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Lezyne SV-11 Multi-Tool

8
£36.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Comprehensive multi-tool, with 11 functions and solid build quality; not cheap though
Weight: 
107g

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There's a huge number of bike accessories in the Lezyne portfoilio – stuff like pumps, bags, lights and multi-tools, including this SV-11 multi-tool. It's not cheap, but with 11 functions this multi-tool will cover just about every kind of roadside repair, and it should last for ever thanks to high quality materials and a solid build.

Leyzene tools fall into various ranges, from the entry-level and relatively heavy Rap range to the top–level ultra-light Carbon range. The SV-11 is in the one-down-from-the-top SV range which boasts side-plates made from machined aluminium and the individual tool bits made from stainless steel. This means a good balance between durable materials and light weight (the SV-11 tips the road.cc scales at 101g), with the added bonus that this tool won't go rusty in your saddlebag if you forget to dry it out after a ride in the rain.

Flip open the individual tool-bits and you'll find allen (aka hex) keys at 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm; Torx (aka star-shaped) keys at T25 and T30; a flat-blade screwdriver; and a chain breaker. The SV-11 also comes with a little stretchy plastic sheath to protect other stuff in your saddlebag being chaffed.

At first glance, the number of functions on the SV-11 might seem overkill. I'd hazard a guess there aren't that many bikes that have allen key bolts at all those sizes, so you may well be carrying tool-bits which will never be used. It's only a few extra grams, but you wouldn't choose to carry around an allen key that didn't fit anything on your bike, so you might find it slightly annoying to carry a multi-tool with bits that have no purpose.

There again, if you have a couple of bikes and between them they've got all these bolt sizes, then the SV-11 might be a perfect one-tool-fits-all solution.

One thing to remember: the screwdriver is a flat blade. Most screws fitted to bikes (usually the front and rear gear mech stops) can take flat blade or cross-head (Phillips) screwdrivers, but if your bike is cross-head only, then the SV-11 might not fit.

The chain breaker works well when removing rivets (on the assumption that if you snap a chain you remove the broken link then replace it with a spare quick-link). It is not possible to reinsert a rivet or loosen a stiff link, as you can with a workshop chain tool.

For many cyclists, the absence of a spoke key might be a serious omission, but maybe so many wheels these days have features such as bladed spokes or hidden nipples that a spoke key is deemed unnecessary.

Each tool bit swings out smoothly, and when tightening bolts there's little sign of flexing, even at the bit's pivot point. This is because the allen key bases are drilled and completely surround the connecting bolts between the side plates, rather than being simply wrapped around the connecting bolts as on some other brands of multi-tool.

If the number of functions on the SV-11 is too many for your needs, alternatives from the Lezyne catalogue include the SV-10 multi-tool (with all the same allen keys as the SV-11 except the 2.5m) or the SV-7 (which does have the 2.5mm but not 3mm and 8mm, nor the chain breaker). The latter is not so comprehensive, of course, but considerably lighter to carry around.

Some cyclists might question the whole idea of carrying such a comprehensive multi-tool in the first place, saying you should make sure your bike is impeccably maintained at home before you go out on every ride, which would probably reduce the chances of needing more than a couple of individual allen keys to tweak a saddle height or tighten troublesome mudguard stays. That may be true, but much will come down to how well you maintain your bike in reality, and also on your attitude towards risk. With the best will in the world, bolts sometimes come loose, or kit gets twisted if you're unlucky enough the drop your bike, and it can really ruin your day if you're a long way from home and a lack of tools means not being able to make a repair and keep moving.

The Leyzene SV-11 has a recommended retail of £36.99 although you can find it a few quid cheaper at the usual on-line stores. This is on the pricey side when compared against similar tools from other manufacturers such as the Birzman Feexman (12 functions, 120g, £25 to £30) or the Topeak Hummer/Hexus (16 functions, 160g, £20) although these are not stainless steel, and the Lezyne is lighter than both of them. You can get tools from other manufacturers with a similar number of functions which are even cheaper and lighter, but many of those are built with soft steel so the tool-bits bend or round off, or they come without the chain breaker.

Choosing a multi-tool is like choosing a bike. A lot depends on your own needs, budget and expectations. But, overall, for a multi-function tool to cover most road-side eventualities and last a lifetime, while still helping to keep your overall weight to a minimum, the Lezyne SV-11 is well worth considering.

Verdict

Comprehensive multi-tool, with 11 functions and solid build quality; not cheap though

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Lezyne SV-11 Multi Tool

Size tested: Leather Strap

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?

