Which multitool you should buy might be a good question. The question, whether you should have one at all, doesn't really arise – it's always good to have one on hand. You don't just need it if your bike breaks down on the road in an emergency; even the most solid bike needs to be readjusted from time to time. And that's where a multifunction tool helps. Our tool advisor introduces you to the different tools here and we explain which one you need.
Which multitool should you take with you? If you're traveling with little luggage, especially a small one... here's a good example of how a lot of tools can be accommodated in a small space! E-Bike Drivetrain Tool © Muc Off
How much multitool do you really need for your bike?
Which multitool you should buy depends on your skills and your bike, further down some questions will help you with the selection. Because if your toolbox at home contains a few superfluous parts, that's not a big deal. But on bike tours, you certainly don't want to carry unnecessary ballast, do you? Therefore, it is worth considering carefully before buying which multitool you really need. Here you will learn how to find it and what to look for when buying!
What multitools are available for on the go?
Whether in individual parts or as a whole – which multitool you should buy for bike repairs is a matter of taste and depends, among other things, on your knowledge of screwing. Multitool © SQLab
Let's start with the basics: What is a multifunction tool anyway? It's quite simple. It is a tool or a tool set that
- fulfills several functions and
- has compact dimensions, as it is intended for on the go.
- There are small tool sets that consist of a few individual parts or
- tools that accommodate various functions in one housing.
It is primarily intended for on the go.
Note: There are multifunction tools for all sorts of occasions and special bicycle multitools. Then typical bicycle equipment is included, there is a chain breaker, spoke wrench, valve tools, or tire levers. In addition, there is a selection of common Torx heads, Allen bits, and screwdrivers. Even frequently used ring spanners or a chain lock can be included.
The Bike Multitool with Pocket Knife Trick
From spoke wrench to tire lever to chain tool – depending on which multitool you choose, you might have (almost) a complete workshop in your pocket! 11 in 1 © Fabric
Multitools are particularly practical when various tools are housed in one casing. They can be unfolded to the side like a pocket knife, with the casing serving as a handle. There are smaller versions with 6 or 12 different functions, and you have a larger selection with a tool with almost 40 functions!
Multitools with Brains
A handle with various screw heads, hex or Torx – the classic ratchet set is also available “in small.” You can simply attach the bit you need to the ratchet and repair or adjust your bike. Occasionally, the handle is even directly a torque wrench.
In this tool set, various heads can be attached to a ratchet. The chain tool and tire levers make this set a bicycle tool. RatchetRocket Lite DX+ by Topeak
Torque Wrench for On the Go
This torque sleeve can measure 2 to 6Nm, and various matching hex and Torx are also included. TorqBox X © Topeak
Manufacturers often specify how much force a screw connection on the bike should be tightened with. A torque wrench ensures that you do not tighten the screw too much or too little in this case. This tool is also available as a multitool for on the go.
If you find that you need to tighten many screw connections with the same torque, you can buy a set that measures 4, 5, or 6 Nm. However, there are also compact devices that can be adjusted to different strengths (see image).
Which Multitools Do You Need for Specific Bicycle Components?
These practical companions are actually known as all-rounders that can fix damage anywhere on the bike. But often, the functions are focused – mainly to save weight and space! One multifunction tool might include more tools for the wheels of your bike, while another has a very good chain breaker contains. If you're not sure which multitool to buy, check out the questions in the next section. Which bicycle components you should prepare for primarily depends on which ones you can or need to repair!
Tiny multitools that fit into the bicycle
A toolset that disappears into the bicycle is always at hand when you need it during a bike tour. Stash RCX Multi Tool Kit © Granite
The best tool is of no use to you on the go if it’s lying at home. For all the notorious tool forgetters, there is an elegant solution: Use the cavities of your bicycle to permanently store some emergency material there. There are small sleeves that contain different tools, you can stick them into the fork steerer or handlebar ends and leave them there until you need them. Since there is really not much space here, these multitools are often equipped for individual components of the bicycle.
