Syncros provides a complete vary of on-bike storage options for hydration and instruments for path facet repairs, and within the case of the iS Tailor Cage reviewed right here, each concurrently. This one caught our consideration due to its tremendous compact design, a spotlight characteristic should you’re trying to mount your instruments and water to the entrance triangle of a bicycle the place house is at a premium.
The cage itself is ambidextrous, which means you possibly can mount it for simple entry on the suitable or left hand facet. It features a bracket to mount a 16g CO2 canister, or a hand pump. And it homes a 19 operate multi-tool. The good enchantment is that, with all of these important gadgets residing in your bike, it’s unattainable to go using with out them. I mounted the Syncros iS Tailor Cage to my small Revel Rail this Spring time; right here is the way it fared.
Overview: Syncros iS Tailor Cage
Given the multi-tool lives on the Syncros iS Tailor Cage, it’s essential to take it out and dry it off after each experience to forestall rust. Clearly, I uncared for to do that on quite a lot of events, and the result’s shabby-looking, however nonetheless completely useful multi-tool. Earlier than we get into the element of the device’s features, let’s check out the flexibility of the cage itself.
The very first thing I famous was that the cage is fairly versatile. That helps you stuff the bottle into the cage once you’re in a rush, and it means the cage is much less prone to snap in a crash. It holds a daily water bottle securely, and I’m blissful to report no runaway bottles during the last 4 months of using.
It may be mounted in two potential methods; angled off to both facet to go well with the handedness of the rider. One other factor to think about when mounting the cage is clearance, with respect to the trajectory of the shock and any rotating hyperlinks because the rear wheel is pushed by way of everything of its journey.
1 cm channels allow slight vertical changes to the cage mounting place. The CO2 mounting bracket has comparable horizontally positioned bolt channels that will let you tailor how far-off the CO2 canister sits from the downtube. This could permit the cage to suit a large number of frames and tube shapes.
The CO2 bracket is designed to carry a 16g CO2 canister. For MTB, it will ideally maintain a 25g canister, to make sure correct inflation of excessive quantity 29″ tires. The 16g possibility was high-quality for my 27.5″ x 2.4″ WTB Choose. The inflator head is sweet. It lets you management the circulate of CO2 into the tire, so that you don’t must dump it unexpectedly. It additionally includes a sliding plastic cowl that protects the portion that attaches to the valve, holding it away from filth.
The iS Tailor Cage, with CO2 canister mounted, does take up a good bit of house laterally. The canister juts out sideways, and I used to be initially involved that I’d catch it with my foot whereas pedaling or descending. There was no must be nervous; I haven’t knocked it even as soon as within the final 4 months of using. There may be slightly below one centimeter of house between the canister and the within face of my crank arm.
Two rubber straps safe the CO2 canister in place
Nonetheless, I’d suggest you mount the CO2 bracket on the alternative facet to your entrance descending foot. In any case, it’s often solely whereas descending that we are likely to get a bit off form.
Syncros’ BC Matchbox Coupe Cage, regardless of having a smaller multi-tool, truly takes up extra space than the iS Tailor Cage examined right here, because the multi-tool sits beneath the bottle, elevating it up off the downtube, occupying extra space inside the entrance triangle. Right here, the multi-tool if offset to the facet, which is much extra space environment friendly. The cage itself is round 145mm tall.
The multi-tool contains the next features:
- Hex 2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8
- PH2
- Flat Head Screw Driver
- Torx T10/20/25/30
- Chain Software
- Disc pad wedge
- Spoke key 3.22/3.45/Mavic M7
- Chain hyperlink holder
- Tubeless valve core remover
The 8mm Hex is saved on the pin of the chain device. It’s a tiny standalone bit that could possibly be very straightforward to lose should you’re in a rush, however a cautious proprietor will make certain it goes again into its rightful place. To make use of it, merely slip it onto the top of the 5mm Hex.
The multi-tool provides a safe mounting level for a quick-link, held in place by magnets recessed into the physique of the device.
I examined the device’s chain breaker operate on a 12-speed chain. I used to be in a position to drive the pin out of a hyperlink, but it surely wasn’t tremendous straightforward. The small dimension of the chain device means it provides little leverage. I pushed the device towards the bottom as I turned the multi-tool, which appeared to work properly.
In case you swear that you simply’re by no means going to make use of the brake pad spreader operate, you may douse the device in a skinny layer of grease to guard it from rust
The chain device portion threads off completely, leaving you with a brake pad spreader (once more, not a lot leverage), 14G and 15G and Mavic spoke instruments, and a valve core elimination device.
Total, I assumed the standard of the multi-tool to be pretty good. During the last 4/5 months of use, I’ve solely needed to tighten the device meeting as soon as. It had loosened simply sufficient to trigger the instruments to rattle a short while using. Tightening them down with a 4mm Hex has them silent as soon as extra.
The composite that holds the meeting collectively is stiff and powerful, and I used to be in a position to put numerous pressure by way of the device to tighten varied bolts, together with a number of the body’s pivots bolts. That contrasts to the 10-function multi-tool of Syncros’ BC Matchbox Coupe Cage. That additionally has a composite body, but it surely’s fairly flimsy; I snapped it pretty early on, rendering the device nearly ineffective. This one held robust, and that i’m personally not too bothered in regards to the rust.
The CO2 mounting bracket comes fitted with inserts for the 16g CO2 canister. These may be popped out, making the clamp diameter a lot wider to suit a hand pump. Nevertheless, it doesn’t truly match the Syncros HV1.0 Hand Pump we have been despatched and apart from, it’s too lengthy to suit my body anyway. We expect the clamp is designed to suit one of many chunkier hand pumps, however we’re ready to listen to again on which one that’s.
Syncros iS Tailor Cage
Professionals:
- Holds instruments and CO2 canister securely and quietly
- Good worth for cash
- Wonderful means to make sure you have path facet restore instruments in any respect time
Cons:
- Weak to rust
- Unfastened 8mm Hex could possibly be simply misplaced
Priced at £59.99, the Syncros iS Tailor Cage could possibly be thought of a really, very costly water bottle cage. Nevertheless, when you think about it comes with a good high quality 19 operate multitool, a 16g CO2 canister, inflator head and mounting bracket, I reckon it’s fairly good worth on the entire. Particularly when you think about its versatility, and total usability.
I’ll proceed to make use of the iS Tailor Cage on my private bike, and am blissful sufficient to suggest it to others.
