Cycling has become a popular form of exercise for those who want to get in shape or just enjoy the outdoors. But when you’re biking or riding, you need a tool that’s reliable and useful.
With the growing popularity of cycling, the need for a multi-tool is becoming more important than ever. And while it’s easy to go for a cheap, plastic multi-tool, it’s best to spend more on a quality one — it will last longer and will be worth it. If you’re on a budget, we’ve picked eight best cycling multi-tools on the market for you to consider for your bike.
Bicycles are amazing machines that enable us to pedal from one place to another. Most of us use them for transportation, but some of us also use them for fun. Heavy and cumbersome, many riders would love to have a lightweight bike multi-tool to help them repair and maintain their bikes.
There’s nothing worse than being stopped in your tracks by a small mechanical issue that might have been solved if you’d carried the appropriate tool with you.
Fortunately, the finest multi-tools for cycling can assist you in escaping even the most difficult circumstances, allowing you to continue your ride without having to rely on public transportation, a taxi, or phoning up your closest and dearest and politely asking for a drive home.
Our round-up covers the finest multi-tools, as well as equipment with more specialized uses, such as repairing tubeless tyre punctures, that have been tried, tested, and evaluated by our professional reviewers and will be helpful to riders of all levels.
We’ve also included a multi-tool buyer’s guide that outlines some of the key features to look for when deciding which multi-tool to purchase.
One thing to keep in mind is that most multi-tools are only meant for emergency repairs; they aren’t always built to the same quality as equipment designed for home usage or the finest bike tool kits.
Our professional reviewers evaluated and ranked the best multi-tools for cycling in 2023.
- £30 / $30 for a Blackburn tradesman
- £33 / $35 / AU$60 for Wayside 19 in Blackburn.
- £23 for the Hexus X by Topeak
- £32 / $40 / AU$60 Mini 20 Pro by Topeak
- £40 for F15 Crankbrothers
- £26 / $26 / AU$50 M13 Crankbrothers
- Multi 20 by Crankbrothers: £40 / $40 / AU$73
- £29 / $30 / AU$45 CRV12 Lezyne
Tradesman in Blackburn
The Blackburn weights 179g and contains 18 tools. Alex Evans is a writer who lives in the United
- Price: £30 (as tested) / $30
- 179g in weight
- 2, 2.5, and 4mm Allen keys; T25, T30 Torx keys; flat head screwdriver; chain breaker; quick-link tool; brake pad separator are among the tools included.
The Blackburn Tradesman Mini Tool is a fantastic bargain and can handle most trailside chores thanks to its all-metal construction and 18 tools.
The long straight Allen keys can reach most places, and the heads are precisely proportioned for high-torque usage without rounding off bolts. With the rear wheel in position, you may use the chain breaker to quickly remove pins.
A brake pad separator with quick-link storage is included, as well as a quick-link tool that is simple to use with a 4mm Allen key. The rattling is prevented by a thick rubber strap.
Torx bits must be handled with care to prevent slipping, and certain L-shaped Allen keys may be difficult in confined places.
Blackburn Wayside 19
The L-shaped hex keys on the Blackburn Wayside 19 make it seem like a mobile toolbox. Immediate Media / Dave Caudery
- Price as tested: £33 / $35 / AU$60
- 197g in weight
- 2–5mm L-shaped hex keys, T25 and T30 Torx keys, flat screwdriver, 6/8mm hex tools, chain tool, 50mm serrated blade, three spoke wrenches, and a valve core extractor are among the equipment included.
The Blackburn Wayside 19 has detachable ball-ended L-shaped hex keys in diameters 2 to 5mm for unparalleled bolt access – a great addition if you like the feel of regular toolbox Allen keys over the typical multi-tool design.
The Wayside is a mobile toolbox with a lifetime warranty, although it is heavier than others.
Topeak Hexus X
The Topeak Hexus X multi-tool has 21 tools in a compact package. Immediate Media / David Caudery
- As tested, the price is £23
- 172g in weight
- Dimensions: 954230mm
- 2-8mm hex keys; T15, T25, T30 Tork keys; two Phillips screwdrivers; 14/15g spoke wrenches; Presta core tool are among the tools included.
Neat. It’s really well done. With the 8mm hex and two smaller Torq keys contained inside, the Topeak combines 21 of the most often used tools in a compact seatpack-friendly form.
They’re a little difficult to get to, and the tyre levers, which serve as outer plates, are a little rough around the edges but still work. However, the overall quality is great, and the pricing is very reasonable.
Topeak Mini 20 Pro
Is the Topeak Mini 20 Pro’s bottle opener a must-have off-bike item as well? Immediate Media / Dave Caudery
- Price as tested: £32 / $40 / AU$60
- 150g in weight
- Dimensions: 764218mm
- 2–10mm hex keys; T10 and T25 Torx keys; two screwdrivers; spoke wrenches; chain tool; tyre lever are among the tools included.
Topeak Mini 20 Pro includes steel hex keys ranging in length from 2 to 10mm, T10 and T25 Torx, and two screwdrivers.
The chain tool includes four spoke wrenches, a chain hook, and a 4mm hex for adjusting the tool’s pivots, and it works with all brands except Campagnolo.
The set is completed with a tyre lever and a bottle opener.
Crankbrothers F15
The casing of the F15 serves as a leverage extender. Immediate Media / David Caudery
- As tested, the price is £40.
