Originally Posted by
neeb
They're all really heavy. Even the teensie-weensie Specialized EMT Micro I had once.
All I need is one plastic tyre lever, one 4mm and one 5mm allen key (plus minipump, 1x spare tube and patch kit). My 5mm allen key came with an Ikea flat-packed bed and is a little smaller and lighter than a standard one. They both fit in my patch kit box.
I don't bother with a chain tool. I assemble my campag chains properly with the proper uber-expensive campag chain tool and change them before they are worn. Never had one break on me yet. Sure, it might happen sometime, but so might my derailleur hanger snap off or my frame explode.
The Lezyne tool is 115 grams, which I wouldn't call really heavy.
As for the chain tool, I'd agree it's pretty rare you'd need it. I've used it on a tandem and on an MTB, not on a single road bike. However, the likely scenario where you'd use it on a road bike would be a snapped derailleur hanger, post crash, in which case it could be the difference between riding and walking.
And comparing a mini tool to carrying a 4mm and 5mm allen key, I can think of a number of repairs that the mini tool handles that your setup doesn't, such as:
1) loose cleat screw,
2) truing a wheel (which can come in handy with a broken spoke),
3) adjusting a limit screw ( again handy post crash)
4) tightening a crankset (8mm allen key)
5) chain repair
6) emergency single speed conversion
7) opening a beer bottle ( chain tool does this pretty well)
How much repair capability you choose to carry is of course a tradeoff, and involves consideration of how risk adverse you are, and how much you value self reliance.
For me the Lezyne, which handles about everything short of a broken frame, at 115 grams is a good compromise.