Jet Roll is a fresh take on the classic cyclist’s tool roll. But rather than an old sock stuffed with the essentials and lashed to one’s saddle, the Jet Roll is designed to be a convenient and stylish way of carrying the essentials on your ride; spare tube, tire levers, multi-tool, Co2 inflator, etc. JET – as in Just Enough Tools – offer a variety of tool rolls in different sizes, materials and colors, catering to road, MTB, gravel, tubular tires and large folding tires.
Hand made in the USA by avid cyclist, Stephen Cruz, the idea of Jet Roll came to fruition when Stephen desired a simple method of carrying just enough stuff to fix a flat, or make a minor mechanical adjustment during his rides. The aesthetics of a saddle bag didn’t sit well with Stephen, and the idea of stuffing tools and spare tubes into his jersey pockets was less than ideal. Click on through to read our review of the heavy-duty Jet Roll XX…
The JET Roll XX is based on the company’s MTB version of the tool roll design, but intended for cyclocross / gravel, or mixed terrain “extreme” conditions. The Jet Roll XX shares the same size, dimensions and material as the Jet Roll MTB, which measures 15 inches (38.1 cm) long x 6 inches ( 15.24 cm ) wide. Other features on the Jet Roll XX model include the double toe strap, contrasting pump / Co2 canister loop and polished metal button fasteners.
All of Jet Roll’s designs feature compartmentalized pockets. When I initially laid the Jet Roll XX flat onto the ground, the immediate thought that sprang to mind was, “how am I going to fit all of the stuff from my saddle bag into this thing?”
Clearly this would take a rethink on my part – think less is more – less tools to take along for the ride, or at least some optimization on my part.
On the scale, the Jet Roll XX and double toe strap tips the scales at 101.5 grams. Add a few grams for silicone compression bands which are supplied with each Jet Roll.
Your average medium sized saddle bag weighs around 61 grams. 40 grams isn’t much, but the weight weenie crowd may balk at the idea. Is the 40 or so gram weight penalty worth the extra heft?
That depends. Stuffing a saddle bag to the gills is an infraction I’ve been guilty of on many occasions – I’m sure I am not alone. However, retrieving a tube or finding the right tool in a saddle bag when you really need it requires serious digging, or emptying it completely. Not always ideal.
Pictured above, the Jet Roll XX is loaded with 1 x 700c x 35mm /40mm tube, 1 x full-size Co2 inflator (containing a pre-loaded Co2 cartridge), 1 x spare Co2 cartridge, pair of Fix-It Sticks and 1 x tire lever. This is almost the same payload I would carry inside a medium sized saddle bag, barring the full-size Co2 inflator and Fix-It Sticks.
Ordinarily, a Co2 inflator is supposed to reside in the pump / Co2 canister loop, but the shape of my full-size inflator had a tendency to fall out. Thankfully, it fit nicely inside the roll with room to spare. If I were carrying a similar payload in my saddle bag, substitutions would be a mini Co2 inflator and individual 3mm, 4mm and 5mm allen keys.
Compared to a saddle bag, Jet Roll XX lays everything out nicely at one’s finger tips, eliminating the dig factor.
Rolled for storage, everything inside is wrapped up tightly and held in place by silicone compression bands, with a leather or nylon toe strap strapping the Jet Roll XX to the saddle rails.
Initially, a compact design like the Jet Roll XX may take a little more time to set up, but once the contents and load order is dialed in, the reward is a rattle free setup that looks good, and keeps everything nice and secure.
The biggest test comes in actually using the toolkit by the roadside. Hoping to avoid any bad karma, I experienced no mechanical issues while taking the Jet Roll XX out on the bike. However, I simulated three or four instances of a mechanical issue in the confines of my front yard. It took only seconds to release the toe straps, remove the silicone straps, open up the Jet Roll XX and lay it flat on the ground to access the contents. Reloading took less time than it would with a saddle bag.
I did have concerns about leg rub from the Jet Roll XX while it was lashed to the rails of my saddle, but am pleased to report this was a non-issue.
So, is the Jet Roll XX for you? That is going to depend a lot on personal preference. There is a lot to like about the JET Roll XX – the compartmentalized, self-contained design and style points for the retro / old school look and ease of use.
Some riders will prefer the venerable saddle bag. At $US 70.00, the Jet Roll XX isn’t cheap – you could buy several saddle bags for the price of one Jet Roll XX. But, Jet Roll XX offers a bit more flexibility over a saddle bag.
Jet Roll tool rolls are made in the USA, constructed from USA made fabric material and available in a multitude of sizes and colors.
Article and photos by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.
