The mini-tool is a great invention: it parks inconspicuously in your saddle or jersey pocket to help you get your bike back on the road in the event of a breakdown. The manufacturers of the smallest models advertise up to 20 functions, hidden in a frame that is smaller than the current generation of smartphones - and just as light, weighing around 150 grams. The classic is actually the Alien from Topeak. With 27 functions including side cutter, combination pliers, saw, file and bottle opener, the multi-tool enjoys cult status and is part of the standard equipment when crossing the Alps, whether by road bike or mountain bike. However, the 300 gram all-purpose tool might be a little too heavy for purists on their after-work ride. That's why Topeak sent Alien's little brother into the race for this test.
On long tours, a road bike is by no means easier to maintain than a modern mountain bike. The new drivetrains from Campagnolo, SRAM and Shimano place higher demands on tools, and there are now numerous Torx screws of different sizes on the component groups. This starts with the 8 mm Torx spanner for adjusting the limit stops of the rear derailleur of Shimano's Di2 groupsets Dura-Ace and Ultegra and ends with the 30 mm Torx for the chainring bolts of current Campa groupsets. In short, the good old days are over when you could dismantle and reassemble half the wheel with three or four hexagon socket heads. In order to cover as many requirements and applications as possible, we asked the manufacturers to send us their best mini tool for use on road bikes for the TOUR test. Our minimum requirement was:
- Hexagon socket from 2 (for changing brake pads) to 8 millimetres (pedal assembly)
- 25 mm Torx spanner (Campa brake and brake pad assembly)
- Screwdriver blade and cross recess (rear derailleur and/or front derailleur end stops)
The test results of these minitools can be found below as a PDF download:
- Blackburn Toolminator 2
- Crankbrothers B14
- Lezyne V-11
- Park Tool IB-2
- Pedros ICM
- Pro S-Slide 20
- Rose T-20
- SKS Tom 14
- Specialised EMT Pro MTB Multitool
- Topeak Mini 20 Pro
- XLC Multitool T0-M07
- Xtreme FT 03
Downloads:
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