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review
Tools - multitools
Tools - Portable
Topeak Mini P20 Topeak Mini P20 Topeak Mini P20 Topeak Mini P20
2020 Topeak Mini P20

Topeak Mini P20

7
by Jamie Williams
Sat, Aug 22, 2020 19:45
8
£32.99

VERDICT:

7
10
High quality, compact and well equipped – but not really 20 function
High quality build
Good chain breaker
PowerLink tool is rare
Short bits
Thick, bulky shape
Not really 20 functions
Weight: 
130g
Contact: 
www.extrauk.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Topeak Mini P20 multitool features everything a rider will likely ever need at the roadside. It has a premium feel and a very durable build, but as with most tools this compact, heavily recessed bolts are a challenge. It's also more accurate to call this a 17 tool device, even if it has 20 'functions'...

The P20, as the name suggests, is designed for 20 functions. But that's a stretch. It's more a 17-function tool if you ignore the idea that movable bits, the knife locking when extended, and having two sides on the chain tool count as functions.

2020 Topeak Mini P20 2.jpg

Nevertheless, even with 17 it's still well equipped. In no particular order the P20 features:

  • 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Allen keys
  • T15 and T25 Torx wrenches
  • Spoke wrenches (15g/14g/Mavic M7/Shimano 4.5mm)
  • Chain tool
  • PowerLink tool
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • A knife and saw

The main body is forged aluminium (for low weight), whilst the tools are chrome vanadium steel. This gives it a quality feel and means the tools are hard enough to last a long time without rounding.

2020 Topeak Mini P20 - folded 2.jpg

The mechanism is buttery smooth, yet stiff enough to prevent the tools flailing about aimlessly as you work. I've got the black version here, but it's also available with a gold or silver body.

Top marks for Topeak including Torx keys – they seem to pop up at random at least a couple of times per bike – and an 8mm hex, although as it's a cap for the 6mm there's the risk, as always, of losing it or getting it trapped in a recalcitrant bolt head.

2020 Topeak Mini P20 - folded 1.jpg

There's even a PowerLink tool, which isn't that common on multitools, for splitting speed links. It's robust and easy to use, as is the chain tool. I've been pushing pins out of odd lengths of chain for the last month (everybody needs a hobby), and it's well up to the job. There's no flat-bladed screwdriver, however.

In fact, the Mini P20 is surprisingly good considering how small it is. Despite only measuring 7.4 x 2.9 x 1.8 cm, the ergonomic shape means you can get really good leverage and grip, and consequently exert more than enough force to get things fixed.

> 12 of the best cycling multi tools — get the right bits to fix your bike's bits

This compact size means it slots nicely into a stuffed jersey pocket or saddle bag, though it does like to pull loose jerseys around by the pockets – odd, as 130g isn't particularly heavy. Its blocky, dense design actually works against it here, in comparison to thinner, credit card-style multi-tools.

Value

At £32.99 the Mini P20 isn't cheap, but quality is high and it should provide years of genuinely useful service. The Merida 20 in 1 is a fair bit cheaper at £24.99, by comparison, but is not so impressive and lacks a chain tool. The Pro Bike Tool 17 in 1 is very good, and has similar functionality to the Topeak and is a little cheaper at £27.99, though it's not hard to pay more: the Specialized EMT Pro Tool, for example, is £40.00.

Despite only 17 of the 20 functions actually being tools, the Mini P20 is well made, dependable and well equipped – it's never left me by the side of the road for want of anything. The build quality, material choice and mechanism design are all excellent. Only its slightly high price and dense, boxy shape won't suit every pocket.

Verdict

High quality, compact and well equipped – but not really 20 function

road.cc test report

Make and model: Topeak Mini P20

Size tested: 7.4x2.9x1.8cm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Topeak says the Mini P20 is a "20 function pro-quality, precision mini tool with sleek forged alloy body ... Perfect for any road or trailside repair."

It's high quality and well equipped enough to deal with most problems. However, it does feel dense in a jersey pocket, and I think it's more of a 17 function tool.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

From Topeak:

Function - 20

Body Material - Forged aluminum

Tool Material - Chrome vanadium steel

Neoprene Bag included

Size - 7.4 x 2.9 x 1.8 cm / 2.9' x 1.1' x 0.7'

Weight - 131 g / 4.62 oz

Tools - 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 mm Allen wrenches

8 mm hex socket

T15 / T25 Torx® wrenches

14G / 15G / Mavic M7 / Shimano® 4.5mm spoke wrenches

CrMo steel chain tool*, CrMo master link tool

#2 Phillips screw driver

Serrated knife / saw

Other Features - Knife blade lock, extendable for leverage, and secondary chain link fence

