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This was inspired by a question on this week’s Ask GMBN.
The question was whether in frame storage was a gimmick as the questioner could only fit a few items in his last generation Trek Slash frame storage.
I’ve got a 2022 Stumpjumper EVO. Currently I’ve got stored inside:
- an AirTag
- a mini pump
- two tyre levers/quick link pliers
- spare brake pads
- two cable ties
- very basic first aid kit
- a lightweight inner tube
- a rag for wiping my suspension
- spare bacon strips/anchovies
- a fun sized Snickers
- a cliff bar
- two hydration tablets
- my waterproof jacket
Elsewhere on the bike:
- mini tool in steerer tube
- tubeless plug kit in bar ends
Future plans are to swap out the tyre levers for the Wolf tooth mini tool (for complementary tools) and expanding my first aid kit.
I love my frame storage, I don't tend towards epic rides so travel fairly light and frame storage means in my pockets are just phone and car keys, aside from the water bottle the rest is kept in the frame which includes off the top of my head:
- One up 70cc pump and EDC tool (inc power link)
- Lightweight tube
- Tyre levers
- One up chain link tool
- Dynaplug kit
- Cable ties
- Valve core remover plus spare core
- Rag
You've got a rag for wiping your 'suspension'?
@llama yes, as recommended by some suspension guru, to clean the stanchions if they end up filthy.
On the MTBs, nothing. Edit, no wait, 2x valve core removers on one bike 😊
Gravel/commuter, multi tool, pump, tube, tire lever, lock.
(Everything else is in pockets or backpack)
Water.
No tools. No pump.
Phone in pocket with £5 for coffee or maybe bank card
A pump, a tyre lever, a tube or two.
MTB - Co2 pump. Gel/snack in jersey.
Road - multi tool, inner tube, patches, Co2/pump, spare cash, tyre leavers, snack.
One up 70cc pump and EDC tool (inc power link)
meh wish I didn’t have a look at that 🙂
I love my OneUp EDC tool, I also have tubeless plugs in the bar end and a small frame bag with tubolito, c02 inflator, cliff Bloks and tyre boot. I love not needing a bag. Oh and a bottle cage.
A riding buddy had a puncture last week and had to scrounge a plug off a stranger, it was only after reinflating the tyre that I remembered I had plugs in my bar end....
Nothing.
Water bottle on one bike if that counts? I'd have one on the other FSer but shock gets in the way.
Too many bikes - inevitably I'd leave the house with an 'empty' bike if I stored stuff in/on one bike and expected to move it over to the active one. Also like the safety feeling my EVOC back protector bag gives (even if just psychological).
on the hardtail / gravel bike:
mini frame bag, with spare tube, quicklinks, multitool, couple of tyre levers, 2 oat+date bars, and a buff (stops stuff rattling around, and can also double as a rag if need be), with minipump and water bottle on the frame
on the full suss, basically all the above, plus a baconstrip stabber, but in a backpack
in winter if it;s snowing I'll usually stick in a spare pair of gloves in case they get too wet
oh and 2 or 3 €2 coins, just in case I need an icecream in an emergency, or need to get a tram home. could use mobile payment or ticket, but the coins are tucked away and aren't doing any harm being there.
On gravel bike muc-off tubeless repair kit in bar ends, spare mech hanger, combination bike tie/lock, snacks, keys and phone in top tube bag. Two bottle cages, Garmin mount and lights. Everything else (tools, pump, spares, specs and 'nana/windproof/arm/leg warmers/waterproof) in jersey pockets.
On xc bike, depends as will usually be wearing shorts with pockets and carrying a 20l backpack. Usually not much attached other than bottle cage and Garmin mount.
Gravel bike; bottle type storage.
- Tubolito
- Mini pump
- Chain tool
- Allen key multi tool
- Ziplock cafe lock
- Zip ties
- Lube mini bottle
Waterproof in saddle pack, water in bottle.
Mountain bike - pretty similar to above but all in hip pack - nothing on the bike.
600ml bottle.
Fanny pack for all the other shite.
Pump on frame, tube taped to bottle cage, multi tool in crank, quick link on multi tool and bacon strips/stabby thing hidden in head tube.
Don’t wear a pack unless it’s a big ride.
@razorrazzoo spare valve core is a good one, thanks.
Ziplok cafe lock also a good idea.
So let me get this right.
You do a decent section of a trail that might be a bit dirty, stop at the end of it, dismantle your storage system, get out a rag and wipe your stanchions off, put it all back together and carry on your ride until the next bit of mud and repeat?
Remind me never to invite you on a ride 🤣
I'm pulling your leg, but...
As soon as a spec of mud lands on it, I get my rag out.
