Yes, I have searched for [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/which-ball-end-allen-keys ]previous threads[/url], but just wanted a couple of opinions before I hit the buy button.
After a nice set of hex keys for the workshop. Which one would you go for.
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=15090 ]Pedros ?[/url]
[url= http://www.bikegoo.co.uk/product.php/194/ice_toolz_pro_shop_hex_and_torx_key_set ]Icetoolz ?[/url]
[url= http://www.sealeyonline.co.uk/ak7144-ball-end-hex-key-set-8pc-t-handle-metric.html ]or a cheaper alternative ?[/url]
What say the collective wisdom of STW ?
Bondhus
/thread
These look good value (loads of stange sizes)
But I ended up with a set of the Halfords Pro range (very happy with them) as I got annoyed and just want to get a set & stop destroying the bolts on my bikes.
Bondhus +1.
Got a set from ebay for < £10.
Bought these of CRC a couple of years back and haven't looked back - seem good quality.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=10192
damned that bondhus set I've linked to look really good, having ".5" sizes's, as they can be use to remove damaged head'ed bolts
Got given the Icetoolz set as a gift last year, very good quality, used plenty 🙂
I've had the hideously expensive posh Park ones for years and they're great (though, yes, hideously expensive). The plastic handle makes for really comfortable fettling, and they're still as good as the day I bought them.
Bondhus. Cromwell Tools are the cheapest place for a set of ball ended 1mm to 10mm in a red clip. Great quality, and less than half the price of most bike shops. Think they must use a different supplier.
Never ever Pedros. I'll sum it up in two words:
snap. ow!
Got halfords Pro for about 10 years now and still going strong 🙂 if we are talking about sockets?
[img] http://washford.scene7.com/is/image/Washford/168328?$prod$ [/img]
If we are talking Allen keys then I got some Lifeline ones about 6 months ago and very happy with them and good value - they have a ball end one end as well 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
If you're not fussed abotu plastic handles, I can also recommend those Lifeline ones.
They're about £9 or £10 on Wiggle.
I've had a set of [url= http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_214902_langId_-1_categoryId_165572 ]these [/url]for many years - very good quality, but not cheap (for Halfords)
I think it should be repeated though that the Halford Pro range come with a lifetime warrenty.
Considering I have 3 olds sets of hex keys that have all rounded and caused me issues than good (include the on-one set that include those lovely plastic handles), means that I think it well worth paying for a basic decent set.
OWG's link show the ones I bought, very nice they are too.
Well I had some real cheapos for a while and rouded off teh ball ends and some of the smaller ones. I bought the lifeline ones and have been pleasantly supprised. I do however use a torque wrench and don't round them off so much 😉 Decent ones I think fit better IMHO and are less likely to round 🙂
Thanks for the replies.
@ finbar, z1ppy and other. Yeah Bonhus do look good, but I was kinda looking for a set of P handled ones. Partly because I'm a bit of a bike tart, and partly because I wanted an 8 mm one with a longer shaft (oo-er) that had a bit more leverage to get XT pedals off a bit easier.
@ pedalhead, yeah if I had £70 to spend, I'd just buy the Park ones.
@ bikewhisperer 😯 you snapped a hex key ! Wow, you must have been going some dude. Or are they really made of cheese ?
But I think I'm going to go with Notter and go for the Icetoolz. Look pretty good, and I could do with a T25 torx for rotors. I let you know how they get on.
Thanks again for the collective input, appreciated.
er.. I snapped a triple trying to straighten a rear mech hanger by heaving on the mech bolt! Total lazy bodge, but it would never have happened with a Park triple!
The other thing with Pedros is that they make some of the smaller sizes mis-sized.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/LifeLine_T_Handle_Hex_Wrench_Set/5360031500/
T handled and only £16.99 with a rack thingy. Mine is attached to my tool wall and it's ace.
I have these
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=164540
[img] 
&Man=FACO&Size=500[/img]
but these are very nice too
http://www.orbitalfasteners.co.uk/details/Facom-6-Piece-Tee-Handled-Hex-Allen-Alan-Key-Wrench-Set-5669.html
[img] 
&sku=2562790[/img]
bondhus or snap on, sod the rest