Essential for on-the-road repairs, take your pick from our 13 top-rated multi-tools

By Stan Portus

Published: Wednesday, 03 April 2024 at 10:00 AM


There’s little worse than being stopped in your tyre tracks by a minor mechanical problem that you could have sorted out if only you’d brought along the right tool.

Fortunately, the best multi-tools for cycling can help get you out of most difficult situations, so you can continue your ride and not have to resort to public transport, a taxi or calling up your nearest and dearest asking as nicely as you can for a lift home.

Our round-up includes the best multi-tools that have been tried, tested and rated by our expert reviewers. They will be beneficial to riders at any level, as well as offering tools that have more specialist applications, such as fixing tubeless tyre punctures.

We have also included a buyer’s guide to multi-tools that explains some of the essential tools you should look out for when considering which multi-tool to buy.

One thing that should be emphasised is the majority of multi-tools are for emergency repairs only – often they aren’t made to the same standard as tools intended for home use and the best bike tool kits.

Best multi-tools for cycling in 2024, as tested and rated by our expert reviewers

Blackburn Tradesman

The Blackburn has 18 tools and weighs 179g. – Alex Evans
  • Price: £30 / $30 as tested
  • Weight: 179g
  • Functions include: 2, 2.5, 4mm Allen keys; T25, T30 Torx keys; flat-head screwdriver; chain breaker; quick-link tool; brake pad separator

With its all-metal design and 18 tools, the Blackburn Tradesman Mini Tool is great value and can handle most trailside jobs.

The straight Allen keys are long enough to access most areas and the heads are sized accurately for high-torque use without rounding-out bolts. You can use the chain breaker with the back wheel in place and it removes pins easily.

There’s a brake pad separator with quick-link storage, plus a quick-link tool, which is easy to use with the 4mm Allen key. A thick rubber strap prevents any rattling.

The Torx bits require care to avoid slippage and some of the L-shaped Allen keys are fiddly in tighter spaces.

Blackburn Wayside 19

Blackburn Wayside 19
The Blackburn Wayside 19 is almost like a mobile toolbox thanks to its L-shaped hex keys. – Dave Caudery / Immediate Media
  • Price: £33 / $35 / AU$60 as tested
  • Weight: 197g
  • Functions include: 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; a valve core remover

The Blackburn Wayside 19 has, as the name suggests, 19 functions including removable ball-ended L-shaped hex keys in sizes 2 to 5mm for unbeatable bolt access – a nice touch if you prefer the feel of standard toolbox Allen keys over the usual multi-tool design.

The Wayside is heavier than most but is a mobile toolbox that comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Crankbrothers M19

Crankbrothers M19 multi-tool kit
As the name suggests, the M19 comprises 19 different tools. – Vicky Balfour / Our Media
  • Price: $37 / €36 / AU$37 as tested
  • Weight: 175g
  • Functions include: 2–8mm hex keys; T10 and T25 Torx key; Phillips cross and flat-head screwdrivers; chain tool; spoke wrenches; 8mm and 10mm spanners

Sold with a hard-shell case that protects the tool from the elements when riding, the tools have a good length so you get enough leverage on an interface without overdoing it.

Comfortable to use, the in-built chain breaker particularly impressed with a solid pin and guide to hold the chain in place.

It doesn’t quite achieve a perfect score because it lacks some of the extras other multi-tools have.

Silca Venti Italian Army Knife

Silca Venti Italian Army Knife multi tool
Magnets are used to keep the chain breaker in place. – Our Media
  • Price: £66 / $55 / €60 / AU$98 as tested
  • Weight: 175g
  • Functions: 2-8mm hex; T8, T10, T20, T25 Torx keys; PH2 and flat-head screwdriver; 7mm box wrench; 8mm flare nut wrench; 10mm open-end wrench; pad spreader; valve core remover; 13 and 15g spoke wrenches; chain breaker; quick-link holder

The Venti offers great versatility and build quality, with all the hex keys maintaining a consistent sizing that’s slightly undersized by up to 0.04mm, offering a secure feeling to bolts.

While the keys are stubby, they don’t prevent access to hard-to-reach bolts and the chain breaker offers a smooth function.

Silca’s Venti isn’t quite as luxurious as the brand’s Tredici multi-tools, but it still offers a premium feel at a more accessible price.

Topeak Hexus X

pocket multi tool for road cycling
The Topeak Hexus X multi-tool has 21 tools held together in a neat package. – David Caudery / Immediate Media
  • Price: £23 as tested
  • Weight: 172g
  • Size: 95×42×30mm
  • Functions include: 2-8mm hex keys; T15, T25, T30 Tork keys; 2x Phillips screwdrivers; 14/15g spoke wrenches; Presta core tool

Neat. Very neat. The Topeak combines 21 of the most regularly used tools in a small seatpack-friendly size, with the 8mm hex and two smaller Torq keys housed internally.

