Crankbrothers BC18 SOS Bottle Cage Tool Kit review

Crankbrothers BC18 SOS Bottle Cage Tool Kit is undeniably expensive for a bottle cage and multitool combo but I would say the long-term value and peace of mind are worth it.

This BC18 SOS Bottle cage is a left or right entry cage that holds a pale grey tyre lever which in turn holds a tyre plugging tool and some tubeless plugs. There are two clips on the side of the cage. One is empty (intended for CO2 or a minipump). The other holds a metal cylinder with a screw top lid. Open the lid and out pops (it’s spring loaded slightly) the SOS multi-tool.

• Brand: Crankbrothers
• Product: BC18 SOS Bottle Cage Tool Kit
• From: Extra UK
• Price: £99.99
• Tested by: Aran for 3 months
• SQUIRREL_TEXT_13068191

This multi-tool is where most your money is going. It has a lot going on with it. It’s one of the most comprehensive multi-tools we’ve encountered in fact. It features:

• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8mm Allen keys
• T10, T25 torx keys
• Flat screwdriver
• Tyre lever
• Chain tool
• 0, 1, 2 spoke wrenches
• Valve core tool
• CO2 head
• It also has a magnetic anchor point for holding a chain powerlink (you have provide the chain link)

Part of Crankbrothers’ newish SOS (Save Our Shred) line-up, this bottle cage and tool kit is an impressive little gizmo. Whilst £99 for a bottle cage may seem slightly bonkers, Crankbrothers has managed to cram an incredible amount of features in this little 250g piece of kit.

On the right hand of the bottle cage there is a mounting for either a pump, CO2 cartridge or even a Cadbury’s Boost bar (other chocolate bars may fit).

I’ve been really impressed with this product. Firstly, the provisions are excellent, I haven’t yet encountered an issue that it hasn’t had the tools to deal with. Well, aside from wrapping my rear mech into the cassette. Even on that day though, I used the SOS BC18 to remove the mech and chain (and then go on to finish the race chainless!)

The quality of the bottle cage itself is also decent. Altrhough seemingly lightweight plastic it’s still offers a firm and secure hold.

As with any fully-featured multi-tool, I would say it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with where each tool is before you go riding. Playing Lego in the middle of the moors in heavy rain, trying to find your tubeless worms, is not great fun.

There’s a bit of a knack to getting the screw cap of the tool tube back on without the collection of bits and bobs pinging back out at you or into the mud if your bike is upside down. I do wonder if there could have been a way to have this tool click into the holder. However, I would say this is far from a dealbreaker for the item. And it does stop the tool from rattling around during riding.

[ I can testify that the CO2 valve head, tubeless tool and plugs work really well. This ace tool saved my ride the other day! – Benji ]

Overall

Crankbrothers BC18 SOS Bottle Cage Tool Kit is undeniably expensive for a bottle cage and multitool combo, I would say the long-term value and peace of mind are worth it. There’s a really good selection of tools all together in a pretty lightweight and tidy package. This would make a great gift for the trail- and enduro-rider in your life! Or you.

Review Info

Mark Alker

Singletrack Owner/Publisher

What Mark doesn’t know about social media isn’t worth knowing and his ability to balance “The Stack” is bested only by his agility on a snowboard. Graphs are what gets his engine revving, at least they would if his car wasn’t electric, and data is what you’ll find him poring over in the office. Mark enjoys good whisky, sci-fi and the latest Apple gadget, he is also the best boss in the world (Yes, he is paying me to write this).

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