With an increasing number of bikes that includes downtube storage compartments, I initially thought Crankbrothers’ timing with their S.O.S. instruments assortment was a bit late. Nonetheless, I rapidly realized this enables MTB riders who don’t have in-frame storage to take pleasure in the identical comfort with out shopping for a complete new body or bike. I additionally realized whereas testing the instruments a few of them had been fairly nicely suited to gravel/touring bikes together with MTBs.
I’m impressed with what number of features Crankbrothers crammed into their compact multi-tools, and the standard of the instruments, cages, and storage tubes is superb. I by no means had any practical failures with any a part of the instruments I examined. To see all the small print of the entire S.O.S. Instruments assortment (together with weights and all features of every), try my launch article from earlier this 12 months. Since just a few of the instruments are quite simple, I targeted on the extra deluxe fashions for testing.
Straight away this was my favourite of the S.O.S. instrument collection as a result of it’s the one package that carries instruments and water on one bottle mount. Assuming you have got room for a big sufficient bottle, this package means that you can ditch your hydration pack and stay well-equipped with trailside instruments.
Nonetheless, I experience medium frames and I had bother discovering a motorbike that was appropriate with the BC18. I first put in it on my Knolly Chilcotin and it appeared to suit, however solely with my smallest water bottle. Sadly, after two rides I spotted my piggyback shock was contacting the bottle. With no room to slip the package ahead, I needed to take away it from the bike.
It’s essential to notice the BC18 package requires extra clearance than a typical bottle cage. Even with no spacers beneath it, the water bottle sits fairly excessive off your body.
I later put in it on the Devinci E-Troy Lite eMTB. With two spacers beneath to clear the eMTB’s broad prime tube it match… however as soon as once more, solely with a small water bottle. I did just a few rides with it however quickly pulled it off. Since eMTBs are likely to encourage longer rides, I needed to hold extra water than one small bottle’s value on the E-Troy Lite.
It’s an unlikely concept anyway, however FYI this instrument will most likely not match on a motorbike with in-frame storage! I attempted putting in the BC18 on a Trek Slash and a Rocky Mountain Altitude, and each storage doorways are too broad and flat. Even with two spacers, the instrument package is not going to clear the width of these frames. I suppose in case you had been fascinated about rising your in/on-bike storage you’re out of luck.
One advantage of the BC18 instrument package is that the storage tube retains the multi-tool clear and dry by means of muddy rides. I even submerged the tube in water for quarter-hour, and it stayed completely dry inside. I additionally like the truth that this package can carry a bigger 25g Co2 canister.
Whereas Crankbrothers is primarily advertising and marketing the S.O.S. instruments to mountain bikers, I put in the TS18 on a Kona Sutra touring bike (which runs tubed tires), together with the BC2 Bottle Cage. This combo covers all of the necessities; The BC2 Bottle Cage takes care of water (a giant bottle matches simply on this bike), and the Tube Stash Device Package supplies a multi-tool, Co2 canister and spare tube. With each instruments, I’ve two tire levers to work with.
In case you have one other mount to hold a bottle, the Tube Stash Device Package will present the important instruments for typical trailside repairs and you may kiss your pack goodbye. In case your bike solely has one mount, you’re nonetheless caught with a pack to hold water.
A number of months in the past, I put the Twin Tube Device Package on my Knolly. Whereas it’s barely wider than my body, the Twin Tube package just isn’t broad sufficient to trigger any points with pedaling. This instrument ought to match on any bike with a water bottle mount. Its three mounting slots supply loads of fore-aft adjustment, and the instrument is smaller than any bottle cage/bottle.
Assuming you’re trying to experience pack-free, this package is good for a motorbike that may carry a water bottle and one other accent. It’s not an excellent choice in case you’re already dedicated to sporting a pack, as you’ll be able to simply stash a far lighter, extra compact multi-tool than the 257g Twin Tube Device Package. The Twin Tube package does make its instruments fast and straightforward to entry throughout a trailside cease.
I not too long ago came upon I’m diabetic, and I now must deliver sugary snacks on rides so I attempted carrying some Skittles within the TT17’s storage tube. It held sufficient to maintain me going for a shorter experience… no less than a giant mouthful! If you happen to put exhausting candies within the tube (or comparable gadgets), remember they are going to rattle loudly as you experience!
Later I put a Co2 cartridge within the storage tube, and the highest cap (which threads onto the cylinder) held it tightly with out rattling. The spring-loaded multi-tool within the different tube by no means made any noise whereas I rode.
As for climate resistance, the Twin Tube instrument simply fought off mud splatters and brief bursts of sunshine rain. Some water acquired into the mounting bracket in these situations, however not into the storage tubes. Later I went for an hour-long experience in regular rain (see title picture). The multi-tool stayed completely dry, however a small quantity of water did get into the aspect with the Co2 canister. It is likely to be clever to examine the multi-tool and Co2/storage tube after a really moist experience.
I did use the S.O.S. multi-tools a number of instances and so they’re good high quality instruments that supply all of the necessities. The multi-tool is small, however you’ll be able to go away the inflator head/chain instrument clipped to it, and even use the storage tube for further leverage if wanted.
I by no means needed to plug a tire with the S.O.S. instruments plug instrument, however I did use the levers to swap a set of tires on my MTB. The one factor the levers lack is a hooked notch to carry themselves on a spoke. Apart from that, I had no points working with them.
