For years, I used a variety of solutions to corral the various tools and gear in my pockets. \u00a0I switched back and forth from a\u00a0pump to a CO2 inflator. \u00a0I tried different multi tools. \u00a0Tubes went into a separate pocket with a band around them. \u00a0Sometimes I just rubber banded everything together and stuck it in a pocket. \u00a0For a while, I tried using a small camera case to hold everything together.<\/p>\n
The bottom line is if you like keeping stuff in your pockets, it's going to get messy at some point.<\/p>\n
That all changed when my wife bought me a bike tool roll. \u00a0A Donkey Label bike tool roll to be exact.<\/p>\n
Click through to see my review of the Donkey Label bike tool roll and learn how to purchase one yourself.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"Donkey](\"https:\/\/tailwind-coaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/donkeylabelbiketoolrolldetail-e1487698558608-300x300.jpeg\")
<\/a>Organization Matters<\/h2>\nWhen you're stuffing things in your back pockets, you'll want to organize things properly. \u00a0I've discussed this before in my “Packing Your Pockets to Ride<\/a>” quick video tip. \u00a0In that video, I showed you how to distribute a bunch of gear evenly and efficiently in your pockets. \u00a0Those tips still apply, but now there's a better way to keep everything neatly bundled together.<\/p>\nThe Donkey Label bike tool roll bag<\/h3>\n
Call it a roll, call it a bag, call it whatever you want. \u00a0This bike tool roll is the answer to all my headaches when it comes to stashing the right stuff in my pockets. \u00a0Compared to sticking a saddle bag on your bike, this roll is a really simple solution. \u00a0Stash your spare tube and tools, pump and tire levers in the individual pockets, roll it up and stuff the whole thing in your center jersey pocket.<\/p>\n
As I mentioned, I'm not a fan of saddle bags. \u00a0Sure, they're utilitarian and they work just fine. \u00a0But they're ugly and they stay on one bike. \u00a0Yes, style is subjective. \u00a0And you can always move your saddle bag from bike to bike. \u00a0But what happens when you walk into your garage, grab your spare bike, jump on and ride off. \u00a0If you didn't think to switch the saddle bag, you may be calling for a taxi if you get a flat.<\/p>\n
By keeping that bike tool roll in your helmet or stuck in your shoe, you can't possibly forget it unless you forget your shoes or helmet too. \u00a0That's why I love something as simple as a bike tool roll bag: it's as idiot-proof as you can get.<\/p>\n
The ethos of being a “donkey”<\/h3>\n
Donkey label is a smallish company located in Minneapolis. \u00a0They pride themselves on being as pure a company as possible. \u00a0What does that mean exactly? \u00a0Well, take an excerpt from their “About Us” page<\/a>:<\/p>\n\nDonkey Label is as much an ethos as it is a Company.<\/h3>\n
That ethos is based on simplicity, in life and design. It\u2019s based on the belief that the process, ingredients and the people that go into making a product actually matter. It comes from our unapologetic approach to doing things the way we feel they should be done.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
That's my kind of company.<\/p>\n
This ethos is apparent in each and every piece of gear they produce (and I do have a couple of them.)\u00a0 These bike tool rolls are made by hand, one at a time.\u00a0 They are stitched out of tough denim with a decorative inner fabric. \u00a0The stitching is quite tough: these things are made to last for a long time. \u00a0And that's a good thing because each tool roll bag will cost you around $40. \u00a0There are 3 “styles” to choose from, each with a different graphic inside.<\/p>\n
Form and function<\/h3>\n
Unroll the bag and inside you'll find 5 interior pockets to keep your tools in. \u00a0They vary in size from thin pockets designed for tire levers to a large pocket for a tube, so you'll always have a place for your tools. \u00a0There's enough space for a multi-tool, tire levers, patch kit, tube, presta\/schrader adapter and even more if you need.<\/p>\n
A really nice touch on the DL tool roll is the external pump pocket and the thick elastic strap. \u00a0When the bag is rolled up, you can still keep your pump together with the rest of your tools. Keep in mind that the pump pocket isn't that deep, so you can't stick a foot long frame pump in there. \u00a0The thick elastic band included does a great job of holding everything together and preventing the tool roll from flopping about.<\/p>\n
![\"Donkey](\"https:\/\/tailwind-coaching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/donekylabelbiketoolrollclosed-e1487738948288-300x300.jpeg\")
<\/a>When wrapped up, it's about the size of a small water bottle, measuring around 9″ in circumference. \u00a0The compact form factor will let it fit in pretty much any jersey pocket.\u00a0 If you want to stick it under a saddle, you can do so with a Binda strap.<\/p>\nWhat should you put in your bike tool roll?<\/h3>\n
Now that you know what the DL bike tool roll bag is all about, you have to figure out what to carry in it.<\/p>\n
Tire levers<\/strong> aren't a necessity, but they're nice to have. \u00a0In most cases, you can manage to work a flat tire off the rim with your hands. \u00a0There are some rims that are very tough to get a tire off, so levers can be handy. \u00a0I've used a lot of levers in the past 15 years, and I've found that the [easyazon_link identifier=”B000IZGFCE” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Pedros tire levers[\/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B0014BMPHU” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Lezyne tire levers[\/easyazon_link] to be some of the best.<\/p>\nIf you get a flat, you'll need a pump<\/strong> in order to inflate your fresh tube. \u00a0I've reviewed the [easyazon_link identifier=”B005X7I8XG” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Lezyne Road Drive[\/easyazon_link] in the past, and I stand by that recommendation. \u00a0You'll have that Road Drive for years; it's that well built. \u00a0You can check out my review of it in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\nKeeping a spare\u00a0tube<\/strong> from flopping around is one of the main attractions of this tool roll. \u00a0Fold it up nice and neat, just like it comes out of the box, and it'll fit perfectly in the large pocket. \u00a0It's a little bit tough to keep a couple of tubes in the tool roll, but you can always stick another one loose in your pocket. \u00a0Of course, you should never be without [easyazon_link identifier=”B0068FAXTY” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]a few spares in your toolbox[\/easyazon_link] to refresh any tubes that you use during your ride.<\/p>\nPatches<\/strong> can salvage a ride if you have multiple flats. \u00a0The [easyazon_link identifier=”B0017RYO7K” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Park Tool glueless patch kit[\/easyazon_link] has been a godsend on plenty of rides where multiple flats happen. \u00a0The glueless patches are simple: rough up the spot around the puncture and stick the patch down. \u00a0It's not a perfect solution, but it does keep you rolling for the rest of the ride.<\/p>\nIf you need to make adjustments out on the road, a good quality multi-tool<\/strong> is an important piece of kit. \u00a0There are a ton of multi-tools out there, but I have a couple of go-to models in my toolbox. \u00a0The [easyazon_link identifier=”B000S6HZCC” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Crankbrothers Multi 17[\/easyazon_link] is a great option that even has a chain tool. \u00a0I've carried the [easyazon_link identifier=”B001GSMNSM” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Lezyne Stainless 12 multi tool[\/easyazon_link] in the past, and I'm currently stashing the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00EZAISX2″ locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Syncros composite 12 multi-tool[\/easyazon_link] in my Donkey Label tool roll.<\/p>\nWrapping it all up<\/h2>\n
The Donkey Label bike tool roll bag<\/h3>\n
Call it a roll, call it a bag, call it whatever you want. \u00a0This bike tool roll is the answer to all my headaches when it comes to stashing the right stuff in my pockets. \u00a0Compared to sticking a saddle bag on your bike, this roll is a really simple solution. \u00a0Stash your spare tube and tools, pump and tire levers in the individual pockets, roll it up and stuff the whole thing in your center jersey pocket.<\/p>\n
As I mentioned, I'm not a fan of saddle bags. \u00a0Sure, they're utilitarian and they work just fine. \u00a0But they're ugly and they stay on one bike. \u00a0Yes, style is subjective. \u00a0And you can always move your saddle bag from bike to bike. \u00a0But what happens when you walk into your garage, grab your spare bike, jump on and ride off. \u00a0If you didn't think to switch the saddle bag, you may be calling for a taxi if you get a flat.<\/p>\n
By keeping that bike tool roll in your helmet or stuck in your shoe, you can't possibly forget it unless you forget your shoes or helmet too. \u00a0That's why I love something as simple as a bike tool roll bag: it's as idiot-proof as you can get.<\/p>\n
The ethos of being a “donkey”<\/h3>\n
Donkey label is a smallish company located in Minneapolis. \u00a0They pride themselves on being as pure a company as possible. \u00a0What does that mean exactly? \u00a0Well, take an excerpt from their “About Us” page<\/a>:<\/p>\n That ethos is based on simplicity, in life and design. It\u2019s based on the belief that the process, ingredients and the people that go into making a product actually matter. It comes from our unapologetic approach to doing things the way we feel they should be done.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n That's my kind of company.<\/p>\n This ethos is apparent in each and every piece of gear they produce (and I do have a couple of them.)\u00a0 These bike tool rolls are made by hand, one at a time.\u00a0 They are stitched out of tough denim with a decorative inner fabric. \u00a0The stitching is quite tough: these things are made to last for a long time. \u00a0And that's a good thing because each tool roll bag will cost you around $40. \u00a0There are 3 “styles” to choose from, each with a different graphic inside.<\/p>\n Unroll the bag and inside you'll find 5 interior pockets to keep your tools in. \u00a0They vary in size from thin pockets designed for tire levers to a large pocket for a tube, so you'll always have a place for your tools. \u00a0There's enough space for a multi-tool, tire levers, patch kit, tube, presta\/schrader adapter and even more if you need.<\/p>\n A really nice touch on the DL tool roll is the external pump pocket and the thick elastic strap. \u00a0When the bag is rolled up, you can still keep your pump together with the rest of your tools. Keep in mind that the pump pocket isn't that deep, so you can't stick a foot long frame pump in there. \u00a0The thick elastic band included does a great job of holding everything together and preventing the tool roll from flopping about.<\/p>\n Now that you know what the DL bike tool roll bag is all about, you have to figure out what to carry in it.<\/p>\n Tire levers<\/strong> aren't a necessity, but they're nice to have. \u00a0In most cases, you can manage to work a flat tire off the rim with your hands. \u00a0There are some rims that are very tough to get a tire off, so levers can be handy. \u00a0I've used a lot of levers in the past 15 years, and I've found that the [easyazon_link identifier=”B000IZGFCE” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Pedros tire levers[\/easyazon_link] and [easyazon_link identifier=”B0014BMPHU” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Lezyne tire levers[\/easyazon_link] to be some of the best.<\/p>\n If you get a flat, you'll need a pump<\/strong> in order to inflate your fresh tube. \u00a0I've reviewed the [easyazon_link identifier=”B005X7I8XG” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Lezyne Road Drive[\/easyazon_link] in the past, and I stand by that recommendation. \u00a0You'll have that Road Drive for years; it's that well built. \u00a0You can check out my review of it in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Keeping a spare\u00a0tube<\/strong> from flopping around is one of the main attractions of this tool roll. \u00a0Fold it up nice and neat, just like it comes out of the box, and it'll fit perfectly in the large pocket. \u00a0It's a little bit tough to keep a couple of tubes in the tool roll, but you can always stick another one loose in your pocket. \u00a0Of course, you should never be without [easyazon_link identifier=”B0068FAXTY” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]a few spares in your toolbox[\/easyazon_link] to refresh any tubes that you use during your ride.<\/p>\n Patches<\/strong> can salvage a ride if you have multiple flats. \u00a0The [easyazon_link identifier=”B0017RYO7K” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Park Tool glueless patch kit[\/easyazon_link] has been a godsend on plenty of rides where multiple flats happen. \u00a0The glueless patches are simple: rough up the spot around the puncture and stick the patch down. \u00a0It's not a perfect solution, but it does keep you rolling for the rest of the ride.<\/p>\n If you need to make adjustments out on the road, a good quality multi-tool<\/strong> is an important piece of kit. \u00a0There are a ton of multi-tools out there, but I have a couple of go-to models in my toolbox. \u00a0The [easyazon_link identifier=”B000S6HZCC” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Crankbrothers Multi 17[\/easyazon_link] is a great option that even has a chain tool. \u00a0I've carried the [easyazon_link identifier=”B001GSMNSM” locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Lezyne Stainless 12 multi tool[\/easyazon_link] in the past, and I'm currently stashing the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00EZAISX2″ locale=”US” tag=”taicoaandthed-20″]Syncros composite 12 multi-tool[\/easyazon_link] in my Donkey Label tool roll.<\/p>\n\n
Donkey Label is as much an ethos as it is a Company.<\/h3>\n
Form and function<\/h3>\n
<\/a>When wrapped up, it's about the size of a small water bottle, measuring around 9″ in circumference. \u00a0The compact form factor will let it fit in pretty much any jersey pocket.\u00a0 If you want to stick it under a saddle, you can do so with a Binda strap.<\/p>\nWhat should you put in your bike tool roll?<\/h3>\n
Wrapping it all up<\/h2>\n