Gears & Gadgets: Fix Manufacturing

Dynaplug / Wheelie Wrench Pro – Hans Rey Edition™, All Out Belt™, and Strap On Tool Holster™ (wide, narrow versions)

Authored by: Mitch Trujillo, PCI #244T, EMSCI #248T, Boulder (CO) Police Department

Now where did I drop that hex bit?! I had stopped riding to adjust saddle height. I heard the small bit hit the ground. After an exhaustive search of five minutes, I gave up – the adjustment would have to wait.

Admittedly, I’ve collected my share of bicycle multitools over the years. Some were better than others. Some could be disassembled or simply folded out and collapsed within their handle. Others were heavy, bulky, or just downright uncomfortable to pocket and carry. Some had small, loose bits you dared not drop.

Maybe there was a multitool unicorn out there, one that I could use in a bike class, during community engagement events, during bike patrol, and while riding trails. Maybe one existed that was readily accessible, compact, light, strong, with not too many small parts, but would solve the most common bike repair problems in the field.

Later, I came across a very interesting social media post by a small company called Fix Manufacturing. Hmm, what’s this?

I found that Fix is a Laguna, CA company that has been making multi-tools for surfing, skiing, skateboarding, and bicycling for about ten years. What got my attention, though, was a bike tool aptly named the Wheelie Wrench Pro – Hans Rey Edition™ with the popular Dynaplug™ tire repair tool.

Here’s some trivia – Hans “No Way” Rey is a legendary mountain bike rider who was a featured presenter at a few of our IPMBA conferences and gave bike handling clinics and performances. I took it as a positive omen that there is a multitool that carries his name and reputation.

I took a chance and reached out to Fix Manufacturing owner Tony Zentil and asked if I could perform a product review. He graciously sent the tool, tire repair kit, the All Out Belt™ and Strap On Tool Holsters™ (for narrow and wide straps).

Dynaplug / Wheelie Wrench Pro – Hans Rey Edition™ - Specs

The Wheelie Wrench Pro™ comes carded with helpful instructions, which were helpful because it is a multitool with many features.

The tool is of CR-V steel alloy construction finished in a flat black anodizing. It weighs 88 gm on my scale, but together with the Dynaplug™ kit, it weighs in at 108 gm. It is flat and low profile, measuring about 1.5 in. x 2.5 in. (6x4x1 cm) and slides apart in two halves; one half has several foldout tools:

• A set of 2-6 mm hex keys and a T25 Torx key fold into the body of one-half of the tool;
• A 3 mm hex key is also a punch for the chain breaker tool (which serves 10-12sp chains);
• An 8 mm hex is part of the other half of the tool, hollowed out to be a Presta valve core remover.

The opposite half of the tool with the chain breaker has a threaded hole for the Dynaplug™, including:

• Two sized slots for truing spokes (#0 and #2);
• A brake rotor straightener;
• Phillips/slotted screwdriver;
• Tire lever;
• and 8- and 10mm open-end wrenches;
• The 8mm open-end wrench doubles as an opener to pry off bottle caps;
• The backside of this half of the tool has grooves and holes to accommodate most 10sp or greater quick links (a Taya 10sp master link was supplied).

The two halves are slotted so they can slide back together to stack as one, and small magnets keep the halves from moving apart. The whole unit slides into a variety of pockets.

When the two halves split apart and are joined by other side slots (reinforced by a magnet), they form a longer handle, allowing more grip and leverage when using any of the tools.

The multitool is certainly compact and light enough to fit in the Dynaplug™ pouch. The pouch cushions the multitool and keeps everything together when not using one of the Payload Pocket holsters. The pouch and its contents can easily fit within a pants or pack pocket where maybe you’re less likely to lose track of it.

Carry

With so many dedicated pockets for it, perhaps there are fewer places where the multitool and its parts could be misplaced. Not many loose parts to lose! Once the Wheelie Wrench Pro™ multitool slips into a Payload Pocket, it’s not getting lost, meaning less frantic searches for lost tools. Each tool holster is made from aluminum alloy and holds the multitool with what Fix calls a "patented spring load mechanism". All holsters are black anodized to match the tool.

