off-road.cc

The Syncros Matchbox Coupe HP2.0 Integrated Bottle Cage is a bit of a mouthful but fortunatley the execution of this multitool system is much more simple. The tool is of a good size and the pump is pretty high volume too for a mini pump but you will have to remove your bottle to access the Allen keys.

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In essence, this is a bottle cage with multitool and mini pump incorporated, the multitool is recessed into the bottom of the cage, with the pump attached to the left hand side of the cage. The Scott / Syncros website says that it’s for road use but we were sent one here at off-road too so we put it to the test to see how it fared.

• You can buy a Syncros Matchbox system here

Bottle Cage

The bottle cage itself is neatly designed with a small amount of flex, it’s easy to get the bottle into the cage.  The presence of the tool does raise the height of the bottle cage on the down tube slightly but only by about 5mm which is impressive given the substantial tool in the base of the cage. I found, with the limited room in the frame on my test bike (2018 Transition Smuggler), a 710ml bottle and no side entry system I always had to insert the bottle from the right-hand side rather than the pump side but that’s no big deal and would be different on another bike.

The included tool is situated recessed into the back of the cage, its simple to clip in just insert one end of the tool (doesn’t matter which) into the bottom of the mount and then push the top of the tool into the recess. It’s worth noting you’ll need to use the included low profile bottle cage bolts to attach to cage and accessories to the frame otherwise the tool won’t fit into the recess. You do need to remove your bottle from the cage to access the tool, something you don’t have to on other brands products but the trade-off here is the inclusion of a larger more usable tool.

Multitool

The tool itself is a ten piece tool made from heat treated nickel plated steel. You get three Torx (T10, T20 and T25) a Phillips and flat-bladed screwdrivers, along with an Allen key selection of 2, 2.5, 3, 4 and 5mm. It’s a range that will cater for most trail side emergencies although anyone with a Stealth Maxel and in need of a 6mm Allen key is going to have to carry one separately, same goes for pedal problems requiring a 6mm or 8mm tool. The length of the tool makes access to the separate tool bits easy and although the length of each key isn’t that long the small width of the tool casing make them applicable for most trail adjustments. In short there is a good amount of leverage and the limited bulk of the tool makes tight spaces accessible and weather worn bolts dealt with easily.

The tool is pretty well protected in its mount too, it’s nice not to have to wash mud and grit off before setting to work. The system has been on my regular ride for about 6 weeks now and been subjected to the great British winter, with no particular care taken to keep the tool clean or dry and there are no signs of rust or stiffness.

Mini Pump

The mini pump is a high-pressure road pump which I found was useful as a mountain bike pump too. It wasn’t too arduous to get a 29er tyre back up to the pressure of 22 PSI with the mini pump performing the task in a very respectable time compared to others of a similar size. The job is made even easier by the presence of an extendable flexible hose and a Presta lock on head, features that mean you can get comfortably further away from the wheel and pump furiously without fear of damaging your valve or the pump being dislodged. The pump fit into my hand well although a slightly longer top section (nearer to the wheel when attached) would make purchase on the pump easier, I kept catching my sleeve and glove on the pump handle as I inflated the tyre, a longer section here would keep the rear of my hand out of the way of the pump piston. The pump attaches to the cage via a clip and a rubber strap, it’s nice to see Velcro being discarded for a superior material, I despise mud encrusted Velcro!

Although £56 may sound like a lot but add up the associated costs of the included items, plus the neat design of the integration and you’ll find that figure is all that bad after all, the weight if 190g isn't too bad either! There are plenty of other options from Syncros too, including cheaper options sans pump, side entry cages and an option with an all dancing and singing 14 piece tool set which doesn’t require you to remove your bottle before access. The Syncros Matchbox Coupe HP2.0 Integrated Bottle Cage will, along with a good frame strap for a tube, be staying put on my test bikes that’s for sure, it’s a neat way to help ride without a pack and now just up to you to decide whether the tidy integration is worth the outlay for tools you probably already have in your pack.

• www.scott-sport.com

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