Nothing anymore. Used to run a tiny frame bag (not much room in frame) but it was a faff to access and only held enough for the very shortest rides (i.e. within a short walk of home/car).
I'm definitely interested in frame storage (or decent bag space) for my next bike. Makes a hip pack ride a packless one, makes some rucksack rides be hip pack rides.
Makes a hip pack ride a packless one, makes some rucksack rides be hip pack rides.
Absolutely. Which I like far more than I thought I would.
(No frame storage)
Of the main bikes I ride...
RocketMAX and Transmitter both have a tube strapped under the seat, and a Fabric Keg that swaps between the two. In there is usually a couple of CO2 canisters, tyre levers, a set of Fix It Sticks, a Stans tyre plugging thing, some zip ties, and a little bag full of mech hangers and quick links.
My old Spesh Epic has a full set of Granite stem and bar plug tools stashed in it, and a tube and CO2 strapped to the downtube on a Granite Portaledge thing.
Road bike has an old school saddle bag with a tube, CO2, tyre levers and multitool in there.
Tools-wise, the only thing I tend to carry in a hip pack or backpack rather than on the bike is a tiny little Topeak pocket pump. Bag space is generally for camera gear!
Pump on frame, spare tube, tubeless repair tool in a 76projects 'lil piggy on fork leg.
Usually a canister bar bag with WP jacket with either cheese sandwiches or pork pie
One of my neighbours rides with full size tools like spanners and Allen keys in a pannier bag. He says that he doesn't notice the weight (or rattly noise), maybe being 6'8" and built like a brick out house helps.
I have a few different scenarios based on what bike and ride duration. I do take my water in a bottle mounted to the frame in all scenarios and abandoned using a camelbak bag years ago.
Local less than 2 hours, I might not take anything except a bottle of water.
I have a tool bottle that I can use on any of my bikes that have a second mount, road, gravel and off-road. In this I can fit a tube, tubeless repair kit, multi tool c/w tyre levers and chain delinker, chain link, tie wtaps, tape and Leatherman type pliers set.
I bought a small hip pack last year and have been very impressed with it, I recommend it. It's a Dakine Hoptlaps 1L, which sounds like it wouldn't hold much but I can manage to get a quite a bit in it and I don't really notice it on. I recently did a 130km off-road ride with just the tool bottle and the hip back. I had food, water, spares, tools and a jacket.
Not got a bike with internal storage but does seem like a good idea as long as it doesn't rattle about.
Nothing - backpack still seems easier to transfer between hardtail, susser and eeb.
Today
Stuffed t rex
Snacks, brioch, bar, banana, raisins, orange squash
3 year old
Cake
Spare pants
Spare trousers
Spare jumpers
Spare socks
Water bottle
Tube and CO2 taped to bike
Pump
Topek ninja on bottle cage which has a multi tool and tire levers.
Total diatance-7 miles.
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May overweight lardy body on the bike...I don't carry anything on or in my bike, I carry it all in a hip pack or backpack.
CO2 pump, spare tube, 2 tyre levers, puncture repair kit, multi-tool, phone, credit card, water. (I think) all my mtb tyres have slime so it's been years since I had a puncture.
I have internal storage but don't use it as I don't carry enough to stop it rattling and don't want to add stuff just to stop the rattling. Small tool roll in a jersey pocket, and a water bottle in a cage.
For those that stop to wipe their stanchions, do you not worry that you might scratch them by rubbing them with a gritty cloth? I'd always rinse before using a cloth.
Normally just a pump. In summer when I'm not carrying a jacket I might put a seatpack on for multitool, spare tube, quicklinks, anchovy kit
I've also recently been converted to the joys of down tube frame storage, but with a few tweaks so I can get my full day's kit in there...
Got a Specialized Turbo Levo and removed the battery and motor. Stuffing in from the bottom I've got.
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof shorts
2 spare thermals.
Spare jacket ( winter only natch)
Tool kit
Tubes
Pump
Shock pump
Snacks
Sandwiches
Cans of Irn Bru
Spare gloves
Spare phone
Compass
Hydration tabs
First aid kit
Bothy bag
Emergency blanket
Snood
Maps
Elbow pads if it's a winch and plummet mountain
Then if it's particularly cold I shove a sleeping bag where the motor was. If not then spare clothes for the kids usually go in there.
Phone on the handlebar.
All looks really svelte and neat as I pedal around the carpark...😘
This reminds me, I need a new stanchion rag for my dusty shaft.
I use a Peaty's microfibre. Even cut down it provides perfect absorption. Gotta keep that shaft clean...
I can't tell if you are joking about the e bike - battery and motor!
If you aren't guess it's a cheap way to get a fancy carbon bike as fewer people would want to buy it with broken electrics/ motor/ battery.
Got any pictures?