Recommend me a tool bottle

[Dadam]

I've been looking at these, and they mostly seem to be black plastic screw top bottles like a bidon without the drinking spout. I could just use a normal bottle which I've already got.

I did find this zip case which looks a decent candidate, easier to find a specific item without emptying the lot on the ground and having to repack it and with the two compartments, easier to have it not rattling.

I want it to hold at a minimum: tyre levers, multitool, small pliers, 2x road tubes (or fat 1 MTB tube), patches and glue, and a flapjack or two.
And a mini-pump for the bikes I don't have a holder for.

 

[super_davo]

I've used that Vittoria bottle for ages and it works well. I used to pack very similar to your list but with a micro pump or Co2 in place of the flapjacks and pliers, and was always able to fit what I needed. The only real drawback is that it is not in the slightest bit waterproof, loads of water gets through the zip which then means the contents can rust.

As I now use TPU tubes, that does shrink the size of your emergency kit a fair bit, which means I don't need something as cavernous as that and subsequent loss of a bottle cage. I tend to use a Silca Mattone clone saddlebag in its place which is way more waterproof - there are loads about but my favourite is branded Thinkrider. But if you pack carefully with TPU tubes you can even get a full kit in a tiny little Velopac that goes in your jersey pocket.

 

[sevenfourate]

Zefal: Plastic, Wide top, available in 3 sizes. and ive got all you mention *and more in a Medium sized version. And have one on all of my seriously ridden bikes.

*Small pump, C02 cannister / dispensor, Tyre levers, Glueless patches, Inner Tube, Small Multi-Tool, Rubber Gloves, Few wrapped handwipes.

 

[Sea of vapours]

Seconded re the Zefal one, and the medium sized version would carry all you describe. It's much better than an old water bottle since, as mentioned, it has a wide - almost full width - opening so it's much easier to get things in and out without emptying the whole contents.

 

[Dadam]

Cheers all

Those who recommend the Zefal, how do you stop it rattling? Is it a case of just packing stuff in and/or including something soft for padding?

I'm tempted to go for the Vittoria zip case despite the lack of waterproofing. I don't ride in heavy rain except commuting where I have a backpack to carry all sorts of gubbins. So the only time it's going to get very wet is being caught out in a downpour on a leisure ride.

Added I also need it to carry a small pump (Topeak Race Rocket) on those bikes that don't have an external holder.

 

[Sea of vapours]

I keep a microfibre cloth in mine to line it and separate potentially rattly things, which is arguably a 'tool' in itself; and if it's not overly full I pack the top with bubble wrap. My pump fits inside the bottle as it's a pretty short one. The largest Zefal bottle is quite long and would take most mini pumps I'd have thought (check dimensions, obviously).

 

[sevenfourate]

Yup. I use the rubber gloves and hand wipes as packaging. Rattle free here 👍

 

[PaulSB]

I don't use a tool bottle but on the rattling front if I've got any tools in my bag that rattle I just add a piece of old cotton sheet or tea towel.

 

[PaulSB]

@sevenfourate three very smart looking bikes there.

 

[Drago]

Find any wide-necked bottle of your choice and stuff it full. Ram a rag in there for hand wiping duties and itll stop and rattling.

 

[YMFB]

I had a cheap plastic one that worked perfectly for several years. When it broke I replaced it it with a much more expensive Topeak version, which isn’t waterproof. I wished Id bought another cheap plastic one.

 

[Oldhippy]

The zip one works fine for me.

 

[Juan Kog]

Pencil case , works for me . Secured with a toe strap ( remember them )

 

[teeonethousand]

I've got the zip one 18 months ago ..never noticed anything got wet when it rained and I've packed all sorts into it ..no rattling. I got a cheaper one and it's fine - just checked and it was £5.98 delivered.