Multitools

Fietsreparatieset 17-in-1

A 17-in-1 repair kit sold as a multifunction package. It fits a saddle bag or backpack when you want a complete fix-it tool.

What you get

17 functions in one kit
For bike repairs

Why a multitool?

Most bolts on a bike take a hex key. A multitool has them in the common sizes, usually 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 mm, in one folding or sliding body. With it you adjust a saddle, tighten a loose stem or refit a brake, without carrying seven separate keys.

Most multitools also have a Torx key (often T25, the size of the bolts on many brake rotors), a flat and a Phillips screwdriver and sometimes a spoke key. A chain tool is on the fuller models. The number of functions runs from about 8 on a compact one to 20 or more. More functions are not always better: they add weight and make the keys smaller and harder to handle.

Look at weight and feel. A compact multitool typically weighs 60 to 100 g, a full one 150 to 250 g. A long, solid body gives you more leverage on a stuck bolt than a small one. Also check that the keys fold out far enough to reach awkward bolts, such as the seatpost clamp bolt.

If you need a chain tool, choose one that suits the number of speeds on your cassette. A 12-speed chain is narrower than an 8 to 10-speed chain, and not every chain tool handles both.

How multitools compare

The number of functions and the weight go together. Choose what you will really use.

Type	Functions	Weight	Suits
Compact	About 8 to 12	About 60 to 100 g	Road bike and short rides
Standard	About 12 to 18	About 100 to 180 g	All disciplines
Full with chain tool	About 15 to 25	About 150 to 250 g	Gravel, MTB, long trips
Integrated (bar end or bottle)	About 6 to 10	About 50 to 120 g	If you want nothing in the bag

Counts and weights are guides and vary by model.

Choose it if

You want one compact tool for the road.
You want a simple kit for small repairs.
You want to be able to adjust a saddle, bar or brake on the road.
You ride outdoors and want one tool for all the common bolts.

Choose something else if

For heavy work or a full service you need a workshop tool set.
You work on your bike at home. A set of separate keys and a torque wrench is handier and more precise there.
You have to tighten bolts to a specified torque. A multitool has no way to measure that.

How to use a multitool

Pick the right key
Try the key in the bolt before you turn. A key with even a little play will round the bolt.
Seat it straight in the bolt
Push the key fully into the bolt and turn in a straight line. Turning at an angle damages bolt and key.
Tighten with feel
Tighten firmly and stay below your full strength. Take extra care with carbon parts. Use a torque wrench at home.
Check your work
Check that the saddle, bar or brake no longer moves. Ride gently for a while and see whether it all holds.
Check the torque at home
At home, recheck bolts you tightened on the road with a torque wrench and the value printed on the part.

Good to know

The included tools are not in the title, so check your bolt sizes are covered.
A multitool does not replace a pump or spare tube.
Check that the sizes on your bike are included, for example a Torx key for brake rotors.
A chain tool for 12-speed does not always work on a wider 8 to 10-speed chain. Read the compatibility.
Rust and dirt stiffen the hinges. Wipe the tool down and put a drop of oil on it now and then.
A multitool with soft keys rounds off bolts. Choose sturdy steel with a good fit.

What you get

Why a multitool?

How multitools compare

Choose it if

Choose something else if

How to use a multitool

Pick the right key

Seat it straight in the bolt

Tighten with feel

Check your work

Check the torque at home

Good to know

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