They are slightly awkward to access, though, and the tyre levers, which double as outside plates, are hard-edged but still effective. However, the overall quality is excellent and it’s very well priced.

Topeak Mini 20 Pro

Topeak Mini 20
Does the Topeak Mini 20 Pro’s bottle opener make it an essential off-bike tool too? – Dave Caudery / Immediate Media
  • Price: £32 / $40 / AU$60 as tested
  • Weight: 150g
  • Size: 76×42×18mm
  • Functions include: 2–10mm hex keys; T10 and T25 Torx keys; two screwdrivers; spoke wrenches; chain tool; tyre lever

The Topeak Mini 20 Pro has 25mm-long steel hex keys from 2 to 10mm, T10 and T25 Torx and two screwdrivers.

The chain tool works with all except Campagnolo and incorporates four spoke wrenches, and there’s a chain hook and a 4mm hex for adjusting the tool’s pivots.

A tyre lever and bottle opener complete a comprehensive selection.

Crankbrothers F15

pocket multi tool for road cycling
The F15’s case acts as an extender for extra leverage. – David Caudery / Immediate Media
  • Price: £40 as tested
  • Weight: 164g
  • Size: 85×40×12mm
  • Functions include: 2–8mm hex keys; T25 Torx key; Phillips and flat drivers; 0, 1, 2, 3 spoke keys; chain tool

The Crankbrothers F15 is a small and light tool that still provides all the essentials.

The F15 consists of a small and solid nine-function tool that slots into a magnetised steel sleeve that adds a chain tool, spoke keys and a nifty bottle opener at the open end.

The case also doubles as a comfortable ‘extender bar’ that enables you to up the leverage, which is especially handy with the 8mm hex.

Crankbrothers M13

Best bike multi-tool
The Crankbrothers M13 multi-tool comes with five tyre plugs and a tyre tool. – Georgina Hinton / Immediate Media
  • Price: £26 / $26 / AU$50 as tested
  • Weight: 164g
  • Functions include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Allen keys; T10 and T25 Torx keys; two Phillips and one flat-head screwdrivers; tyre plugs and tyre plug tool

The Crankbrothers M13 is a solid little tool that covers most needs with a set of Allen keys, Torx keys and screwdrivers. It comes with tyre plugs, too, which fit in a separate clip-on case, but it is missing a chain breaker.

The bits are a decent length, and paired with the 85mm long body, you get some good leverage. This makes whipping out 5mm and 6mm bolts a breeze. You might struggle with 8mm pedal bolts, but that isn’t too much of a surprise.

Crankbrothers tools are known to last and this multi-tool comes with a lifetime warranty.

Crankbrothers Multi 20

Crankbrothers M20 multi tool
There are an impressive 20 tools. – Alex Evans / Our Media
  • Price: £40 / $40 / AU$73 as tested
  • Weight: 206g
  • Functions include: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Allen keys; PH1, PH2 and flat-head screwdriver; chain tool

The Crankbrothers M20 has an impressive 20 tools, including a brake rotor straightener, valve-core remover and spoke keys, plus five tubeless tyre plugs and a plug installer stored in a separate plastic case.

With a lifetime warranty, the anodised aluminium body and steel tools feel great. Allen and Torx key accuracy is spot on, and most are long enough to access recessed bolts.

There’s no tool for splitting quick-links, which could be integrated into the chain breaker as per other designs. The chain tool doesn’t have the leverage to remove stubborn pins. It’s heavy at 206g, but the number of functions makes up for that.

Lezyne CRV12

Lezyne CRV12
The Lezyne CRV12 multi-tool weighs 128g. – Dave Caudery / Immediate Media
  • Price: £29 / $30 / AU$45 as tested
  • Weight: 128g
  • Functions include: 2–8mm hex keys; Phillips screwdriver; T25 Torx key; 11-speed chain tool; spoke wrenches

The forged outer plates of the easily pocketable Lezyne CRV12 multi-tool house 12 neat, sturdy and corrosion-free tools.

The 30mm-long 2 to 8mm hex keys, Phillips screwdriver, T25 Torx and 11-speed chain tool incorporating three spoke wrenches should cover most emergencies.

The only issue with this multi-tool is its width when working in very confined spaces.

