I got my anniversary present a few days ago and it was this beautiful bicycling-specific multitool (she knows me so well
) from Topeak called the Mini 20 Pro. I haven't had an opportunity to test it in field conditions yet as it is winter here in Central Montana and the trails are either wet, snowy, or icy. So this will be more of my first impressions as opposed to a review.
Included tools are 10mm, 8mm, 6mm, 5mm, 4mm, 3mm, 2.5mm, and 2mm hex drivers, #2 Philips, flat screwdriver, tire lever, cap-lifter, spoke holder, chain-pin holder, T25 and T10 torx drivers, chain tool, chain hook, 14g, 15g, Shimano, and Mavic spoke wrenches.
The packaging states that the tool weighs 5.3 ounces. It feels heavier than this, however. I compared the weight in hand to my Wave and my Pocket Power Plier. It feels like it weighs closer to the Wave than to the PPP. I would say this is a drawback except that the Mini 20 Pro feels very solid, so I consider it a good tradeoff.
The product came packaged up as seen below, tool displayed below a little compartment holding a neoprene sheath and an instructional flyer.
Neoprene sheath is nice enough and makes for a compact little package to slip into a seat-post bag or back-pack.
My example is "gold", more like a chromed yellow and the implements have a high polish on them. One side fanned.
Other side fanned.
Flyer showing how to use some of the many features.
Chain tool disengaged from the main tool. The wire you can see on the side of the chain tool is for holding the chain together on the bike while using the chain tool
Notice the small hex bit - it pivots out to allow for use to adjust the tightness of the main-body tools.
Self adjustment example.
You use the 4mm hex on the main tool to operate the chain tool.
Tire lever. It states on the flyer that this is for emergencies only. As it is coated metal, it could cause damage to wheels. I always carry some dedicated levers with me anyhow. This function has a back-stop.
Combo tool that functions as a cap lifter, a spoke holder for Mavic spokes which are kind of flat, like a propeller blade, and a chain pin holder. This function has a back-stop, too.
Fully fanned beauty shots.
The 10mm hex is a bit that clips over the 8mm hex. Good, strong retention on the bit.
Size comparison to a Leatherman Wave. It is built like a badger, low and wide.
These bicycling specific multitools are very intriguing to me lately, so I am glad to finally have a full featured version. I am left wondering why no one has attempted to make a pliers-based bicycling multitool. the only thing noticeably absent from this tool is pliers and a knife so I really wonder why one of the big multitool companies hasn't put out something that combines the two genres of multitool.
Bicycling multitools are kind of different fundamentally from EDC multitools. EDC multitools are designed to be used often. Whereas these bicycling tools are emergency tool kits, really only intended to be used if adjustments are needed or if damage occurs on a ride. I suppose you could use one of these in the shop, but as none of the features lock this would not be ideal. Even though this tool is not uncomfortable in the hand, a dedicated tool would be much easier to use.
Those are my thoughts, perhaps after some use this riding season I will post an actual review.
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