Just to be clear (for some who seem to have missed the point).
A FD is useful for shifting on the move. As it is I don't really need a FD as I can predict what chainring I would need before starting out.
So just being able to shift once before I start is good enough. Well, at least for the forseeable future.
I'm just looking for a tool to do this more easily. Maybe that 'O' ring hook is the way to go.