Buying task · Tools
Carry tools
Choose a bike multitool, tire levers and a puncture kit by your tire system, the bits your bolts need and the chain the tool's maker lists, with no torque guesses.
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Picks that fit
- Topeak Shuttle Lever Pro magnetic tire levers (set of 3)Check price on Amazon
- Muc-Off Puncture Plug Repair Kit (tubeless plug and reamer tool with plugs), second Amazon listingCheck price on Amazon
- Crankbrothers M20 multitool (20 tools, chain tool, tire plug tool)Check price on Amazon
Short answer
Build your carry kit from your tires outward: patches or a spare tube for tubes, a plug tool for tubeless, and the repair your tube's maker accepts for TPU. Then add tire levers and a multitool whose maker lists the bits your bolts need and, if you want one, a chain tool for your chain.
Picks that fitAll picks and how to choose
What this topic covers
A multitool's function count says little. What matters is whether it covers your tires, your bolts and your chain. We list what each tool maker says its tool includes and leaves out, and we give no torque values and no chain-part advice.
The decisions, in order
1. Your tire system. Tube (butyl or TPU) or tubeless. The repair follows from it.
2. A repair kit that matches it. Makers disagree on TPU. Tubolito says repair kits for butyl tubes are not compatible with its tubes and supplies its own patch kit with special glue.[1] Park Tool says its GP-2 glueless patches work on butyl and TPU tubes but not latex tubes or tubeless tires, and should be considered a temporary fix.[2] For tubeless, Park Tool's TPT-1 plug tool repairs small punctures in tubeless tires with sealant and is not compatible with inner tube systems.[3] Stan's says its DART tool reacts with latex-based sealants and was developed for Stan's sealant.[4] See tube patch vs tubeless plug.
3. The bits your bolts need. Look at your stem, seatpost and rotor bolts. Topeak's Mini 20 Pro has T10 and T25 Torx wrenches,[5] and the Mini PT30 has T10, T15 and T25.[6]
4. The chain the tool lists. Topeak lists the Mini 20 Pro's chain tool for chains up to 12-speed, excluding Campagnolo hollow-pin chains.[5] The Mini PT30 adds a master link tool and a tubeless reamer and plug tool, with plugs not included.[6] Wolf Tooth's Pack Pliers combine master link pliers, a tire lever, a Presta valve core remover and a valve locknut wrench.[7] They are listed for 9- to 12-speed links and chains, not Campagnolo 12-speed.[7] SRAM says its Eagle PowerLock is designed for single use and a new one should go in each time a chain is installed.[8] We recommend no chain parts.
5. Levers and rim cautions. Park Tool's TL-1.2 tire levers come as a set of three with a spoke hook, and Park Tool says the narrow tip works with tubeless systems.[9] Topeak calls the Mini 20 Pro's metal levers emergency-use only,[5] and Wolf Tooth does not recommend the Pack Pliers' lever for carbon rims.[7] Your rim maker's instructions come first. For valves, Park Tool's VC-1 removes and installs Schrader and removable Presta cores, and fits Presta extenders with 5 mm wrench flats.[10]
6. Torque tools for maker-stated figures. A torque driver helps you meet a figure the component maker states. Park Tool aims its ATD-1.2 at carbon components and low torque specs, and says it is calibrated to within plus or minus 4 percent.[11] Topeak lists plus or minus 4 percent accuracy for the Torq Stick Pro, guaranteed for 5,000 cycles.[12] Neither tool tells you the value for a bolt.
How to choose
Start with the repair for your tires, then the levers, then the multitool. On Amazon, check that "Ships from / Sold by" shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Picks that fit10 products
For tubed or tubeless tires, choose the Park Tool TL-1.2 set of 3 levers (Park Tool says the narrow tip works with tubeless systems), or the Crankbrothers Speedier Lever, sold as a single 144 mm lever with a knuckle guard.
More on choosing
The Topeak Shuttle Lever Pro is a magnetic set of 3 for road and MTB tires; Topeak says nothing about tubeless. For tubeless only, choose the Park Tool TPT-1 with 5 plugs, the Stan's Original DART tool with 2 DARTs (developed for Stan's sealant), or the Muc-Off Puncture Plug Repair Kit (20131; two listings of the same kit, so check the plug count on the listing). For a multitool with a plug tool, choose the Topeak Mini PT30 (TT2583B; plugs are not included) or the Crankbrothers M20 in Matte Black (16403; plugs included, chain tool for 8- to 12-speed, no levers). For a multitool with a chain tool for 8- to 12-speed and Torx T25 but no levers or plug tool, choose the Crankbrothers M17 in Nickel (10752). On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Tire levers for any tire
Single tire lever with a knuckle guard
Crankbrothers Speedier Lever tire lever (single lever), Black
Tire levers, second set
Tubeless plug tool
Tubeless repair tool for Stan's sealant
Tubeless plug kit, second option
Muc-Off Puncture Plug Repair Kit (tubeless plug and reamer tool with plugs)
Tubeless plug kit, second option, second listing
Muc-Off Puncture Plug Repair Kit (tubeless plug and reamer tool with plugs), second Amazon listing
Multitool with chain and plug tools
Topeak Mini PT30 multitool (30 functions, tubeless plug tool)
Multitool with chain and plug tools, from Crankbrothers
Crankbrothers M20 multitool (20 tools, chain tool, tire plug tool)
Multitool with a chain tool, without levers
Other approved multitools, whose maker function lists we have not yet verified, so read the maker's page against your bolts and chain: the Topeak Hexus X, Crankbrothers M19, Park Tool IB-3 and Lezyne RAP II 20 Tubeless.
