Cyclist
Best cycling multitools: Buyer’s guide
A multitool is an essential for every cyclist, whether you’re a new rider, a seasoned vet or anything in between. Mechanical issues are unfortunately a part of cycling that even the rampant advances in technology haven’t found a solution for yet, however the risk of a ride-crippling issue can be greatly reduced by carrying the necessary tools to fix it. Whether it’s a damaged spoke, snapped chain or even a puncture in a tubeless tyre, there is a huge range of multitools on the market to help get you back on the road.
Some riders like to be prepared for every eventuality when heading out for a ride while others are quite content with carrying the bare minimum, and the current crop of multitools reflects this diversity in opinion. Some pack upwards of 30 tools and equip the rider with all the tools they need to fix almost all common mid-ride issues, whereas other tools are better suited for simply adjusting a few hex bolts.
Best cycling multitools at a glance
- Abbey 4-Way Multi-Tool: RRP £51 – Buy now from Saddleback for £51
- Blackburn Big Switch Ratchet: RRP £45 – Buy now from Tweeks Cycles for £33.74
- Lezyne Super SV23: RRP £56.25 – Buy now from Amazon for £52.99
- Muc-Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool: RRP £20 – Buy now from Muc-Off for £20
- Pedro’s Rx Micro-21: RRP €68.99 – Buy now from Pedros Europe for €68.99
- PNW Pebble: RRP £33 – Buy now from Ebay for £32.99
- Silca Tredici: RRP €54 – Buy now from Silca for €54
- Topeak Mini PT30: RRP £48 – Buy now from Tweeks Cycles for £38.39
Why should I trust Cyclist’s advice?
We test a lot of bikes here at Cyclist and often find ourselves adjusting various things mid-ride, from saddle height to lever position to get our position sorted on new and unfamiliar bikes. For that reason, our multitools get a lot of use. Even when we have adjusted our fit on the bike, derailleur limit screws need tweaking, GPS mounts need adjusting and that’s even before we encountered any real mechanical issues.
How to choose the best bike multitool for you
As with many things in the world of cycling, there’s a huge range of options on offer, all with different tools. A good starting point is to establish what tools you actually need; a tubeless repair kit is useless if you’re still rolling on inner tubes and Torx fasteners are becoming more common and not every tool includes the appropriate bits.
Some tools are small and lighter than others too, so it’s worth thinking about where you ride; if epic gravel rides far from civilisation are your thing, then a larger, more fully fledged tool is a no brainer, but if you tend to stick closer to home and can call for a lift or afford a taxi, then you could get away with something more minimalist.
Best cycling multitools
Abbey 4 Way Multi-Tool
£51.00 | View offer
- Pros: Ease of use, quality build, low weight
- Cons: Only four tools, better suited to workshop
- 49 grams, customisable at point of purchase
Abbey Tools has forged a reputation for handsome yet highly functional tools and the Four Way Multi-Tool is no different. Four precision-machined bits are mounted to a US-drawn aluminium alloy chassis anodised in the brand’s iconic green to produce a tool that feels excellent in the hand.
Bit engagement into bolts is second to none and feels very secure even under high torque, however the Four Way Multi-Tool may be too minimalist for even the most tool-averse riders. The choice of bit is customisable from Abbey but there’s a limited pool of repairs you can tackle with it; I found myself using this tool more frequently in the workshop than out on the bike, but if you like to keep things super simple then it’s a solid, if expensive, choice.
- Read our full Abbey 4 Way Multi-Tool review
- Buy now from Saddleback (£51)
Blackburn Big Switch Ratchet
£45.00 | View offer
- Pros: Ratchet mechanism, nylon case is durable, space for other items
- Cons: Quite sizeable
- 159 grams with 17 tools using interchangeable bits
The Blackburn Big Switch Ratchet looks very similar to the Topeak Ratchet Rocket, both use a small ratcheting handle to drive a series of interchangeable bits. There are 17 tools included, they are; Hex bits from 2.5mm to 8mm, T10, T25 and T30 Torx bits, a flathead screwdriver, disk pad spreader, 7-12 speed chain tool, #0, #1, #2 spoke wrenches and a Presta valve core tool.
Unlike the Topeak Ratchet Rocket, the bots are stored in a sturdy nylon wallet with Velcro fastening so while it is a little larger than the Topeak, it feels much more secure and there’s no risk of the bits falling out. It also provides a place to keep other small spares such as a Powerlink or tubeless plugs.
The ratcheting handle engages quickly meaning bolts with limited access can be adjusted with ease and the whole tool feels like it is built to last. I would choose the Blackburn over the Topeak due to the more secure bit storage and the option to store small parts in the wallet.
- Read our full Blackburn Big Switch Ratchet multitool review
Lezyne Super SV23
£56.25 | View offer
- Pros: Good selection of tools, includes tubeless tools and chain breaker
- Cons: Quite heavy
- 155 grams with 23 tools
Featuring an impressive array of 23 tools the Lezyne Super SV23 offers riders plenty of options to repair any mechanicals. Included is the expected spread of Hex keys from 2mm to 8mm, Torx from T10 to T30, Phillips screwdriver and chain tool. There’s also a rotor truing fork, disc brake wedge and bottle opener built into the chain tool. Finally, there is a tubeless repair tool as well as a handy canister to store the plugs. The tubeless tools are protected by a chunky rubber cap to prevent injury in the event of a crash.
