Fix Manufacturing just released a new affordable tool & tube wrap called the Tube Terminal made with recycled inner tubes out of the scrap pile from their local bike shop. It’s a simple product, quite adaptable to most types of bikes, and it’s quite affordable at just twenty-five bucks.
I’ve been using one since the start of the year on both gravel and mountain bikes. And it’s become a staple, stable way to quickly stash spare tubes, tool, levers & an inflator on any bike to be ready for road or trailside fixes. Plus, enough space to add a few more bits when needed…
Fix Mfg Tube Terminal frame strap made from recycled tubes
The upcycling idea popped up all the way back in 2016 when Fix Manufacturing started collecting old inner tubes from their local bike shop. Fix wanted to repurpose discarded tubes to eliminate new packaging materials for their existing products. Their belts still use cut pieces of tubes to hold together their recycled cardboard packaging. They called the project Flat Out Rubber upcycling. But even just one local shop had too many discarded tubes to deal with, so Fix tried to find more upcycled rubber uses. They now also make a hat with a patch made of tube scraps instead of leather. But there’s only so many functional uses they could find for the butyl material, which is still susceptible to tearing when stretched.
Then, Fix settled on combining the old tubes with nylon backing to make a spares strap that would be extra grippy against your bike to stay put even over rough terrain. They stitched some stretchy pockets on one end for smaller tools. Then, there’s a couple elastic loops on the other end to hold a new spare tube. And lastly, Fix wrapped the whole thing with a Flat Out Upcycled Rubber-backed velcro strap to secure it to your bike.
The result is a ~100g carrier for all your regular cycling spares needs.
Tech details
- main body made of Flat Out Upcycled Rubber backed by nylon
- 1 neoprene-lined pocket for a card or cash
- 2 stretchy elastic pockets for a CO2 inflator & tire levers
- 2 larger elastic loops to secure 1 large butyl MTB tube (or 2 thinner TPU tubes)
- the outer loop holds it all together before strapping to your bike
- 40cm long Flat Out Upcycled Rubber-backed velcro strap wrap around your frame or saddle rails
- 2.75×2.75×5″ (7x7x13cm) when fully loaded
- officially 0.5L capacity
- 104g actual weight (empty)
Riding Review
The new Fix Mfg Tube Terminal is essentially the same size and weight as a small saddle bag. And it serves pretty much the same ‘spares carrying’ purpose. But since it is just a simple a fold-open strap, it’s a lot easier to get at everything. Really you only need to grab the one thing you need while everything else stays in place.
The long strap did a trusty job of making it easy to strap the Tube Terminal under the toptube of several different gravel and mountain bikes I’ve been riding recently. And the recycled/upcycled inner tube construction of the main body and strap held the small strap/pouch perfectly in place on both small-diameter metal and large, flatter carbon frame tubes.
All your tools & spares secure
Inside, everything I stashed in the pockets or straps stayed securely in place. And there was even plenty of expandable space to carry a mini tube of sealant on a quick backcountry bikepacking trip. At times I tucked a mini tool into the cash/card pocket. But Fix also makes a Payload Pocket Strap Carry holder for their modular mini tools that can attach directly to the Tube Terminal’s main body strap for even quicker tool access.
My only real downside to its use was on a mountain bike with a very narrow toptube, and the 7cm width made it stick out a bit so that I could brush it between my legs while out of the saddle climbing really steep off-road trails. I didn’t notice it in the same place on a gravel bike, so I think you’ll just have to decide where best to stash it on each bike. And especially on full-suspension mountain bikes with a shock eating up a lot of frame space, it will be a great way to tuck your spare tool kit into otherwise unusable space.
Fix Mfg Tube Terminal – Pricing, compatibility & availability
The new Tube Terminal is available now for $25, directly from Fix Manufacturing, including options for international delivery. You just have to pack it up with your own preferred spares. It straps securely around small diameter round frame tubes. Or also bigger tubes up to about a max of 7.5cm/3″ in diameter. Or you can also hang it from most saddle rails, too.
If you want to combine it with Fix’s own mini tool and modular carrier system, the Payload Pocket Strap Carry will add another $25. And then, I would probably most recommend the $50 Wheelie Wrench X Dynaplug as their most versatile and useful combination tool. If you go that route, you might end up buying a Payload Pocket belt too. Embrace the everyday carry vibes.
