Bontrager hides their BITS Integrated MTB Tool in your steerer for on-the-go repairs

Written by Zach Overholt Jul 24, 2020 12:19 p.m. ET

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Carrying around a huge pack with a bunch of tools is so last year. These days, it’s all about integration. Or at least, it seems to be given the amount of new tools we’ve seen that are designed to store inside your bike. This time, it’s Bontrager offering up a solution to pack your steerer full of BITS.

Similar to other steerer-mounted storage systems that we’ve seen, like the Granite Design STASH, the Bontrager BITS replaces your fork’s starnut to serve as the compression device. The main carrier uses two bolt lengths and multiple spacers to fit a wide range of steerer tube lengths, and it’s designed so that you don’t have to cut threads into your steerer tube. Note that the carrier is only compatible with threadless headsets and non-carbon steerers.

While the main carrier stays in place and never moves as to keep your headset adjustment, there is a secondary carrier with a mini pull handle that allows you to remove the tool from the steerer.

Then the tool comes apart in two pieces with one half containing a chaintool and quick link holder, while the multi-tool makes up the other half.

You’ll need the multi-tool to turn the pin for the chain tool, which also functions as a valve core tool.

The multi-tool includes a 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm hex plus T25 torx and flat-head screwdriver. This appears to be the same multi-tool that some new Trek road bikes offer integrated storage for, underneath the bottle cage.

Weight for the entire system is not provided, but we know that it is priced at $89.99.

trekbikes.com

Zach Overholt

5,633 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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threeringcircus

3 years ago

These options for hiding tools in a frame are pretty clever and I like the concept. But in reality as long as I’m still carrying a hydration pack, I can’t see spending $90 just to take my multitool out and hide it in my steerer.

TimE

3 years ago

Nice to see the Cannondale Head Doctor concept being furthered 14years later

therealgreenplease

3 years ago

I have a hacked together Topeak multitool that I can carry in my hydration back that has everything I need and more leverage than this tool. Personally I don’t see not riding with my hydration pack so no reason to have this for my mountain bike but it would be useful for my commuter bike which is commonly ridden out the door in street clothes and a helmet. Truth be told I’m lucky I haven’t needed to make a roadside repair on that bike yet and I never carry a multitool.

Craig

3 years ago

I like the concept of this. No steerer tube mod reqd. I might buy one as I prefer to ride with a bottle on my frame and no hydra pack. At $90 the price is insane, really it’s a $34.90 product at best but I will probably still buy one for the convenience factor.

reallyfastmark

3 years ago

I was thinking the same thing.

yes

3 years ago

for a lesser multi in particular. its cool, but yeah. I end up always carrying a bit of stuff anyway and id rather have my victorinox multitool (because its a great tool, not because its cool) for example.

Ideally I think i just want more of these bikes with the frame that open up for putting your stuff in them.

Tom

3 years ago

Commenters noted use of hydration packs, including carrying tools in the pack. yes, that’s what I do during the spring fall and winter. But during the dog days of summer, packs are just too damn hot to wear.

Crash Bandicoot

3 years ago

Really cool idea, I race XC and most of the trails here are relatively short loops (about 12-14 miles) so I just park my truck at the trail head and leave a cooler in the bed with some ice cold bottles and grab a fresh one every lap. Here is the problem, it needs a c02 chuck. I can thread cartridges onto the mount that goes on the unused bottle cage mounts on my frame, and can strap the tube to my top tube, but if I’m dropping this much american pesos on a tool I don’t want to have to dink around with finding a place for my c02 chuck.