To me toolmaker Lezyne stands out best in the tiny details. And their new Ratchet Kit miniature ratchet wrench set looks like a perfect example. Working with the standard 1/4″ tool bits every mechanic uses, Lezyne has put together a reasonably priced wrench kit to get to most hard-to-reach bolts on your bike…
Lezyne Ratchet Kit miniature ratchet wrench set
The Ratchet Kit is pretty simple – combining a mini ratchet wrench with a dozen interchangeable 1/4″ bits to meet any bolt tightening & loosening needs out on road or trail. The heart of the kit is a small ~10cm long wrench with a reversible, fine-toothed ratchet on one end and a simple closed end wrench on the other. The only potential reservation you could have here is how durable the tiny ratcheting internals will be over the long-term? But since there is a fixed, closed end wrench on the other end, it’s pretty much a permanent insurance policy for the more convenient ratchet end.
The low-profile head, and short arm will fit into most tight spaces on your bike with a 1/4″ bit attached directly. Or with the ~4cm long knurled extension, it can reach further into areas that are even tighter. Use that knurled black alloy extension on its own to hand-thread bolts quickly in confined spaces (think: water bottle cage bolts), then pop the wrench back on to tighten it down.
The Ratchet Kit sells for $40 with a zippered carrying case that’s sized to slide securely into a jersey pocket. The kit includes twelve hardened chrome vanadium bits including: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8mm hexes; T10 & T25 torxes; and #2 Phillips & #4 Slotted flathead bits. If you damage (or lose) a bit they are easily replaced. Also if your bike needs a special bit (say a long reach 4mm to tighten a hidden seatpost clamp) you can easily mix & match your own specialized kit.
A foam liner holds all the individual bits in place, and there’s a mesh pocket to add some more small repair items like a tire lever or patch kit. If you aren’t afraid of loose bits, the mini ratchet & all of its attachments can probably even fit in any saddle or repair bag you already use, as everything is super compact without the foam bit holder in the case.
