If you’re a bike enthusiast that likes to cycle on a regular basis, at some point you’ll need a multi tool kit. Several bike problems can be fixed with several types of tools. For example, if you want to perform routine maintenance on your bike, you’ll need the following: a set of Allen wrenches that vary from 2 to 12 mm in size, open end wrenches that range from 6 to 17 mm, chain brush and lubricant, tire levers, a floor pump and a tube patch kit. As you know, bikes have 2 common types of valves: Schrader and Presta. As a general rule, Presta valves are most common on road bikes, while mountain bikes often have Schrader valves.
Table Of Contents
The 7 Best Mountain Bike Multi Tool Comparisons
Brand | Details |
---|---|
Vibrelli Bike Multi Tool V19 | |
Topeak Alien II Multi Tool | |
WOTOW 16 in 1 Multi-Function Bike Multi Tool | |
DAWAY Bike Repair Tool Kit | |
Pro Bike Tool Multi Tool | |
Crank Brothers Multi Bicycle Tool | |
Kitbest Bike Tool Kit |
What to Know
Thankfully, almost every modern bike pump features valves that are compatible with both Presta and Schrader models, which means that if they work with one, they are bound to work with the other. But a flat tire is only one of the many problems that may arise with bikes of all types. You can end up having faulty brakes, broken pedals or malfunctioning lights.
Whatever the case, a multi tool is needed. Multi tools are the Swiss knives of bicycles. They can expand to give you several tiny tools that are used in all sort of bike-repairing situations. From Allen wrenches to Phillips heads, multi tools have many of the items you need to perform a quick bike repair. They are lightweight and small enough to fit into your pocket/backpack, but most of them come with their own bags that can be mounted underneath your bike seat.
The 7 Best Mountain Bike Multi Tool Reviews
Vibrelli Bike Multi Tool V19
When it comes to bike accessories, Vibrelli seems to be all over the place. Well, their multi tool kit deserves its spot on our best mountain bike multi tool list, and here’s why. With no less than 19 precision tools that are all wrapped up in a very slim design, the Vibrelli kit is pretty much easily carried in just about any bag. Aside from the convenient carrying case, Vibrelli also threw in its already-famous glueless puncture kit, which is generally offered as a bonus to those that purchase their bike pumps. The chain breaker seems to have a lot of popularity amongst the buyers of the multi tool. There isn’t a single review of 3 stars or less on this product, which leads us to believe that this may just be the best product Vibrelli has sold up to this date.
Pros
Cons
Topeak Alien II Multi Tool
This one is great for avid bikers. Already known for making some of the world’s most promising bike pumps, Topeak has designed its very own multi tool. Delivered in a very convenient nylon bag with a clip, the Alien included 31 different tools in a compact size of 3.4 x 1.7 x 1.6 inches. The 2-piece body may seem bulky at a first glance, but the total weight of 0.60 pounds suggests it’s not all that heavy. The tools are made of hardened steel, while the body is made of engineering grade plastic.
One of the main problems that arise when using such multi tool kits is whether they have any resistance when you try to open them and if the other tools stay in their place when you’re using others. Allen wrenches will put up some resistance when using the other tools in the kit, but the screwdrivers, the knife and the box wrenches will lock in place when fully extended. Please take note that the user manual will tell you exactly how to get the best out of your Alien.
If you are bike savvy and love performing bike maintenance and repairs, you will notice that the Alien is actually very smartly designed. No tool is randomly placed and once you expand the 2 major bodies of the kit, the tools from one side will give leverage to the tools used on the other side. We’ve liked one particular example: if you want to use the chain pin tool on a stuck pin, you can use the 5 mm Allen wrench placed in the other half of the kit, foe extra leverage.
Pros
Cons
WOTOW 16 in 1 Multi-Function Bike Multi Tool
Whether you find yourself having to fix your bike because some road damage or have a free Sunday and want to perform some general maintenance on your bike, the WOTOW bike tools seems to have it all. The solid metal tools are delivered together with 2 nylon pry tire rods (which seems to make for an excellent selling point, as we’ve seen that they were the main reason why buyers got the WOTOW in the first place). Even if it features fewer tools than the Topeak Alien, this multi tool is useful for more than just bike repairs (any IKEA fans here?). Even so, it kind of feels like some important tools are missing (tools that would have the kit complete), like the chain break tool.
