What I Carry in My Downtube Storage

Published: 7/31/2025

Tags: checklist, tools, maintenance, XC racing

Why It Matters

Whether you’re racing or out for a long backcountry ride, having the right tools on board can turn a mechanical into a minor delay instead of a day-ending hike. I keep these tools tucked away in my downtube storage compartment, but the same setup works just as well in a saddle bag, hip pack, or frame bag.

I also carry a few items in my jersey pockets or cargo bibs for quicker access during a race.

🔧 What’s In My Downtube Storage

Item	Why It’s in There
Lezyne Multi Chain Pliers ↗️	My do-it-all chain tool with integrated quick link pliers, rotor aligner, and valve core remover.
Quick Links (x2 sets) ↗️	Snapped into the magnetic holders inside the chain tool.
25g CO2 Canister ↗️	For topping up after a plug or flat. I carry one in the storage kit as backup and two in my bib pockets.
Lezyne CO2 Head ↗️	Spare head in case the one in my jersey fails. The O-rings in these things tend to blow out at the worst time!
2x Zip Ties ↗️	Lightweight, pack flat, and endlessly useful. Think broken shoes, busted cages, etc.
Swiss Army Knife ↗️	Small, versatile, and covers a few tools my multitool doesn’t.
Dynaplug Racer Pro ↗️	Tire plug kit I trust the most — I keep one in the bag and one in my jersey.
Spare Contact Lenses	After losing one mid-race at Firecracker 50, I’ll never ride without extras.
Tire Lever ↗️	Sometimes you need more leverage, especially with inserts or stubborn beads.
2x Spare Valve Cores ↗️	Useful for clogged cores, mid-ride swaps, or if you misplace one while fixing a flat.
Spare CR2302 Battery ↗️	In case the battery in my pod shifter goes out mid-ride.
2x Microfiber Cloth ↗️	Just so tools aren’t rattling around inside the bike!

Back of Lezyne chain tool. — 2x quick links stashed away in the magnetic storage on the back of the Lezyne Multi Chain Pliers ↗️ .

🚴 Items I Carry in Jersey or Cargo Bibs

These are things I want quick access to during a race for a fast repair:

Dynaplug Racer Pro ↗️ - for rapid fire hole plugging.
CO2 head ↗️ + 2 large canisters ↗️ - so I can get air back in the tires and get rolling quickly.
Tubolito Spare Tube ↗️ – I carry it in my center jersey pocket since it’s a bit bulky in the storage compartment.

🛠️ What About a Multitool?

You’ll notice I don’t carry a multitool in my downtube kit — and that’s because I run the Specialized SWAT Conceal Carry MTB Tool ↗️ , which lives inside the steerer tube of my fork. It’s sleek and it feels like a James Bond gadget when you access it via its spring-loaded compartment.

Otherwise I recommend something like the Lezyne V Pro 11 ↗️ — compact and well-built.

🧪 In the Wild

This setup has saved my ride more than once — from plugging some monster holes with Dynaplugs, to removing a stuck valve core, to straightening a rotor post-travel. It all disappears into the bike until you need it — and then you’re really glad it’s there.

Build your own and
open the editable checklist ↗️