It's a fairly comprehensive tool that does a good job of plugging a tyre, but it's just a little fiddly and sacrifices just enough functions to stop it from being the only multitool you'll ever need. Things like carrying cases that must be removed before use, multiple components to keep track of, or hard-to-find tools are the main culprits that make a tool harder to use. Even at a value-driven price, the M19 uses high-tensile steel for a precise fit with side grips to give the rider a secure handhold, even with gloves on. Also included is a chain tool with 0, 1, and 2 spoke wrenches. Not only was it great for our bikes, but it can be quickly grabbed if your buddy needs a tool to make a quick change. In general, we feel that more features are typically better as long as they are actually useful for the user and don't come with a big weight penalty. With T10 and T15 Torx wrenches, a clever chain holder, three spoke wrench sizes, and Phillips and flathead screwdrivers on top of the basics, it will get you out of most jams. Tools: Hex 8/6/5/4/3/T25 /flathead/chain breaker. Riders trying to maintain a slim kit would benefit by adding this tool to their quiver. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Through testing in the field and the workshop, they scrutinized all aspects of each model to learn its ins and outs. The Topeak Mini PT30, Pedros Rx Micro-20, and Lezyne Super V 22 are also among the most ergonomic tools we tested. The chain tool is difficult to grasp, and leverage is hard to come by. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. While the EDC's metal tools gave us no problems, its largely plastic construction may be prone to breaking with extended use. Smooth, rounded edges and a good width give this tool a great feel in your palm and allow you to apply pressure without any discomfort. Also due to the compact design, the chain tool handle is fairly small and lacks some leverage. The 17 in 1 has its tools labeled, so you never accidentally pull out the wrong wrench. The most portable tools aren't a nuisance to carry in your pocket. While it is good practice to never leave home without a handy multi-tool, sometimes they are just too bulky or so small that you forget where they went. Due to the compact nature of the OneUp EDC's unique design, all of the tools are small and they're more challenging to hold onto and torque on when needed. Fiddly bolts in tight places like bottle cages can be threaded and unthreaded rapidly using the socket's thumbwheel. At that point, you had better hope that the way back home is mostly downhill because you're not pedaling anywhere without a chain. Its incredibly light weight allows you to choose whether you want to store it in a pocket or a pack. Got feedback? No ads. It is always within reach in your steerer tube or pump, but the tool itself requires some disassembly before you can use it. While its minimalist design and easy access are the highlights, we wish it had a 2mm and 2.5mm hex just in case our derailleur needed some fine-tuning. The importance of both size and weight is up to the individual user and varies based on need and desired carrying location. When your chain snaps far from home, you don't want to be caught without a way to fix it. The cover also represents an additional component to keep track of on the trail or roadside. This miniaturized ratcheting socket set provides excellent leverage as well as easy access to hard-to-reach bolts. Reviews, buying advice and news. This die-hard cyclist spends a lot of time on the racecourse and has racked up results at big events like the Downieville Classic and the Lost and Found Gravel Grinder. Looking for the best bike computer on the market? The wallet case is particularly handy so everything stays in one place. It is best stored in a pack. In testing, we found that each tool can easily fit into your pack or saddlebag, but not all of them are lightweight and compact enough to carry comfortably in a pocket. Don't get caught unprepared. Tools: Hex 8/6/5/4/3/2.5/2/T10/T20/T25/T30/#1 Phillips/flathead/210 N/m torque range. 2022 - Mountain Bike Action Magazine. Ideally, you will never need to use a multi-tool while out on a ride, but on the off chance you break your chain, need to tighten a bolt, or simply want to make an adjustment, it's nice to have the right tool at your disposal. If you dont mind a little more bulk with a plethora of features, we like using the Topeak Mini PT30 as our tool of choice to tackle any job. Each time you want to make an adjustment, you have to remove the wrap from your bike, extract the tool kit from its tight velcro pocket, and assemble your desired wrench. This slim, lightweight tool features a classic bike multi-tool design with a simple layout and labeled tool bits to help you make quick repairs out on the road or trail. It is made with 420-grade stainless steel and composite materials. The perfect multi-tool for you will have all of the tools you need regularly (a chain tool being a must-have in my books), it'll be user friendly and something you're happy carrying around all of the time. