Minitools in the test: Five current on-board tools in the TOUR check

Contents of this article:

• Minitools - Tool lexicon
• The most important tools
• What goes in the saddlebag?
• The test results of the Minitools

Minitools in the test - the compact helpers for on the go

What good is a beautiful shape and an attractive colour if the minitool eventually rusts or the individual tools deviate from the nominal dimensions, which then leads to damage to screws? Fortunately, our technical expert Hans-Peter Ettenberger was rarely confronted with such problems during his measurements and tests of the minitools in the TOUR laboratory. On the contrary: some of the small, compact helpers from our test collection would even be packed into the saddlebag of the committed commuter and touring cyclist himself.

These great parts include the SKS Tom 18 model, for example, which has all the important individual tools for the day's ride - from the hexagon socket in the usual sizes to the PH2 flat-blade screwdriver/cross-recess screwdriver, Torx T25, nipple tensioner, chain rivet pusher, tyre lever and brake pad spreader through to the chain riveter. And all with impressive workmanship, durability and dimensional accuracy. Slight rust during the test could be quickly wiped off with a cloth.

Sometimes you need a few more tools for a longer bike tour. One such all-rounder is the classic Alien III from Topeak, which we find a little too bulky for road bike tours and therefore did not include in the test. Instead, we recommend adding individual tools such as a large tyre lever or small pliers.

>> Wrenching tips for repairing road bikes at home

Another tip from our test colleague: Not every screw is equally accessible on every road or gravel bike, as is the case with the seat clamp, for example. On one bike this is located at an angle at the transition from the top tube to the seat tube, while on another the screw is hidden at the rear between the seat stays. For this purpose, the hexagon socket must have a minimum length so that the tool can be turned with sufficient force, which was best achieved with the BBB and Topeak in our test.

Minitools in the test - Small tool encyclopaedia

Bits

A bit as a tool is a small, interchangeable screwdriver attachment without a handle for a specific screw head profile. The usually hexagonal holder is shaped in such a way that it can be placed on a correspondingly standardised bit holder.

Brake pad spreader

The brake pad spreader is used when it is necessary to replace the brake pads on disc brakes. Thanks to the special shape of the tool, the brake pistons can be pressed back into their original position without damaging the brake pads or pistons.

Chrome vanadium steel

Chromium-vanadium steel refers to iron alloys that contain elements such as chromium and vanadium in addition to the carbon typical of steel. Both chromium and vanadium make the steel more hardenable. Chromium also helps against abrasion and corrosion.

Chain holder

Metal hook to hold the ends together when repairing a broken chain.

Dimensional accuracy

Dimensional accuracy describes whether or not the actual dimensions of a tool deviate from the specified nominal dimensions. Dimensional accuracy also describes the resistance of the tool to, for example, elongation and shrinkage. Frequent causes of such dimensional changes are temperature influences, compressive or tensile forces, ageing and moisture.

Socket nut

Attachment in various sizes for a socket spanner, usually with hexagonal or twelve-sided teeth.

Torx

Torx is the registered word mark for a screw driver profile whose standard designation is hexalobular socket or hexalobular socket. Another designation is six-arched tooth. Torx screws are often used for brake discs, for example.

Tubeless Tire Plug Kit

Small repair kit for tubeless tyres, which are mainly used on gravel bikes.

The most important tools

These parts belong on a mini tool for road bikes

• Hexagon socket, 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8 millimetres
• Torx 25
• Screwdriver Phillips PH2
• Screwdriver slotted PZ2
• Chain riveters
• Spoke nipple spanner, preferably 3 different sizes
• waterproof bag for the minitool if necessary

Recommended additional tools

• Tyre lever
• Torx 10, 15, 20, 30
• Open-end or ring spanner 8, 9, 10 millimetres
• Spare chain rivet or chain lock, matching the chain
• Chain hook to hold the chain together during repair
• Brake pad spreader

>> Expert tipHans-Peter Ettenberger also has the Squirt PS4 tool from Leatherman with him on tour. It's nice and small, but also has a small pair of pliers and a knife.

What goes in the saddlebag?

The complete touring equipment also includes a basic repair kit.

• 1 spare inner tube, suitable size and valve, and/or repair kit. Make sure that the vulcanising fluid has not dried out.
• 1 pair of plastic tyre levers
• Mini tool with chain riveter and spanners suitable for the bike (Torx, open-end spanner, etc.)
• 1 pair of replacement brake pads (suitable for the disc model, possibly with spacer spring and locking pin)
• Cable ties of various lengths
• Oil (small bottle)
• Chain lock, suitable for the chain (8-, 9-, 10-, 11- or 12-speed gears)
• Luster clamps (connect broken cables if necessary)
• Textile adhesive tape
• Cloth for cleaning and as rattle protection in the saddlebag
• Disposable gloves for dirt-intensive work
• Hand wash paste Tip Top Clean Up, can be used without water

Minitools in the test - reviews and details of the individual models

BBB Primefold XL

• Price: 36 Euro >> available here

• Material: Chrome vanadium/aluminium side parts
• Weight/dimensions215 g / 88 x 45 x 22 millimetres
• FunctionsAllen key 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8 millimetres, slotted screwdriver/cross-recess PH2, Torx T25/T30, spoke nipple tensioner 3.23/3.45/3.7/4.4 millimetres/Mavic, chain rivet pusher, saw blade 49 millimetres

Minitool in test - TOUR rating

• Processing (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Handling (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Equipment (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Durability (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Dimensional accuracy (20 %) Grade 1,0

>> The BBB Primefold gets an overall TOUR score of 1.6

Corrosion test: No corrosion after 12 hours in diluted salt solution, slight corrosion on chain rivet and nipple tensioner after 24 hours.

