4 bike tool mounts for your MTB frame

Put your frame mounts to use with one of these tool holders.
By Travis Reill

  2 comments
Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article.
Tool mounts on a Trek Top Fuel top tube. File photo: Jeff Barber.

Many newer trail and enduro bike frames, like the Kona Process or the Rocky Mountain Altitude, come with tool mounts, AKA accessory mounts. These are located on either the top tube or downtube, separate from water bottle mount(s), and are designed to securely attach a tool roll or strap mount. If your frame has tool mounts, it’s time to take advantage of them with one of these accessories.

Though it’s possible to strap tools directly to your frame, using one of these dedicated mounts reduces the chance of scratching your frame over time.

All photos Travis Reill unless otherwise noted.
Tools mounts tested
A close-up image of a black rubber wristband with a unique wavy pattern and a small black clamshell-style buckle resting on a wooden surface. The background features a rustic wooden log, enhancing the natural setting of the scene.
Close-up of a bicycle suspension system, featuring a black air compressor with rubber hoses and a label. The image shows the compressor mounted securely to the bike frame, with dirt visible on the frame indicating outdoor use. The background is a blurred earth-tone landscape.

Daysaver Cradle Frame Mount

The Daysaver Cradle Frame Mount is a lightweight mount strap at just 52 grams. The mounting bracket is made from sturdy and durable plastic, covering an area of roughly 41mm at its widest and 107mm in length. A Daysaver multitool, sold separately, snaps into the mount with magnets for extra security. Stainless screws attach the mount to the frame.

A 10.5-inch-long silicone strap secures your roll to the mount — in my case, a tube, tire levers, and CO2. A channel on the mount’s backside creates space for the strap to run through, making installation easier.  Once on, the strap is pulled tight and secured with a metal buckle being inserted into one of the many holes on the strap. 

The Daysaver Cradle Frame Mount was the one I struggled with the most. It can be challenging to apply enough tension on the strap to ensure the items are held securely. This may have been due in part to the grooves cut out on the mount for Daysaver’s multitool, which created an uneven surface. That said, while there was a bit of movement, I never had anything fall out of the Cradle Frame Mount.

A close-up image of a black and orange strap with a metal buckle, resting on a wooden surface. The strap features a logo that reads "GRANITE" and has a textured black design with an orange accent. The lighting highlights the details of the materials and the natural wood background.
Close-up of a bike frame showing a mounted roll of cables secured with orange straps and a black Velcro strip. A section of the bike's rear suspension is visible, along with part of the tire and the surrounding forest backdrop.

Granite Portaledge Strap Mount

Two bolts secure a 6061 aluminum base to the frame, with two slots on opposite sides to run Granite’s velcro strap through. Throw a spare tube on there, some C02, a multi-tool, and a couple of tire levers for a perfect backcountry kit. The Granite Portaledge is plain, simple, and the least expensive option of the mounts I tested. 

The mount base features rounded edges, ensuring it doesn’t scratch the frame, and the total weight of the Portaledge is an impressive 35 grams. A velcro strap runs through a buckle and back on itself, making it pretty easy to secure any items the Portaledge is carrying.

I thought I would prefer the silicone straps of the Daysaver and the OneUp strap mounts over Granite’s velcro offering. However, I found the velcro incredibly easy to work with, and oftentimes it seemed as if I could secure what I was carrying more easily when using the Portaledge. I imagine this is due to the infinite adjustability of the Portaledge’s velcro strap, versus the set holes on the silicone straps.

Plus, did I mention that the price of the Granite Portaledge is pretty hard to beat?! 

Black hard-shell case with a textured surface, featuring the brand name "FIDLOCK," resting on a wooden log in an outdoor setting. A small black attachment piece is placed nearby.
Close-up image of a bike frame with a black storage box attached to the side. The background features a forest setting with trees and pine needles on the ground.

Fidlock TWIST Toolbox + Bike Base

The Fidlock TWIST Toolbox was up there with my favorite tool mounts that I reviewed as it was just so damn practical. Unzipping the Toolbox reveals a large compartment with a mesh pocket for larger items, such as a spare tube or multitool. The opposite side features a divider with elastic straps to store levers, CO2, and other accessories. Everything you need is secured inside a waterproof case.