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. With how convenient it is to remove, use and change various bits, its worth taking a look at the Daysaver for your ride or next race. AVERY REMTECH MAGNETIC CLIPLESS PEDAL REVIEW, MBA WRECKING CREW TESTED: ROCKYMOUNTS MONORAIL 2 HITCH RACK. These additional steps may seem relatively trivial to many riders out there, but for those who enjoy frequently adjusting their bike's setup or want a tool that can keep them in the race when something goes wrong, time savings carry great importance. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Every time you want to use one of the Switch Wrap's tools, you have to remove the wrap from your frame, pull the tool kit out of its velcro pocket, find your desired bit, and assemble the wrench with the socket handle. Its carbon fiber reinforced polymer body offers a fantastic strength-to-weight ratio and facilitates its low-weight, feature-packed nature. When removed, the middle of the tool opens up to a bottle opener and varying wrench sizes. The Pro Bike Tool 17 in 1 is a good example of a more affordable option that is also highly rated. Despite some standout negatives, the tire levers do function well and are sturdy. For most operations, the Rx Micro 20 sits on par with the highest-rated tools in our test. The Daysaver is far from cheap, especially given its limited range of functionality. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. For just under $50, your money is much better spent on any of the other options in this showdown. Like most multi-tools, the 17 in 1 comes with a few compromises. The Spurcycle tool might be pricier than the lot (also hard to find), but there is a trade-off for high quality. We feel the M19 has some of the best ergonomics in the test, with rounded side plates that have texture added to enhance grip. The BITS tool can be installed in most modern mountain bike steerer tubes and has a small, finger-sized grab handle to remove the tool. A good bike multi-tool can get you out of most trailside jams and keep the good times rolling. Its a bit annoying but gets the job done. Tech features: This tool from Tactica is all about having a compact design where the tools nest away. If you are anything like us, we want to get to the trails as soon as possible without forgetting any essential gear. The M19 is one of the least expensive tools in this showdown, but dont let that fool you. For those who want to access their tool quickly, this set should not be your first choice, as removing the Stash tools could leave you scrambling to make a quick fix. The BITS breaks apart to feature a multi-tool and a chain breaker tool while still leaving enough space for a spare chain link. Its got pretty much every tool you'll ever need, and probably a few that you don't. Our highest-rated traditional multi-tool designs are Crankbrothers' M19 and F15. The 128-gram EDC stores in your bike's steerer tube, so it's virtually nonexistent until you need to pull it out and make an adjustment. The range of functions in relationship to how compact the PT30 is could make the difference in getting back on the bike (or back home) and enjoying the trail ahead. With this tool kit on your bike, you'll be able to leave the pack at home for short to mid-length rides. Tech features: Weve been using this tool for just over three years, and it has been in and out of our day pack, saddlebag and pants pockets. Both the Crankbrothers M19 and the Blackburn Tradesman have similar dimensions and are a couple of the largest and heaviest tools in this test. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. Initially, we had concerns about it fatiguing and failing over time since polymers typically struggle in that department. When applying substantial torque to the Euro17, you can feel the entire tool twist in your hand. When this happens, a quality bike multi-tool is an indispensable accessory to get you back up and riding instead of walking back to the trailhead or waiting for someone to come and pick you up. The tools mentioned above are essential simply because they service the most commonly found bolts on today's bikes. Field results: These two options are so small and easy to store that you might even forget about them before you need them. Overall, this slim tool has an advantage in tough-to-reach spots where bulkier tools could be difficult or impossible to operate. In evaluating a bike multi-tool's ergonomics we considered its shape, feel in hand, leverage, and the usefulness of its tools in relation to their lengths. Our gear experts have researched over 30 models and purchased 14 to put to the test. Field results: While this tool has taken a beating