This product is a portable multi-tool, designed to be used for unexpected roadside repairs, rather than every day in the workshop. The Lezyne websiset says: 'Lezyne SV Tools are compact, low profile tools made with lightweight and durable materials. They feature CNC machined aluminum side plates and a forged and CNC-machined aluminum chain breaker (9/10/11 speed chain - SV10 and 11). The Stainless Steel bits and fastening hardware are durable and corrosion resistant. Forged, center-pivot bits increase tool rigidity and improve ergonomics.'

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

The Lezyne website goes on to give the following specs:

SV 11:

WEIGHT: 105g

DIMENSIONS: 48W–63L– 12H (mm)

TOOL BITS: Hex 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm, Star Shaped T25, T30, Flat Head screwdriver, Chain Breaker: (9/10/11 speed)

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Construction is very good, using a combination of machined aluminium and stainless steel

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Performance is very good. Each tool-bit swings out smoothly, and when tightening bolts there's little sign of flexing.

Rate the product for durability:
 
9/10

Too early to say, but thanks to the stainless steel, durability id likely to be very good.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10

For a tool with this many functions, of this build-quality, the weight of 106g is very good.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

The price appears on the steep side, compared to tools of similar quality from other manufacturers, although you might be prepared to pay this premium for stainless steel.

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

Overall, performance is very good. This tool is made from quality materials, and works well.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Solid build. No bending or rounding. Stainless steel (so no rust).

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price is on the step side, but you're paying for the build-quality and materials.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe, but I might save a tenner and put up with rust.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Overall, the SV-11 is a very nice piece of kit. The build quality is very good, and the materials mean it'll last for ever. On that basis it would score 9. However, the price is not a bargain, and the lack of a cross-head screwdriver might be an nuisance, which together deduct a point, giving an overall score of 8.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 53  Height: 5ft 10 / 178cm  Weight: 11 stone / 70kg

I usually ride: an old Marin Alp, an old Cotswold steel classic, an old Jensen steel classic  My best bike is: an old Giant Cadex carbon (can you see a theme here?)

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: A few times a week  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, Trail riding, gravel riding and rough-stuff (off road on a road bike)

 

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6 comments

Avatar
Cycletramp | 8 years ago
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Having read the above review, user comments and tool description on various sites I purchased one thinking it would be the ideal choice for road-side maintainence on my 9 and 10 speed mountain bikes and my new 11 speed road bike only to discover that the packaging accompanying the tool states "chain breaker 8,9,10 speed".
Can anyone please confirm that they have successfully used this tool on an 11 speed chain without any issues?

Avatar
CK1 replied to Cycletramp | 6 years ago
0 likes
Cycletramp wrote:

Can anyone please confirm that they have successfully used this tool on an 11 speed chain without any issues?

 

 

Hi. Just discovered the same. Have you been able to use it with 11-speed chain? 

Avatar
alotronic | 9 years ago
0 likes

Horses for courses...

I have the SV10 with the phillips. I've had it for a couple of years, use it a lot and mine hasn't got the dreaded 'flop' of cheaper items so far, unlike DanTe.

It is a bit awkward to use in some of the tools, but I like the all-in nature of it. The chain breaker really is very good, I use it as my main tool and my park remains in the toolbox. I also use the curved breaker lever as a second tyre lever.

I agree that for really short rides perhaps a couple of allen keys and spare links will probably be ok, but I do long rides and this thing gives me a great range of options and covers a lot of bases. I even use the 8mm occasionally (SO's bike has a square taper crank and my XTR spds use an 8mm hex).

No matter how impeccably your bike is prepared it's good to have something on you that gives you a better chance of getting home.

Avatar
DanTe | 9 years ago
0 likes

Good chain breaker but the whole thing is too bulky to be able to use properly.
The hooked Allen keys are a nightmare and virtually impossible to use. After a while everything losens creating too much movement in each individual component.
Did I mention the hooked Allen keys being impossible to use?
Try tightening your brake caliper bolt in the fork with it.
A few Allen keys and a couple of quick links will save you having to cart this thing about.,

Avatar
monty dog | 9 years ago
0 likes

I have the SV-10 and can attest to the quality - the chaintool actually works having fixed a few broken chains in it's time. Slips into a jersey pocket and being stainless steel, survives wet winter and MTB rides. Needing anything more usually means maintenance has been lacking...

Avatar
steviewevie | 9 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

alternatives from the Lezyne catalogue include the SV-10 multi-tool (with all the same allen keys as the SV-11 except the 2.5m)

It's also worth noting that the SV-10 has a Philips screwdriver rather than the flat head of the SV-11. That made the SV-10 preferable for me.

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