Tool recommendation?

[Catrin]

My LBS had the 16-tool Crank Brothers - it does have a chain tool, along with torx wrenches for the brakes. I will need to get a couple of power-links, I've two bikes with a SRAM chain - and I had already purchased a Crank Brothers pump that has a small tire gauge.

I saw my lovely Jamis almost put together today - and she was only delivered today!!! Lovely bike, though I didn't realize that the frame is so small the rear suspension removes any possibility of a water bottle on the frame at all. That is fine, I prefer my Camelbak anyway - just found that interesting.

I've braze-ons for two water bottles but won't bother putting on any cages. I COULD use the one underneath the down-tube I suppose - but that seems a waste as whatever is there will get filthy.

[tzvia]

On my bike, a small Specialized, I've got one water bottle mount, and it is very important that it be usable to me. In our hot summers, I like to fill it with an energy/electrolyte drink. I leave the camelbak for water only. So I've been using the Arundlel Side Loader cage. I can get a large camelbak Podium bottel in there, and it pulls out straight to the side.

As for tools, gosh I can't find one that works well all around. The CB-17 has a good selection, but the chain breaker sucks. So I also carry an old Bontrager mini tool that has a great chain breaker. Then I throw in a Park MT-1 tool (great allen key tool), tire irons and a patch kit. I keep a micro tool with a mini pliers in my wallet at all times so that is also with me on my MTB rides. Overkill? I donno, I've used them all at one point or another so the are not just dead weight. If I found the perfect mini tool I could narrow it down, but I don't think it exists.

Shin guards and elbow pads look silly. But I wear them all the time while MTBing. It's already saved my skin- I crashed hard doing a superman when my bike jammed into something buried in soft dry sand while I was turning at speed. While I did bruise my ribs bad, I didn't lose all the skin from my elbow or slice open my shin. I use FOX knee/shin guards, and the awesome 6 6 1 EVO elbow pads.

[Becky]

Lovely bike, though I didn't realize that the frame is so small the rear suspension removes any possibility of a water bottle on the frame at all. That is fine, I prefer my Camelbak anyway - just found that interesting.

I've braze-ons for two water bottles but won't bother putting on any cages. I COULD use the one underneath the down-tube I suppose - but that seems a waste as whatever is there will get filthy.

My full-squishy is a couple sizes bigger than yours, give or take, and I still only get one under-downtube braze-on. Like you, I'm not about to drink from anything stored there, especially when riding the local area that's shared with horses

[Catrin]

I will just put Heed directly in the bladder for my Camelbak. I did this last summer for rides 3 hours or longer and never had a problem with things growing in it. I might get a separate bladder just for this and make it live in the freezer when I am not on the bike - but the new Camelbak bladders are much easier to clean and the material is supposed to have anti-bacterial properties.

I also decided against a seat-bag, I've got plenty of storage in my pack, more than enough that provides room for tire-changing things + lots of other stuff that I might decide I need.