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Really well made.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Surprising leverage from such a small tool – its ergonomic shape feels good.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

The chrome vanadium tools are a big bonus here.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
7/10

Not bad considering the functions, but because it's so small it does feel dense.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
9/10

Ergonomic shape works well.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

£35 seems expensive, but the obvious durability pushes the value back up.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

A joy to use, with smooth mechanisms that don't loosen.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

High quality feel.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Feels dense in a jersey pocket.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's middling. The Pro Bike Tool is £8 less, for instance, while Specialized's similar EMT Pro tool is a fiver more expensive.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's a good tool with excellent build quality, but its pocket-unfriendly shape, failure to truly live up to its 20-function brief and high price – in a crowded market – stop it being more than good, and a seven.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 22  Height: 6ft  Weight: 74kg

I usually ride: Specialized venge pro 2019  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

Topeak Mini P20 2020
Topeak Mini P20
Topeak 2020
Topeak
Jamie Williams

Jamie has been riding bikes since a tender age but really caught the bug for racing and reviewing whilst studying towards a master's in Mechanical engineering at Swansea University. Having graduated, he decided he really quite liked working with bikes and is now a full-time addition to the road.cc team. When not writing about tech news or working on the Youtube channel, you can still find him racing local crits trying to cling on to his cat 2 licence...and missing every break going...

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8 comments

Avatar
mattw | 9 months ago
0 likes

Technically the locking knife blade on this makes it illegal under UK knife law. A "reasonable excuse" for carrying a *lock* knife would be required.

Whether that is a problem will depend on the circs and the attitude of any policeman, I expect.

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to mattw | 9 months ago
1 like
mattw wrote:

Technically the locking knife blade on this makes it illegal under UK knife law. A "reasonable excuse" for carrying a *lock* knife would be required.

Whether that is a problem will depend on the circs and the attitude of any policeman, I expect.

I think the problem is with the reviewer's description, a "locking knife blade" is illegal if it locks in place and requires the pressing of a release button for return. Blades (provided they are under three inches) that lock into place via a spring or ratchet system, as with a penknife, so that they can be pushed back into the closed position by hand without having to press a button, are legal, and that looks to be the case here.

Avatar
mark1a replied to Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
0 likes
Rendel Harris wrote:
mattw wrote:

Technically the locking knife blade on this makes it illegal under UK knife law. A "reasonable excuse" for carrying a *lock* knife would be required.

Whether that is a problem will depend on the circs and the attitude of any policeman, I expect.

I think the problem is with the reviewer's description, a "locking knife blade" is illegal if it locks in place and requires the pressing of a release button for return. Blades (provided they are under three inches) that lock into place via a spring or ratchet system, as with a penknife, so that they can be pushed back into the closed position by hand without having to press a button, are legal, and that looks to be the case here.

This does actually have a lock mechanism though according to the picture on Topeak's website.

https://www.topeak.com/global/en/product/1338-MINI-P20

 

 

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to mark1a | 9 months ago
1 like

Yes but that's the same locking system as a pocketknife and the blade can be pushed back by hand without needing a release button. The definition of a locking knife under UK law is one that can only be returned to the body of the instrument by pressing a release button. Could be wrong about this particular tool but I can't see a release button?

Avatar
Fignon's ghost replied to Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
1 like

Entirety correct, RH. There is no lock release. Only finger pressure to close is necessary. This is an excellent sos tool when you are stranded far from home. An essential for your bike bag.

Avatar
mark1a replied to Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
0 likes
Rendel Harris wrote:

Yes but that's the same locking system as a pocketknife and the blade can be pushed back by hand without needing a release button. The definition of a locking knife under UK law is one that can only be returned to the body of the instrument by pressing a release button. Could be wrong about this particular tool but I can't see a release button?

It looks like the end of a lever which goes against a detent thingy on the blade pivot. Plus the website mentions locking at least twice. 

Avatar
Rendel Harris replied to mark1a | 9 months ago
0 likes

Here is the UK law, basically if you have to press a button, spring or catch to return the blade to the body of the knife then it's locking knife, if the mechanism holding the blade can be overcome just by pushing it back into the body of the knife then it's not. Without testing it myself I can't see if that's the case, though FG above says you can just push it closed.

Avatar
mark1a replied to Rendel Harris | 9 months ago
1 like

Yes I understand, it's just that I can definitely see what I believe is a catch, the manufacturer says it's got a locking mechanism, and the reviewer says it locks. However I don't have one so will defer to FG if they do have one. Perhaps the reviewer could confirm. 

In the meantime, there's a review here which says the blade locks and is technically not compatible with UK law. 

https://bigbeardybikes.com/index.php/2022/06/14/topeak-mini-p20-review/

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