When you think back to your mountain biking adventures, what have been the most challenging moments? Your answer will probably involve something about your chain breaking or some other easy-to-fix issue which you couldn’t take care of because you didn’t have the best mountain bike multi tool on hand at that moment.
That’s why you need to keep a portable multi-tool with you at all times so you’re never stuck on the side of the road walking you (and your bike) home. To help you along, we’ve prepared a list of the best MTB tools for you to consider.
Best MTB Multi Tool
What does it take to find the best mountain bike multi tool? Read on to find out.
1. Topeak Alien II Multi Tool
This is another fantastic multi-tool from Topeak. This brand is well-known for making the world’s best bike pumps, so it only makes sense that they’d make a multi-tool to complement them.
It comes with a nylon bag with a clip. Although it has 31 built-in tools, it only has dimensions of 3.4 x 1.7 x 1.6 inches. This multi-tool seems intimidating at first due to the fact that it’s divided into two sections. But it’s actually quite lightweight weighing just 0.60 pounds. All of the included tools are constructed from hardened steel while the frame is made from engineering grade plastic. It’s durable stuff!
One of the best ways to put such a tool to the test is to see how easy they are to open and whether the tools stay in place once you do open it and start using them. The last thing you want is for the rest of the tools to get all over the place while you’re using one of them.
Of course, it’ll take some elbow grease to pull out Allen wrenches. But the box wrenches, knife, and screwdrivers have been shown to stay in place even when fully extended. For best results, follow the instructions on the user manual to get the most out of this multi-tool.
2. Vibrelli Bike Multi Tool
Next on our list of the best mountain bike tools to carry is this Vibrelli creation. Made by one of the most popular bike accessory manufacturers, this multi-tool comes with a whopping 19 precision tools while maintaining a slim and low-profile design.
It comes with its own carrying case and you can put it into any type of carrying bag. Also included with this kit is a glueless puncture kit. Interestingly enough, it’s a freebie that Vibrelli often throws in when you purchase one of their bike pumps.
This is in addition to a chain breaker which we know that it one of the most important bike tools that you can have.
Plus, when looking at bike multitool reviews, the Vibrelli always comes out on top, which says a lot about how well it works in real life. It certainly lives up to the hype.
3. DAWAY Bike Repair Tool Kit
This best MTB tool kit from DAWAY is nothing short of amazing. It comes in two different options, namely the A32 and the B32 models. Both feature similar tools and come with all the standard features that you’d expect, with a few main differences here and there.
The A32, for example, comes with a multi-tool as well as a black tool bag, two plastic tire levers, two round cold patches, one large oval cold patch, a metal RASP, and rubber glue.
On the other hand, the B32 option costs just a bit less and comes with the same black tool bag, tire levers, and metal RASP. In addition, it also comes with eight 25mm glue-less tire tube patches.
The tools within the repair kit are made from a combination of carbon steel and ABS materials, both of which are very durable and long-lasting. We also liked the black tool bag because it’s really sturdy and easy to carry.
4. Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX
Topeak Ratchet Rocket Lite DX is one hell of a multi-tool. In fact, this sturdy model is more than just your average multi-tool. It’s an ergonomic machine that’s so versatile that we even decided to use it with a ratchet system.
It sports a unique socket-and-bit design that when used along with a magnetic bit extender and ratchet can give you access to every single bolt on your bike, as needed. Also included with this kit are hex wrenches of different sizes and the most popular types of Torx sizes as well.
If you’re dealing with more high-torque tasks such as pedal-removing, then you can always attach the magnetic bit holder onto the rear of the socket wrench to improve your leverage, while the socket’s thumbwheel is very useful at removing fiddly bolts that are stuck in tight spots like bottle cages. This tool is so useful that you might end up buying another one to keep in your garage or workshop.
With all that said, this multi-tool isn’t without its faults. For one, it doesn’t come with a chain breaker which is rather disappointing and makes it useless against chain snaps.
5. Kitbest Bike Repair Tool Kit
The budget-friendly Kitbest repair tool kit is one of the best bike multitool that money can buy. It comes with a wide variety of accessories and useful tools to complete a number of bike repair tasks.
The nylon tool bag has dimensions of 8.4 x 2.4 x 3.5 inches. It comes with a useful and durable Velcro strap that makes it easy to store and carry.
Included with this mountain bike tool is a sleeve extension rod, 2 screwdrivers, 3 different socket spanners, 4 different types of flat wrenches, and 6 different types of Allen wrenches. It also comes with a separate hex wrench that can handle different nut sizes that go from 6 to 15mm. You’ll definitely feel glad about having this tool kit on hand when the time comes to fix flat tires on the road.
Also included with the metal tire rasp are six glueless patches and two tire levers that make it easy to deal with tire puncture issues. Then you have the mini pump which is designed to make tire inflation easier to a level of 100 PSI.
6. PRO BIKE TOOL Multitool for Mountain Biking
The Pro Bike Tool certainly deserves to be on our list of the best mountain bike multi-tools by virtue of its durability. After all, it’s made from cold-forged stainless steel.
Now, the best multitool for mountain biking isn’t as versatile as some of the others on this list. This is because it doesn’t have some of the bike repair tools you’d expect. But it’ll definitely come in handy when working with bolts.
