Update: On Monday, July 18th, this product has been demoted from Reverence status due to imprecise machining of the 3mm and 4mm allen wrenches. Please see the updated Reverence article for it’s worthy successor.
My apologies to anyone who has purchased this product based on this article. I am truly sorry.
Yours in Cycling,
Frank
—
In our pursuit of La Vie Velominatus, we embark on a sacred quest – the pursuit of Rule Holism. The path is strewn with apparent contradiction; these contradictions are in fact but tests laid out for us – oportunities to discover The Way and strengthen our resolve. Little by little, we find our way along the path.
Those of us who amputate our saddlebags in compliance with Rule #29, are immediately faced with the unavoidable realization that our tools are unwieldy, heavy, and bulky. Indeed, our reliance on the European Posterior Man Satchel has disconnected us from their contents and has bred complacency when it comes to tool selection. So long as the tool fits in the satchel, it goes in the satchel. Spoke wrenches, multi-tool with superfluous attachments, chain tools, zip ties, scissors, even the odd Crescent wrench has been known to find its way into the tool kit. For a Velominatus’ machine, which is kept in perfect working order at all times, these tools serve little function other than to make you climb less well for your weight.
Removing the dependence on a saddlebag demands that we become more discerning in the tools we carry with us. The tools that are to reside in our pockets must be as carefully selected for their function as our machines and our kit itself. Simple. Reliable. Lightweight. These tools will be called into action rarely, but when called upon, it will be at a time of greatest need. They must not fail.
Over the years, the tools that accompany me on my rides have reduced in number and weight, and we have developed a bond during the many hours we have spent together – me perched on my saddle, them tucked neatly in my pockets. I started with two Park tools, one with huge range of hex keys, and a second with a fewer (redundant) number of keys, but including the vital Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers. Eventually, I started leaving the multitool without the screwdrivers in the toolbox, and taking my chances with too few hex tools. The risk felt too great, so I switched to other tools with varying degrees of success, but each failed in one aspect or another – corrosion, weight, poor construction – and was added to ever-increasing pile of discarded tools.
The problem was further complicated when I switched to the Campy 10sp Skeleton Brakes with Torx T25 bolts. I cursed a blue-streak when, as I was mounting my new brakes with great anticipation, I realized I was to be stopped dead in my tracks as I didn’t have the proper Torx tool. I suppose, as Saul pointed out, I should be glad it was a standard Torx size and not some proprietary size that requires a $100 tool, but that knowledge did little to temper my rage. I purchased a set and returned home knowing full well that now my quest for the perfect minitool included a T25 to make emergency brake adjustments. More tools were chucked to the Island of Misfit Tools.
Almost without noticing, with the appearance of the Pro Minitool 11 in my stocking on Christmas morning my quest came to an end. The nickel-plated steel tools don’t rust, the alloy body is solid, the tool is thin and light enough not to cause any sag or discomfort in the jersey. Beautifully made, the tool folds smoothly and the 8mm hex snaps off to reveal a 6mm hex below it. Unlike most tools that attempt this feat, this one pulls it off with the addition of a ball lock. All the tools are cut precisely and cleanly cut, making it a pleasure to work with. Amazing.
It feels so good in the hand, it’s tempting not to carry it around and fiddle with it all day. But I don’t. Not anymore. Starting tomorrow.
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View Comments
@sgt
Nice idea, thanks. About the perfect size too. And now we know the secret to how you afford so many helmets, you skip the name-brand tool organizers.
@mcsqueak
I believe, upon a second reading, you're right about MrBigCog. My apologies MrBigCog if I took your post in the wrong way.
On last summer's first ride of any length my seat tube cage started coming loose about 110 miles in. I was starting to feel tired as I reached down to finger tighten the screws. With my eyes off the road as I tightened I suddenly hear ferocious barking closing in quickly. I look up and see these two large Shepard/mongrels charging me from some hillbilly's front porch. I let go of screw, grab the hoods and sprinted as fast as I could with mongrel #1's muzzle grazing my left leg. Barely got away. When I got home an hour or so later I put some blue thread lock on the cage screws.
