My seatpost plug fell out a while back, and I finally decided to buckle down and print a new one. Something with an expansion nut that would stay in place this time.
Then I got to thinking…I bet other stuff would fit in there, right? So I started designing other inserts. I figured out a dovetail system so that everything could be locked together. A week later, here we are: a full toolkit, inside the seatpost.
Most of the items are from the OEM Brompton toolkit, which doesn’t fit in its normal location since I’ve got an aftermarket frame. You can see the ratchet wrench and ¼” bits, while the tire levers are on the back side. There’s also a small pack of tire patches, a 16g CO₂ cartridge with some emergency cash wrapped around it, and a CO₂ inflatior head.
All of the holders are printed out of TPU rubber, which makes it easy to get the tools in and out and prevents any rattling inside of the seatpost. To access the toolkit, I just twist the seatpost plug counterclockwise, which releases the expansion nut and allows the whole assembly to slide out easily. To replace it, I slide it in and twist the plug clockwise until I feel the expansion plug binding. No tools necessary (which is good, because they’re…you know. In the seatpost).
All of the modules come apart easily so I could swap in, for example, another CO₂ cartridge instead of the wrenches, if I wanted to.
My aftermarket seatpost doesn’t flare, so it’s easily removable.
Benefits of this system are that everything’s neatly organized, easily accessible, and hidden (Unlike the OEM toolkit location).
Drawbacks are that, while the inserts are printed 80% hollow, all that rubber doesn’t weigh *nothing*.
griz8 on
Do you have the CAD files btw?
iamblankenstein on
that’s awesome. has the added benefit of not being immediately obvious when you fold up the bike unlike the OEM toolkit (as awesome as it is).
maga_extremist on
Wow, fantastic. Nice idea.
edtse88 on
Awesome! I’m going to do the same thing for my litepro carbon seatpost and bike pump. I think it’s a bit simpler and won’t weigh as much as such a larger insert. The thing holding me back was the bung falling out but I’ve recently started printing in TPU so I think I have something planned out!
CollateralDmg15Dec21 on
Nice work! Maybe consider posting your file in the 3d printing website + indicate inner diameter of your seatpost !
7 Comments
My seatpost plug fell out a while back, and I finally decided to buckle down and print a new one. Something with an expansion nut that would stay in place this time.
Then I got to thinking…I bet other stuff would fit in there, right? So I started designing other inserts. I figured out a dovetail system so that everything could be locked together. A week later, here we are: a full toolkit, inside the seatpost.
Most of the items are from the OEM Brompton toolkit, which doesn’t fit in its normal location since I’ve got an aftermarket frame. You can see the ratchet wrench and ¼” bits, while the tire levers are on the back side. There’s also a small pack of tire patches, a 16g CO₂ cartridge with some emergency cash wrapped around it, and a CO₂ inflatior head.
All of the holders are printed out of TPU rubber, which makes it easy to get the tools in and out and prevents any rattling inside of the seatpost. To access the toolkit, I just twist the seatpost plug counterclockwise, which releases the expansion nut and allows the whole assembly to slide out easily. To replace it, I slide it in and twist the plug clockwise until I feel the expansion plug binding. No tools necessary (which is good, because they’re…you know. In the seatpost).
All of the modules come apart easily so I could swap in, for example, another CO₂ cartridge instead of the wrenches, if I wanted to.
My aftermarket seatpost doesn’t flare, so it’s easily removable.
Benefits of this system are that everything’s neatly organized, easily accessible, and hidden (Unlike the OEM toolkit location).
Drawbacks are that, while the inserts are printed 80% hollow, all that rubber doesn’t weigh *nothing*.
Do you have the CAD files btw?
that’s awesome. has the added benefit of not being immediately obvious when you fold up the bike unlike the OEM toolkit (as awesome as it is).
Wow, fantastic. Nice idea.
Awesome! I’m going to do the same thing for my litepro carbon seatpost and bike pump. I think it’s a bit simpler and won’t weigh as much as such a larger insert. The thing holding me back was the bung falling out but I’ve recently started printing in TPU so I think I have something planned out!
Nice work! Maybe consider posting your file in the 3d printing website + indicate inner diameter of your seatpost !
Schwell done!