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Carrying tools on your MTB frame is smart. This way, you always have the most important tools for a repair on the road with you. In the best case scenario, you can even do without a rucksack. Numerous manufacturers now offer tool solutions that can be hidden in the cavities of the handlebars, cranks or steerer tube. Others use the bottle cage holes as mounting points. Bike manufacturers are also responding to this trend and are increasingly equipping their models with mounting points on the top and down tubes.
Crankbrothers S.O.S. Tools for bottle cage mounting
The developers at Crankbrothers have so far held back when it comes to so-called on-board tools. Instead, with the S.O.S tools, the Americans are presenting a whole range of clever solutions that can be attached to the bottle cage holes. The late entry into this tool segment may have paid off. We have been able to test the BC18 all-in-one set for a few weeks now. It seems that Crankbrothers has learnt from the mistakes of other manufacturers in terms of handling and features. At least the BC18 we tested is comprehensively equipped and functional in its handling.
There are five different tools in total, which should fulfil all your needs in the event of a puncture. The equipment ranges from a simple bottle cage with integrated tyre lever and tubeless tool to the fully packed BC18, which in addition to the bottle cage also houses a fully equipped mini tool, tyre lever, chain tool and a CO2 adapter. The BC18 also has space for a pump or a CO2 cartridge.
TT17 Twin Tube Tool Kit - the toolbox
The TT17 is a storage box in which the tools can be attached to the frame via classic bottle cage holes to protect them from dust and splash water. If you open the box, you will find the S.O.S. multitool, tyre levers, CO2 adapter and space for a CO2 cartridge.
Features Crankbrothers TT17
- Hexagon socket: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm
- T25 Torx
- Screwdriver
- Tyre repair kit with tyre tamper and tyre plug
- Heavy-duty tyre lever
- Chain riveting tool with spoke spanners
- Spoke spanner: 0, 1, 2
- Tubeless valve spanner
- CO2 cartridge adapter
- Aluminium storage tube with lock
- Holder for spare chain link and CO2 cartridge 6/20/25g (available separately)
- Weight: 247 g
- Price 119,99 Euro >> available here
BC2 Bottle Cage+ - bottle cage plus
The BC2 is a bottle cage where the bottle is removed to the side. The holder can be mounted on the left or right and is also part of the BC18 set. On the base there is a sturdy tyre lever including tubeless tool and spare plugs.
Features Crankbrothers BC2
- Side-entry bottle cage can be mounted on the left or right
- Tyre repair kit with tyre tamper and tyre plug
- Heavy-duty tyre lever
- Weight: 73g
- Price 39,99 Euro >> available here
BC18 Bottle Cage Tool Kit - the complete solution
If you're looking for the ultimate in on-board tools, you should take a closer look at the BC18. Here, Crankbrothers adapts an extensively equipped mini tool including chain tool and CO2 adapter to the right or left mountable bottle cage from the BC2. This is housed in a waterproof cartridge and is well protected from dirt. The other side of the holder offers space for a pump or CO2 cartridge.
Features Crankbrothers BC18
- Side-entry bottle cage can be mounted on the left or right
- Hexagon socket: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm
- T10, T25 Torx
- Screwdriver
- Tyre repair kit with tyre tamper and tyre plug
- Heavy-duty tyre lever
- Chain riveting tool
- Spoke spanner: 0, 1, 2
- Tubeless valve spanner
- CO2 cartridge adapter
- Holder for spare chain link and CO2 cartridge 16/20/25 g or Crankbrothers Klic HV hand pump (both available separately)
- Weight: 247g
- Price 99,99 Euro >> available here
TS2 Tube Stash
Instead of a water bottle, a spare inner tube can be transported on the TS2. The sturdy tyre lever and tubeless tool are also integrated here. However, this solution is only suitable if the frame has several bottle cage holes or if you are travelling with a hydration bladder for the water supply.
Features Crankbrothers TS2
- Wide Velcro fastening strap for spare tube for mounting on bottle cage eyelets (tube not included)
- Tyre repair kit with tyre tamper and tyre plug
- Heavy-duty tyre lever
- Weight: 53 g
- Price 29,99 Euro >> available here
TS18 Tube Stash Tool Kit - Complete puncture repair kit
Like the BC18, the TS18 is equipped with the torpedo for minitool, chain tool, tyre lever and second holder for pump or CO2 cartridge. Crankbrothers replaces the bottle cage here with the holder for the spare tube shown above. If there are several bottle cage holes on the frame, this could be the all-in-one solution of choice.
Features Crankbrothers TS18
- Wide Velcro fastening strap for spare tube for mounting on bottle cage eyelets (tube not included)
- Hexagon socket: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm
- T10, T25 Torx
- Screwdriver
- Tyre repair kit with tyre tamper and tyre plug
- Heavy-duty tyre lever
- Chain riveting tool
- Spoke spanner: 0, 1, 2
- Tubeless valve spanner
- CO2 cartridge adapter
- Holder for spare chain link and CO2 cartridge 16/20/25 g or Crankbrothers Klic HV hand pump (both available separately)
- Weight: 229 g
- Price 89,99 Euro >> available here
Stefan Frey
Editor
