The Bike Tool That Handles Everything Except a Flat

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Crankbrothers Multi Tool M 19 Matte Black bike-multifunction-tools 3

Crankbrothers built the M19 to handle nearly every trailside fix a rider runs into, and the matte black finish gives the popular multi-tool a stealthier look than the standard nickel version. It’s compact enough to disappear into a jersey pocket, saddle bag, or hip pack. At under $35, it’s one of the more affordable multi-tools with a full 19-function loadout, and it undercuts most of the picks in our best pocket multi-tools under $100 roundup.

Price: $34.99
Where to Buy: Amazon

The tool has been on the market since 2010, and Crankbrothers hasn’t changed the core design much since then. That’s usually a good sign the engineering works. We’re always on the lookout for tools that pull their weight, and the M19 fits that bill. It’s not exactly a stocking stuffer for the holidays, but it’s the kind of tool you can rely on when something breaks mid-ride.

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Every Tool Packed Into the M19

The M19 is built from high-tensile, chromium-molybdenum steel and weighs 175 grams, confirmed directly on the Matte Black listing, not just other colorways. Folded up, it measures about 89mm by 45mm by 19mm on Crankbrothers’ own spec sheet, small enough to tuck into almost any bike bag. Side grips on the plates keep it steady in your hand, even with gloves on.

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Inside the frame, you’ll find seven hex wrenches (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm), two open wrenches (8mm and 10mm), and four spoke wrenches (#0, 1, 2, and 3). It also carries Phillips screwdrivers in sizes #1 and #2, plus a #2 flat screwdriver and T-10 and T-25 Torx bits. The built-in chain tool works with 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12-speed chains, which covers most drivetrains still in service. That’s 19 tools total, matching the name.

Crankbrothers backs the M19 with a lifetime warranty. That’s a meaningful guarantee for a tool that’s going to live in a bag getting bounced around on rocky trails.

How the Crankbrothers M19 Performs on the Trail

The M19 carries a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 63 reviews on Crankbrothers’ own site and a 4.3 out of 5 average from 70 reviews on REI, which says plenty for a tool this many riders keep coming back to. The rounded, textured side plates stay grippy even when hands are muddy or wet, and that grip matters most when you’re stuck on a trail with cold fingers. It’s on the larger side compared to ultralight competitors, but that extra size is part of why it’s comfortable to turn under load.

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It’s not the lightest tool in the category, and it won’t disappear in a pocket the way a 6-function tool does. That trade-off is the whole point: more tools means fewer moments where you’re stuck improvising a fix.

Who the M19 Matte Black Is Best For

The M19 makes the most sense for riders who leave pavement behind, gravel riders, bikepackers, and anyone doing long days where a mechanical problem means walking home instead of a quick fix. Commuters who need to tighten a rack bolt or adjust a cable will get plenty of use out of it too.

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If you’re chasing the lightest possible setup, look at Crankbrothers’ smaller M-series tools or one of the lighter options in our best pocket multi-tools guide instead, since the M19 trades some pocket space for tool count. But if you want one tool that handles hex bolts, a stripped Torx screw, a stubborn spoke, and a broken chain link without swapping tools mid-fix, this one covers that range in a single folded piece.

The Matte Black colorway doesn’t change any of that. It’s the same 19-tool layout Crankbrothers has sold since 2010, finished to look less like a spare bike part sitting in your saddle bag.

Crankbrothers M19 Pros and Cons

The M19 has earned a spot as the tool riders reach for when something breaks trailside, though it’s not the right pick for every rider.

On the plus side, the 19 tools cover hex, Torx, spoke, and chain repairs in one compact piece, and Crankbrothers backs the build with a lifetime warranty. The textured side grips stay secure even with gloves or wet hands, and the chain tool works across 8 to 12-speed drivetrains. At under $35, that’s an affordable price for the tool count.

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On the downside, it’s larger and heavier than minimalist multi-tools.

The base version doesn’t include a storage case, and riders who want the smallest possible profile might want to look elsewhere.

Crankbrothers Multi Tool M 19 Matte Black | bike-multifunction-tools

Price: $34.99
Where to Buy: Amazon

Bottom Line

The Crankbrothers M19 Matte Black is easy to recommend. A 19-function loadout, a chain tool that spans modern drivetrains, and a lifetime warranty add up to strong value, and rider ratings above 4.3 on every platform we checked back that up.

 

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