over the years, it has still operated flawlessly when needed. As we all know, there's nothing worse than being caught out with a loosened bolt with nothing to put it back in its place. While we didn't see any problems in our testing, we fear that the plastic might fatigue quickly. A quality multi-tool should be an essential item in every cyclist's kit and could mean the difference between finishing your ride, walking your bike to the trailhead, or waiting for a pick-up. We don't rate the tools in this test based on their price, but we always love a good value. Field results: Like most of the tools in this category, the design of the Zee Cage tool is so easy to access that we found ourselves using it regularly. Tools: Three preset torque values: 4/5/6 N/m and hex 6 /5 /4 /3 /T25 /flathead. Small circlips at either end keep the bit holder from sliding off the handle. While not every model in the test includes one, we think a chain tool is nearly as essential as the basic wrenches. We had some minor durability concerns with a few of the models in our test. OneUp's recently-updated EDC V2 remains our favorite multi-tool innovation. This is the only tool we tested with a ratchet system, and we think it offers a huge improvement ergonomically over the traditional multi-tool. However,it's easier to lose parts of the ratchet kits to the trailside foliage abyss and they're a little more faff than conventional tools. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. Although this is the limited edition version in orange (there are also silver and green), its functionally exactly the same as the original F15. The majority of the models in our test scored well in this metric. The socket-and-bit design combined with the ratchet and magnetic bit extender means that there is no bolt on your bike that this wrench can't easily access. Blackburn's Wayside 19is a comprehensive multitool with a difference, namely that it packs five proper L-shaped,ball-ended individual Allen keys into a durable body, making usually hard to reach bolts easy to get to. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. On the search for a reliable bike multi-tool to carry on your rides? Overall, it is a solid tool that functions well when problems arise and has been durable against the elements. We rated each model's portability based on a combination of both the weight and the size. It is also among the most expensive options we tested, although we feel it is worth every penny. Tech features: As you may have guessed, the 30 represents the number of functions this Topeak tool offers. He's not shy of an enduro here or there and he's equally happy in the winter slop as he is ripping up the summer's dust. Between them, Jeremy Benson and Zach Wick drew upon an ocean of cycling knowledge for this review. Tech features: These crafty Stash tool systems from Granite Designs can be used in multiple ways. 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This twenty-function tool stores in your steerer tube or in OneUp's frame-mounted EDC pump, making for one less thing that you need to remember when preparing for your ride. This process doesn't take long in the grand scheme of things, but riders who value expedience in their repairs may get frustrated over time. Unfortunately, this does require the use of a long T-handle or Allen wrench to tighten the headset. The Tool comes equipped with 10 swappable, chrome-coated S2 steel bits. The Ninja 16+ represents the only model with non-metal frame construction to receive our highest durability score. With the standard hex sizesalso known as Allen keyswhich are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm and a Torx 25 star-shaped bit, a multi-tool will be able to handle the most common mechanical issues. While most of the tools on the market are massively capable, they're still not a replacement for workshop quality tools for when repairsget more serious or a bolt needs a bit more torque. Privacy | Cookies | Terms, We put the best bike multi-tools from ToPeak, Pro Bike Tool, Blackburn, Crankbrothers, and more to the test. As for virtually every piece of cycling gear, lighter is generally considered better, and a more compact tool takes up less space when not in use. That said, it still rated among the better ergonomic tools in our test. Their lengths provide good leverage when dealing with finicky bolts, and their chain tools make popping a pin easy. The Rx Micro-20's frame construction gave us no issues, but after our rotor bolt test, we noticed some minor wear on the T25's tip. For $5 more, you can get the M20 with a tire-plug storage/insertion tool, but keep in mind that this will make the tool bulkier if you are going for a minimalist approach in your pack. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The L-handle wrenches are great for making adjustments. 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