Test: Multitools should be the savior in an emergency. No active cyclist can do without the useful little folding tools. But which one is good for the bike tour and what does a good multi-tool have to be able to do?
The right tool for the most common breakdowns
The huge selection of special bicycle multi-tools overwhelms many cyclists. Everyone has to ask themselves what is important to them. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the perfect multi-tool for all cycling needs. A racing cyclist would like to have an emergency tool that is as light as possible in his jersey pocket, whereas a trekking traveler is concerned with the total number of useful functions, i.e. one for all cases. But they all have one thing in common: the most common breakdown is still the common flat tire. Unfortunately, there are very few bicycle multi-tools that do the most important thing properly.
Riveting tool – is it really always necessary?
Far too little attention is paid to the most common breakdown, the "flat tire", in multi-tool development. But what a lot of bicycle multitools have for this is a rivet gun. A broken chain on the road is not necessarily a defect that occurs frequently and can then only be repaired with a chain lock. We therefore find it somewhat surprising that a rivet driver is now almost standard equipment for a multi-tool, while other keys and tools that are used much more frequently are left behind.
The 15mm wrench thing
It is very important for on the go that you can mount the impeller. All bikes with hub gears, as well as inexpensive bikes and children's bikes, have a solid axle that can only be fitted with a 15 mm open-end wrench.
Bike tools are evolving
More and more practical Torx screw connections can be seen on modern bicycles. A future-oriented multi-tool should therefore have at least a T25 and T30 Torx wrench in its range.
Small ring spanners are less important on newer bicycles, since you will no longer see nuts (except 15 mm axle nuts) on the bicycle.
quality and handling
All of the tested multi-tools are of high quality and have a stable finish and have also passed the corrosion test, for example.
Light and compact is not everything
Nobody wants to be out and about with heavy workshop equipment in their jersey pocket, but nothing is more annoying than small, powerless mini tools that aren't even good for a very small bike breakdown. Tools that were too short were generally unusable in practice in some places on the bike, since the chassis of the tool hit the frame.
Testing: Topeak Hummer 2 Multitool - Small all-rounder in the test
Test: For almost 25 years now, the US manufacturer Topeak has been supplying cyclists worldwide with all kinds of accessories for the bike and its rider. Many cyclists swear by the products from Massachusetts - we tested the Topeak Hummer 2 to see whether the good reputation was justified. Functions [easytable th=“0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/2×4/5/6/8mm Torx, T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted spoke wrench, 14g/15g other, chain tool, chain fixing hook, tire lever […]
Testing: Park Tool MTB-3.2 – tool case in mini format
Test: Hardly any other tool manufacturer stands for quality in the bicycle sector as much as Park-Tool. The American manufacturer is often the first point of contact when it comes to durable and well-made tools. Our expectations of the Park Tool MTB-3.2 Multitool were correspondingly high, not least because of the additional title "Premium Rescue Tool". Functions [easytable th=“0″] […]
Testing: Pro MINI TOOL 22 – Nice to screw with
Test: The Dutch manufacturer Pro Bikegear is known to many mainly because of its association with Shimano - but the products and components mostly convince with an excellent price/performance ratio. The good reputation of the Benelux manufacturer is also confirmed with the Pro Mini Tool 22. Functions [easytable th="0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Torx, T10/T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted open-end wrench, 7/8/9/10mm spoke wrench, 3.6/3.75/4.0 /4.4mm other, chain tool, chain holder, tire lever, brake pad opener [/easytable] […]
Testing: Procraft Multitool Beto CO² - the breakdown killer
Test: In a way, flat tires are the common denominator of all cyclists: from downhillers to commuters, fixie riders to racing cyclists, unfortunately everyone knows them. If it happens in the middle of the tour, the hole first needs to be plugged or the tube needs to be changed and then the tire pressure has to be restored - that depends on the volume, desired pressure [...]
