The Toolkit Thread

[Johnny_5]

Originally Posted by Speaker

Buck made fun of me for my pack being too heavy That is part of the reasoning for me going with a bike mounted solution. The other part is kind of completely opposite of yours.

Buck made fun of you because you carry heavy tools, not because you carry tools on your person. Look at the tools you're carrying vs the ones Tim shows in the start of this thread. Vicegrips, cresent wrench X 2, Bike pump (seems silly when you also have CO2s) etc. With your redundency in tools alone you're adding pounds to your kit. Now for a larger bike, you might need tools the size that you're carring, but not really for a trail bike.

There's other people in this thread that show their tool kits with whole wrench sets, large cresent wrenches, etc. I would consider that total overkill... for a trail bike. But they're not using those kits for trail bikes. Every kit that you use should really be adjusted for the bike that you ride.

Hilslamer's just had a couple of rides on his shiny 990 so I'm sure he'll be using different tools and different storage solutions on that bike. However the general concept is the same between bikes "What is the most likely way this bike could brake/fail/fall appart" and "What do I need to fix that problem" My tool kit wouldn't probably work out well for a 990 but it works great on my 125/200/450. Oh yeah, I carry my tools in a bum bag/backpack and I promise I've tested the crash worthyness many times

[Speaker]

Originally Posted by Johnny_5

Vicegrips, cresent wrench X 2, Bike pump (seems silly when you also have CO2s) etc. With your redundency in tools alone you're adding pounds to your kit. Now for a larger bike, you might need tools the size that you're carring, but not really for a trail bike.

There's other people in this thread that show their tool kits with whole wrench sets, large cresent wrenches, etc. I would consider that total overkill... for a trail bike. But they're not using those kits for trail bikes. Every kit that you use should really be adjusted for the bike that you ride.

Well, actually the toolkit I have now came after the bag I had when Buck made fun of me. The pack Buck thought was heavy didn't even have tire levers in it. Basically just 100oz of water. However, I totally agree with you in that some tools are too heavy. The large crescent wrench, like I said, is only to remove the axles. It will be replaced soon with the motion pro combo lever Tim showed, this will also allow me to remove the small steel lever. The pump weighs 118 grams/4 ounces. I carry it on the motorcycle for the same reason I carry it on the downhill bike, as a backup. Oddly enough, one of those Co2s only inflated a downhill tire to 20psi, and didn't even seat the bead. The small vice grips are good for two things, to clench the axle and pull it out, and to hold the bead down when repairing a tire. While it's true that I could buy a bead buddy and something else to pull the stubbon axle out with, you have to push with the cock you got.

I feel this kit, appart from the large crescent, is completely suited for my bike, and the riding I do. I'll weigh it when the combo lever comes in.

[FuddyLogic]

Great thread!! It's always good to see what other's find essential and solutions they've come up with.

For the multitude of replies about bum (sorry fanny) tool bags, what's the big deal?

If you're concerned about possible spinal injury surely you'd be wearing a back protector? ...and if you are, wouldn't that provide just as much protection from the padded tool roll as any rocks, trees, asphalt?

Personally log trucks, kangaroos, and cage drivers worry me a sh*t load more than than a body mounted tool roll.

Please keep the tool pics and lists coming!!

[neduro]

Originally Posted by Speaker

...Buck made fun of me...

Yeah, but Buck makes fun of all of us. Nothing we do with tools will change that...

[disconnected]

awsome report!!!!! Thanks for taking in the time, I wrote everything out I didnt have and am going to go shopping on the internet tonight!!!!


Thanks Again,

Greg

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by neduro

PM- I'm really curious to try one of the Kriega bags I've seen at Aerostich. Just bought a Leatt- haven't tried riding with it yet, but can see that it may cause an issue with how much gear I tend to carry.

Interesting mix of reviews on that bag at the Aero site. I've never seen one in person...

One thing I didn't notice was whether it had an integrated water bladder system (or accommodation for same).



The more I think about it, the more I'm interested in a webgear style system. I came across a tactical pack in one of our catalogs at work that I may inquire about. Of course, it costs 3x what it should because it's for public safety.

[Speaker]

Originally Posted by PackMule

The more I think about it, the more I'm interested in a webgear style system. I came across a tactical pack in one of our catalogs at work that I may inquire about. Of course, it costs 3x what it should because it's for public safety.

If you want that kind of thing, look at Blackhawk Industries hydration systems. The "Matrix" look likes it fits similar to that Kriega things.


A few of their packs have MOLLE webbing on the outside for attatching other pouches.

[PackMule]

Originally Posted by Speaker

If you want that kind of thing, look at Blackhawk Industries hydration systems. The "Matrix" look likes it fits similar to that Kriega things.


A few of their packs have MOLLE webbing on the outside for attatching other pouches.

I was thinking more something along the lines of THIS.






Keep the weight low like a fanny pack, but with a spot for a water bladder. Big thing for me, too, is torso height adjustability. But damn, they're expensive.


Something good old like this could potentially work, too. Just need to integrate a camelbak to the back (and ditch the side canteen holders)

[Speaker]

You could do that first one with something like this


or this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Molle-LBE-Harnes...QQcmdZViewItem
The only problem with the ebay one is.. I don't know who makes it. But it does look like it has its own bladder pouch, and comes with a bladder.

[SAWBONES]

The trouble with the backpack-style of toolkit carry is that tools tend to be hard, and I don't want to fall onto anything hard that's attached to my front or back!

[nfranco]

Kriega has some cool stuff:http://kriega.com/pages_uk/products/prodframeset.html
The hydra pack with the 5 liter add on seems like it might be groovy, if a bit heavy. http://kriega.com/pages_uk/hydro3/hy...pframeset.html
Too bad it's hard to lay hands on here in the states.

[KingRat]

Originally Posted by nfranco

Kriega has some cool stuff:http://kriega.com/pages_uk/products/prodframeset.html
The hydra pack with the 5 liter add on seems like it might be groovy, if a bit heavy. http://kriega.com/pages_uk/hydro3/hy...pframeset.html
Too bad it's hard to lay hands on here in the states.

I've got the Kriega small tool roll..... very good quality.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...0&postcount=62

[Speaker]

Originally Posted by chewie

I've got the Kriega small tool roll..... very good quality.

That beast is the small? I can't fathom what the large one looks like.

[KingRat]

Originally Posted by Speaker

That beast is the small? I can't fathom what the large one looks like.

Ah, ambiguous post, sorry.

The big satchelly thing with the handle is 12"x9"x5" and all the stuff goes in it.

The tool roll itself folds to about 7"x5"x3" with all the tools shown in it.

For scale, it's a 6" adjustable spanner.

[dseric]

I found this Gear Wrench small compact kit that is great for shorter trips. It covers most of what you need and Torx bits too up to T50! The only mod I had to do was replace the SAE Hex bits with metric ones. I picked up a small set from Ace for $4(2.5-8mm). It's $20 @ Lowes and $25 @ Sears. Even has some SAE sockets if needed.

Pic:


Metric set from Ace: