Product Reviews
BikeRadar.com reviews the new Mini 20 Pro - Verdict:
"Expensive but stylish, and offers a comprehensive assortment of tools arranged in a useful configuration"
While Topeak's latest Mini 20 Pro multi-tool is a close cousin of models from CrankBrothers and Lezyne, it has clearly picked up on the pros and cons of its competition and delivers a knockout punch that's chock-full of both substance and style.
First off, the tool arsenal is impressive, especially for such a compact package measuring just 75x42x15mm and weighing 152g. Tucked within the polished alloy side plates are 2, 2-L (handy for brake lever reach adjustments), 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10mm Allen wrenches.
There are also Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a T25 Torx driver, a metal tyre lever, a chain tool, a variety of spoke wrenches (including for Mavic and Shimano) and, of course, a bottle opener – presumably for when you just can't fix it on the side of the trail and you've decided to wait for help.
It's all buttoned down snugly with no unwanted flopping about, and no extraneous rubber bands are required. The chain tool even includes a handy clip to hold the severed links together, along with a flip-out 4mm Allen wrench to tighten up the pivots on the main body – nice.
More importantly, all of the bits are impressively usable, with decent amounts of leverage available all around, impressively hard and tough materials and surface finishes, and suitably long reaches for most applications (one exception is the 10mm Allen wrench, which won't reach into Campagnolo Ultra-Torque cranks – then again, few things will).
Gripes are nitpicky to say the least. The fixed chain tool prevents you from poking your fingers through the back to unfurl the bits if the pivots are especially tight, and despite the lengthy tool list, some might miss a T30 bit for some chainring bolts or a 1.5mm for tiny set screws.
Topeak include a 12g neoprene pouch for storage, though we found it to be superfluous as it slows down tool access and the Velcro tab tends to snag on your gloves. Aside from that it's a definite win – and the price is even reasonable.
About this Article:
- Date:
- Aug 17, 2010
- Author:
- Topeak team
The Topeak Mini 20 Pro multi-tool folds up to a compact size and offers a useful amount of leverage for most applications. The chain tool blocks access to some tools, though, if the pivots are tight
Topeak has sweated the details on its Mini 20 Pro with useful inclusions such as a short hook to hold the ends of a chain together and a built-in tire lever
The gold and polished chrome finish looks great but also makes for good durability, too, with hardened bits that have shown almost no wear after several months of regular use
Few other mini-tools we've tried have included a 10mm Allen wrench - essential for some crankarm end caps
The included chain tool works well in a pinch and also includes an additional fold-out 4mm bit for tightening up its own hinges - clever
