There’s a couple of things I saw here that made me want to share this with our readers. First, there’s some thinking outside the box here. I have plenty of three-way wrenches in my kit, along with the t-handle ones. And I pack a folding multi-tool when I ride. The three-way and t-handle tools are too big for the under-seat bag, and the compact tools that do fit are not so great when it comes to the higher torque values some components require. (I ride steel and aluminum, no carbon) Then I saw that they are doing their best to keep production stateside. It’s always nice when a company figures out that they can get the same or better quality locally, instead of having their customer subsidize the international transport industry, which isn’t exactly good for the environment. I hope they raise the required funds to get the ball rolling on this.
– Brian
Minimalist two-piece design offers increased leverage, durability
APPLETON, Wis. – January 16, 2013 – One of the most trusted tools in any cyclist’s workshop – the three-way hex wrench – inspired a radically redesigned multi-tool from Fix It Sticks, a new company currently raising capital on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.com.
Fix It Sticks bicycle toolThe campaign on Kickstarter.com begins on January 16 and runs for 30 days to raise money required for a full production run of Fix It Sticks. Backers will also be a vital source of information for product testing prior to a wider market launch in the spring of 2013.
“Using a three-way wrench last winter while training in my basement I was struck by the simplicity of the design and the ability to gain leverage to tackle my suddenly dislodged front derailleur,” said Founder Brian Davis, a Cat 3 racer in Wisconsin. “I kept thinking I’d love to have something like that on the road with me and the idea was born.”
Fix It Sticks’ minimalist two-piece design allows cyclists to customize the tools they pack in a lightweight, compact set that contains no moving parts.
Fix It Sticks underwent multiple rounds of prototyping to arrive at the current version, which will closely mirror the production tool, complete with eye-catching and durable anodized finish.
“So far, we’ve built and sourced everything in the immediate area of Appleton, Wisconsin,” Davis said. “We’ll be keeping all the production in the U.S. so we can ensure the best quality product.”
Keeping with a local, low-impact ethos, Fix It Sticks will be shipped with minimal packaging and a carrying case made from recycled inner tubes.
“We wanted to create a simple case for a simple tool,” Davis said. “If you lose the case, you can make a new one in about 30 seconds from an old tube.”
For more information about Fix It Sticks, visit www.facebook.com/fixitsticks. To visit the Kickstarter campaign, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/
About Fix It Sticks
A new twist on a cycling multitool, Fix It Sticks gives cyclists a lightweight, high-leverage multitool without any excess. The unique design uses two different sticks that combine to form a T-handle. Similar to a three-way wrench found in every cyclist’s toolbox, except compact enough to ride with. More information can be found at www.fixitsticks.com.