Carrying the essential tools needed for trail side repairs can be a weighty and cumbersome undertaking. There are plenty of ways to strap a tool to your frame, and bottle cage mounted tool systems like the superb Lezyne Ninja Master system are awesome. But if you like an uncluttered frame and clean lines, then the Wolf Tooth Encase System Bar kit could be for you. Covering everything you’d need in an emergency, the tools stow in the end of your handlebars and fit both mountain bike and drop bar bikes.
Design and specifications
The Encase System Bar Kit One includes all the tools you’ll need to tweak, tighten and repair out on the trail, all housed in flexible storage sleeves that slip into your bars ends. They fit both carbon and aluminum mountain bike and drop bars with a minimum internal bar diameter of 17.5mm and are finished off with machined T6 aluminum bar end caps for your bars protection.
One side houses a chain breaker tool which is compatible with all speeds of chain, and a tire plug tool and five tire plugs which are hidden in the handle. There’s also bonus space for a master link inside both of the aluminum end caps.
A 14-function hex bit wrench with swivel head fits inside the other side. This includes Hex: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm, Torx: T10, T25, T30, a spoke wrench, valve core wrench, flat head and phillips bits all made from Crv steel. They are all magnetized and kept in place in the neatly machined T6 aluminum body with rubber O-rings.
The rubber storage sleeves have a flap that can be trimmed down to size to provide a snug fit in your bars. And this also acts as a vibration dampener to keep the tools rattle free. Perfect for maximizing space on your bike and carrying all the essential tools you’ll need.
Performance
I’ve been using these tools for well over a year and I swap use between my mountain bikes and gravel bikes. Fitting was easy with a little trimming of the flaps with a sharp Stanley knife to gain a snug and secure fit. I’ve fitted these inside a number of different carbon and aluminum bars from Renthal, One-Up, Bergtec and Salsa Cowbell drop bars with no issues.
As much as I love these tools and use them on most of my bikes, it did take a while to get used to using the hex wrench. Removing the small bits from the magnetized body is a little tricky. They're sometimes hard to pry out of their respective places in the body. It can also take a while to get used to locating the right bit, and even after tons of practice, it can still be fiddly and test my patience. That said, it’s worth taking the time to preserve for sheer convenience.
In use, the bits of the hex tool stay firmly in place never dropping from the body and the tool is robust. As I mentioned, I’ve been using the tool for a long time and it’s still going strong, after a winter’s use though, the hex bits have picked up some signs of corrosion from getting wet and muddy.
The chain breaker tool has saved me on a number of rides, it’s easy to use and requires the 4mm hex bit to be used in the hex bit wrench. The tire plug tool is a great addition, as are the included works, and I love the fact there is room to stash master links.
The bar end caps have taken an absolute battering as you’ll see from the photos, but both tools still slide out with a nice firm tug. I’ve never lost one either, so it’s fit and forget. The rubber storage sleeves do a sterling job of cutting out any rattling inside the bar. I wouldn’t ride without them.
Verdict
These are my go-to tools. They’re tough and robust, but not immune to a bit or corrosion to the bits. If I had an incompatible handlebar, I’d actually consider changing it in favor of a model that fits these tools as I rate them so highly. But they will take some time to get used to and can still be tricky at times. A very worthwhile investment that will fit most mountain bike or drop bar handlebars.
Tech specs: Wolf Tooth Encase System Bar Kit
Price: $119.95 / £110 / €130
Tools: 14 functions hex bit wrench tool: spoke wrench, valve core wrench, flat head, Phillips, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, and 8mm hex; and T10, T25, and T30 Torx compatible, chain and tire plug multitool
Materials: T6 Aluminum body, Crv steel bits
