FIRST LOOK: Granite Stash Tools

No one likes the rider who is always waiting to borrow someone elses multitool or repair items. And Granite Design have added some products that mean there are less excuses for anyone to forget to carry the gear they need to keep their bike running.

Using cavities in your bike to carry tools is nothing new. I recall seeing a tool that fitted inside your seat post way back in an AMB issue around 1996. It used a butterfly nut and a rubber stopper to jam inside your rigid seatpost. With Specialized and Trek now doing in-frame storage, and OneUp's EDC system – it's nothing new. But new, good value options are really great to see.

Granite Design's STASH Multitool is aimed squarely at competing with OneUp, and the setup is pretty simple, once you have your star nut out of the way. There are three bolt lengths to facilitate your headset preload. You'll need between 150mm and 240mm from the top of your stem to the based of your fork crown. If you're outside of that range, this tool is not for you.

The whole setup weighs 127g with the shortest bolt, which is way lighter than it looks. There is an 8 tool multitool which has 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm allen keys, with a T25 and flat head screwdriver as well. There are 3 size spoke keys and the ability to remove a valve core. You can buy this tool for $79.95.

The obvious missing tool is a chain tool from that, and that's where the Granite Design STASH Chain Tool comes in. It is designed to fit in the end of your handlebar, held securely thanks to an expanding plug. You'll need the 3mm allen key on the STASH multitool – or any 3mm for that matter.

The handle slides in inline with the rest of the tool and screws into place while there. Then it fits snugly as a handle for trail use. The whole ensemble weighs 45g and sells for $34.95. Those two holes on the side are for storing a chain link (one side on each side). That's nifty.

 
Now on the other side of your handlebars, Granite Design have their plug kit, the STASH Tire Plug. The basic design is the same, with two ends that remove. A reamer and the plug tool to put the little rubbery/sticky/bacon strips in.

The reamer is offset from the fork tool so when they're being screwed in together they don't catch. But you cannot store the plugs in there. They get all twisted up as you screw the ends in. It's a bit of an oversight, as I don't think you could easily have one preloaded either, as the reamer would twist it all up as well.

This tool is $29.95 and weighed 35g on my scales.

I also had trouble fitting this one – meaning I couldn't get it into the bars. They have been built with an 18mm diameter which is compatible with most, but not all bars. They have been updated with 17mm diameters as the rubber expanding plug still secures them in. So while what's available right now will suit almost any alloy bar and most carbon bars – the 17mm will be the answer for everyone.

Regardless, this system takes care of most major tools. Use the Granite strap (or similar) to carry a tube and inflation device (pro tip – a pump does more repairs than a CO2) and then you have most bases covered with no backpack, bumbag or pocket contents.

Keep an eye out for a review after enough trail time to call them into action. Need more details? Get in touch with Link Sports.