Pro or not, you’re going to look it with the new Park Tool BX-3 Rolling Big Blue Box. At $515, it might cost more than your current bicycle tool collection, but it’ll transport it in style and make everything easier to use by putting it in easy reach. The “basement” is wide open for big things like a rubber mallet (and should even fit their hack saw for cutting steerer tubes). The front panel keeps mid-sized tools at the ready and clips into two small holes on the front for secure placement. When it’s time to pack up, it serves as the main shelf to cover the bottom part, then the side panels fold over on top of that.
The lid lifts itself thanks to gas shocks, which are surrounded by fold-open panels and a top interior panel, all of which has storage compartments and pockets. Close it all down and use the heavy duty clamps to keep it shut, making it dust and water resistant. Then just extend the handle and roll it away, just like a suitcase. Total interior volume is 38 liters, and there’s 88 tool straps, and 24 pockets. Here it is in action:
Next to it is the new BX-2.2, an updated version of their tool suitcase. It gets a hard, durable composite outer shell with metal structures around the openings. Inside is a main lower compartment with adjustable separators. The upper shelf also comes out and hangs off the front, and flaps swing out from the top to display your complete collection. This one has 35 liters of capacity, with 64 tool straps and 21 pockets. Retail is 305, and both are available now.
If you’ve ever hunted down a standard crescent wrench to loosen brake hoses (or you just have to do it alt, the new MWF-2 has open ended 7mm and 9mm ends that open just enough to fit around the hose, then more completely surround the nut at the caliper.
Until now, Park Tool’s mini tools have had a metal body. The new MTC line gives you a more affordable set of tools, ranging from $17 up to $48, by subbing in a tough composite body. That makes them about 20% less expensive, and by our visual estimates, probably about 20% more comfortable to hold and use, too. The tools are hardened and coated for long life and a precision interface. Options include:
- MTC-10: 3, 4, 5, 8mm hex, T25 driver, combo type screwdriver
- MTC-20: 3, 4, 5, 8mm hex, T25 driver, combo type screwdriver and a CO2 adaptor
- MTC-25: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex, T25 & T30 drivers and a combo type screwdriver
- MTC-30: 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex, T25 & T30 drivers, combo type screwdriver, 8 & 15mm box wrenches
- MTC-40: 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm hex, T25 & T30 drivers, combo type screwdriver, CO2 adaptor, 5-12 speed chain tool, rotor straightener and a bottle opener
The new DHD hex head drivers are perfect for fine tuning your derailleur’s position. They come in 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm options and have color-coded rings on the ergonomic handles.
