Guide · Tools
Multitools, chain tools and tire levers: what each one covers
Pick a multitool by the bits your bolts need and the chains its maker lists, and read the exclusions. What Topeak, Wolf Tooth, Park Tool and SRAM say.
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Short answer
Pick a multitool by the bits your bike's bolts need and the chains its maker lists, not by the function count. Then read the exclusions: some chain tools skip Campagnolo hollow-pin chains, some tire levers are for emergencies only or not for carbon rims, and some master links are single use.
Start with your bolts
A multitool is only useful if it has the bits your bike uses. Look at the bolts on your stem, seatpost clamp, bottle cages and accessories: hex keys in several sizes and Torx bits such as T25 are common. Then check the maker's tool list for each one.
Topeak Mini 20 Pro
Topeak's Mini 20 Pro has T10 and T25 Torx wrenches and a chain tool for chains up to 12-speed, excluding Campagnolo hollow-pin chains. Topeak describes its metal tire levers as for emergency use only.[1] Topeak lists 23 functions, 2-10 mm hex and 151 g.
Topeak Mini PT30
Topeak's Mini PT30 includes a removable chain tool for chains up to 12-speed (not Campagnolo hollow-pin), a master link tool, T10, T15 and T25 Torx, and a tubeless tire reamer and plug tool, with plugs not included.[2] Topeak lists 30 functions and 169 g. Buy plugs separately if you want the tubeless repair to work.
Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers
Wolf Tooth's Pack Pliers combine master link pliers, a tire lever, a Presta valve core remover and a valve lock nut wrench, and store two master links with magnets.[3] Master links are not included. Wolf Tooth lists them for 9- to 12-speed master links and chains, not Campagnolo 12-speed chains, and says the tire lever is not recommended for carbon rims.[3] The storage fits SRAM PowerLock, Shimano Quick-Link, KMC Missing Link and similar, but not Wippermann Connex links.
Tire levers
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.[4] Park Tool gives no rim-specific compatibility, so your tire and rim makers' instructions still apply.
Two cautions from makers: Topeak calls the Mini 20 Pro's metal levers emergency-only[1], and Wolf Tooth does not recommend the Pack Pliers' lever on carbon rims.[3] If you ride carbon rims, ask your rim maker which levers it allows.
Master links: single use or not
SRAM says its Eagle PowerLock is designed for single use, can be removed only with chain link pliers, and a new PowerLock should be installed each time a chain is installed.[5] That statement covers the Eagle PowerLock only.
We could not read Shimano's own instructions on reusing a QUICK-LINK, so we make no claim about it. For any other link, follow its maker's instructions. We do not recommend chain or link replacement parts; if you are unsure what your chain takes, ask a bike shop.
Side by side
| Tool | Torx bits (maker) | Chain coverage (maker) | Levers | Exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topeak Mini 20 Pro | T10, T25 | Up to 12-speed | Metal, emergency only | Campagnolo hollow-pin chains |
| Topeak Mini PT30 | T10, T15, T25 | Up to 12-speed; master link tool | Not stated here | Campagnolo hollow-pin chains; plugs not included |
| Wolf Tooth Pack Pliers | None | 9- to 12-speed master links | One lever | Campagnolo 12-speed; lever not for carbon rims |
| Park Tool TL-1.2 | None | None | Set of three, spoke hook | No rim-specific compatibility stated |
Picks that match the facts above
The Mini PT30 and TL-1.2 are approved picks whose makers' specs are summarized on this page.
Picks that fit6 products
Choose the Mini PT30 (TT2583B) if your chain is up to 12-speed and not Campagnolo hollow-pin; tubeless plugs are not included.
More on choosing
Choose the Crankbrothers M20 in Matte Black (16403) for a chain tool for 8- to 12-speed and a plug tool with plugs included, but no levers. Choose the Crankbrothers M17 in Nickel (10752) for a chain tool for 8- to 12-speed and Torx T25 without levers or a plug tool. Choose the TL-1.2 set of 3 for tire levers, the Crankbrothers Speedier Lever, sold as one lever, or the Topeak Shuttle Lever Pro, a magnetic set of 3. On Amazon, check that 'Ships from / Sold by' shows Amazon.com or the brand.
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
Tire levers for any tire
Single tire lever with a knuckle guard
Crankbrothers Speedier Lever tire lever (single lever), Black
Tire levers, second set
Other approved multitools are below. We have not verified their tool lists or chain coverage from the makers' pages, so compare each maker's list with your bolts and chain before you buy.
Picks that fit5 products
Choose the Hexus X (TT2573B), the M19 in Nickel (11465), the IB-3 I-Beam 3, the Topeak Mini P20 (TT2582B, chain and master link tools, no levers), or the RAP II 20 Tubeless.
More on choosing
Read the maker's tool list for your bits and chain first. 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
Next
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.
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.[1][2]
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.[1][3]
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.[5]