Decent set of Allen keys
part time waster
Posts: 244
Does anyone know where I can get a good set of allen keys that have a moulded plastic/rubber handle , the sort you see the mechanics use in bike shops ?
They are more of a T shape on top. I don`t want just a basic L shape no matter how tough they claim to be.
I seem to round mine off in a couple of years as I`m a bike butcher , my own fault for too much force.
Thanks.
They are more of a T shape on top. I don`t want just a basic L shape no matter how tough they claim to be.
I seem to round mine off in a couple of years as I`m a bike butcher , my own fault for too much force.
Thanks.
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Comments
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http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-ma ... ex-key-set
I've had those for years. Not T end. But the ball end thing is very useful indeed.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
Try looking at Park Tools0
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Got mine off ebay, paid around £6 from memory, not the quality of Park Tools ones but see fine so far.Obsessed is a word used by the lazy to describe the dedicated!0
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Bought a set of these a couple of years back. Still going strong - good quality for the price
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-3237 ... en+key+set0 -
Thanks all.
Arloworld has it with the silverline type.
Google time.0 -
part time waster wrote:Thanks all.
Arloworld has it with the silverline type.
Google time.
You'll find it difficult to beat the Amazon price in my link above
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-3237 ... en+key+set0 -
Cheap ones always go after a bit hard use and, more to the point, are often built to dodgy tolerances in the first place. I've got some cheap T Handle ones from ebay (about £12) which are OK but, instinctively, always reach for a set of Wera Hex Plus - they are still 'L shaped' but fantastic quality - when it says 5mm, you know that's what it is and whilst nothing in this life is guaranteed to work for ever, you would have to try very, very hard to damage them. These are on Amazon but shop around and they might be found for less: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-0507359300 ... a+hex+plusCannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
Kinesis Racelight 4S
Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)0 -
Out of curiosity, what do you use the ballend for?bendertherobot wrote:http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-tools/bikehut-ball-end-hex-key-set
I've had those for years. Not T end. But the ball end thing is very useful indeed.
I have never found the need.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Yeah, ball end gets round corners better. Useful for allen cages, mudguard hard to reach places (chain bridge, seat bridge).
One of the most useful places for it is the bolts behind child seats. Generally you can't get in there to do a full turn, so once slackened off they are very useful for coming in at an angle.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
+1 for Wera Hex Plus. You'd have to be a 10-thumbed monkey to ruin a key or a bolt.
Don't buy the colour-coded ones, though. They look great and are mostly fine in use, but the plastic coating can interfere with some jobs.0 -
No apologies required. I was looking for an answer. Thanks.Andcp wrote:
Apologies for interjecting, but I use mine for the 'quick fitting' of bottle cages for instance - very useful I findPBlakeney wrote:Out of curiosity, what do you use the ballend for?
I have never found the need.
I can get by just using the long leg for a quick tighten, and the short leg last 1/4 turn or so to torque up and finish off.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
I wouldn't buy silverline anything.... monkey metal most probably. I use a set of pedros ball end L shaped allen keys, can't fault them. I also have a Lezyne star shaped thing with a 4,5,and 6 on which is great for 90% of jobs.0
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I use Bondhus ball end Allen keys which are great quality
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bondhus-10999-B ... dhus+allen0 -
Well done that man. I drool every time I look at them and argued with the voices in my head for a long time about before going for the Wera ones. It's not so much that I couldn't afford to buy the Silcas but more what the 'er indoors would do to me if she ever found out how much they really cost - even she would realise that they didn't cost, say, £30 after just one glance and the old 'got a real bargain on ebay' argument just would not work.FatTed wrote:
MisterMuncher. Interesting what you say about the coloured ones which are what I have. I have never had any issues with mine - what sort of jobs are you finding are 'interfered with''?Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
Kinesis Racelight 4S
Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)0 -
FatTed wrote:
I see your Silca set and raise you a Beta Set, as used by a lot of pro cycling teams
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BETA-TOOLS-14-PIECES-SLIDING-T-HANDLE-ALLEN-HEX-KEY-SET-2mm-14mm-RRP-345-60-/3606994240620 -
ayjaycee wrote:MisterMuncher. Interesting what you say about the coloured ones which are what I have. I have never had any issues with mine - what sort of jobs are you finding are 'interfered with''?
