At a glance Beautifully made carbon, aluminium and polished steel multi tool that weighs under 100g and offers the functions you'll need on the trail.
Tested by
Jon Adams, tester for The Bike List
Performance
At just 96g, or 104g with the supplied silicon sleeve in place, the Birzman Feexman Cicada 10 is a wonderfully light option as your on-the-trail multi tool. As its name suggests, it offers 10 functions you're likely to need, and unlike most lightweight tools, you actually get a fully-functional chain splitter as part of the deal. This comes in two parts, but the chain plate pushes onto the screw-in link removal pin for packing the tool away. To keep the weight low, the 5mm, 6mm and 8mm hex keys are hollowed out, but this doesn't affect their performance when nipping up bolts on your bike, and they feel just as sturdy as solid hex wrenches when in use.
In terms of the other tools, 2.5, 3, and 4mm hexes are offered, along with a cranked 2mm hex and a cross-head screwdriver. To finish off the selection, a Torx T25 bit is supplied for nipping up disc rotors on your hub. The sides of the Cicada 10 are made of stiff carbon, and holding the tool together are 4mm hex bolts, so if you want to tighten or slacken the tension, it's easy to do.
Apart from the alloy chain plate, the bits are made from Chrome Vanadium throughout, and the finish is a beautifully polished high gloss steel that really looks the part. The only downside of the Cicada 10 is the £50 price tag, but you do get classy looks and weight saving as part of the deal, so the difference between this and a heavier, cheaper tool is immediately noticeable.
If you like nice-looking gadgets and want to save weight, then this is a great option as a constant companion. If weight doesn't worry you, then you can get something even more effective for half the price – Birzman's 20-function E-version Mini Tool is just £25, and throws a flathead screwdriver, a tyre lever, a knife, a tin opener and five spoke keys into the mix.
Overall though, we really like the Cicada 10, and it's been with us constantly for over 2000 miles. It's functionality, low weight, and small pack size make it close to perfect for commuting and recreational rides and the tool mix works fine whether you're on a road bike or an MTB. You need a couple of tyre levers and a puncture kit to complete the Cicada's offerings, but it's a superb bit of kit that will be going strong long after you've forgotten about the outlay.
Birzman says:
Birzman's Cicada tool is the beautifully realised evolution of the Feexman Carbon tool. The new organic side plates are stiffer and stronger than ever, and all for no discernible weight gain. Quite simply the finest mini trail tool money can buy.
1. Material:
- Chain Rivet Panel - Aluminum
- Side Panels - Carbon
- Bits - Cr-V (6150)
2. 10 functions:
- Chain Rivet Extractor
- Cross Head Screwdriver #1
- Hexkey T25/2mm/2.5mm/3mm/4mm/5mm/6mm/8mm
Find out more: www.birzman.co.uk