Park Tool MT-40

Park Tool MT-40 multi tool
The integrated bottle opener might make this the perfect EDC. – Our Media
  • Price: £49.99 / $54.99 as tested
  • Weight: 241g
  • Functions: 2-8mm hex; T25 and T30 Torx wrenches; Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers; chain breaker; CO2 inflator

The MT-40 has a sturdy build quality that puts it at the heavier end of the spectrum, but its incorporation of a CO2 inflator should free up some space in your pack or jersey pocket.

All of the hex keys are undersized by within 0.06mm, apart from the 8mm, which measures 7.83mm, providing a good connection to bolts when rotating them.

An integrated bottle opener makes using the chain tool more challenging, and because of the overall substantial design, it can be difficult to undo brake caliper bolts.

Park Tool MTB-5 Rescue Tool

Park Tool MTB-5 Rescue Tool - multi tool
The MTB-5 packs 16 functions into one slim, tough folding multi-tool. – Vicky Balfour / Our Media
  • Price: £38 / $34 / €40 / AU$67 as tested
  • Weight: 195g
  • Functions include: 2–8mm hex keys; T25 Torx key; Phillips #2 cross-tip and flat-head screwdrivers; chain tool (5 to 12-speed, won’t peen Campagnolo chains); spoke wrenches; valve core removal tool; rotor truing tool; disc brake pad spreader

Park Tool’s MTB-5 Rescue Tool packs 16 functions into a multi-tool and would be particularly well suited to trailside repairs.

The multi-tool is sturdily constructed, and the tools are all the same length – with the exception of the 8mm hex.

Although not the most attractive, this is a great multi-tool in terms of practicality and quality.

PNW Components Pebble Tool

PNW Pebble bicycle multi-tool
At 51g, it’s very light. – Alex Evans / Our Media
  • Price: £33 / $38 / €37 as tested
  • Weight: 51g
  • Functions include: 3–6mm hex keys; T25 Torx key; tubeless repair plug

PNW’s Pebble Tool is about as minimalist as you can get for a multi-tool, weighing in at a scant 51g.

It’s a compact, well-shaped unit and we felt comfortable storing it in the pocket of our riding trousers without fear of it causing injury in the event of a crash.

Our only gripes are the lack of an 8mm hex attachment and the fact you’ll need to buy replacement tubuless repair plugs at £12.99 for a five-pack from time to time.


Buyer’s guide to bike multi-tools | What to look for

What you need from your multi-tool will often depend on your style of riding and bike. If you have tubeless tyres, a plug tool is a good shout, and if you run rim brakes there’s no need for a disc brake rotor truing tool.

But away from more specialist tools, here are the most basic tools that almost every rider will benefit from having on a multi-tool.

Hex keys

Silca S2 steel bits on Silca Ti-Torque and T-Ratchet set
You’ll need a good selection of hex bits. – Oscar Huckle / Our Media

Hex bits are otherwise known as Allen keys. Look for a full array, in order to be covered for most eventualities. Most multi-tools come with 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm sizes and this should be more than enough for your bike.

A big 8mm Allen key is enough to nip tight crank bolts but don’t expect it to do the job of a big workshop 8mm because it won’t have the same amount of leverage as a longer tool.

Chamfered tips are a sign of quality and also prevent the rounding of bolts and the keys.

Torx keys

RockShox Reverb AXS XPLR dropper post
Torx bolts are easily identifiable by their star-shaped appearance. – Rob Weaver / Our Media

T25 and T20 Torx keys are most common and are often needed for disc brake and rotor bolts. Some stems and other places on your bike might also use Torx bolts, so it’s best to check to see if you’ll need these on your multi-tool.

Chain tool

You'll need a chain breaker tool to drive out one of the rivets.
Chain breaker tools can be a life-saver. – Oscar Huckle / Our Media

The small size of multi-tool chain tools can make them awkward to use when compared to the best chain tools, but they can really save the day.

It might also be worth keeping a spare quick-link or master link in your saddle bag to minimise roadside hassles.

Screwdrivers

Vessel Megadora JIS screwdriver
Take care if using a Phillips screwdriver on derailleur limit screws – they are typically of a JIS standard. – Kaden Gardener / Our Media

Most tools include a flat-nosed screwdriver, which can also be used for prising things apart. A Phillips cross-head screwdriver may also be included and is used to adjust derailleur limit screws and brake tension springs.

Tyre levers

Were Bicycle Set 15
This Wera tool incorporates hex bits into the tyre lever. – Kaden Gardener / Our Media

Alongside a mini pump, tyre levers are an essential tool to take with you when cycling because fixing a puncture will probably be an inevitability at some point if you spend enough time cycling.

Many riders will already have separate tyre levers in their on-bike tool kit, but getting a multi-tool that has integrated tyre levers is a good idea if you’re just starting out or simplicity is what you seek.