Best mountain bike multi-tools: rescue broken rides

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Get properly prepared for trail-side repairs with one of the best mountain bike multi-tools. One of the cornerstones of mountain biking is self-sufficiency; specifically the ability to get out of a fix and carry out emergency repairs on the trail. To make repairs and adjustments you’ll need a trail tool. Consider a multi-tool akin to the Swiss Army Knife of mountain biking, where a sturdy metal body is packed with folding practicality. In recent years, designers have got impressively creative with multi-tool design, making options that fit in almost every nook and crevice found on a modern mountain bike. Which means you can hide most emergency tools and spares in and around the bike, so less to carry on your body and less to remember on every ride as it’s already mounted on your bike.

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You will notice that beneath each mountain bike multi-tools summary is a ‘View Deal’ link. If you click on one of these links then mbr may receive a small amount of money from the retailer should you go to purchase the product from them. Don’t worry, this does not affect the amount you pay.

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Topeak Mini Pro 20

Best all-in-one multi-tool

Weight: 153g | Tools: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm Hex keys, T25 Torx, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, chain tool, spoke wrenches, chain hook, bottle opener, chain pin tool | Rating: 10/10

With its chrome finish, this tool has real bling factor, and should stay that way protected by its own neoprene pouch. The tools are all quite stubby, but there are plenty of them, including a neat chain breaker, which sports four spoke keys, a chain hook and a 3mm Hex. All the Allen sizes needed for repairs and adjustments are included, even a 10mm for crank bolts and L-shaped 2mm for adjusting the reach on your brake levers. The only redundant tool is the tyre lever – it’s too short and sharp, and wouldn’t want it anywhere near carbon rim. That’s our only criticism though, because the Mini Pro 20 is a great tool and easily the best on test.

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Great hidden tool

Weight: 75g | Tools: 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Allen, T25, flat screwdriver, cassette lockring tool | Rating: 8/10

If you hate having tools rattling around your pocket (or pack) or exposed to the elements, ruining the aesthetics of your bike, then you’ll love the covert OneUp EDC Lite tool. It fits inside the steerer tube of your fork, but doesn’t need any special fixings to install – simply hammer your star nut deeper into the steerer and then use the supplied cradle to hold the tool. Always to hand, the range of tools are perfect for the quick adjustments that become annoyingly faffy if you have to delve inside your pack. And if you want a more comprehensive system, OneUp also has the more sophisticated EDC (see below)…

Read our full review of the OneUp  EDC Lite tool

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Hidden genius

Weight: 126g | Tools: T25 torx, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Hex, tyre lever, chain breaker and room for more | Rating: 9/10

Like the EDC Lite, the full-fat EDC uses the fork steerer as storage, but in this case there are more tools packed into the full length of the steerer tube. The EDC tool storage is modular, which means you can mix and match depending on how much space you have or personal preference. In the upper part of the EDC there’s a multi tool, a tyre lever and a chain breaker but threaded on the bottom is another small storage chamber, which is big enough to take OneUP’s Plug and Pliers kit; essential a set of mini chain link pliers and a motorbike-style, tubeless repair kit. Alternatively, you can remove this entirely and thread in a single 20g CO2 cartridge. A great storage solution.

Read our full review of the OneUp EDC V2 tool system

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Another hidden steerer solution

Weight:213g | Tools: 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Allen keys and a T25 Torx | Rating: 9/10

This SWAT solution weighs a bit more than a separate multi tool and chain breaker, and there are also less tools than its closest alternative; One Up Components’ EDC  Lite system. The price is pretty steep compared to its rival, but Specialized’s solution is easy to fit, removes quickly and also has space for a spare chain quick link in the base of the steerer. has a major advantage over its rival in terms of ease of fitment; the whole assembly tightens on itself (and three different screws are included) to fit steerers from 165 – 225mm long.

Read our full review of the Specialized SWAT Conceal Carry multi-tool

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Leatherman Crunch

Best for jobs that require brute force

Weight: 164g | Tools: regular and locking pliers, wire cutters, wire stripper, knife, ruler, pin vice bottle opener, file, three flat-heads and one Phillips screwdriver | Rating: 10/10

Instead of the needle-nosed ends you find on regular Leatherman tools, the Crunch effectively has a pair of mole grips stuck to the top and, as we know, they’re great for workshop bodges, never mind trailside repairs. If you break, bend or bust something, this is the tool that will sort it out. In addition, it has a ton of other features, including a knife, a couple of screwdriver and a nail file. Also, if you remove the threaded bolt from the handle, you’ll see a 1/4in bit holder, making the Crunch one of the most versatile tools here and easily a test winner.

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Durable and nifty

Weight: 255g | Tools: 2, 2.5, 3,4, 5, 6 mm hex, T-25, and P2 Bits, Two Tyre Levers, Chain Breaker | Rating: 9/10

Fix It holds the bits in a barrel magnetically and the best thing is sticks can’t waggle loose at the pivot points like practically every flip-open multi tool we’ve ever owned has over time. Just about the only complaint then is the whole package comes up a little heavy and expensive compared to a folding tool.

Read our full test review of the Fix It Sticks Mountain Tool

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Protected from the elements

Weight: 235g | Tools: 8mm socket, T-15, T-25, 8 & 10mm box wrench, four spoke keys, chain tool, chain hook, two tyre levers, P2, glueless patch kit, disc brake spacer, mini hammer | Rating: 9/10

Aside from a lack of claimed seatpost compatibility (because everyone runs dropper posts these days), this is a neat bit of kit just to sling in your pack that will resist rusting and getting gunked up with crud way more than a ‘standard’ multi-tool.