I love tools and minitools, I've a good number of them, crankbrothers in particular, but I've to say that I do not carry them when I ride or race, that's thanks to one of my very dear friends that always has a huge bag under his seat.
This 'cycling's mario bros' can virtually repair any accident you happen to sustain, I should take a photo of that monster!
that thing is rad. But what is radder is that countertop pattern. Retro-awesomeness! Where can I get one of those?
Minitools are practical and likely necessary when touring less travelled country or mountain biking in remote areas. I have been known to carry and use minitools and on occasion borrow minitools from fellow cyclists.
My question is this: can a minitool possibly be PRO?
Rarely do these roadside emergencies happen for a tuned machine, but having the right 'mini' kit is just plain smart. Mini tool, patch, tube, cash/card, and cell phone are items I never leave without. Not to mention a pump. Sorry about the looks and rule breakage, but CO2 just plain sucks in terms of pollution, waste, and dorky looks when you can't get the valve on right and waste the entire contents. Triathletes use CO2. Need I say more?
Besides, having the tools/tube/patch work great for the moments when a complete stranger is stranded on the roadside without any of the above. The true pro comes along side, asks if there is any way to help, and potentially meets someone new to the sport, a potential mate, or just a friend to help another rider out next time.
The money? Goes great for beers at the pub when you lose the sprint for the city limits sign.
The phone? Duh...
@packfiller
I have a little co2 chuck that has a valve you turn to release the contents of the cartridge. I've used it exactly once, and without problems or waste.
Besides, triathletes try to do lots of things that proper cyclists do, can't fault 'em for trying.
Offering to provide help to others is not only nice, I believe it's good karma. I always offer (I've even pulled over while driving to offer help), and I think it's one of the reasons I have very few mechanical issues while on the road.
I use the Cutter shorty, which is slightly heavier (~200 g) and adds a chain tool and the common spoke nipple wrench sizes. Not as nice looking by far, but basically the same size package with a lot more function (missing the Phillips #1, but hell, just jam the #2 in there like everyone else). You're much more likely to knock a wheel out of true on a hard man ride than find that you need to tighten your saddle/crank/seatpost bolts on the road (okay, maybe you're a triathlete and fell over one too many times on T1), so this isn't really a contest about who can bring the most extraneous gear- the Cutter has exactly the right amount, no more.
If you learn how to use the tool, this don't happen... And if you ride enough, you'll get good at changing flats / using the tool. (I happen to be in the midst of a rash of flats the past few months, after a year plus without. So it goes...)
Minipumps in the back pocket are PRO, so are CO2's. Not knowing how to use either, or taking longer than 6 minutes to change a flat is inexcusable. See Rules 83 and 84 (thx karim!)
@mcsqueak
I'm with you on this one. Bare minimum and (thank Merckx) haven't had the worst case scenario happen that I couldn't deal with enough to make it home. BTW, I recently severed the European Posterior Man Satchel, bloodlessly. I found the Lezyne pouch on eBay for $13AU (about $30US isn't nowadays? wink wink) including postage from a seller in the UK which was excellent value. I think they're still selling them.
Mind you, I'm lucky enough due to where I live, that most of my rides keep me within a reasonable closeness of a metropolitan area, regardless of distance. Meaning that in the event of a catastrophe the call to Mrs ciclista would occur or the kindness of other folk, i.e. family (as she doesn't have a licence it would be pointless calling her apart from a "I'm gonna be late"!). Were I to venture further afield or off-road then I would and do, carry more.
@all
I realise that CO2 's are as convenient as sliced bread but would have to agree with @packfiller re: waste and pollution. Pumps are more earth friendly.
@frank
that is a nice looking tool though. Fiddling with it all day? You know what leads to? Loose multi-tool pivot points.