What's In a World Cup Mechanic's Toolbox?
It's not easy being a World Cup bike mechanic. In addition to the pressure that comes with being in charge of maintaining the bikes of some of the fastest (and most particular) riders in the world, you also need fly around the globe with a toolbox that can handle any situation, whether that's a quick brake bleed or completely rebuilding a bike after a muddy run.
John Hall, Aaron Gwin's mechanic, has developed a bit of a reputation for having one of the most dialed setups on the circuit. During one of his laps through the pits, Pinkbike's Ross Bell stopped by to take a closer look at just what Hall has inside his toolbox for the 2017 season.
It starts with a Pelican case, which Hall chose because he was tired of careless baggage carriers damaging his toolboxes. In the past, he's even had a toolbox come out on the baggage claim conveyer belt with a line of tools strewn behind it - security had opened it up, but couldn't figure out how to get everything back where it belonged. With this year's set up, this should be much less likely to occur.
The first layer contains the tools Hall uses most often - T-handle allen wrenches, shock pump, brake tools, L-shape allen wrenches, light, spoke wrench, tire levers
 | I decided to do a full foam cutout for every single tool... I kind of put my old tool box on a diet, got rid of a lot of multiple tools – there's no reason to have like four different sets of multi-tools and allen keys and T-handles and all that. I've got four pallets, so I laid those out on my workbench for a good month or so and worked on bikes, built bikes, and as I reached for tools if something wasn't where I wanted it to be I would shuffle it around until I was pretty final on how everything was going to lay out, from the direction my T-handles lay - vertical vs horizontal, I played with it all. Once I was set with that I traced it all out, took a blade to it; it's Kaizen foam, about 2-inches thick I'd say, and then it has 3mm layers, so you can cut it as deep as you want and then just peel it out. |
Layer two contains the second most commonly used tools, such as Knipex pliers, lube, picks, torque wrench and all the bits to go with it, and open end wrenches for working on brakes.
The third layer holds Abbey bike tools, a titanium hammer, punch, cassette tool, derailleur hanger straightening tool, truing stand tool, suspension sockets, BB30 drifts, pipe cutters, and screwdrivers.
The mesh pockets in the lid contain a bleed kit, spare cleats, spare brake levers, band-aids, super glue, loctite, tape, a lighter, a bolt kit with spare titanium bolts and all the stock bolts that were replaced with ti, and zip ties.
Everything laid out and ready for a busy weekend.
Listen to the full interview with John Hall:
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www.abbeybiketools.com/products/team-issue-hammer
I'd say a little advertising and just because they can make it are the other factors.
I understand it is good for traveling and such...
but hitting something with "265 grams" handle included leaves me completely puzzled.
I was expecting a chain whip, cassette tool, bottom bracket tool and stuff like that. It is probably somewhere in there and I couldn't identify it.
If I wink hard enough, almost mimics JOHN's box.
ep1.pinkbike.org/p5pb14678574/p5pb14678574.jpg
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ep2.pinkbike.org/p3pb14678572/p3pb14678572.jpg
Just like this. Nice clean cut.
Without that I could not fit my stem on. In a steel steering tube btw.
Now the whole world can enjoy nicely cut tubes.
I just wanted to point out that it's not that easy for those who are trying it out.
Ahh, sorry I was mostly referring to the adjustable jaw ones and none of the others! People were mostly referring to knipex pliers as the adjustable ones(as that seems to be their signature thing they've gotten known for here, like channel lock brand "channel locks")and seemed stoked that they could use them on everything such as bolts, which I think you are on the same page as me for using the the right socket/wrench! I totally see the use of the other knipex tools you mentioned, I have those tools just not knipex brand. If I had the $$ though I'd buy them, mostly for the high quality cutters and stuff, the adjustable jaw pliers do seem like a improved version of channel lock style pliers, and would be better for the same things you use those for.
they're in place of a crescent wrench. much faster to adjust, and the hinged jaw allows them to ratchet.
also great for squishing things.. incredibly versatile tool
That foam looks custom cut (which he may have done himself while traveling around the world.
Well I guess I should have Google'd, but 3 minutes will surely add up fast.
lifehacker.com/make-a-custom-foam-inset-to-organize-your-tool-chest-1683372975
www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-14-in-Large-Mouth-Bag-71787-2N09/202018007
Inexpensive, well-built, and big enough for everything; including chainwhip, pedal wrench, bottom bracket tool, etc... I don't have a titanium hammer...
If I flew around the world, I'd go with John's kind of setup.
This one. All of my hf ratchets have been superb. I always buy the "pro" line, not their cheapest whatever ones. Way better then my craftsmen, easily.
You're well over 300 if you simply add the empty case and hammer alone.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0187WIOP0/ref=gl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1UF85AF08CBDN&coliid=I3NHAYZS2VB0M4
Pah! Who needs that shit?!