Shimano TL-CT11 Review...

I'll save you the trouble of reading this review. If you want the best cable cutters money can buy, go and buy these. They're not cheap, but you will not find a better pair of cutters.

These cable cutters are an up date to the legendary Shimano CT10 cutters which have achieved a cult status among bike mechanics. I've spoken to shops who are kitted out with every Park Tool imaginable, except the cable cutters which are very often Shimano CT11's. These cutters are incredibly well respected around the world.

Why? They do the job, and they do it incredibly well. I've yet to come across an outer cable these cutters don't slice through with minimal effort. There's absolutely no fraying, and best of all, the inner casing doesn't get crushed. I was amazed how good these cutters were, and I really wouldn't want anything else in my tool kit.

They're certainly not cheap. I paid £40 for mine (from Royles), but prices seem to be very fluid. Be aware that Shimano also make something called a Pro Cable Cutter. It's not the same thing, so don't be fooled.

There's only so much you can talk about when we're reviewing such a fundamentally basic tool, so I'll just leave you with this. If you're the kind of person who wants to buy one tool that will last a life time, these are your cutters.

Check out these cutters in action on this video: