Tool wraps aren’t new by any means, with ’80s faves Breezer supplying their first mountain bikes with a cute tool wrap under the saddle. But we’ve been (re)sold on the idea after loving Osprey’s in-pack version.
Wrapped up in a tough nylon roll is a micro pump, a multitool with common hex keys and a screwdriver, tyre pressure gauge, tyre levers, sidewall repair boots and tube patches.
The tiny pump is slow to inflate big volume tyres, but gets there – a CO2 gun would be a worthy addition for races or winter rides. The tyre boots are a potential ride saver, the glueless patches stick and we haven’t bent the tyre levers yet.
The tyre pressure gauge is more consistent than those on most pumps, but we’d rather have a chain tool as tyre pressure is easily checked by feel but fixing a chain without a tool is tricky. Park make an excellent example in the CT5, and we’d give up the gauge to include it.
It’s a good starter kit, and has enough room to add additional items as needed. And rather than the usual tool flotsam in the base of our bag, the wrap is easy to find and keeps everything pleasingly neat and tidy.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.