Birzman E-Version 15 function Mini Tool

This Birzman E-Version 15 function Mini Tool has everything you need for most emergency repairs, from tightening a loose mudguard bolt to repairing a broken chain. It's well made, fairly light and fairly priced too.

We've reviewed various Birzman tools on road.cc before, and we like the combination of excellent build quality and competitive pricetag. This E-Version 15 function Mini Tool is no different. It's got seven Allen keys, two torx keys, a cross-head screwdriver, a chain tool and 4 spoke keys, which between them should cover most road-side eventualities.

All the multi-tools in the E-version range are made from predominantly Chrome Vanadium steel, with steel side plates and connecting bolts. (Birzman's multi-tools are also available in other ranges, with lighter parts and side-plates – using aluminium alloy or carbon – each shaving off a few more grams and adding a few quid more to the price, although not all options are available in the UK.)

Looking at this Mini Tool in more detail, the Allen (hex) keys are: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm. The spoke keys are 3.2mm, 4.3mm, 4.4mm and a Mavic-specific fitting. The torx keys are T25 and T15.

This E-Version 15-function Mini Tool is also available with a flat-head screwdriver instead of the T15 torx key. The former is called the 'Standard Edition', the latter is the 'T15 Edition'.

Testing the mini tool on a selection of components on the bikes in the road.cc lab, the individual Allen keys and torx keys all swung out of the tool very smoothly. When pressure was applied, there was little sign of flexing, even at the pivot point where the allen key hinges out of the multi-tool; this is because the base of each allen key is drilled and completely surrounds the connecting bolt (rather than being simply wrapped around the connecting bolt as on some other brands of multi-tool).

The spoke keys are built into the twisting lever of the chain tool, which has to be completely unscrewed from the chain tool to adjust the spokes. Not the work of a moment, but then nor is re-truing a wheel at the side of the road.

The chain tool itself functions very well when removing rivets - the idea being you'd completely remove a broken link and fix the chain with that spare quick-link you carry with you at all times. However, loosening a stiff link proved harder; the plates in the tool seemed too small to hold the chain in place, so when pressure was applied to the rivet extractor, the chain lifted out of the tool.

But apart from that niggle, this Birzman Mini Tool functions perfectly, and even looks stylish as well. So when you're tightening up a loose saddle bolt on next Sunday's club-run, your mates can all admire the quality of your tool.

The recommended retail price for this Birzman multi-tool is £17.99 which compares very well to the price of similar sized and similar quality products from other brands (many of which are over £20 or nearer £30). You can find cheaper models from other manufacturers, but many of these don't have the same build quality.

Verdict

Comprehensive multi-tool covers road-side repairs, with a high-quality build and a good-value price.