An economical tool hidden in the alloy front fork steering tube.

OneUp is a parts and components company headquartered in Canada, focusing on the world of mountain biking. When many mountain bikes still had a front derailleur, the brand started producing 1x conversion kits and sprockets, and the company has since turned to offering impressive and thoughtful droppers and clever storable multi-tools. 

OneUp's 100cc large-capacity mini pump was the clear winner among similar products in my previous mini pump gun battle. Designed to fill mountain bike tires, so it is very suitable for gravel bikes, it provides a very effective inflation rate. The pump head can be detached from the pump to be used as a CO2 inflator, and the pump can be used as OneUp's own multi-tool and/or CO2 cartridge storage container. This is a powerful example of OneUp's genius. 

OneUp's EDC (Daily Carrying) multi-function tool series provides a similar level of cool technology. These tools are designed to be hidden inside the steerer tube of the bicycle and are still easy to use when needed and will not be noticed when they are not needed. However, they are currently limited to bicycles only equipped with alloy steering tubes (such as almost all mountain bikes and most low-end gravel bicycles). Here, I talk about my views on the new EDC Lite, which is the cheapest ($40) and easiest option in the OneUp tool series. 

It is a simple idea to store the multi-function tool in the steerer, but the challenge is how to pre-install the headset. Traditional unthreaded earphones use empty space in the steerer tube to install star nuts or compression fittings, both of which have threads for top cap bolts. Therefore, before you can hide the multi-function tool in it, you need to figure out a solution for preloading the headset.  

OneUp now offers three different versions of EDC, but for a long time, there was only one EDC to choose from. The original ordinary star nut is replaced by an elegant and light-weight threaded lock ring (similar to a lock ring that fixes a cassette to a free hub), once you screw the thread into the alloy steerer, the lock ring will preload the earphones . 

Use the clever percussion tool created by OneUp to complete the threading of the steerer tube. OneUp continues to provide this original thread design-it is the lightest solution and my choice for my personal off-road vehicle. However, not everyone is suitable for clicking the steering gear, OneUp has expanded the scope.

Sharing the same multi-tools as the original threaded version, the newer EDC threadless bracket achieves headphone compression through a bolt system that pulls the top and bottom of the steerer tube together-and it requires an open fork crown to do this One point (e.g. suspension fork). Specialized's SWAT tools have been using similar designs for many years, and new entrants such as Granite and Bontrager also provide similar designs. In the case of OneUp, this option adds 52 grams to the impressive feather thread version and is more restricted in terms of what can be hidden. 

The multi-function tools stored in the original EDC (threaded) and EDC unthreaded holders are the same as those that can be carried with the EDC pump. This $60 tool includes a 2-8 mm hex wrench, T25, flat-blade screwdriver, tire lever, chain breaker, spokes, presta valve core tool and spare rotor bolt. It also comes with a capsule for holding OneUp's tubeless plug kit, quick connect pliers or various other small parts. Or, you can replace the plastic capsule to store spare carbon dioxide cylinders. Really smart. 

This brings me to the third option of the EDC series, which is the cheapest and easiest to install, but in turn restricts you from using only folding multi-tools. 

EDC Lite is designed for almost all 1 1/8" metal rudder tubes (suspension or rigid front fork) using ordinary star nuts. After installation, it can accommodate the same nine-function folding multi-tool as the original EDC, but not Additional space will be provided for additional items, such as a chain breaker or CO2 holder. 

The tool and its respective plastic shell replace your existing headphone top cover and bolts, all in all, adding approximately 72 grams of weight to your bike (including tools!)! After installation, the top of the plastic case is visible above the stem. OneUp offers six color options (black, red, blue, green (tested), orange, purple, and turquoise).

Before purchasing EDC Lite, it is important to ensure compatibility with your fork-OneUp has a detailed guide. You mainly want to check the available fork length, the inner diameter of the steerer tube (at least 24.1 mm is required), and that you have actually installed the star nut. Most bicycles with aluminum steerers should be fine. 

The installation is very simple, only a hammer and a 4 mm long hex wrench are required; the rest are provided. This process only needs to remove the headphone top cover bolt, screw in the provided mounting bolt, and then use it to further tap the star nut under the steering tube. Then the plastic housing of the EDC Lite can be installed and screwed into the newly lowered star nut. In some cases, you can even install it without loosening the stem or re-adjusting the headset. 

After installation, you will leave a perfectly shaped hole to accept OneUp's own EDC multi-tool (other tools are not suitable). This compact folding tool contains 2-8 mm hex bolts, T25 and flat-blade screwdriver. 

To use this tool, just pull up the plastic top cover and unfold the drive of the size you need-very fast to access and put back. Even better, it does not make a rattling or similar annoying noise, and if it is installed correctly, it will not be noticed at all. 

The quality of the tool definitely gets the job done, and every size can be firmly installed in the fastener-I compare its quality to the quality of Topeak, Pedro's and similar tools. These tools provide the right length to fit easily into the recessed fasteners in the rear derailleur or some seatposts. Like any small multi-function tool, levers can be a problem, but the size of the tool is good, and it can handle almost any common task except loosening the pedal or crank bolt. 

Of course, such a simple tool is only suitable for handling fasteners, if you need to adjust spokes or repair damaged chains, it will not help-OneUp's more advanced tools can be used for this purpose. 

Similarly, having a multi-function tool in the steering gear means that you give up the choice of replacing the headphone cover with other accessories (such as a computer or camera stand). 

If you wish to move tools from one bike to another or change the color, you can purchase additional plastic housings separately ($15 each). And you can use the stored multi-function tool to tighten your earphone pre-tightening force-the only problem is that the plastic case will rotate during this process, so you won't get the ideal logo alignment this way. It’s nice to know that you haven’t stopped adjusting your headphones in the field. 

In general, this is a concise and simple solution for those who want a basic multi-function tool for simple adjustments, shaft removal or similar operations. However, if you are looking for an all-in-one tool that can handle more detailed repairs, then this is not it. 

Currently, none of OneUp's EDC tools can be used in the carbon fiber steerer. The company's mini pump is still the best way to install its original EDC tool on a gravel bike with a carbon fiber steering tube. However, this begs the question: Will we see OneUp produce an EDC that is friendly to the carbon shift?

The OneUp representative quickly responded to my question, and the answer was a bit shy. "As you said, we currently do not provide carbon-friendly EDC tools. I can only say so much at the moment!" I am really curious indeed. 

Currently, the selection of such tools designed to be hidden in the carbon steerer is extremely limited. Unlike the use of such tools in metal rudder tubes, tools designed for carbon steel rudder tubes also need to be able to provide some form of support to prevent compression of the stem. 

Granite Designs Stash RCX may be the only multi-tool example I know of. It is designed to be hidden inside a carbon steer tube and has some obvious limitations and concerns regarding its effectiveness against tube compression. Specialized has a chain tool installed in the carbon fiber steerer, but this seems to have been discontinued. Anyway, I certainly want to see what OneUp can come up with in this area. 

At the same time, those who are keen to use storable tools on boom bikes are limited to the option of using the end of the handlebar or the space under the bottle cage. Wolf Tooth, Topeak, Specialized, Syncros and many others provide such things, but I am still waiting for something better to fill the helmsman’s gap.