We test the Abbey Bike Tools T Way and bit holder

Abbey Bike Tools are known around the world for producing thoughtfully designed and made tools in Oregon in the USA. The brand was born from the real world needs of founder and owner Jason Quade and his contemporaries who were wrenching full time in shops and for pro teams. After a few short runs on some iconic tools like the Crombie, Jason took his tools into production and has continued to add tools to the range that are very high quality, and designed to improve the experience and efficiency of working on bikes.

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Enter the Abbey Bike Tools T Way

Fast forward about a decade and the tool requirements for modern bikes continue to change. There are a few tools that have changed little, like the 3-way allen key that you’ll see gracing just about any work bench. Abbey have their own take with a 4-way tool with replaceable tool bits, so you could mix and match the tools you needed; such as a 4/5/6mm and a T25. The leverage on a 3-wayor 4-way tool isn’t massive, but in part their ease of use is what makes them so versatile and popular. However, with through-axles being the norm, and the need for a hefty load on a SRAM T-type group set derailleur, the Abbey Bike Tools T Way was developed.

This is one chonky tool being built from stainless steel right in Bend, Oregon. It weighs 202g without any of the tool bits, so you can be sure it will be around for quite some time. And that is the idea. The 3 bit holders are very snug, with a magnet embedded in each end to ensure the bits won’t be flying around when you’re in a mad rush in the workshop. The T-way works with the same bits as the 4-way tool–and you can get a 10 bit carrier with the tool if you like, as tested here. Lead Out Sports also sell the tool alone, or with a 4/5/T25 or 5/6/T25 setup. Note, my selection of bits is slightly different to stock as I purchased the tool on a visit to Abbey in 2023. The bit holder is also magnetised and can stick to the tool or your fridge.

In use

I mostly leave the T-way set up with a 5mm, 6mm and T25. I don’t have a huge need for a T25 as I use centre lock rotors on almost all my bikes, but there are enough stem bolts that lurk on some bikes that it is handy to have. The extra leverage for through axles is very much welcomed, and using the 8mm bit for removing pedals is also great. The lightly shaped head, or top of the T, is very comfortable in the hand, along with the textured section for slightly more grip–especially in a hot and humid Queensland summer. I certainly found that whatever tool I used at the lower bit holder, or the base of the T, was not as great to use and this is just ergonomics. You end up a long way from where the tool contact is to where the handle is, which can feel pretty vague on a T25 or 4mm on something like a rotor bolt or stem face plate. Change things out to a use age case where you are adjusting B-tension on a 2mmallen key bit and it is spot on. And admittedly, I reach for a torque wrench to finish off a lot of jobs, and the lower mount is great for snugging up bolts quickly, and I think most people would equip the tool with the 3 tool bits they use the most, and only change them out occasionally.

Our verdict on the Abbey Bike Tools T Way

Some of the quality tools I own, like a Park Tool 3-way allen key, I have owned for nearly 25 years. I find it is worth investing in good tools. I am more than happy to have bought the Abbey Bike Tools T Way and 10 bit set. This covers off a lot of what I need day to day, but on a fairly complete tool wall it isn’t what I reach for automatically, I still find a 3-way is my go to. But if you want something that will do a lot of jobs in a neat package that will be on hand potentially for decades–this is worth investing in.