The aluminium chassis has a pair of magnets to hold a quick link and I found the chain tool to do the job. Overall, I found the selection of tools on the Super SV23 to be excellent and it felt sturdy and dependable in the hand too.
- Read our full Lezyne Super SV23 multitool review
Muc-Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool
£20.00 | View offer
- Pros: Value for money, compact
- Cons: 8mm cap could easily be lost, limited availability
- 112 grams with 17 tools
The Muc-Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool is a great value for money option, offering 17 tools in a very slender package, measuring only 10mm thick. The tools included are nothing out of the ordinary: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm hex keys, a T25, 1, 2 Phillips and SL5 flathead screwdrivers. A chain breaker compatible with 9/10/11 speed chains and spoke wrench with Shimano and Mavic spokes. The 8mm cap fits on the 5mm for packaging reasons but the 5mm is one of the most commonly used sizes and I can see it getting lost after a while.
The bits are chrome vanadium steel, which bodes well for long term durability, and the side pars are aluminium, which helps shed some excess weight; overall it’s a well featured tool for a very competitive price.
- Read our full Muc-Off 17 in 1 Multi Tool review
- Buy now from Muc-Off for £20
Pedro’s Rx Micro-21
€68.99 | View offer
- Pros: Good selection of tools, includes two tyre levers
- Cons: Hard to find in the UK, no Phillips head
- 155 grams, 21 tools
The chassis of the Rx Micro-21 is flanked by a pair of sturdy, bright yellow tyre levers, which clip onto the tool to prevent them from being lost; remove them and the Rx Micro-21 is a very compact package. The obligatory Hex selection ranging from 2mm to 8mm is present, along with a T25 and T30 Torx, flat head screwdriver, chain tool, three spoke wrenches, Shimano crank cap removal tool and Presta valve core tool. The 8mm Hex is a cap that fits on the 6mm but our sample didn’t have one included so utmost care needs to be taken not to lose it.
Elsewhere, the feel of the tool is excellent, the bits are coated in a semi-matte finish that feels durable, which is echoed across the rest of the tool. The Shimano crank cap removal tool is something I’ve never seen on a multitool before but makes use of otherwise dead space, however I would like to see a Phillips screwdriver included for adjusting derailleur limit screws and light mounts.
- Read our full Pedro’s Rx Micro-21 multitool review
- Buy now from Pedros Europe for €68.99
PNW Pebble
£33.00 | View offer
- Pros: Compact and lightweight, includes tubeless repair plug
- Cons: Only six tools, tools are a little short
- 51 grams, compact and smooth edged
The Pacific Northwest Pebble is by far the smallest multitool in this guide, measuring a tiny 65mm × 20mm × 16mm. It’s equipped with only 6 tools but does include a Dynaplug (tubeless repair tool). The body of the Pebble is machined from aluminium and feels exceptionally well built with metal hardware throughout. The tools are very smooth to unfold but are a little short to reach some recessed bolts.
The Pebble includes a 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, T25 Torx and Dynaplug to fix tubeless punctures. The T25 is actually hidden under the Dynaplug to save space on the tool. Some might find the Pebble just too small and not feature rich enough but if you tend to stick near civilisation and just need a tool to undo a thru axle or tweak your saddle height, the Pebble could be a great choice.
- Read our full PNW Pebble multitool review
- Buy now from Ebay for £32.99
Silca Tredici
€54.00 | View offer
- Pros: Well made tool, long wrenches to reach recessed bolts
- Cons: Quick link storage but no chain breaker
- 100 grams with a range of 13 quality tools
Much like Silca’s track pumps, the Silca Tredici is built on fastidious attention to detail that adds a touch of class to your roadside wrenching. The Tredici includes 13 tools: 2mm – 8mm Hex, T10, T20, T25, PH, PH Flat and disk pad spreader. Quick link storage is integrated into the aluminium side rails but the tool doesn’t include a chain breaker, so you’ll need to carry one of those separately.
Bit engagement is solid across all the tools and they’re long enough to reach more recessed bolts. The Tredici feels great in the hand due to its fairly compact size and all the tools lie flat rather than overlapping to make the tool thin when not in use.
The Tredici should be durable too, all the tools are double chromed, the hardware and bushings are stainless steel and the rails are aluminium, all of which reduces corrosion and reduces weight.
- Read our full Silca Tredici multitool review
Topeak Mini TP30
£39.00 | View offer
- Pros: High number of tools, includes tubeless repair
- Cons: A little heavy
- 176 grams with 30 tools included
The TP30 is one of the most feature packed tools on the market, offering 30 tools to fix almost anything at the roadside. The included tools are; 2mm – 8mm hex wrenches, 10mm hex, T10, T15 and T25 Torx, 14G, 15G, Mavic M7 and Shimano 4.5mm spoke keys, chain tool, chain hook and frankly genius Powerlink tool. There is also a #2 Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, along with a tyre reamer, plug insertion tool, serrated knife, and disc pad spacer.
Anyone that’s tried to split a Powerlink without the correct tools will know it’s a hassle, but the Topeak PT30 has an ingenious mechanism that had them apart in no time at all and includes a wire hook to hold the chain together when you need to join it again.
Throw in a selection of tubeless repair tools and the TP30 is a almost a workshop in your pocket and one that I would carry with me safe in the knowledge I could fix pretty much anything.
- Read our full Topeak Mini TP30 multitool review
- Buy now from Tweeks Cycles for £38.39
Need tubeless repair tools? Read our guide to the best tubeless repair kits.
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