Last summer was a hot one. After a particularly hot ride in the Methow Valley in north central Washington, Pam suggested I look into a hydration hip pack to ride a little cooler. Done and Done. I nabbed a Dakine Hot Laps 2 hydration pack to replace my full-on hydration pack. Definitely way less hotness, in every way. But, with limited space for gear and food in the hip pack, I was be inclined to leave the tools behind and depend on Pam for trailside mechanicals.
This winter, we stumbled across OneUp’s Every Day Carry (EDC) tool system ($59 USD). The guys at OneUp are innovative, skilled, and definitely ride bikes. This is apparent by the simple utilitarian design, what’s incorporated into the EDC tool, and the fact that it stows securely in the steerer tube of your fork. Super easy access.
Now, lets look at what the EDC tool system includes:
- 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8 Hex
- Tire Lever
- Chain Breaker
- Spare quick link storage
- Flat head screwdriver
- 0, 1, 2, & 3 Spoke Keys
- Presta valve core tool
- EDC topcap tool
- Spare chainring bolt
- Sealed storage for smaller CO2 cartridges (or tire plugs…)
For a hands-on explanation, check out the MtbNomads YouTube Channel for our run-though video.
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So, you want one of these lil’ buddies for your rig? Not so fast. First, you’ll need to check here to ensure that your fork is compatible. For the Steerer tube install, you’ll also need to purchase the OneUp steerer tube cap kit ($25 USD). They’re available in a myriad of colors if you are one to “man-bling” your rig. Next, you’ll either need to remove the old star nut and thread the top of the tube. OneUp offers a steering tube threading tap kit for $35 USD and has an instructional video if you wanna give it a stab. I opted to roll into a LBS that already had the threading tap kit and they charged me $20 labor.
The Bottom Line
The EDC tool is pretty compact and includes a warehouse worth of useful trail tools that you could pretty much tear your bike apart and put it back together with. The easy access from steerer tube is ridiculously convenient for trailside repair. You can have this thing deployed before your buddy can even get his pack unbuckled to rummage for his multi-tool. When you throw in the tool ($59 USD), the topcap ($25 USD), and either DIY steerer tube tap or shop rate of $20-35 USD, you’re looking at $104 – 119 USD. It’s a bit of cabbage for a multi-tool, but this thing is a one-and-done setup you’ll have on every ride.