• Each of the three tool holsters is adapted for different carry methods in the Fix ecosystem;
• There’s a holster added to the buckle of the All Out Belt™;
• There’s a Strap On Tool Holster™ that will mount with its slots to a wide strap (like your favorite 1 3/8 in. (35 mm) wide shoulder or waist strap);
• Or there’s a Strap On Tool Holster™ that will mount with its slots to a more narrow strap (like the 1 in. (25.4 mm) shoulder straps on your backpack);
• There’s also a third holster (Payload Platform™ not tested) that mounts between an e-bike’s bottle bosses and bottle cage.

I used the All Out Belt™ while riding outside of work. The USA-made belt came in a black, one-size-fits-all 1 3/8 in. (35 mm) adjustable stretch webbing that uses an open-ended slot on the end of its holster that functions like a hook closure. The belt also comes in heather gray and navy.

I found the belt held the multitool securely and the webbing was extremely comfortable while moving about on and off the bike.

I secured the 1 3/8 in. Strap On Tool Holster™ to the side straps on an external vest. It was nice to be able to access from a vest. I transferred the tool to the 1 in. Strap On Tool Holster™ on the shoulder straps of my backpack and then, when I transferred to civilian riding gear, I moved the multitool to the belt’s buckle holster. Over time, the transfer between holsters became routine, and I almost always had a way to carry the multitool with me.

Usage

The Wheelie Wrench Pro™ multitool was extremely easy to use once you became familiar with it. Fix Manufacturing has some tutorials on its site, but it took some time to become acquainted with how the tool slid apart and together.

For over two months, I was able to use almost every tool while working on fleet bikes and helping any community member in need of mechanical assistance. Simply speaking, each tool worked very well for its intended purpose. I used the tool while instructing others how to adjust and check the tightness of fasteners, and, of course, I used it to keep bikes rolling. There wasn’t any discernible flex while using any of the tools, which can be common with multitools.

When assembled as a longer lever, the tool’s 8 mm hex wrench removed pedals, but with gloved hands. Whenever I unholstered the tool and slid the halves apart, it was common to get reactions like, “Whoa. How cool is that! Where did you get it?”

The only tool that didn’t get used during the test was the Dynaplug™ inserter, which comes with its own neoprene, zippered pouch, two plugs, and a section of pipe cleaner to remove debris from the puncture site. Fix’s website says it’s the “quickest tubeless puncture solution,” and spokesperson Hans Rey demonstrates a tire repair using the tool and inserter to repair a puncture on the website. Dynaplug™ is a popular tubeless tire repair system whose parts are widely available. Perhaps the only possible pieces that are missing are the Megaplugs™ for larger tears and the printed directions that usually come with the kit.

Verdict

I have to say that the Wheelie Wrench Pro – Hans Rey Edition™ with the Dynaplug™ tire repair tool, belt, and nesting holsters fit the bill for one of the most compact and purpose-built multitools for bike operators and bike instructors. No more lost bits or loose bolts. In my opinion, all the parts tested are reasonably priced:

• Wheelie Wrench Pro – Hans Rey Edition™ with the Dynaplug™ - $79.95 USD
• All Out Belt™ - $34.95 USD
• Strap On Tool Holsters™ (for narrow and wide straps) - $24.95 USD

Everything can be purchased at Fix’s website, fixmfg.com! Now where’s my wallet??

We’re pursuing Fix Manufacturing for the IPMBA Product Purchase Program, so stay tuned.

About the author: Mitch Trujillo is a 33-year veteran officer with the Boulder (CO) Police Department, is a former IPMBA Board Member, and IPMBA Instructor-Trainer. When he isn’t riding his singlespeed bikes, he’s tinkering on bikes, doing community engagement events, teaching bike classes, and looking for the next ultra-light kit for bikecamping. He can be reached at trujillom@bouldercolorado.com.

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