Otherwise, it does come with a low-profile pouch for easy carrying, and it’s very portable, with dimensions of 3.7 x 1.5 x 0.3 inches. Not only that, but it only weighs 3.5 ounces and is easy to use. All you have to do is pick a tool and fold it according to an angle of 180 degrees.
Once you’re sure that the bolt is secure, you’ll have to turn the tool body to a 90-degree angle clockwise.
7. Topeak Mini PT30 Multi-Tool
When we’re talking about the best mountain bike multi tool, the Topeak Mini PT30 is right up there. So, it only makes sense that we’d start our bicycle multi tool review with it.
What makes it so special? Well, it’s packed with a variety of features while maintaining a sleek and low-profile frame. It comes with screwdrivers, regular Torx bits, and hex bits that go from 2mm to 10mm.
This is in addition to a small knife, quick link storage, chain repair tools, a tire plug insertion tools so you can effortlessly repair your tubeless tires on the go. The great thing about this multi-tool is that it has an ergonomic grip and design that allows it to fit comfortably in the hand. When not in use, you can pack your multi-tool inside the watertight neoprene case wrap, which is small enough to fit into your shorts or jacket pocket.
But, what makes this the best MTB multi tool is the fact that it has a wide variety of tools and functions to offer but without being too heavy. Admittedly, it’s not lightweight but it’s not so heavy that it would impede your mountain biking adventures.
8. WOTOW 16-in-1 Bike Repair Tool Kit
A bike multitool review wouldn’t be enough with this WOTOW multi-tool, which comes with 16 tools in one.
All of the tools are made with solid metal and are kept in place with two nylon pry tire rods. This is probably one of the reasons why WOTOW multi-tools are so popular.
This versatile piece of machinery is useful for bike repairs and a variety of other repair activities that you might get up to in your workshop.
With that said, it does lack a few important tools like a chain break tool, which we all know is essential to have on the road.
How to Get the Best Mountain Bike Multi Tool
Next in your journey to finding the best mountain bike multi tool for your needs is to consider the following important factors:
Quality
One of the first things you need to keep in mind when shopping for a new bike multi-tool is the quality of its construction.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to use it in different conditions and for different applications. So, you need to make sure that your multi-tool is made from the most durable materials available. The good news is there’s no shortage of high-quality multi-tools that are actually lightweight and easy to use.
Size
Size and weight are other important features of your mountain bike multi tool. You want one that’s lightweight and easy to carry but without compromising versatility and usefulness.
The last thing you need is to buy a multi-tool that’s lightweight but doesn’t come with any of the must have mountain bike tools that you actually need when you’re stranded.
Tools
The thing about bike multi tools is that they often come in a wide variety of different sizes and weights in order to provide different functions. A lot of the labeling you’ll see on them provides a description of functions that are often numerous.
Many multi tools are quite hefty because they come with a lot of different tools and this isn’t uncommon. But, you want your multi tool to provide the best of both worlds by offering the best features you’ll need while not weighing too much.
Spoke Wrench
Spoke wrenches are versatile and useful tools, especially if you like going out into remote areas when mountain biking.
Be sure to bring replacement spokes along with as well because you won’t be able to get the most out of your spoke wrench when you need to use it without them.
Chain Breaker
While a broken bike chain doesn’t commonly occur because most bike owners know to keep their bike chains nice and lubed up at all times.
But, these things happen and they can happen to anyone and at any time. That’s why it’s always helpful to have a chain breaker as part of your multitool.
CO2 Inflator
The CO2 tire inflator is another feature that’s often built into these multi tools so you don’t have to bring a separate one.
Although useful, CO2 inflators can also add weight to the multi-tool so keep that in mind.
Storage
A lot of manufactures are prioritizing ease of storage and portability which basically means designing the multi tool with the biker in mind.
This translates to including casings or carry bags that will not only protect the multi tool from the elements while making the overall thing lightweight and easy to carry.
Types of Mountain Bike Multi Tools
Multi-tools come in all kinds of different types and sizes. However, the four main categories are; super-minimalist, bench-worthy, hidden, and all-in-ones.
Super-Minimalist Tools
This type of minimalist tool equips you with the standard, essential items that you need to fix a bicycle or suspension fork, such as hex wrenches.
If you want to use them for a variety of applications, you’ll need to add a separate chain tool or tire levers which help to increase functionality without adding weight.
Bench-Worthy Tools
These types of tools typically come with removable handles and are a bit more ergonomic and high-quality.
They’re also lightweight and easy to use on a regular basis because you can just keep them in a jacket pocket so they’re easy to reach.
Hidden Multi-Tools
This one is super lightweight and can be attached to an existing slot on your bike. This makes it portable and easy to store and carry on your bicycle multi tool.
All-in-One Tools
As the name implies, this multi-tool comes with all the tools you need to fix your bike and install a bike suspension fork in most situations, including a chain tool and tire levers. They’re often quite big and won’t fit into your backpack, but they’re well worth it.
Conclusion
At this point, you know what to look for in a mountain bike tool and what options are available at your disposal. But, if you’re still feeling undecided, then we’ll be glad to recommend the Topeak Alien II Multi Tool.
This is the best mountain bike multi tool that you can use for a variety of unexpected incidents. There are 31 different types of tools built into this one and they’re all packed into a 3.4 x 1.7 x 1.6-inch nylon bag. So make your choice now. You won’t regret it!