Pros
Cons
DAWAY Bike Repair Tool Kit
Visiting the DAWAY’s multi tool Amazon page, you will notice that you have the option of choosing between the black A32 and B32 models. While the main tools are the same no matter which of the 2 options you go with, they each have another set of particular products delivered together with the repair kit. If you opt for the A32, aside from the actual multi tool, you will also receive a black tool bag, rubber glue, a metal RASP, one big oval cold patch, 2 medium and 2 round cold patches and 2 plastic tire levers. The B32 option, which is about $1 cheaper, comes with the same metal RASP, tire levers and black tool bag, but includes 8 glueless tire tube patches, that measure 25 mm in diameter.
Moving on the actual repair kit: the tools are made from ABS and carbon steel, to make sure they won’t break or bend any time soon. The black tool bag is a nice addition, allowing you to easily carry the kit around.
Pros
Cons
Pro Bike Tool Multi Tool
Made from cold forged stainless steel, this multi tool inspires durability from the very first minute you hold it. Even if it doesn’t come with all the tools required to repair a bike, it’s useful when you have to work with bolts. The included pouch is slim and simple. In fact, the whole kit measures only 3.7 x 1.5 x 0.3 inches and is as light as 3.5 ounces. If you want to use the kit for tightening bolts, you have to select the tool appropriate for the bolt at hand and fold it to a 180 degrees angle. After having secured the bolt, turn the tool body to 90 degrees and turn the bolt clockwise. Other than that, we didn’t find the Pro Bike Tool impressive in any way, so it’s nowhere near our top 3 favorite multi tools.
Pros
Cons
Crank Brothers Multi Bicycle Tool
If there’s one thing that stands out with the Crank Brother’s multi tool is how much they’ve invested in color diversity. The kit is available in a variety of color combinations, including gold and pink (yes, you read it right). But does it provide enough tool variety and peace of mind knowing that whenever you have to repair your bike, you won’t have to purchase any additional tools? The included tool flask is definitely a step ahead of the average nylon bag that comes with other multi tool kits. The flask will avoid any water or moisture from getting to the actual tools, which are already prone to rust.
The frame of the kit is made of hardened aluminum alloy and the grips that are integrated on both sides make it easier for you to secure the kit. The tools are made from high tensile steel, to make sure that they won’t bend or break that easily. The speed chain tool is extremely useful for splitting chains. It’s compatible with 8/9/10/11/12 speed capabilities and it’s made of stainless steel.
Pros
Cons
Kitbest Bike Tool Kit
Despite its rather low price, the Kitbest set can solve your mountain bike problems thanks to the items found inside the bag. There are 2 main items that stand out, accompanied by a lot of other accessories that will prove useful in repairing flat tires, loosening bolts and inflating sports balls. The tool bag measures 8.4 x 2.4 x 3.5 inches and it is made of nylon. It comes with a Velcro strap to secure it into place and a slim design that should make it easy for you to store it inside your bag/backpack.
The multi tool itself expand to offer you 6 different Allen wrenches, 4 types of flat wrenches, 3 types of socket spanners, 2 different screwdrivers and a sleeve extension rod. Aside from that, there is a separate hex wrench, that first several nut sizes that range from 6 to 15 mm. For solving flat tire problems, the package seems to contain all the items needed. The metal tire rasp is accompanied by 2 tire levers and 6 glueless patches for effortless tire punctuation problems. The included mini pump is here to help you inflate your tire, as long as it doesn’t require more than 100 PSI. It’s compatible with both Presta and Schrader valves and measures 7.7 inches in length. When fully extended, the telescopic pump will have a max length of 12 inches.
Since the mini pump doesn’t come with a hose, you will have to attach it directly to the tire’s valve, open the lever located on the upper side of the pump and start pumping. This could lead to some awkward inflating positions but hey, at least you have a mini pump! That’s more than we can say for other similar bike tool kits.
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
Got to be honest with you: this is a very close race. All of the items in this review have similar functionalities and none of them actually stands out of the crowd. We’re going to go with the Topeak Alien II multi tool as being our favorite because it offers the best price-to-quality ratio, We likes the fact that there the tools are places on the 2 different body parts and that the tools are placed intelligently enough for one side to leverage the other. Even if there are some minor flaws to the multi tool (like the Allen wrenches sometimes won’t stay in place), the overall quality and functionality of this product is above the others mentioned in this article. The knife is more solid and sharp then we expected and we love the fact that it locks into place once fully extended. Nobody wants to work with a wobbling knife.
With less than 10 ounces in weight, it’s the ideal lightweight multi tool to accompany on you on future cycling missions. The nylon bag is a pretty nice feature as well, thanks to the clip that can be attached to your best, for convenient carrying. Since it lacks most of the tools needed to repair a flat tire, it is not the ideal multi tool, but it is very handy for every other general repair.