Crankbrothers Pica+ Tool

(discontinued)

I've been a bicycle technician at shops for over 6 years now. This being the case I'm pretty darn particular on the tools I use. This is true while in the shop as well as out on the trail. I've had a ton of multi-tools throughout the years but the Crank Brothers Pica family are by far the best I've ever owned. Crank Brothers as a company is no stranger to providing quality on-the-go accessories and their multi-tools are no exception. The most mass produced tool out on the trail, I would argue, is the Crank Brothers M-Series. I'm willing to bet that everyone here either has owned one of knows someone who uses one on a regular basis. People have fallen in love with the M-Series because of the quality of materials and the minimal weight that is associated with them. Imagine a more natural, easier to use, higher quality feeling M-Series multi-tool and that is exactly what the Crank Brothers Pica series is.

As with everything in the industry, multi-tool manufactures are constantly trying lighten up their products for every-day use. Sometimes they make them so light and minimum in weight that many of the tool functions (like the chainbreaker) are difficult to near impossible to operate. This isn't the case for the Pica series. The largest option, the Pica+, has fully operational tools that are all very easy to use. At 181 grams, its only few grams heavier than the M-series. In my opinion, the added weight is well worth the increase in quality and craftsmanship. If you're not much of a mechanic or never find yourself needed to use spoke wrenches or a chainbreaker, the Pixl (the little brother to the Pica and Pica+) is an even better option. Weighing in at a minimal 135 grams, you can't even tell you have it in your pack.

I've owned my Crank Brothers Pica+ multi-tool for more than 2 years now and have used it countless times on the trail, for my own bike and while acting as the rider support tech for the group. Unlike other multi-tools I've owned, I haven't broken any bits and the Pica frame has never come loose (Which can be a real nightmare if this happens out on the trail). Just like other Crank Brothers products, the Pica family (Pica+, Pica, and Pixl) all come with a lifetime warranty. I know spending $45 to $65 on a multi-tool can be considered on the border of outrageous, but with the promise of a lifetime warranty, you will never need to buy another multi-tool ever again.

My only complaint that I have doesn't really have justification for the mountain bike world. I accidentally left my Pica+ on my friends wakeboard boat for 3 weeks and when I got it back it was slightly rusty. Considering being left in an aqueous solution for 3 weeks and only having minor rust, that's not too bad at all. After cleaning it up you can hardly see any rust makes and almost looks brand new.

With all this being said, I would highly recommend this the Pica multi-tool to anybody, that is if you can justify spending the money. If money is a factor, go with the Crank Brothers M-Series. It's almost as good and significantly less expensive.