Lezyne SV-11 Multi-Tool

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