The Lab – Fix Manufacturing MTB Field Kit in long-term test
You’ve arrived at the trailhead, only to realise you have a flat tire and a rusty chain? Or maybe you don’t have a fancy workshop at home and don’t want to buy everything separately? Your perfect solution is the Fix Field Kit: The compact bag contains everything you need for quick care and minor repairs. We put it to the test.
Fix Manufacturing is a rather unknown brand as far as multitools are concerned, but the Californians do produce some useful tools and gadgets for biking, skating and snowboarding. The idea of being able to quickly fix minor breakdowns on the road was born in a small garage in Laguna Beach. With this goal in mind, the team around Tony Zentil designed the MTB Field Kit, which is supposed to contain everything for you to do minor maintenance and repair work, and keep track of what you did at the same time.
The Fix MTB Field Kit comes in a compact bag, no bigger than a Bible (Altar Edition), and weighs just under a kilogram. This means that you can easily take the kit along with you in your hand luggage or leave it in your car. The high-quality sewn bag has a small outside pocket that holds a maintenance plan in notebook format. Here, you can easily keep a record of your bikes, such as when you last replaced the chain, how old your tire sealant is, or the damper settings of your suspension. This way, you’re always on top of what has been done and what needs to be done soon.
Inside the bag, of course, are the main components: the toolkit. Besides a comprehensive multitool with 2–6 mm Allen keys, Phillips driver and Torx 25 key, the bag also contains a solid chain tool and a separate, extra-long 8 mm Allen key – ideal for crank bolts and most pedals where you have to apply more power. You also get a small pump with a pressure gauge, as well as a tire lever plus a measuring tape for setting up the suspension or adjusting the saddle height. For maintenance, two brushes, a bottle of degreaser, and a bottle of chain oil are included. With these you can at least keep your drivetrain in good shape. The set also includes a biro for filling out your service booklet and a case with separate compartments for small spare parts such as brake pads, chain links, and derailleur hangers.
How did the kit perform on the road and what’s it good for? With the Fix MTB Field Kit, you are prepared for almost any bike incident. Whether on the road or at home, everything is always in the right place and nothing gets lost.
How does the toolkit do as a mobile workshop in a flat-share room or on the road in a van? On the tool side, the Fix MTB Field Kit is a bit poorly equipped: The multitool, the 8 mm Allen key, and the chain tool are things that other manufacturers pack into a single multitool. Due to the size of the multitool, you have a somewhat limited range of motion for some hard-to-reach repairs. On the other hand, the 8 mm Allen key is easy to use, and the chain tool requires little force to split the chain as Moses did the sea. All in all, the tools are easily sufficient for minor maintenance and repair work, such as turning the handlebars, installing pedals and front wheel or fitting the rear derailleur – the classic tasks that become necessary when setting up the bike after transport. You can also take care of almost all wear and tear parts.
The degreaser together with the cleaning brush help keep the chain nice and clean, and with the chain oil it’s also well lubricated and protected against corrosion. However, we also packed some grease for bearings and pedal installation. Tire levers and a hand pump are sufficient for changing tires, but you should definitely add a (preferably digital) tire pressure gauge for your daily set-up, as well as a shock pump to make sure your suspension is just right. A unique feature is the service plan, in which you can cleanly record all repairs and changes to your bike. Plus, you’ll always have your favourite air pressure and the rest of the suspension settings at hand after a trip or a shock service and won’t have to start from scratch. Last but not least, if you fill the free compartments with small items and spare parts, the set easily contains everything you need to keep your bike fresh during the season.
The Fix MTB Field Kit is a good toolkit for the DIY mechanic without a private workshop, and for bikers who are often on the road or are travelling with their bike. It’s sufficient for every foreseeable, smaller repair and maintenance work. With the service booklet that comes with the toolkit, if it’s well-kept, you might even increase the resale value of your bike. Although the multitool is a bit large, its weight is perfectly acceptable.
Tops
- can be usefully expanded
- Service booklet for a better overview
Flops
- multitool a little bulky
Tester Juli
Test duration 2 months
Price € 84,95
Weight 960 g
More information Manufacturer’s website
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Words: Julian Schwede Photos: Julian Schwede