Conclusion: Carefully designed, sits comfortably in the hand. It also has beautifully shaped and anodised side parts. Unfortunately, however, the chain rivet is slightly corroded

Crankbrothers M20

• Price: 40 Euro >> available here

• Material: Chrome vanadium/aluminium side parts
• Weight/dimensions203.5 g / 89.5 x 54.5 x 28 millimetres
• FunctionsAllen key 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8 millimetres, slotted screwdriver/cross-head screwdriver PH0/PH2, Torx T10/T25, chain rivet pusher, tubeless tyre plug kit, brake disc straightening tool, nipple clamp 3.2/3.4/3.6 millimetres, valve unscrewer

Minitool in test - TOUR rating

• Processing (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Handling (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Equipment (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Durability (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Dimensional accuracy (20 %) Grade 1,0

>> The Crankbrother M20 gets an overall TOUR score of 1.8

Corrosion test: After 12 hours in salt solution, hardly any rust on all tools, only slight rust after 24 hours.

Conclusion: The tool sits comfortably in the hand. However, it is questionable how long the plastic container for the tyre plugs will last. Practical for users of tubeless tyres

Pro Minitool 22F aluminium

• Price: 43 Euro

• MaterialSteel with chrome coating/aluminium side panels/plastic element
• Weight/dimensions171 g / 85 x 41 x 23.5 millimetres
• FunctionsAllen key 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8 millimetres, Phillips PH2, Torx T10/T25, spoke nipple tensioner 3.6/3.75/4.0/4.4 millimetres, chain rivet pusher, 1 tyre lever, chain holder, brake pad spreader, open-end spanner 7/8/9/10 millimetres

Minitool in test - TOUR rating

• Processing (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Handling (20 %) Grade 1,5
• Equipment (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Durability (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Dimensional accuracy (20 %) Grade 1,0

>> The Pro Minitool 22F Alu gets an overall TOUR rating of 1.3

Corrosion test: Almost all tools remained rust-free, after 24 hours only a little more rust on the nipple tensioner and chain rivet.

Conclusion: A tool with nice, pleasant tool surfaces and a sensible tyre lever. The combination of chain rivet pusher and tyre lever, which holds an open-end spanner, nipple tensioner, brake pad spreader and chain holder, is also striking.

Topeak Hexus X

• Price: 30 Euro >> available here

• Material: Chrome vanadium steel/plastic base body
• Weight/dimensions171.5 g / 98 x 41 x 26 millimetres
• Functions: Allen key 2/2.5/3/4 = 2 pcs./5/6/8 millimetres (Allen key 8 millimetres as a bit), a 4-piece Allen key on the tyre lever, Phillips screwdriver PH2, Torx T15/T25/T30 (T15/T25 as a bit), spoke nipple tensioner 3.40/3.60 millimetres, chain rivet pusher, chain holder, 2 tyre levers

Minitool in test - TOUR rating

• Processing (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Handling (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Equipment (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Durability (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Dimensional accuracy (20 %) Grade 1,0

>> The Topeak Hexus X gets an overall TOUR score of 1.6

Corrosion test: No rust even after 24 hours.

Conclusion: Very good tool with a sturdy plastic body. One small weakness is the bit removal: you need good fingernails for this and you have to remove the tyre lever first. The bits are also easy to lose.

SKS Tom 18

• Price: 25 Euro >> available here

• Material: Chrome vanadium/aluminium side parts
• Weight/dimensions180 g + 8.5 g cover / 72.5 x 49 x 21.5 millimetres
• FunctionsAllen key 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8 millimetres, slotted screwdriver/cross-recess PH2, Torx T25, nipple tensioner 3.23/3.45 millimetres, chain rivet pusher, 1 tyre lever, cap lifter/brake pad spreader, chain rivet compartment

Minitool in test - TOUR rating

• Processing (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Handling (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Equipment (20 %) Grade 2,0
• Durability (20 %) Grade 1,0
• Dimensional accuracy (20 %) Grade 1,0

>> The SKS Tom 18 was awarded an overall TOUR score of 1.2, making it the test winner.

Corrosion test: Can be wiped off after 12 hours without rust, after 24 hours only slightly on the laser inscriptions.

Conclusion: The neoprene cover is great. The compact tool is well made, fits well in the hand and the parts cannot get lost

Minitools in the test - How TOUR tests

All minitools were extensively tested and measured by our technical experts in our test laboratory. We focussed on five criteria. In terms of dimensional accuracy, we measured the individual tools. Excessive or insufficient dimensions led to a corresponding devaluation.

The susceptibility to corrosion (durability) was tested by spraying with diluted salt solution (10 g NaCl to 500 ml water) for 12 or 24 hours. In addition, the processing and handling of the tools were tested on tour or during daily commuting. In terms of features, the tools with the most tools scored the highest.