Birzman Feextube 10-speed kit

Birzman are making inroads into the tools and accessory market and the Birzman Feextube 10-speed kit is another excellent product, combining smart design and practicality for roadside repairs.

The Feextube contains patches and a 9/10 speed chain pin and connector to get you back on the road if you suffer a puncture or broken chain. It's small and light enough to slip into a jersey pocket or inside a saddle bag so as you won't notice it's there, until that unfortunate mechanical when you'll be glad of it.

You get three glueless patches and a stainless steel scuffer to rough up the inner tube to give the patch better purchase when applying it. Three patches isn't that generous, but to keep the overall package small there's only space for three. I always carry one or two inner tubes, depending on the ride length, so three patches allows for five flats. Any more than that and I will have long since lost my sense of humour and be looking for an alternative method of getting home. The patches are easily applied and the couple I've used are still going strong.

Inside too is a chain connector (essentially a SRAM Powerlink) and pin that works with 9 and 10 speed chains, the pin is for Shimano chains and the link for SRAM chains. The chain connector works with SRAM and Shimano chains (I don't have a Campagnolo bike to test on) and is by far the easiest option. Clearly you're also going to need a chain tool, but you've got one on your multi tool, right?

And that's about it really. It's a nice way of carrying a couple of patches and chain connector. Of course there's nothing to stop you from stashing a couple of patches and a chain link separately in your pocket or saddle bag, and that's undoubtedly the cheaper option. The Feextube is a nicer way of carrying those small items though and ensures you won't lose them. It'll also keep them dry - I dropped it in a glass of water and the contents remained dry.

Verdict

Convenient inner tube patch and chain connector in a packable case.