Which multitool you should buy might be a good question. The question, whether you should have one, however, 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; even the most solid bike needs to be readjusted from time to time. And a multifunction tool will help you with that. Our tool advisor introduces you to the different tools here and explains 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 packed into 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 choose. 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 find out 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 mechanical knowledge. Multitool © SQLab
Let's start with the basics: What is a multifunction tool anyway? That's quite simple. It is a tool or a tool set that
- fulfills multiple functions and
- has compact dimensions because it is intended for on the go.
- There are small tool sets consisting of a few individual parts or
- tools that house various functions in one case.
It is primarily intended for on the go.
Note: There are multifunction tools for all sorts of occasions and special bike multitools. Then typical bike equipment is included, there is a chain rivet press, 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 levers 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 different tools are housed in a single casing. They can be unfolded to the side like a pocket knife, with the casing also serving as a handle. There are smaller versions with 6 or 12 different functions, and you have a greater selection with a tool with almost 40 functions!
Multitools with Brain
A handle with different 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 itself is even a torque wrench.
In this toolset, various heads can be attached to a ratchet. The chain tool and tire levers make this set into bicycle tools. 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 included. TorqBox X © Topeak
Manufacturers often specify how much force a screw connection on the bicycle should be tightened with. A torque wrench ensures that you don't tighten the screw too much or too little. 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. There are also compact devices that can be set to different strengths (see image).
Which Multitools Do You Need for Specific Bicycle Components?
Actually, the practical companions are known as all-rounders that can fix damages anywhere on the bike. But often, the functions are focused - mainly to save weight and space! One multifunctional tool might include tools for your bike's wheels, while another has a very good chain breaker contains. If you're not sure which multitool to buy, take a look at the questions in the next section. Which bike components you should prepare for primarily depends on which ones you can or need to repair!
Tiny multitools that fit into the bike
A toolset that disappears into the bike is always on hand when you need it during a bike tour. Stash RCX Multi Tool Kit © Granite
The best tool won't help you on the go if it's left at home. For all the notorious tool forgetters, there is an elegant solution: Use the cavities of your bike to permanently store some emergency material there. There are small sleeves that contain different tools, you can insert them into the fork steerer or handlebar ends and leave them there until you need them. Since there really isn't much space here, these multitools are often equipped for individual components of the bike.
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 bike tools isn't really difficult. Here are a few questions that will lead you to the perfect tool:
Do I need a bike-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 bikes, you'll get much further with work on the bike! Here you'll have tire tools or chain tools ready, screwdrivers, ring spanners, or a knife included. There are also special tools for camping and outdoor activities, and these are certainly interesting for some cyclists! Especially if you plan bikepacking tours , tents and campfires are naturally on the agenda, and the corresponding tool belongs in the bag!
A multifunction tool for bikes, on the other hand, can help you in many situations, it's not just practical if you have a bike breakdown! Parktool, Birzmann, or Topeak make excellent toolsets for bikes, with which you can also work on other things.
Which screws do you need to move on your bike?
There are no standards for the screws that hold a bike 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 slotted and Phillips screwdrivers? Do you need ring spanners? When you know this, you won't carry unnecessary bits around. The Torx T25 is becoming more and more standard and is therefore included in most multitools. Which multitool is better – individual parts or as a piece? Whether you get along better with a set of individual pieces or with many functions in one case is purely a matter of taste. Individual pieces are more flexible and lighter. Many parts as a piece are more versatile and you can't lose anything. It's best to test and try out what works best for you. 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 larger 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 extensive enough. Even if you enjoy screwing 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, your bike chain keeps breaking? Does your saddle keep slipping lower? Have you been annoyed by a "flat" 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 might be worthwhile. Without wanting to offend you – your riding style can also be responsible for repeated breakdowns. If you repeatedly bump off the sidewalk 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 the 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, as it ensures you won't damage the valuable bike on tour. Apart from that, the same applies here: Look at the connections on your bike, then you'll 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 trouser 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 bicycle tools in the BMO online shop
Multifunction tools | Bicycle tools | Tools
You have a multitool with you and are not quite sure what to do with it?
If you are now wondering how to best use your multitool on the go, we would like to recommend our repair corner! Here you will repeatedly receive 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
