Categories: Reverence

Reverence: Pro Minitool 11

The Shimano Minitool 11

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.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Jeff in PetroMetro says:

Mar 2 2011 at 5:08 pm

Frank, I compliment you on the George Jetson countertop under the mini-tool. That is AWESOME.
Zoncolan says:

Mar 2 2011 at 5:17 pm

I have some italian GSG bibshorts with a PRO radio pocket in the back. This is a far cooler place to store the allen key and if placed correctly creates an aerodynamic 'fin' when you are on the rivet. Absolute shitter to get at tho'.
sgt says:

Mar 2 2011 at 7:08 pm

@Marcus
Easy big fella... I have nothing against cleat covers... and I'll admit most of my riding is from my front door... training rides, club rides, hammerfests, if it starts or ends less than 15k away, I'm riding to and from.

And although I do count levitation among my many skills, it tends to freak people out. so I put my foot down when stopped... just very lightly.

See Rule 69. I've been on Speedplays for years. Yes, the cleats wear out if you walk around a lot. I repeat. Rule 69. Get cleat covers if that floats your boat. They're not my bag, man.
Collin says:

Mar 2 2011 at 8:52 pm

@Marcus
Cleat covers are essential with Speedplays. If you have a mechanical or a biological issue and you have to wander onto unpaved surfaces, you'd better cover up the cleats or you'll be in a world of hurt. It's real easy to get mud or dirt in the cleats, at which point they start getting stuck on the pedal or you can't engage. I have had a couple frantic stops when I realized I was stuck to the pedals.

Speedplays fill with snow/ice easy too. I have to walk over a snowbank to get to the road, so the covers have to be on until I get there, else DOOM!

Summary: Speedplay fucking rock my world, but you have to love them back.
MrBigCog says:

Mar 2 2011 at 9:06 pm

@Marko
Cycling is all about individual effort and self-reliance at the end of the day. That needs to extend to self-reliance in wrenching while on the road.

On holiday rides, our cycling team always has someone running SAG. I don't at all feel like less of a true cyclist for having the tools and spare tubes in the back of a car as opposed to bulking up my pockets. Plus, we ride a 30+ mph pace line, and they will not stop for your ass to change a punture...your getting dropped and facing the ride home alone. IDK if you're riding with the senior citizens or what but if I asked my group to wait up while I trued a wheel or fixed a chain, they would probably beat my ass and make me walk home.
MrBigCog says:

Mar 2 2011 at 9:10 pm

@mcsqueak
Right...quite tongue in cheek, I've only called home once and I was 60 miles out and had already replaced a tube and had no more. Plus I was by myself cause I had gotten dropped on my first puncture. Our group stops for nothing.

But our group often has someone running SAG on a century or holiday ride.
MrBigCog says:

Mar 2 2011 at 9:25 pm

@Marko
ok so after reading this

"In 1913, Eugene Christophe has to repair by welding his own fork after a crash in the village of Sainte-Marie-de-Campan (my favorite village in France). He refused assistance as being helped would render him disqualified from the race. It was each man for themselves in 1913. "

Maybe I agree with you about independence. I just some convincing from the ancients. : )
Marko says:

Mar 3 2011 at 5:31 am

@MrBigCog
Did you pull that quote out of Fife's book about the tour? I'm pretty sure he writes about that in there but I've probably heard it elsewhere too. Nicely done.
frank says:

Mar 3 2011 at 8:00 am

@Ron

Can't fight you, Marcus. I'd love to try speedplays. I'm actually just scared I'd like them and have to change pedals on all my bikes & cleats on all my shoes. I think after a few years I've finally gotten the pedals/cleats set up just right on all the buggers.

Word. I am committed to Time. Love them. Cafe cleat. They are rubberized so you don't wipe out and no screws attached. Generally don't squeak. Good knee flex.

I don't ever want to try Speedplay because that means I'd have to buy six pairs of pedals. Or buy more shoes, which is just as bad.
frank says:

Mar 3 2011 at 8:07 am

@il ciclista medio

As I've only ever used Look & currently on the Keo's, what are the Speedplay's like? By that I mean ease of entry/exit, hot spot's, cleaning, removal, cleat wear etc?
I've always been curious but afraid or unable to ask...most of the bloke's I see riding them are usually leaving my fat arse behind so I never get a chance

All signs point to them being Awesome. I don't know of anyone - including pros - who ride them and then switch away from them. They were the team pedal for CSC and then every rider who left that team brought them with them.

But like I said, I've never tried them. Almost switched in Hawaii when my cleat broke and I had trouble finding a replacement on the island as if I'd have to buy a replacement pedal I would buy Speedplays.