OneUp Components EDC Tool: Rider Review

Our "Rider Review" article series features honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for. 

Always be prepared for the unexpected while out on the trail. When you least expect it, problems can strike. That is why having a tool as useful as the OneUp Components EDC is essential for any rider. In this review, our customer Ryan picks one up for his bike. Check it out!

Overview

I hadn’t had a flat in three years. I didn’t knock on wood, because I always carried a plug kit, a tube, or both. I hadn’t broken a chain in... ever? I didn’t knock on wood, because I always carried a multi-tool. A heavy, bulky, rusty multi-tool. On my last bike, there was no good place to strap a tube, lever, CO2, or pump. This meant that I was stuck wearing a backpack until fanny packs came to town. Then, I was stuck wearing a fanny pack.

Both of those options are great when it’s 90 degrees or you’re climbing 5,000 feet on a 30-mile ride because you need water storage. However, if you just wanna go for a 90-minute rip, the water bottle on your bike is probably enough. So, I was set on water for short rides, but riding with a floppy pack to hold a tube, lever, CO2, and tool. On one of my after-work rips, I forgot my pack. I also got a flat and broke my chain.

Just kidding! I rode without a pack flopping around, had enough water, and nothing bad happened. So much nothing bad happened that I started riding without a pack for shorter rides, figuring that if I had an issue, I could push the bike out a few miles. Life was good. My back was dry and nothing flopped. The only annoyance was not having a tool to make minor adjustments.

Then, I got a new bike. It has space for a water bottle. It also has space on the frame to strap a tube. At about the same time, the OneUp Components EDC tool came out. I figured that my lucky streak had lasted long enough and that it would be nice to have a tool for setting up the bike on short rides. It is!

Installation

Installation was easy but makes a lot of people nervous because you have to tap a fancy fork. If that’s the case, your local bike shop will probably do it for you. Once installed, it’s worry-free. You will need a cassette lockring tool to set the stem preload. The EDC tool has one, but it’s not a shop tool. Again: it’s not a shop tool. For example, the tire lever on the OneUp EDC will not get a tough bead off by itself without snapping. The chain breaker works in a pinch but will wear out if used regularly. The allen and torx keys work great when needed, but I wouldn’t use them to build a new bike. When used as a trail tool only, the EDC shines.

My One Complaint

One final negative: When I didn’t have a tool and somebody’s janky bike broke down, I could shrug my shoulders and go about my day. Now, I always have a tool so I have to help or keep riding while pretending I didn’t hear anything.

Final Thoughts

The best thing about the EDC is forgetting it’s there. It has all of the essential bike tools. The storage capsule can be used to hold a CO2 cartridge, but it’s better used as a storage capsule for the tire plugs, jabber, and excellent quick link breaker pliers (all additional costs of course). I carry the CO2 cartridge and inflator in my pocket. That gives me the necessary tools to fix a flat and most trail issues without carrying a pack. For added security, you can strap a tube and lever to your frame.