Crankbrothers M10 & M19 Review

Crankbrothers M10 and M19 multitools have been a popular option among cyclists of all disciplines for years. I’ll walk you through my long-term experience with them and help you understand if they’re right for you.

About Crankbrothers M10 & M19 Multitools

Crankbrothers M10 and M19 multitools are made from precision-cut high-tensile steel and 6061-T6 aluminum, feature unique designs and eye-catching colors, and provide grooved sidebars for more secure grip, whether your gloves are on or off.

Together with their lifetime warranties and simple, functional designs, the company advertises they’re “the ultimate trailside companion.”

I’ve cumulatively ridden with Crankbrothers’ M10 and M19 multitools across thousands of miles. And during this time, I’ve relied on them countless times.

Here, I’ll quickly cover my experience and how the tools compare to competing models, so you can decide whether or not they’re worth the investment.

How Do Crankbrothers’ M10 & M19 Multitools Work?

Crankbrothers M10

Crankbrothers’ M10 multitool is 89 mm long and available in Gold, Midnight, Black/Red, Nickel, Red, Green, Orange, and Black/Magenta colors.

It comes with seven 6050 steel hex wrenches (#2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8), two screwdrivers (Phillips #2, flat #2), and a T25 Torx tool for disc brakes. Weight is 124 grams.

Together, the company advertises it’s ideal for cyclocross/gravel and XC/trail applications.

Crankbrothers M19

Comparatively, Crankbrothers’ M19 multitool is available in many of the same colors (Gold, Midnight, Black/Red, Nickel, and Black/Magenta) as the M10, comes in the same length and materials, and features the same seven hex wrenches, Phillips #2 and flat #2 screwdrivers, and T25 Torx tool.

However, it adds a stainless steel chain breaker tool (8/9/10/11/12 speed compatible), two open wrenches (8mm, 10mm), three spoke wrenches (#0, 1, 2, 3), and a T10 Torx tool. These additions increase the weight to 175 grams.

Here’s a quick table comparing the two models:

My Experience With Crankbrothers’ M10 & M19 Multitools

Overall, after using my M10 (Midnight) and M19 (Magenta/Black) multitools on and off the road for thousands of miles, they seem like they’d meet most riders’ needs for adjustments and quick fixes, whether trailside or roadside.

Since they’re roughly the same size, I’ve found that both multitools fit nicely inside my Topeak Aero Wedge pack. And since I’m mostly unconcerned with small differences in weight, the 51 g between them is inconsequential for my needs.

With this said, the M19’s greater variety of tools means that Crankbrothers had to make them meaningfully shorter than the M10’s, which I’ve found does impact the former’s usability in tight spaces. The M19’s chain tool tends to flop around a bit as well but won’t come unthreaded.

Still, both are exceptionally easy to use, overall.

When the time comes, the tools’ tensions are easily adjustable using side hex screws.

From a durability perspective, I expect both multitools to last a very long time, like any other Crankbrothers product I’ve ridden with in the past.

I’ve noticed some very minor scratching and pitting on a couple of the hex keys, although the M10 and M19 remain perfectly functionally. And while I admittedly live in an arid climate, I haven’t experienced any rusting, which is a relatively common complaint among third-party online riders.

Bottom line: For me, it’s not even close—I like the M10’s smaller form factor, lighter weight, and—perhaps most importantly—its meaningfully longer tools for better reach than the M19 when I need it.

Crankbrothers M10 & M19 vs. Other Bike Multitools

The reality is that, whether you’re shopping online or at your local bike shop, there are hundreds of cycling multitools available for you to choose, and in just about every imaginable size, shape, design, and functionality.

To help you zoom in and narrow down your choices, here are some of the top multitools competing with the M10 and M19 (including other models from Crankbrothers) on Amazon:

Using these numbers as a guidepost, we can see that choosing the right tool is all about your unique needs and preferences.

For example, although Crankbrothers’ products often have a premium customer reputation, if the price is your number one motivator, their M10 and Vibrelli’s V19 tied for the second least expensive in the table above. And the MLT10 only outdoes these two by $0.47.

On the other hand, it’s important to point out that the MLT10 comes with meaningfully more tools than either of these models. But, the Topeak Alien II’s 31 tools outshines everyone by a wide margin, although—perhaps unsurprisingly—it weighs 106 grams more than the next closest competitor, features a larger overall footprint, and is outpriced only by the M19 in our table above.

Speaking of weight, M10 is the lightest option above, followed closely by the MLT10, and more distantly by the M17.

Like their Eggbeater brethren, the M10, M17, and M19 feature unique, eye-catching designs, as well as some of the highest Amazon customer ratings among cycling multitools. But, the Pro Bike Tool Mini Ratchet Set comes with the highest overall rating, as well as the most standout design of the bunch.

Taken together, if you’re looking for a tried-and-true design that’s been around for years, is extraordinarily popular among cyclists of all stripes, comes with a competitive price, and all (or, even more) tools than you probably need, the M10 and M19 seem like reliable options.

But, does this necessarily mean that you should go ahead and place an order? Let’s wrap everything up next.

Is Crankbrothers’ M10 or M19 the Right Multitool for You?

I’ve had nothing but great experiences with the M10 and M19 multitools, which is also the case with any other Crankbrothers accessories I’ve had the opportunity to test.

Furthermore, their design has been tried and tested for many years, and they come with competitive prices, eye-catching designs, most (if not all) of the essential tools you’ll need on the trail or road, and near-unanimous online feedback from cyclists.

Like all of their other products, Crankbrothers also stands behind their M10 and M19 multitools with lifetime warranties, so they’ve got your back if anything goes wrong. Based on my experience, though, there’s little chance of this occurring.

In the end, I find they deliver meaningfully more value than their price tags, and I highly recommend them.

Just keep in mind that if you frequently wrench in tight spots on your bike, the M10’s more extended tools could deliver more bang-for-your-buck.

>> Keep rolling: The Ultimate 2019 Bike Multi-Tool Buying Guide