One thing that unites road bikers and mountain bikers is the potential for a loose stem bolt or snapped chain to ruin your day. Usually these things will happen when you’re miles away from home or on a ride you’d really rather not miss out on, rather than when five minutes away from your front door and tools.
The most annoying type of mechanical failure of course is not a snapped frame or taco’d wheel, but the one you could fix so simply if only you had an allen key with you – except your tools are in the garage at home, so now you’re stuck. I can’t be the only person who’s sat by the side of the trail trying to tighten up a loose crank with a stick.
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Helping negate the chances of the above is the humble multi tool – whether a DIYer’s allen key set or a more focussed cycling gadget like those in this list – these masterpieces of design efficiency contain (in theory) everything you need in one pocket-sized package.
What should you look for in a bike multi tool?
These days the cycling industry likes to use all sorts of fastenings, meaning all sorts of potential failure points, so in reality you’re going to at least want some Torx keys as well as a flat and crosshead screwdriver.
Some sort of chain splitter is nice to have, and then there are tubeless tyres to consider, which require a set of tools all of their own – spikes for pushing repair strips into your tread, and CO2 inflators to repressurise your rubber. Either way, a tyre lever or two is handy to have.
We’ve got the lot covered here, from the ultimate in weight efficiency to those at the other end of the spectrum claiming to fix any mechanical malady.
Best bike multi-tools 2022
Best compact tool
Description
For serious trailside repairs look no further than Park Tool, and in this case, its super compact and lightweight IB-2. It contains most of the things you need to tighten something that has come loose - the most common sort of mechanical problem - but wonu2019t help you out if you have a chain or tyre failure. That said, itu2019ll easily fit in a pocket and wonu2019t trouble gram-counting road cyclists.
What's The Best Review: “The perfect bit of kit to throw in the commuter bag or tuck into your saddlebag."
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Small | • No chain tools |
| • Lightweight | • No tyre tools |
| • Park Tool quality |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Allen keys | 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm |
| Torx | T25 |
| Screwdrivers | Flat head |
| Weight | 108g |
| Dimension | 75x40x18mm |
Best value for money
Description
Ramping up the functions somewhat is this tool from Topeak u2013 in addition to the Park Tool above it has a load of functions like spoke wrenches, a tyre lever and chain tool. A bit larger and heavier, granted, but with pretty much everything you could need while out and about, except for tubeless tyre tools. Which weu2019ll come onto later.
What's The Best Review: “It's small enough to slide into any pocket, the selection of tools is ideal for what I do, and the gold version is so garish that I'll never lose it.”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Comprehensive | • Tools a bit squeezed in |
| • Value | •Heavier than the Park Tool |
| • Neoprene case |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Allen keys | 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10mm |
| Torx | T25 |
| Screwdrivers | Positive and flat head |
| Chain tool | All except Campagnolo 11 speed hollow pin |
| Weight | 150g |
| Dimension | 76x42x18mm |
Best for sorting tyre trouble
Description
This is a really clever tool from the makers of my favourite tyre levers, Pedros. In fact, Iu2019ve chosen it largely because it comes with a pair of micro levers built into the side of tool, offering much more purchase when it comes to removing a tight tyre. It also comes with pretty much every tool you could think of, plus handy quick link storage.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Lots of tools | • Can be hard to find in stock |
| • Proper tyre levers |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Allen keys | 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm |
| Torx | T25 and T30 |
| Screwdrivers | Flat head |
| Chain Tool | 1-12 speed |
| Wrenches | 7 and 8mm |
| Spoke wrenches | 3.23, 3.3, & 3.45 Spoke |
| Other tools | Shimano crank cap tool, presta calve core tool |
| Weight | 160 grams |
| Dimension | 80x45x10mm |
Editor's pick
Description
Without wanting to cover old ground we reviewed this tool here, (and it is absolutely excellent) the Topeak Mini PT30 is the absolute sweetspot where value for money, size, and function meet. Adding tubeless tyre tools to the Topeak Mini Pro 20 above means you're a CO2 inflator away from complete breakdown coverage. I fixed my friend's snapped chain with it the other day, and on another occasion plugged a puncture on my bike. Both would have been ride-ending failures.
What's The Best review: “It's the best and most comprehensive multitool we've ever used.”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • So many tools | • A bit fiddly with gloves |
| • Compact design |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Allen keys | 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10mm |
| Torx | T10, T15, T25 |
| Screwdrivers | Phillips and flathead |
| Chain Tool | Chain hook, chain breaker, power link tool |
| Tyre tools | Tyre lever, tubeless reamer, tubeless plug insertion tool, knife |
| Spoke wrenches | 15g/14g/Mavic M7/Shimano 4.5mm |
| Other tools | Disc spacer, neoprene carry case |
| Weight | 169 grams |
| Dimension | 74x40x19mm |
Best allen keys
Description
Another all-in-oner, this tool comes with a unique selling point of a set of proper L-shaped allen keys. Not only that, they've got ball ends for reaching tricky bolts. In addition there are all the chain tools and spoke wrenches you'd expect, plus quite a large knife, which means you need to be over 18 to buy it.
What's The Best Review: “Brilliant. Separate Allen keys and very high quality throughout. Wouldn't buy anything else.”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Actual allen keys | • Only for 18+ |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Allen keys | 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5mm with ball end, 8, 10m without |
| Torx | T25, T30 |
| Screwdrivers | Flat head |
| Chain Tool | 7-11 speed |
| Spoke wrenches | #0, #1, #2 |
| Other tools | Knife, disc pad spreader, valve core tool, chain hook |
| Weight | 200g |
| Dimension | 25x10x25mm |
Best ratchet
Description
Another tool that defies convention is this teeny tiny ratchet, which comes in a fabric wrap that can be easily stashed in a bag or attached to your belt. Iu2019ve got one of these at home and itu2019s my go-to tool for bike jobs but also small DIY tasks like assembling a flatpack, because it combines the convenience of a multi tool with the ease of use of a ratchet.
Much easier than trying to squeeze a large tool into a small space, plus you don’t need to keep removing it from the bolt head to tighten or loosen it. Simple, but brilliantly effective, and beautifully made.
What's The Best Review: “Gets into the tight corners, solid build, magnetic holder all good. Particularly like that you can use either end.”
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Small | • No flat head screwdriver |
| • Easy to use | |
| • Fast |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Allen keys | 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm allen wrenches |
| Torx | T10, T25 Torx |
| Screwdrivers | #2 Phillips |
| Other tools | Two tyre levers |
| Weight | 155g |
| Dimension | 120x63x25mm |
Adam Binnie is the Commercial Content Editor and reviewer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in bikes, fitness, cars, parenting and cooking.
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