Picks that fit5 products
Choose the Topeak Hexus X (TT2573B), the Crankbrothers M19 in Nickel (11465), the Park Tool IB-3 I-Beam 3, the Topeak Mini P20 (TT2582B; chain and master link tools, no levers) or the Lezyne RAP II 20 Tubeless.
More on choosing
Check the maker's list of bits and chain speeds against your bike before you order. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
Multitool with tire levers, from Topeak
Topeak Hexus X multitool (21 functions, chain tool, tire levers)
Multitool from Park Tool
Multitool with chain and master link tools, from Topeak
Topeak Mini P20 multitool (20 functions, chain and master link tools)
Multitool with tubeless repair, from Lezyne
Every page on carry tools
Guides
- Tube patch or tubeless plug? Match the repair to the tire and tube
- Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one covers
- Pocket torque tools for bikes: preset drivers vs adjustable wrenches
- Road and gravel ride repair kit: what to carry for your tires
- Presta valve core came out with the pump head?
Shortlist
Bike pages
Key terms
Multitool, hex key, tubeless plug, tire sealant, butyl tube, latex tube and valve core tool.
Everything in this topic
Guides
- Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one coversHelps you check that a multitool, chain tool and tire levers cover your bike before you carry them.
- Pocket torque tools for bikes: preset drivers vs adjustable wrenchesHelps you choose a torque tool whose range and bits cover the figures your component makers print.
- Road and gravel ride repair kit: what to carry for your tiresHelps you pack a flat-repair kit that matches your tires, tubes and valve before the ride.
- Tube patch or tubeless plug? Match the repair to the tire and tubeHelps you carry the repair that matches your tire system and tube material.
Shortlists
- Multitools and repair tools with listed functionsHelps you choose carry tools by what their makers say they cover, so the kit matches your tire system, your bolts and your chain.
Common questions
What should a bike multitool have?
The hex and Torx bits your bike's bolts use, plus a chain tool if your chain and the tool's listed compatibility match. Check the maker's tool list against your bolts rather than counting functions. More in Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one covers
Will a multitool chain tool work on a 12-speed chain?
Only if its maker says so. Topeak lists the Mini 20 Pro and Mini PT30 chain tools for chains up to 12-speed, excluding Campagnolo hollow-pin chains. More in Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one covers
Can I use metal tire levers on carbon rims?
Check with your rim maker first. Topeak describes the Mini 20 Pro's metal tire levers as for emergency use only, and Wolf Tooth says the Pack Pliers' lever is not recommended for carbon rims. Follow your rim maker's instructions. More in Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one covers
Can I reuse a master link?
SRAM says its Eagle PowerLock is designed for single use and a new one should be installed each time a chain is installed. That covers the Eagle PowerLock only; check your own link maker's instructions for other links. More in Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one covers
Do I need a torque wrench for my bike?
If you tighten bolts on parts whose makers print a torque figure, a torque tool lets you match it. Wahoo, for example, warns that over-torquing can strip the threads of its BOLT 3 and ROAM 3 out-front mount. More in Pocket torque tools for bikes: preset drivers vs adjustable wrenches
What torque should I use for my stem or mount?
The figure your component's maker prints on the part or in its instructions. We give no torque values for any component; if you cannot find the figure, ask the maker or a bike shop. More in Pocket torque tools for bikes: preset drivers vs adjustable wrenches
How accurate are pocket torque tools?
Makers state their own figures. Park Tool says the ATD-1.2 is calibrated to within plus or minus 4 percent, and Topeak lists plus or minus 4 percent for the Torq Stick Pro 2-10 Nm for 5,000 cycles, with recalibration recommended after that. More in Pocket torque tools for bikes: preset drivers vs adjustable wrenches
Preset or adjustable torque tool?
Park Tool's ATD-1.2 has five settings from 4 to 6 Nm and clicks and stops at the set value; Topeak's Torq Stick Pro covers 2 to 10 Nm. Choose the range that covers the figures your parts' makers print. More in Pocket torque tools for bikes: preset drivers vs adjustable wrenches
Questions
What tools should I carry on a bike ride?
A repair kit that matches your tires, tire levers, and a multitool with the bits your bolts need. Tube riders need patches or a spare tube; tubeless riders need a plug tool. See the road and gravel ride repair kit.
Do I need a chain tool on my multitool?
Only if you would fix a chain on the road, and only if the tool's maker lists your chain. Topeak lists the Mini 20 Pro's chain tool for chains up to 12-speed, excluding Campagnolo hollow-pin chains. SRAM says its Eagle PowerLock is single-use.[5][8]
Can I patch a TPU tube?
The makers disagree. Tubolito says butyl-tube repair kits do not work on its tubes and supplies its own kit with special glue, while Park Tool says its GP-2 glueless patches work on butyl and TPU tubes as a temporary fix. Follow your tube maker. See tube patch vs tubeless plug.[1][2]
Do I need a torque wrench?
If a component maker states a torque for a bolt, a torque tool is how you meet it. Park Tool aims its ATD-1.2 driver at carbon parts and low torque specs, and Topeak lists accuracy for its Torq Stick Pro. Take the value from the component maker, never from us. See pocket torque tools.[11][12]