Which multitool should you buy? The FAQs:
With a multitool like this, no wishes remain unfulfilled! Alien X © Topeak
So, there are different multitools. Finding the right one among these many bicycle tools is actually not that difficult. Here are a few questions that will lead you to the perfect tool:
Do I need a bicycle-specific multitool?
A multifunction tool from the hardware store is better than none at all. But if you buy one that is really made for bicycles, you will get much further with work on the bike! Here you then have tire tools or chain tools, screwdrivers, ring spanners, or a knife included. There are also special tools for camping and outdoor activities, and these are also quite interesting for some cyclists! Especially if you plan bikepacking tours , tent and campfire are of course on the agenda, and the appropriate tool in the bag!
A multifunction tool for bicycles, on the other hand, can help you in many life situations, it is not only practical when you have a bicycle breakdown! Parktool, Birzmann or Topeak make excellent tool sets for bicycles, with which you can also work on other things.
Which screws do you need to move on your bicycle?
There are no standards for the screws that hold a bicycle together. So if you want to know, which bits your multitool should have , a look at the screw connections you will work with can help. So take a look at your bike – do you need Torx and hex keys or rather flathead and Phillips screwdrivers? Do you need ring spanners? If you know this, you won't carry around unnecessary bits. The Torx T25 is becoming more and more the standard and is therefore included in most multitools.
Which multitool is better – individual parts or all-in-one?
Whether you get along better with a set of individual pieces or with many functions in one housing is purely a matter of taste. Individual pieces are more flexible and lighter. Many parts in one piece are more versatile and you can't lose anything. It's best to test and try out what you get along with better.
How much experience do you have?
Which multitool you should buy mainly depends on your skills . If you rarely work on your bike and prefer to leave major repairs to a workshop, a smaller tool with fewer functions may be sufficient. If you repair all kinds of bike breakdowns yourself on the go, your multitool can't be comprehensive enough. Even if you enjoy tinkering and want to gradually expand your knowledge, a multitool with many different functions is a good investment for the future.
Does your bike have weaknesses?
For some reason, does your bike chain keep breaking? Does your saddle keep sliding down? Have you been annoyed by a “flat tire” several times in the last few months? Then it absolutely makes sense to specifically prepare the tools and spare parts for it and always take them with you!
If you suspect that your bike really has a weakness, a thorough check at home or in the workshop can be worthwhile. Without wanting to offend you – your riding style can also be responsible for repeated breakdowns. If you repeatedly crash off the curb with a heavily loaded trekking bike, for example, it can cause tire blowouts. That's not a big deal, you just need to have tire levers, other suitable tools, and the necessary spare parts!
Which multitool do you need for an MTB?
There are few multitools specifically packed for MTBs. A tool with as many functions as possible usually saves your day in the bike park, no matter what error messages the bike produces. You can also do the screw check here to find out what you might need in case of an emergency.
Which multitool do you need for a road bike?
If you have a carbon road bike , a compact torque tool for on the go is a good choice because it won't damage your valuable bike on tour. Apart from that, the same applies here: Look at the connections on your bike, then you know what you can use to move them.
How do you store your multitool on the go?
Saddlebag, frame bag, bottle holder, or pocket – depending on where you want to transport your tool, the weight and size a role. If it is to travel in the pocket or backpack, a small, lightweight tool is practical, and it should also have no sharp edges. If you put it in the bike bag , a little more weight is not a big deal.
➽ Multitools and bike tools in the BMO online shop
Multifunction tools | Bike tools | Tools
You have a multitool with you and don't quite know what to do with it?
If you're now wondering how best to use your multitool on the go, we would like to recommend our repair corner to you! Here you will always get tips that help you repair and maintain your bike! You will learn how to shorten brake lines , adjust the gears, mount a new handlebar and adjust it, when you need a torque wrench and much more.
Title image © Tekton on Unsplash