Read our full test review of the Topeak Survival Gear Box

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Blackburn Wayside 19

Great combination of tools

Weight: 195g | Tools: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Hex keys, T25 and T30 Torx, flat-head screwdriver, spoke keys, chain tool, chain hook, pad separator, Presta valve core tool, serrated knife | Rating: 9/10

Attached to one side of the Blackburn Wayfarer is a set of ball-end Allen keys. These are perfect for working in confined spaces, and make adjusting brake lever-reach a doddle. The chain splitter features the important secondary position for loosening stiff links, but unfortunately the handle is too small, making it uncomfortable to use. Also included on this part are the spoke keys, Presta valve core remover, and a handy disc splitter wedge. The serrated blade is super-sharp and there’s a decent-sized hook for holding the chain together. A great tool, but just misses out on the top spot due to the undersized chain splitter.

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Park Tool MT40

Compact yet comfy

Weight: 238g | Tools: 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Hex keys, T25 and T30 Torx, combo screwdriver, chain tool and CO2 chuck | Rating: 9/10

With its contoured sides, Park Tool’s new MT40 is one of the most comfortable tools to use. It’s also pretty burly, which means there’s zero flex when you have to put a lot of flex through it. Most of the rival multi-tools tested here have a wider range (the lack of a 2mm Allen key is a real oversight) but the ones on the MT40 are all superb quality. The chain breaker is actually a mini version of the classic CT6, and just as effective, although you will have to loosen stiff links by hand as it lacks a secondary shelf. There’s also a CO2 chuck supplied for emergency inflation.

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Pedros ICM

Remember to remove the tyre levers before wrenching

Weight: 183g | Tools: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Hex keys, T25 Torx, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, chain tool, bottle opener, two tyre levers, spoke wrenches | Rating: 9/10

Unfortunately, the tyre levers clipped to either edge of the ICM, spring off when trying to tighten anything with the Allen keys. That said, compared to the miniature levers elsewhere, they work and can actually get a tyre off without scuffing a rim. Also slipped into the body of the tool is spoke key, which actually feels like a proper workshop item. There’s a third, Mavic-specific spoke key on a long arm but truing is a chore as you can’t turn it very far between the spokes without having to remove it. All the Allen keys are a good length, so you can access those tight spots, and the chain splitter has the second gate for stiff links, but the short handle means we had to grip hard to break a chain.

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Fabric Chamber

Adds a bit of style to your repair kit

Weight: 145g | Tools: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Hex bits, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, T10 and T25 Torx | Rating: 9/10

Hidden inside the Chamber are 13 tools: six extra-long bits with a tool on either end and a hollow 6mm tool that slides over the 5mm Allen key. The bits slot into the T-Bart head and allow you to ratchet tight disc rotors, stem bolts… you name it. The Chamber is the perfect tool for adjusting the reach on brake levers and accessing the angled bolts on a seat post clamp. The best bit is, you just reverse the tools to back the bolts out the other way. It’s not a cheap tool, but it looks futuristic and we think it’s actually a shame to keep it hidden in your pack.

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Know your mountain bike multi-tools:

Most mountain bike multi-tools are based around old-fashioned Allen key clusters, improved by the addition of screwdrivers, Torx keys and spoke wrenches. Ideally they will include 16-22 items, with the most essential being a chain splitter, so you can break and join the chain if it has snapped, or you have to untangle a busted mech. Most tool companies make this type of tool – we have these on test here too.

There are also many alternative options and we’ve reviewed those too. They range from a multi-plier (popularly known as a Leatherman or Gerber) to a fold-up chain tool. The former is perfect for those ugly jobs, like bending a mech hanger straight, and we’ve included the latter simply because most of the trail tools’ built-in miniature chain splitters are difficult to use.

Protective case

Mountain bike multi-tools will be rattling around in your pack getting scuffed and wet, so some form of holder or case is handy.

Spoke keys

These are great for straightening a buckled wheel, but if they’re too fat you won’t be able to get them between the spokes and it’ll make truing a laborious chore – the narrower this tool, the better.

Chain breaker

A chain splitter is essential, but once you have joined a chain, the link will be stiff, so you need to work it loose. A second gate, or position on the bed of the tool, allows you to do this easily, but many of the tools in this test don’t have them. Also very few have replaceable pins, co once this is bent, the splitter is next to useless.

Tool length

Short tools are compact, but a long tool offer greater leverage for stubborn bolts, and car reach into areas without the body of the tool fouling on the component or frame.

Tyre levers

If these are included, they are usually tiny and won’t have enough leverage to release the bead. Our advice is to always carry a separate lever, like Topeak’s excellent Shuttle 1.2 lever.

Torx key

This is a star-shaped tool, and the common size used on mountain bikes is a T25.Most disc rotors use this size, and SRAM also uses it for the derailleur mounting bolt and the brake lever clamps.

Allen keys

These can be long, short, L-bend and, in some cases, separate. the most important thing is you have all the sizes, including a 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm. Some tools have an 8mm or 10mm, but it’s often too short to remove a pedal or tighten a crank – the two components the commonly require this size.

Stow-away tools

Many modern tools are designed to be hidden in and around the bike so that you don’t have to carry them on your body or remember to pack them on every ride – they’re always with you. Popular areas to store tools include the steerer tube, BB axle, bottle cage and handlebar. With a bit of thought it’s pretty easy to stash all the tools you’re likely to need somewhere on your bike.