The idea for a new toolkit came from the desire to stop carrying a backpack on shorter 1-2 hour rides, but still be able repair or adjust the bike if there’s a need. We looked at what was out on the market, but couldn’t really find any toolkits that had the characteristics that we wanted:

Any mountain biker looking to ditch the backpack but still able to make quick trail-side repairs with an innovative and attractive toolkit.

Details

Sleek alternative to saddle and frame bags and includes high quality, weather resistant tools

Made from one of the best full-grain leathers: Hermann-Oak Leather

Weather proofing applied to all exposed leather

Weight: 145g (both pieces, without tools)

The pocket contains anything that needs protection from the elements.

A leather bumper prevents any slipping of CO2 cartridge and tire levers.

Beautifully engraved map of Callahan State Park.

A leather guard protects your bike frame. The yellow flexible insert holds hex keys securely in place.

Non-slip material used in key areas.

Custom machined aluminum buckle - makes ToolB easy to install, adjust and take off

Included Tools. Just add your own spare inner tube and you are set.

1x CO2 20g cartridge

2x Park Tools tire levers

Genuine Innovations CO2 inflator

Genuine Innovations tubeless tire plug kit

Topeak chain tool

Bondhus GoldGuard hex keys: 2,2.5,3,4,5,6

Bondhus Torx key: T25

Small flat head screwdriver

The ToolB Story:

Hello! My name is Michael Val, and I’m one of the founders of 3State Labs. Like many mountain bikers, I used to carry a backpack on most of my rides.

Backpack has some sweet dance moves! Illustration by D&N

About two years ago I decided to go for a ride without taking a backpack with me - just a water bottle mounted on the bike. WOW - I couldn’t believe how much less sweaty my back was and how much more I enjoyed the ride. I could also more easily control the bike and move around, without the extra weight of a pack doing a dance on my back.

After that eye-opening ride, I was hooked on backpack-less riding. I searched for different options on how to carry tools on the bike, and there were a few: I never liked how saddle-bags looked; using under-the-seat tool-rolls required taking them off or unrolling to use; frame bags did not fit well on my bike frame; 'hidden' tools required compatible bike parts to be hidden into. That is when we decided to make our own toolkit!

We created a ToolB prototype with which I rode during the 2016 biking season, including racing at local cross-country races. The ToolB prototype confirmed this was a great solution to riding backpack-less while still having a toolkit for emergencies.

After a year of working on improvements, creating a pre-production version of ToolB and performing preliminary tests, we are ready to introduce ToolB to the world!

Riding without a backpack is amazing. You sweat less, you have better control of the bike, and riding becomes more fun; And if you have the ToolB on your bike, trail-side repairs are easier and quicker to do, and you can get back to enjoying your ride.

Now this is where YOU can play a part of making ToolB a reality for you and us. By backing our project, you will be one of the first to receive a ToolB of your own. We hope you will look forward to backpack-less riding with ToolB!

Will it fit my Mountain Bike?

Fitting the ToolB on different bikes. Courtesy Blackstone Bicycles, RI.

The ToolB will fit alloy (aluminum) and carbon fiber mountain bikes. The ToolB will not fit steel or titanium bikes because of the small tubing diameter. The ToolB needs 5 inches of space top to bottom.

Why Leather?

Full-grain, vegetable-tanned, leather has been used for thousands of years for applications ranging from footwear and armor, to modern day motorcycle saddles and high-end shoulder bags.

This type of leather is very durable - it can withstand harsh abrasion, and offers fantastic protection to whatever it is put on. When minimally maintained, it can perform its function for decades, whilst still looking great.

Why we need a KickStarter?

Backers of our project will allow us to create the first production run of ToolB. Your pledges will enable us to move forward and allow us to invest in:

Manufacturing Equipment - CNC mill to make our s-hook buckles, a laser engraver for the leather art, a commercial grade 3D printer for the hex key wrench holders and a leather sewing machine. Having the right tooling will help tremendously to reduce build time and reduce production costs.

Tools - The best way to buy leather, tire levers, CO2 inflators, chain tools, hex keys, torx keys and screwdrivers is in large quantities to reduce the individual unit prices.

If we can hit $24,000 we will be able to purchase the necessary equipment and tools in bulk. This allows production at a reasonable price point.

How will your money be spent?

Timeline

Timeline - Estimated Delivery 12/2017

Reward #1 : Leather Bookmark

A gorgeous laser cut and engraved bookmark, featuring a map of Callahan State Park in Massachusetts. Made from the same high quality, full-grain, vegetable-tanned, leather as ToolB.

Reward #2: ToolB Toolkit

Everything you need for trail-side repairs: tool holder, spare-tube strap, and all the tools. BONUS: Leather bookmark is now also included!

Reward #3: ToolB Toolkit with Custom Engraved Artwork

Instead of our map, get a different map or any other art engraved into the ToolB. 1 unique ToolB Toolkit. BONUS: Leather bookmark is now also included!