Removing the arms from my hollowgram, fitting front brakes, expander caps, anything that requires them to screw or unscrew a bolt that's inside a narrow gap, really. They're brilliant for everything else, and the jobs in question aren't exactly everyday jobs.
I trimmed the plastic back on my 8mm and 10mm specifically for Hollowgram tinkerings. If I'm working with alloy bolts, I'm making sure to use the best wrenches available to me.0 -
bendertherobot wrote:http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-maintenance/bike-tools/bikehut-ball-end-hex-key-set
I've had those for years. Not T end. But the ball end thing is very useful indeed.
Ive had my set of these for 5 years plus and they are great. IIRC they were only £10 and i got them on one of their 3 for 2 offers and if you have your BC discount too....?Cube Cross 2016
Willier GTR 20140 -
Ball ends are great as they will work up to about a 30 degree angle. You can't put a huge amount of torque through them but that's what the short end is for anyway. Would only buy ball end now.PBlakeney wrote:Out of curiosity, what do you use the ballend for?
I have never found the need.0 -
Been using a set of Bondhus for what seems to be forever. Never had any problems. If I need something a bit beefier I use a socket version on a 3/8 driver. Sockets an ratchet are Halfords advanced an again never had any bother they get used a lot when I work on my car too so they do get abused.0
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ayjaycee wrote:
Well done that man. I drool every time I look at them and argued with the voices in my head for a long time about before going for the Wera ones. It's not so much that I couldn't afford to buy the Silcas but more what the 'er indoors would do to me if she ever found out how much they really cost - even she would realise that they didn't cost, say, £30 after just one glance and the old 'got a real bargain on ebay' argument just would not work.FatTed wrote:
MisterMuncher. Interesting what you say about the coloured ones which are what I have. I have never had any issues with mine - what sort of jobs are you finding are 'interfered with''?
I bought them as a present for a friend, could not justify buying them for myself.0 -
On that basis, I'm tempted to say 'can I be your best friend' but I'll begin to sound like a stalker. Good taste in tools all the same.Cannondale Synapse Carbon Ultegra
Kinesis Racelight 4S
Specialized Allez Elite (Frame/Forks for sale)
Specialized Crosstrail Comp Disk (For sale)0 -
I use these - they do the job well - at good price now:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bahco-9770-BE-9 ... 680&sr=1-10 -
http://www.tooled-up.com/manproduct/fac ... mm/164540/
These are what I will buy when I've moved house0 -
Hdow wrote:Try looking at Park Tools
Unless you have specific experience of Parks allen keys then personally, I wouldn't. Park stuff is highly variable and if they make the allen keys out of the same cheese as they make their cassette tools then Park would be very low on my list. If you want quality tools, buy from a manufacturer that exists to make quality tools - not one that exists to put nice blue handles on stuff it gets from all over the place!Faster than a tent.......0 -
Rolf F wrote:Hdow wrote:Try looking at Park Tools
Unless you have specific experience of Parks allen keys then personally, I wouldn't. Park stuff is highly variable and if they make the allen keys out of the same cheese as they make their cassette tools then Park would be very low on my list. If you want quality tools, buy from a manufacturer that exists to make quality tools - not one that exists to put nice blue handles on stuff it gets from all over the place!
Don't know about other Park stuff but I'm sure Park p handle keys are made by Bondhus0 -
I have this hex and torx set from Clarke/Machine Mart. I can't compare them to the German brands but they're fine for my home use and, most importantly, I haven't lost any of them yet.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro139-16pce-metric-hex-torx-hey-set/0 -
Mechanism wrote:I have this hex and torx set from Clarke/Machine Mart. I can't compare them to the German brands but they're fine for my home use and, most importantly, I haven't lost any of them yet.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro139-16pce-metric-hex-torx-hey-set/
Look identical to the set I bought from Aldi for £140
