Tools aren’t sexy. [Oh, yes they are… ed.] They’re for fixing your bike and getting you on the road again. But when Lezyne stepped forward several years ago with its range of beautifully designed, intelligently engineered and truly innovative components, suddenly it was ok to lust after a mini-tool or pump.
Having founded Truvativ, then built it up and sold it to SRAM, Micki Kozuscheck turned his attention to new horizons, launching Lezyne with a focus on clean design and functionality. Two years later and with an expanded range of products, Kozuscheck’s talent for genuine innovation and keen eye for design gave him another big hit.
A selection of the latest 2009 products, now available from distributor Upgrade has just landed on the editorial desk. Over the following weeks we’ll be putting them to extensive use and we’ll report on our findings.
A first for 2009 is a four-model range of track pumps, which start with this £39.99 Classic Floor Drive model. All the pumps in the range share similar aesthetics, including wooden handles and clean steel pistons and barrels, aluminium feet and a large easy-to-read pressure gauge accurate up to the pump’s maximum 160psi. An alloy flip-thread chuck offers both Presta and Schrader valve fitment and docks at the base of the barrel, using the elastic hose to stay in place.
As minimalist as it is light (101g), the new SV-10 multi-tool is ultra compact despite concealing 10 CNC-cut stainless steel bits. Tools on offer include a Philips-head driver, T25 and T30 Torx heads, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm Allen keys and a chain break, which, adding to the attention to detail prevalent in all Lezyne products, features a ‘timed’ thread so the chain breaker folds away flat with the body firmly closed. The side plates are made from 7075 aluminium while a Lezyne -logoed Leatherette wrap keeps the tool clean and safe. £26.99.
These Alloy Tyre Levers could be the last tyre levers you ever need to buy (unless you keep losing them, like I have a tendency to do). Two forged and highly polished aluminium levers featuring a hook at each end are held together with a neat Neoprene holder and don’t weigh much at all. £9.99.
Unlike any patch kit before, Lezyne’s Alloy Kit packages nine self-adhesive patches, a stainless steal tube roughener and one tyre boot inside a lightweight hollow-forged aluminium container, with a rubber plug keeping the kit waterproof. £6.99.
More from www.lezyne.com – Lezyne are distributed by www.upgradebikes.co.uk
