Cyclist Brian Davis is hoping to raise $18,000 in 30 days to fund a production run of his Fix It Sticks two-piece multitool.
The three-way hex wrench is a staple in many a cyclist's toolbox, and Davis' Fix It Sticks is a new, more portable spin on that design. Davis is using the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to raise money, and promising supporters to get in on product testing before an anticipated launch in the spring.
The design features two 'sticks' with wrench bits on either end. The sticks, which tuck neatly into a saddle bag, can be plugged into each other to form a T for leverage.
Simple tool, simple packaging
"Using a three-way wrench last winter while training in my basement I was struck by the simplicity of the design and the ability to gain leverage to tackle my suddenly dislodged front derailleur," Davis said. "I kept thinking I'd love to have something like that on the road with me and the idea was born."
Davis has already done a few rounds of prototyping.
"So far, we've built and sourced everything in the immediate area of Appleton, Wisconsin," Davis said. "We'll be keeping all the production in the U.S. so we can ensure the best quality product."
The idea is to have different models with different bits, so you could have 4mm and 5mm hex bits on one stick and Philips and flathead screwdrivers on the other. Davis is offering a few options on Kickstarter now, the only limitation being that the bits have to fit a half-inch head (so you can't get something like a 10mm hex).
The bits are permanently fixed into the ends
Should the project get off the ground, Davis said Fix It Sticks will be shipped with minimal packaging and a carrying case made from recycled inner tubes.
"We wanted to create a simple case for a simple tool," Davis said. "If you lose the case, you can make a new one in about 30 seconds from an old tube."