- 164g in weight
- Dimensions: 85x40x12mm
- 2–8mm hex keys; T25 Torx key; Phillips and flat drivers; 0, 1, 2, 3 spoke keys; chain tool are among the functions.
The Crankbrothers F15 is a compact and lightweight tool that yet packs a punch.
The F15 is made up of a compact nine-function tool that fits inside a magnetized steel sleeve with a chain tool, spoke keys, and a handy bottle opener on the open end.
The casing also functions as a comfortable ‘extender bar,’ allowing you to increase leverage, which is particularly useful with the 8mm hex.
Crankbrothers M13
Five tyre plugs and a tyre tool are included in the Crankbrothers M13 multi-tool. Immediate Media / Georgina Hinton
- Price as tested: £26 / $26 / AU$50
- 164g in weight
- 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Allen keys; T10 and T25 Torx keys; two Phillips and one flathead screwdriver; tyre plugs and tyre plug tool are among the tools included.
With a pair of Allen keys, Torx keys, and screwdrivers, the Crankbrothers M13 is a good small tool that covers most requirements. It also includes tyre plugs that store in a separate clip-on container, although it lacks a chain breaker.
The bits are a nice length, and when combined with the 85mm body, you get a lot of leverage. It’s a snap to manufacture 5mm and 6mm bolts using this tool. You may have trouble with 8mm pedal bolts, which isn’t surprising.
Tools from Crankbrothers are renowned for their durability, and this multitool comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Multi 20 Crankbrothers
There are a total of 20 tools. Alex Evans is a writer who lives in the United
- As tested, the price is £40 / $40 / AU$73.
- 206g in weight
- There are 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm Allen keys, as well as PH1, PH2, and flathead screwdrivers and a chain tool.
The Crankbrothers M20 comes with a whopping 20 tools, including a brake rotor straightener, valve-core remover, and spoke keys, as well as five tubeless tyre plugs and a plug installer housed in its own plastic box.
The anodized aluminum body and steel tools have a lifetime guarantee and feel fantastic. Allen and Torx keys are very accurate, and the majority of them are long enough to reach deep bolts.
There isn’t a tool for separating quick-links, which might be included into the chain breaker as in previous designs. The chain tool is unable to remove difficult pins due to its lack of leverage. It’s a little hefty at 206g, but the amount of features more than makes up for it.
Lezyne CRV12
The Lezyne CRV12 multi-tool is 128 grams in weight. Immediate Media / Dave Caudery
- As tested, the price is £29 / $30 / AU$45.
- 128 gram weight
- 2–8mm hex keys; Phillips screwdriver; T25 Torx key; 11-speed chain tool; spoke wrenches are among the features.
The 12 tidy, durable, and corrosion-free tools are housed inside the forged exterior plates of the conveniently pocketable Lezyne CRV12 multi-tool.
Most emergencies should be covered by the 30mm-long 2 to 8mm hex keys, Phillips screwdriver, T25 Torx, and 11-speed chain tool with three spoke wrenches.
The breadth of this multi-tool is the sole drawback while working in tight places.
What to Look for When Buying a Bicycle Multi-Tool
What you need from your multi-tool will frequently be determined by your riding style and bike. A plug tool is a good idea if you have tubeless tyres, and a disc brake rotor truing tool isn’t necessary if you use rim brakes.
But, apart from more specialized equipment, these are the most essential items that virtually every rider should have on their multi-tool.
Hex keys
Allen keys are another name for them. Look for a complete set to ensure that you are prepared for any situation. Most multi-tools include 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm diameters, which should be enough for your bike.
A large 8mm Allen key will nip tight crank bolts, but it won’t perform the job as well as a big workshop 8mm since it won’t have the same amount of leverage.
Chamfered tips are a hallmark of quality and prevent bolts and keys from rounding.
Torx keys
The most common Torx keys are T25 and T20, which are often required for disc brake and rotor bolts. Torx bolts are also used on certain stems and other parts of your bike, so check to see whether you’ll need them in your multi-tool.
Tool with a chain
When compared to the greatest chain tools, the tiny size of multi-tool chain tools may make them difficult to use, but they can truly save the day.
To avoid roadside problems, it’s also a good idea to carry a spare quick-link or master link in your saddle bag.
Screwdrivers
A flat-nosed screwdriver, which may also be used to pry objects apart, is included with most tools. A Phillips cross-head screwdriver, which is used to adjust derailleur stop screws and brake tension springs, may also be supplied.
Levers for tyres
Tyre levers, along with a small pump, are an important riding equipment since repairing a puncture will almost certainly be an eventuality if you spend enough time cycling.
Many riders may already have separate tyre levers in their on-bike toolkit, but if you’re just getting started or want simplicity, buying a multi-tool with integrated tyre levers is an excellent option.
Cycling is even more popular than it was a decade ago. Which means there are more bikes, more cyclists, and more bike tools. To help, we’ve collected eight of the best multi-tools for cyclists to plan for, during, and after the ride…. Read more about best bike multi tool 2023 uk and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brand of multi-tool?
The best brand of multi-tool is Leatherman.
How do I choose a bike multi-tool?
There are many different types of bike tools that you can choose from. You should start by looking at the type of bike you have and then look for a tool that is compatible with your bike.
What is the best brand of bike tools?
I am not sure what you mean by best brand of bike tools but if you are asking about the best brand of bike tool, then I would recommend a company called Park Tool.
Related Tags
This article broadly covered the following related topics:
- bike multi tool
- best bike multi tool
- best bike tool kit 2018
- best bike tool kit 2017
- best portable bike repair kit
