The Best Multitools To Keep Your Bike on the Road

The Topeak Mini 9 is inexpensive enough that it can be easily replaced, but it doesn’t skimp on quality. It's the Wirecutter’s top overall pick for bike multi-tools and is a consistently well-reviewed option among Amazon customers. If you need more than the nine basic tools on the Mini 9, check out the larger Mini 18 at $25.

While many cyclists prefer the tried and true design common to most multitools, it’s far from the only option when it comes to bike tools. Crank Brothers’ Y15 is a favorite of Outside and boasts a unique three-way design that gives you some added reach compared to a traditional multitool. 

It’s not the smallest or lightest option around, but Crank Brothers also has some great traditional multitools as well. The M19 in particular ($25) is a favorite of many.

Like most Brooks England gear, you’ll pay a premium for it, but there’s no mistaking the company’s MT10 multitool as anything other than a premium piece of kit—right down to its custom leather carrying case. It also delivers the goods and comes recommended by both Bicycling magazine and Cycling Weekly, the latter of which notes that it could easily last a lifetime.

If you want to be absolutely sure you always have the right tool, Topeak’s Alien II is tough to beat. It packs a whopping 31 tools into its still relatively compact package and is among the better reviewed bike multitools on Amazon, with a four-and-a-half star rating after more than 1,000 customer reviews. The company’s newer Alien III is also worth a look, but as GearJunkie’s review notes, the Alien II has the added advantage of a pedal wrench that can come in handy (though Topeak notes it is only intended for emergency use).

Specialized is a dependable choice for most cycling gear, and multitools are no exception. The company’s EMT Pro Road multitool is recommended by The Wirecutter for anyone in search of a slightly higher-end and truly lightweight tool (it comes in at just 65 grams). That light weight comes in part from the tool’s hollowed out Allen keys, but it doesn’t cut corners on durability, with forged aluminum side plates and chrome-plated steel bits.

Many multitools will serve you well for road and mountain biking alike, but some can leave a bit to be desired when it comes to off-road repairs. That’s not the case with Blackburn’s Wayside, however, which gets high marks from both Bike Magazine and Bikepacking.com (among others). 

It includes some tools like a serrated knife you don’t often find on standard multitools and also has a full set of removable hex tools that can be easier to work with.

As convenient as bike multitools are, they’re not much use if you forget to toss one in your bag before a ride. While they may not replace a full-fledged multitool, a set of Fix It Sticks are great as a foolproof backup. They’re available in a number of different configurations for road or mountain bike use, and come with a bracket that lets you permanently mount them to your bike so you’ll always have them on hand.