of tool required. I didn’t need to bring back a range of potential options.
Like any multi-tool, the Daysaver has a range of hex keys and I knew one would fit. Unlike most multi-tools, using the Daysaver was as ergonomic as the dedicated single-function tool equivalent.
The Price…
As mentioned at the outset, whilst the Daysaver is a highly functional and pleasant-to-use multi-tool, it comes at a not-insubstantial price.
The tool by itself costs CHF79. This translates to approximately ~£62 or ~$85, but the actual cost might be slightly different (less? more? who knows?) once you take off Swiss sales tax (and maybe add back your own).
The tool plus frame mount combo costs CHF95 (£74/$103, again with some sales tax related confusionty).
Either way, this is not a cheap multi-tool.
The Crank Brothers multi-tool, or similar, will set you back about £30. And for that, you get more functions than the Daysaver.
There will definitely be some people that value the overall premium nature of this product. The fact that it’s manufactured by a premium Swiss tool producer. It’s definitely high quality. I don’t think you’ll be let down in terms of its performance
Others will be swayed by saving 140 grams versus a standard multi-tool. But my guess is that you have 140g you could lose off your, er, person, with a greater boost to performance, than simply buying an expensive lightweight multi-tool.
Summing It All Up
The question: would I have bought the Daysaver at this price if I didn’t have a website and YouTube channel to make content for?
Short answer: probably not.
Longer answer: it’s a really good tool. I’m actually very happy that I bought it. I’m sure I’ll get lots of use out of it (which reduces the cost-per-use massively). But 75 squids for a multi-tool that has nine functions. Ooof…
If you want to check out and purchase a Daysaver multi-tool, here is the link to the website. It’s not an affiliate link, so I don’t get a commission.
I’ve also done a video version of this post, which you can watch…. here:
And here is a link to my post looking at my Top 6 Bike Tools I own and use.
My main problem I can’t get over with: torque. Many bolts e.g. headset, stem, seatpost, through-axle, calipers require to stay below 2-6 Nm. Since I’m no super-experienced mechanic I prefer to rely on Topeak torque bits or the Silca Ti-torque kit. Ratchets come in handy, difficult places need special long bits, adding even more weight. In total, certainly a lot heavier, but how else to silence that need for for feeling better-safe-than-sorry ?