Review: Lezyne T-Drive Multi-Tool – Pocket-sized with no compromises

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

About Lezyne

“Lezyne is a combination of a love for cycling and a passion for design – Exquisitely designed, intelligently engineered, and functionally complete. Our goal is to engineer and produce premium quality bicycle accessories using the best materials available.” – Lezyne

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

In the crowded market of multi-tools, there are plenty of choices, but so many of them come with compromises. Reducing the size of a toolkit lowers weight but inevitably drops usability. Utilizing a thoughtful and clever design, Lezyne has produced a toolkit that is small but usable, the T-Drive multi-tool.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review
Size reference; Lezyne T-Drive sitting atop the Look 765 RS gravel bike.

 

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

As the diagram above alludes to, the T-Drive relies on a removable handle to make for more compact stowing.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

Cutouts inside the T-Drive’s zippered case provide convenient and secure storage.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

The included bits are:

  • Hex / Allen for 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm and 8mm
  • Torx T10, T25 and T30
  • Flat-head
  • Phillips head

All of which pair with the T-handle piece of the tool.

The Lezyne T-Drive features machined aluminium construction, whilst an integrated magnet keeps the included bits in place when the tool is being used.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

Gram counting on a tool kit is stupid, particularly if the tool doesn’t get the job done. As such, Lezyne lists the T-Drive with a claimed weight of 153 grams. Surprise surprise, my sample T-Drive weighs much less, case included, at 134 grams. That’s 19 grams below manufacturer spec, almost unheard of!

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

The T-Drive stows away inside its zippered carrying pouch and measures 12cm x 6cm x 3cm. It isn’t the smallest toolkit going but it is among the handiest.

How does the Lezyne T-Drive Perform?

I didn’t record video of the tool in action, but the photos below show the tool in scenarios one would commonly expect in the “field”.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

Above, a wheel swap with a 6mm bolt-on thru-axle is an essential requirement for a multi-tool. Because the T-drive lever slides, one can position it for extra leverage if required.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

Tightening down a pedal with an 8mm allen key head installed into the T-Drive.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

Above and below, the T25 torx bit and the Look “Gravel Design” stem of the Look 765 Gravel RS.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

Above and below, the T30 torx bit easily tightens the seatpost clamp for the Look 765 Gravel RS.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

In the photo sequence below, tightening a recessed two-bolt seatpost did pose an issue for the tool, but this likely applies for most multi-tools I can think of.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review
Accessing the first recessed bolt is a snap.
lezyne t-drive multi-tool review
The second bolt proved inaccessible to the tool. A regular allen key was required to tighten.

With the exception of the seatpost bolt pictured above, I used the Lezyne T-Drive kit to make final adjustments and a tightness check over the Look 765 Gravel RS review bike. The T-handle’s adjustable is super handy for most tight spots or when you extra leverage.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

In the field, the T-Drive will take up more of your jersey pocket real estate that other multi-tools on the market, but your average gravel bike may have additional spots for storage, so I don’t see the T-Drive’s stowed physical size being an issue.

lezyne t-drive multi-tool review

The final word on this review. The Lezyne T-Drive is a beautifully made bit of gear and a toolkit I turn to regularly for my rides, whether they be on gravel, roadie or otherwise.

Priced at $US 34.99, the Lezyne T-Drive is inexpensive, lightweight, super handy and should last for years. Highly recommended!

Online Shopping Link
Lezyne T-Drive Multi-Tool
Click this Link to BUY from Amazon

Lezyne

10 Comments

  1. why would you ever need to tighten bolts out on a ride? dont you check and tighten at home before a ride?

    • JOM JOM

      You missed one of the points of this review, which I stated. To prove the tool, in addition to carrying it along for three months, I used it to perform a final check over of the Look 765 Gravel RS review before its initial ride. As for tightening bolts during a ride, I don’t know how many review bikes or new bikes you ride?, but they often need tweaks to get them dialed in. Hence, tightening and loosening bolts during a ride is pretty valid. Additionally, if you happen to puncture a tyre with a bolt-on thru-bolt, one needs to remove said thru-bolt with a 5mm or 6mm hex / allen wrench.

      • Avatar AK_Ben

        You were much more polite in this response than I would have been. Nice, thorough review.

    • Avatar Gcwannabe

      I adjusted and tightened the disc calipers on a mate’s bike on Saturday’s ride.

    • Avatar J. Moore

      I’m diligent about going over every detail of my bike, but when you’re in the saddle for 50, 100, 200 miles at a time, shit happens. If you’ve ever snapped a derailleur hanger, you’ll be inclined to carry a tool and an extra hanger for the rest of your life. Hell, on my first long gravel adventure, I had to adjust my cleats, saddle height, and bar position just to finish the ride.

  2. Avatar Jeff Boyer

    Cool tool with impressive weight, but something like a crank brothers M17 has less bulk, a chain tool, and a spoke wrench and only weighs an ounce more. For me that makes the T-Drive a non starter to carry on my gravel bike, unless I’m missing something?

    • JOM JOM

      Thanks for chiming in, good to hear about other options.

  3. Avatar J. Moore

    This is pretty neat, but there’s no way I’m bringing a tool with loose bits out on a ride. There are just too many other tools that already do a great job without the prospect of dropping and losing parts.

  4. Avatar Beargrease

    Looks like a nice lightweight tool. Just purchased a new multitool myself. Park Tool MTC-40 which is a new model this year. In addition to the usual hex and torx bits, it has a great built-in chain tool, rotor straightener, bottle opener and CO2 cartridge adapter.

  5. Avatar Tom in MN

    A small 1/4″ combination wrench would probably solve the tight access problem. Looks like there is room in the top of the case for it. Their, apparently discontinued, ratchet kit had a closed end 1/4″ wrench on the handle end. They also make a version of this with the bits stored in the handle, but it has fewer bits. I have a similar kit in my car as a backup.

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