Testing: Pedro`s ICM Multitool - Lots of choice, lots of quality
Test: Pedro's is probably the big dog in the bike tool market alongside Park Tool. The US manufacturer is known for its high-quality, often quite expensive products. Will it be possible to shrink so much quality to the smallest possible size? We find out in the test of Pedro's ICM Multitool. Functions [easytable th=“0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Torx, T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted spoke wrench, 3.2/3.5/Mavic […]
Testing: SKS TOM 18 – Lightweight tour mechanic for the jersey pocket
Test: SKS has named its multitool TOM – why? TOM stands for Tour Mechanic and that actually perfectly describes the preferred area of application for the little helpers: If something breaks on the road, you usually need tools, but why carry half the tool case with you? Tools like the TOM offer (almost) everything you need for fast […]
Testing: Knog Multitool 20 - Square, practical...?
Test: Knog is still a fairly young manufacturer, who is best known in this country for his small lights. The Knog Multitool 20 shows that the Australians have more to offer than just LEDs in silicone cases. Slotted spoke wrench, 0/2/2.5/3 open-end wrench, 4/5/6/8mm other, chain tool, bottle opener [/easytable] The almost 25g heavy Knog Multitool 3.2 is […]
Testing: Specialized EMT Pro MTB – featherweight beauty
Test: Specialized is not only one of the world's best-known brands in the bicycle sector thanks to its complete bikes. For a long time, the Californians have also been represented in the equipment and accessories sector with numerous products - including tools. Whether the Specialized EMT Pro MTB Multitool is on the same high level as the bikes with the big S, […]
Testing: ROSE T-20 mini tool – lightweight tool
Test: The direct seller ROSE from Bocholt has not only made a name for itself with its complete bikes, which are particularly popular in the racing bike sector, but has also been known beyond national borders as a manufacturer of inexpensive accessories and clothing for several years. We put the ROSE T-20 mini tool to the test. Features [easytable th=“0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Torx, T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted spoke wrench, 3.25/3.3/3.5mm […]
Testing: XLC Multitool TO-M06 - Little selection, pleasant work
Test: The XLC brand grew out of the Winora Group (including Haibike) a little over 10 years ago and now offers bicycle accessories and components in almost all price and equipment classes, including a large number of bicycle tools. This also includes the XLC multitool TO-M06 - the minimalist tool with the cryptic name did well in the test. Features […]
Testing: Birzman Feexman Cicada 10 Carbon – Light at all costs
Test: The Birzman Feexman Cicada 10 Carbon is the second multi-tool from the Taiwanese manufacturer in our list of the best. As the name already suggests, the focus of the Cicada 10 Carbon is on the lowest possible weight - and that actually works impressively, but it comes at a price. Functions [easytable th=“0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Torx, T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted other, chain tool [/easytable] […]
Testing: Birzman Feexman E Version 15 – Noble Companion
Test: The Taiwanese manufacturer Birzman has been considered a kind of insider tip for a while when it comes to high-quality and inexpensive tools for bikes. Can the multi-tool Birzman Feexman E-Version 15 confirm this premature praise? Functions [easytable th=“0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Torx, T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted spoke wrench, 3.2/4.3/4.4/Mavic M7 other, chain tool [/easytable] Regarding The range of functions is limited to the Birzman tool […]
Testing: Brooks Multitool MT 10 – Minimalistically beautiful, beautifully minimalistic
Test: Brooks is actually best known for its high-quality saddles and other accessories made of fine leather. Very few people know that the English also produce tools – to be more precise, multi-tools. We screwed with the Brooks Multitool MT 10 for a while. Functions [easytable th="0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8mm Torx, T25 screwdriver, Phillips/slot [/easytable] Minimalist - that would […]
Testing: SKS Toolbox Travel 18 – The heavyweight class
Test: Every cyclist in this country probably has at least one product from SKS in the workshop or on their bike - with the SKS Toolbox Travel we are looking at a multi-tool of a different kind today, which is more geared towards touring riders and home mechanics than towards performance-oriented ones athlete judges. Functions [easytable th=“0″] Allen key, 2/2.5/3/2×4/5/6/8mm open-end wrench, 8/10mm Torx, T25/T20 screwdriver, Phillips/slotted spoke wrench, 14g/15g other, [… ]