If I had to design the ultimate hidden tool to go on the bike, it would probably end up looking just like the Granite Stash RT. This compact unit sits inside the steerer tube, has a two-way ratchet with all the right bits, and stays perfectly secure and out of sight until needed.
In fact, I like this so much, I’ve put one on several of my and my family members’ mountain bikes. You should to, and here’s why…
1. It Does Everything
One of the biggest challenges with normal multi tools that fold open is trying to adjust saddle angle. Most posts’ dual bolts on the head aren’t as tool-friendly as the Fox Transfer with an angled bolt, but even this one is difficult with a bulky mini-tool. But a tiny ratchet and bit? Easy peasy.
And it works everywhere else on the bike, too:
That includes pedals, thru axles, seatpost clamps, cockpit bits, brake rotor bolts, and more.
It even makes bottle cage installation and removal super easy, because bits can insert into the end of the handle, too. I put the 8mm bit into the ratchet part to serve as a little handle for more leverage, and use the long, thin handle to reach between the curves of a bottle cage!
2. It Has Everything You Need…
…as long as you don’t need a flat head screwdriver. But it has a Phillips Head with an extended length. The Ratchet nests into the backside of the sleeve, and all of the bits are held in place magnetically. So, they’re easy enough to remove even with full finger gloves, but secure enough to stay in place during handling.
3. It’s Super Easy to Access
Even if you’re using the Hammerhead Karoo computer mount, which protrudes rearward over the steerer using the K-Edge mount as shown, it’s easy to access the tool. Just swivel the cap out of the way and the Stash RT pops up from a spring-loaded base.
Granite also makes a replacement cap with a Wahoo/Garmin-compatible computer mount, so you can combine all the things into a single unit.
4. It’s Easy to Install
The Stash RT only fits inside tapered suspension forks with an open steerer, which is a shame because I’d love to have this on my road and gravel bikes, too. But for MTB, it’s an incredibly easy install. Just choose the right length bolt from the three included, drop it into the sleeve, and thread it into the base that covers the hole on the bottom of your fork:
You can’t tell from these photos, but there’s a tall sleeve on the lower “nut”, giving you a lot of thread depth for a secure mount. This replaces the star nut, so you’ll need to pound that out through the bottom of your steerer tube to install this. Or just buy a new fork.
5. It’s Lightweight
The entire system is just 158g (with mid-length bolt). That’s about the weight of a comparable folding mini tool on its own, but you can’t hide that on your frame and still have it instantly accessible.
I have a lot of different brands’ mini tools on various bikes, including several that mount inside the steerer tube. But none are as quick and easy to use as the Stash RT. For road and gravel (or just any carbon fork without an opening at the bottom), Granite makes a version with a standard mini-tool that has tiny fold-out bits, and it’s fine, but it’s nowhere near as easy to use IRL. Still good, but if you’ve got a suspension fork, the Stash RT is the best mini-tool you can put in there.
