Head over to the nearest endurance mountain bike race and take a loot at the bikes – there is a good chance you’ll see a number of items taped or strapped to the bikes in order to get the rider through the race. Specialized looked at this and thought there could be a better solution. What if your bike had storage solutions for most of your needs built right into the bike? That’s exactly what SWAT aims to accomplish with integrated rider solutions for storage, water, air, and tools.
Get the 411 on SWAT after the break.
In addition to now finding two bottle cage mounts, on Expert Epics and up you will find the Stage 3 SWAT Kit – storage, water bottle holder, air canister, and EMT multi-tool that is integrated into the suspension. Stage 3 equipped or compatible frames will be able to run a SWAT box which will house a Turbo tube, custom tire lever, and a 25g C02 cartridge with a custom inflator head.
Thanks to the Zee II bottle cages, there is now room for two cages on the Epic in addition to the SWAT box.
The Zee II cages are available in left and right side loading designs in both Carbon and reinforced composite with multiple colors. Without the EMT tool mount, the cages weigh 43g for the composite, and 28g for the carbon cage.
If you aren’t riding a new Epic with storage for the EMT tool in the frame, you can carry the EMT via the cage mount which is compatible with any Zee Cage II. The EMT includes a slotted screwdriver, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm allen wrenches and a T25 torx. The plastic cradle is mounted to the frame with a hardened CRV steel hanger and the cradle holds the tool in place with a latch on the end to keep it from rattling.
The EMT still leave you needing a chain tool, so why not stash it in your steerer tube? Specialized certainly isn’t the first to offer a tool that fits in the steerer tube, but they make use of empty space with an emergency chain tool. The system works with any 1 1/8″ steerer with 32mm of available depth, and is offered in an alloy version with a star nut or carbon version with a expander plug. In addition to being compatible with 8, 9, 10, and 11 speed chains, the Top Cap Chain Tool also holds quick links for repairs. A special tool is included with the alloy version to properly set the starnut.
Further storage is available with the KEG Storage vessels and the FuelCell Aero Storage box for Shivs. The KEG is a 160z PETE container with a 63mm wide opening to stuff whatever you need in the KEG. Available with or without a pocketed tool wrap, the KEG makes it easy to store whatever you need in a standard bottle cage.
The Shiv FuelCell is designed to fit all sizes of Shiv frames, sitting in between the down tube and the seat tube in a manner that eliminates drag. Inside you will find enough room for 8 gels, or 2 bars and 3 gels in the soft upper, and a tube with 60mm valve, C02 cartirdge, C02 head, and valve extender in the lower hard box.
Specialized has plans to expand SWAT technology into mountain bike clothing as well with bib shorts that provide storage for water and tools under the jersey, and against the body for easy carrying.
