Tools For the Trail
TOOLS FOR THE TRAIL
What makes the ultimate fannypack?
The very nature of adventure-bikes implies a certain self-sufficiency. So, don’t be a weenie who doesn’t pack any tools.
What to carry?
“The first problem you’re going to have on a modern bike is with the tires, so you need a patch kit or extra tube, and tools to get the wheels off,” says guesttester Gary Jones.
Other advice? Practice. Use your toolkit to work on your bike in non emergency situations so you know exactly what you need. Also, don't buy a bag or pack so big that you feel obligated to fill it up-that stuff is heavy! "A couple of hours lugging a heavy toolkit and you're going to get tired really quick, especially if you're riding hard," says Jones. "Do carry a masterlink, spare nuts and bolts, wire, epoxy and zip-ties. If you don't have full handguards, carry a spare lever. You want stuff that gets you out."
Of the thousands of implement options out there, we picked three different ways to gather tools for the trail:
Roll your own: Motion Pro (wwwmotionpro.com) doesn't sell a complete kit. Rather, it offers an excellent, comfortable to-wear T-6 fannypack ($50) ii itf its with a selection of the company's quaHty tools. You'll have to look elsewhere for tape, epoxy putty, safety wire and so forth. Small hardware kits are, however, offered. Our kit shown here (including rub ber gloves, chain breaker,
spring hook, spoke wrenches) had enough tools to fix most problems on our four bikes. Coolest contents? The 1-6 Combo Lever, an aluminum tire lever with incorporated axle wrench, which combined wfth the 3/8-inch socket-dnve adapter, are must-have ems. Also sweet is the MP Tool, a many-in-one fixing device that would make MacGyver jealous. Outfitted as shown and including the bag, $340, but downsiz ing to work on one bike will lower cost.
Basic starter kit: In the case of Cruzlools (www cruztooIs~com), its DMX Fanny Pack Tool kit ($80) serves as an economical and reasonably complete way of getting what you need to fix most trailside problems. In addition to steeltire levers, pliers, a screwdriver, select sock ets and visegrips, there is a f!ash1~~ electrical
tape, mechanic's wire, zip-ties, a blister tube of WD-40 and even a shop rag. There also are two zip-closure pouches for add~ional storage, where CruzTools threw in a digital tire-pres sure gauge ($17) and its folding Outback'r Ml 4 multi-tool ($20). This alone has fourhexkeys (3,4,5 6mm), two screwdriv ers, a socket driver (with 8, 10 and 12mm sockets), 13 and 14mm open-end wrenches and three spoke wrenches, in a 9ounce, 3.5-inch-long package. Add your own tube/patch kit, and this IL a hard-to-beat combo.
Throw the toolbox at it: The Survivor Pack from DC Concepts (wwwdcconceptsllc.com) claims to be "Your complete tool bag." It is hard to argue. This backpack toolkit (lead photo) has just about everything you need to get your bike going again, from the pair of 2.5-inch lengths of copper tubing, 7 inches of radiator hose and clamps, to the tow strap, CO2 inflation sys tem and steel Motion Pro tire levers. Also included is a 21-inch tube (can be temporanly used in the rear, too), patch kit, folding knife, epoxy putty, chain breaker, universal masterlink. . .got the idea? With all this stuff, the pack weighs 9 pounds and is heavier still if you fill the 100-ounce Hydrapak bladder with freshly mixed Tang and electrolytes. Considering the contents and value-added of backpack and bladder, the $200 asking price makes it a good all-in-one option.
Mark Hoyer
