Inside the Granite Stash Series of On-Bike Storage Tools

Key Details: Granite Stash Series Tools

• Product Line: Granite Stash Series
• Includes: Stash RT Ratchet Tool, Tubeless Tyre Plug Kit, Chain Tool, Scope Mount
• Price Range: $14.95 – $109 AUD
• Materials: S2 alloy-grade tool steel (ratchet), rubber grommets, o-ring seals
• Mounting Options: Fork steerer tube, handlebar ends, crank axle
• Compatibility: Most forks (except Fox 38 Performance), Garmin/Wahoo/Bryton computers, Specialized SWAT
• Tool Types:
  • Ratchet Tool: 1/4” drive, 9 bits (2mm–8mm, T25, Phillips)
  • Tubeless Kit: 1.5mm and 3.5mm plug options
  • Chain Tool: Compact, handlebar or crank-mountable

Granite were generous enough to send AMB a selection of their Stash range of on-board tool storage solutions to put through their paces. Granite’s Stash line of products is a well-thought-out, price-conscious range aimed at getting the job done without breaking the bank. On test were the Granite Stash RT, Scope Mount, Chain Tool, and Tire Plug Kit. Throughout the testing period, I put the tools and the plug kit to use on the trail and tested the chain tool in the workshop.

Granite Stash RT

The ¼” drive ratchet tool is the heart of the Granite Stash RT. Despite its diminutive size, it’s made from proper S2 alloy-grade tool steel. The tool holder stores the mini ratchet and nine driver bits inside your bike’s fork steerer tube for quick access, and is compatible with almost all forks, including inner tapered steerer tubes (except Fox 38 Performance). The kit contains 2mm to 8mm Allen bits, a T25 torx, and an extended Phillips head bit for leverage. The tool holder is spring-loaded and pops up when the top cap is rotated out of the way.

The maximum torque for the mini ratchet is 20Nm, which is more than enough for tightening loose bolts on the trail, but removing stuck pedals or cranks is well beyond its design and limit of leverage. 

My only reservation with the driver-based tools is the peril of dropping the bits while using them on the trail. Of course, I did exactly that and spent 5 minutes looking through the grass to find a dropped bit. After this experience, I was mindful to remove the ratchet from its housing, select the driver bit I wanted, and store the remainder back in the steerer tube. If you are unlucky and lose a few bits, Granite also offers a replacement Ratchet Tool kit to get you back on the trail.

Granite Stash Tubeless Tyre Plug Kit  and Granite Stash Chain Tool 

The tyre plug and chain tool come with two sizes of rubber grommets that secure them in the handlebar or crank axle, and I tested one in each. Tightening the small Allen bolt in the end of the tool squeezes the grommet to keep it in place. Initially, I ran the tool installed loosely so I could pull them out by hand, but with the ease of access to the ratchet in the steerer tube, I tightened them up so I didn’t have to worry about them coming out on their own.

The tyre plug kit uses the typical gummy worm-type plugs and comes with small and large diameter plugs. I pre-mounted the larger of the two sizes in the tool and stored it in my handlebar end. I’ve never been happier to be rolling on a flat; I got a small cut in my tyre during the test period and used the knurled reaming tool to enlarge the hole and then jam in the plug. Many rides and kilometres later, I am pleased to see it continuing to do the job without issue. Granite also offers replacement plug refill packs in both 1.5 and 3.5mm sizes.

I trialled mounting the chain tool in the hollow crank axle. After a few deep creek crossings or after washing, the grommet managed to prevent water from draining out the end of the axle. The o-ring seals on the tool remained watertight and were not a source of problems, but my preference is to mount it in the handlebars. Quick links have reduced the number of people who carry a chain tool, but only a chain tool can remove damaged links. I did not have any chain issues on the trail, so I put it through a bench test, breaking and joining old chains. Apart from getting greasy fingers from the chain, it was a pleasure to use.

Granite Scope Mount

The Granite Scope Mount for my Garmin (also available for Wahoo and Bryton) is a great solution if you have limited or no space on your handlebar, and is also available as an adaptor for Specialized’s SWAT steerer storage system. 

Using the Granite Scope Mount, there was not enough clearance to remove the ratchet tool from the steerer with my Garmin mounted, meaning I needed to grab my computer off the mount before accessing the tools. The 3mm Allen bolt retaining the cap would undo when rotating the top cap and is my one minor grumble about the Granite Stash Series: a larger bolt and captured nut that swings further out, would be a nice future refinement.

Overall, the Granite Stash Series range of the tools meets expectations for a tool on the go, and the clever, stealthy storage design elevates them above standard trail tools for a rider who prefers to ‘set and forget’. They are still on my personal bike, and I do not see a reason I would take them off – except to give them back!

Pricing of the Granite Stash Series Gear

Granite Scope Mount $14.95
Granite SWAT Mount $34.95
Granite Stash Tubeless Tyre Plug Kit RRP $34.95  
Granite Stash Chain Tool RRP $36.95
Granite Stash RT RRP $109

Pros: 

• clever integrated designs
• wide range of tool sizes to fix most on bike issues

Cons:

• potential to lose the bits on the trail
• not for time-crunched applications