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The field of on-bike and steerer-tube tool storage hasn’t quite delivered on its promise to finally rid us of our packs and pockets. There are dozens of options out there, and all involve some level of compromise. But maybe it’s time we just accept that. Travis Engel sure has, so he’s here to review the least-bad in-frame tools on the market. We swear, it’s better than it sounds.
This is not a review of the Trail Boss collapsible tool system as a whole. That’d be kinda pointless. These U.S.-made splined sectional trail tools don’t really have any worthy one-to-one competitors. So, until that changes, Trail Boss wins by default. But that’s not a bad thing. Although traditional tools are sturdier and cheaper, you can’t stow traditional tools inside a pack, do legit heavy tread work, then pop mad wheelies while comfortably carrying them home. So, instead of stretching my not-so-hot take for hundreds of words, I’m just going to talk about Trail Boss’ new made-in-house tool head, the Hoe Rake, and stretch that for a mere hundreds of words.
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…
You can now customize Wolf Tooth’s popular Pack Pliers with a personalized message and design for the cycling enthusiast in your life. With its new custom web platform, you can choose from five different design templates, three fonts, and anodized bolt color. Normally, custom lasering is only available for bulk orders, but for this holiday season Wolf Tooth is opening it up to everybody.
These custom Pack Pliers will be available until December 1st or until they sell out. This ensures Wolf Tooth’s team in Minnesota can guarantee to have yours lasered, assembled, and shipped in time for Christmas…
See more at Wolf Tooth.
Sometimes videos speak louder than words and Wolf Tooth’s new video showcasing the functionality of the 8-Bit Tool Kit is one of those times. There are three tools in the new 8-Bit System: 8-Bit Chainbreaker + Utility Knife Multi-Tool, 8-Bit Tire Lever + Rim Dent Remover Multi-Tool, and 8-Bit Pack Pliers. A total of 22 functions between the three tools will keep you rolling to the next town or trailhead.
See the full collection at Wolf Tooth.
If you’re a contestant in the popular #ToolBoxWars or follow @ToolBoxWars and love 3D printed tools, then look no further than Silca’s new line of 3D-printed titanium tools including chain whips, hammers, and lock ring tools. They’re not cheap but hey, they’re titanium. See the full line and details at Silca.
Wolf Tooth’s Pack Pliers are a very clever way to keep a chain maintenance kit handy while out on a ride and their new 8-Bit Pack Pliers just upped the ante with a whole new level of functionality. The 8-Bit Pack Pliers are capable of 17 functions via eight attachments that are nested neatly inside the handle of master link pliers. The whole system stays nested thanks to a series of magnets and each of these attachments fit inside an 8mm detent swivel head with a 4mm opening for the various hex bits. On top of all that, the 8-Bit Pack Pliers also have a tubeless valve cleaner integrated into the handle.
Specs:
-17 functions: spoke wrench; valve core wrench; flat head #3.5 and Phillips #2 screwdriver bits; 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm hex; and T10, T25 Torx-compatible bits; install and remove master links; clear tire sealant clogs from valve stem; tighten valve stem lock nut
-Magnets keep all bits in place
-Ball detent swivel head helps access hard-to-reach places
-Handle doubles as breaker bar for extra torque when head is bent
-8mm hex bit tested to over 40 Nm torque
-Retail: $69.95
See more at Wolf Tooth.
Without trail working tools, our favorite trails would exist in disarray. Sometimes packing a full kit into the backcountry can be cumbersome and a new Kickstarter looks to rectify that. The GRIP N RIP Dirt Tool Set features everything you’d need to work dirt in a compact and lightweight package.
Check out the launch video here and see more at Kickstarter…
Daysaver just launched on Kickstarter. These made in Switzerland tools offer up 9 operations at only 45 grams by using nesting hex keys and a nifty frame mount. We see a lot of tools over here but this one is one of the cleverest yet. Check out more at their Kickstarter.
There are a lot of great products that fit into a MTB steerer tube but these are usually aluminum and are almost always open at the bottom of the steerer. Gravel bike forks typically are closed at the bottom of the steerer and many have carbon steerers. The new Granite Design Stash RCX uses a compression plug in lieu of a starnut and is is designed for forks without opening at the bottom of the steerer tube.
The Stash RCX features:
-8-piece Multi-tool: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, T25, Flathead
-Spoke key: 0, 1, 2, 3 with valve core removing function
-System weight (incl. multi-tool): 110g
-Multi-Tool weight: 57g
-Color: Black and Orange
-Stash RCX fits forks with or without the open end at the bottom of steerer tube.
-The inner diameter of the fork steerer needs be round shape and measured between 23.5mm to 27mm.
In stock on August 27th for $54.99 at Granite Designs.
Fix It Sticks, makers of small, compact, yet robust tools just announced their T-Way Ratcheting Wrench. This wrench has magnetic holders on all three ends and can accept any standard 1/4″ driver bit. The reversible ratchet end allows for quick directional changes. These wrenches are available at an introductory pre-order price of $32, rising to $40 once they are in stock. Head to Fix It Sticks to see more!
If you’re going to have one toolset and money was no object, then look no further. Abbey Tools‘ latest release is drool-worthy. Their Team Issue Toolbox has a retail of $1,350 and is filled with just about everything you’d need to wrench on a bike. Check out the full kit in high-res below.
Silca doesn’t think it makes sense to have multiple Y Wrenches kicking around your workbench. They believe you should be able to customize your wrench for whatever task at hand. You know what? I agree. If you do too, check out the new Ypsilon wrench at Silca.
The thing I use the most in my toolkit is my Silca HX-One home wrench set, yet I never bring it on the road with me because I’m afraid of losing some of the tiny bits in the black hole that is my truck. After the success of the HX-One home kit, Silca announced their HX-Two travel kit. These are not your standard hex wrenches. Not at all. This is Silca after all.
These wrenches are heat treated with a 9 step process, with a high grip polymer coating over high-engagement satin chrome. After over two years of heavy use, my HX-One wrenches still look brand new. The hex keys in the set, which include 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.5, 2, and 1.5mm, and Torx® keys include T30, T27, T25, T20, T15, T10, T9, T8, and T7. See more at Silca.