Bicycle Mechanics - race/event kits/toolboxes

im looking to setup a race kit to bring to races and charity rides that i wrench for. i know park offers a case but i would rather get one from the original manufactuers. i have seen models from ch ellis, platt and chicago case. am i missing any other brands? if you could post pics of your event kit that would be good too. any tips on what tools to stock in the kit would be helpful too

I do not understand wat you mean by tool kits from the original manufacturer. IMHO for bike spefic tools like cone, brake, HS, BB tools Park makes the best tools for the money. there are better ones Campi, Stein, VAR but those are more shop and frame builder tools.

the tool kit itself it really depends on what you expect to be doing. chances are you just need basic Allen and combination wrenches, some wire cutters and screwdrivers.

basically you just need the tools you would use for fixing a flat or replacing a cable. unless you are going as a mechanic for your team than you need HS and BB tools for what your team uses.

for charity rides or as our team mechanic I just took my 4 drawer Craftsman tool box wiht most of my tools crammed into it. but it either stayed in the van or hotel room.

if you intend to work in a 'pit' or neutral support vehicle mechanic all you need is a good Y wrench, pair good slip joint pliers and small screwdriver. you only have seconds to do something, if you have to dig for tool it is not worth doing. the racer may never catch up and you need to stay with the pack. I left a girl almost crying along the road once, but the USCF Official told the van driver to GO!

im just looking for the empty tool box. i want to fill it with the tools i like not what park thinks i should have. i do mostly charity ride support for now so i need to have enough stuff to handle the old bikes too.

This is the C.H. Ellis case that is likely the OEM for most of the other brands. Link:http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=82782609359&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tool-Cases&tc=&item_id=HW-9252B

Hard to tell you what tools you would need, depends on the type of events. Charity rides vs. mountain bike races might warrant slightly different tool kits.

Another link to all the tool pallets that go in the case, you might want to figure out the tools before buying pallets so you get the right ones: http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=82782609359&c=Tools&sc=Tool-Cases

Consider sewing up a tool roll. lay the tools you take on a piece of canvas,
and draw a dividing line between them ,
fold the canvas over and sew the line between each tool making a pocket, 1 per tool..

leave enough to fold over to keep the tools in their pockets, sew a cord on one end to tie the roll up with..

try this just sit it inside the door of your minivan http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00965337000P?vName=Storage+%26+Garage&cName=Tool+Storage&sName=Hand+Boxes+%26+Portables&prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=L4

http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/00965337000-1?hei=400&wid=400&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0