However, the storage doesn’t stop there. I could even stash my key in the Toolbox along with a couple of snacks. In other words, the case is big — 92mm x 195mm x 89mm, with a volume of 550ml. Unfortunately, the Toolbox was a bit too large for the bike I tested it with, forcing me to install it at the water bottle mount, rather than on the underside of the top tube, where I had mounted the others.

There simply wasn’t enough space between the mounting points and the shock on the new Kona Process 153 to fit the Fidlock TWIST Toolbox. However, it might be easier to fit the Fidlock Toolbox on bikes like the Rocky Mountain Altitude where the shock is mounted low. The Fidlock Toolbox also has a higher price but does come with a base that works with nearly all Fidlock accessories, including water bottles.

Black bike component mounted on a textured wooden surface, featuring the text "ONEUP COMPONENTS". The component has a rectangular shape with a strap attached, designed for securing to a bicycle frame or accessory.
Close-up of a mountain bike shock absorber mounted on the frame, featuring a black cylindrical body with a label and a yellow securing strap, against a background of a dusty terrain.

OneUp EDC Tube Strap Mount

OneUp keeps things simple with its EDC Tube Strap Mount. The popular component brand created a concave, durable plastic mount raised roughly ten millimeters off the frame. A 14×1″ silicone strap runs through a channel on the back of the mount and secures items with a buckle and holes on the strap. In total, the EDC Tube Strap Mount weighs 62 grams.

While I was initially skeptical about OneUp’s narrow strap, I found that the system held items fairly well. Securing the narrower OneUp strap seemed a bit easier than the similar but wider silicone strap on the Daysaver mount. I also really like the concave surface of the OneUp mount as it seems to help items stay secure once they are strapped down. 

The OneUp EDC Tube Strap Mount fit the Kona Process 153 I tested it on, but just barely. That extra ten millimeters or so that the mount is raised off the frame made things a tight squeeze, so keep that in mind if you are considering it for your bike.

And the winner is…

Each tool mount had its advantages and drawbacks. At the end of the day, I would recommend any of these systems, as they all worked well, especially after I got some time under my belt with them. 

That said, you will need a considerable amount of frame space if you are considering the Fidlock TWIST Toolbox. The Fidlock was certainly up there as a favorite, but its bulky size just didn’t work with my bike. If Fidlock comes out with a smaller Toolbox, I’ll be all over it.

If I could choose only one to recommend, I’d have to say the Granite Portaledge Strap Mount really impressed me. It is simple, has a slim profile, and I prefer the velcro strap over the silicone ones. Additionally, it is the lightest and most affordable strap mount I tested — win, win.

Your turn: Have you tried a tool mount that you like? Tell us about it in the comments below!

 
Close-up image of a bicycle handlebar featuring a colorful multi-tool integrated into the handlebar stem. The tool is orange with a black cap and is positioned against a blurred background of branches.
Repair
12 MTB stash tools tested and reviewed
A collection of various bike frame bags arranged on a wooden surface, featuring a variety of colors and designs, including black, orange, and blue. The bags are positioned in a way that displays their unique shapes and attachment straps, set against a natural background with dry foliage.
Bike Bags
5 MTB frame bags that will actually fit (most) full-suspension bikes
A close-up image of a colorful handlebar bag mounted on a mountain bike. The bag features a brown fabric with pink accents and a yellow logo tag from Topo Designs. In the background, there are blurred trees and natural elements, with part of the bike frame visible in bright yellow.
Bike Bags
The Best Handlebar Bags for Your Bike Adventures [Reviews]
A close-up of a person's hands using a digital tire pressure gauge to check the pressure of a bicycle tire. The bike's tire is resting on a gravelly surface, and the gauge is connected to the valve stem. The tire features a yellow logo, and dirt is visible on the hands, indicating an outdoor cycling environment.
Pumps
Flextail Tiny Tire Pump ACS is a compact electric bike tire inflator with an integrated light