KC8QVO

I'm looking for a cone wrench set that covers between 13-17mm at least. I'll probably get 2 so I have 2 of each size.

Any ideas on the double ended ones vs. the single ended ones? I could see where having 1 set would be problematic if you needed one size of each that is on the same wrench, but with 2 sets that would give me 2 of each size regardless of what wrench the size is on.

veganbikes

My current set is Kingsbridge and Sugino both of which are of quality but vintage and no longer produced. A double ended one is not a bad idea at all I am fine with mine being double ended saves space and weight in my toolbox. The Park DCW-1 - 3 would be a good solid set of cone wrenches I probably wouldn't look cheaper than that but if I wanted alternatives, Hozan and Pedro's make some solid tools or even the Campagnolo set would get you close (though I don't know that they do a 17)

Like with any tool buy the absolute best you can unless using as a disposable tool set or one that is used in very very very very very rare circumstances that are not essential. Life is too short for crap tools.

Bill Kapaun

You only need one 17mm cone wrench assuming you have another 17mm box or open end wrench. Those nuts are on the "outside", so the wrench doesn't need to be thin.
I started off with the PARK double ended wrench, but they'll spread if you have an exceptionally tight nut to break loose.
Else, I have pairs of PARK blue handled wrenches from 13-16mm. They are plenty good for a home mechanic. That's what I see the front room mechanics/salesman at my LBS use. Not sure about the mechanic in the "back" room.
Anther option is 1 set of singles w/ double enders to compliment.
You can always take 2 17mm's to get things to unscrew. It just might not be the side you prefer that loosens.

KC8QVO

Like these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Park-Tool-D...kAAOSwz3JeogX4

I have a bunch of other tools. My regular wrenches are all Craftsmen, between 10-20+ years old, not the new crap. The cone wrenches I'm after are specifically the thin ones for bike duty. I did make some last Fall (13mm and 15mm, 2x each) but I want a proper set.

As for the tight nut/cone scenario - I can see where that would stress a wrench.

The blue handle park wrench sets look to be in the mid $70 range. Thats a ton more than I wanted to spend. Though, I am curious - what purpose do the larger sizes have on bike repairs that normal wrenches wouldn't be able to be used for? I am not aware of any parts on any of my bikes that would use, say, a thin 22mm wrench?

HillRider

Good and cheap almost never go together when it comes to tools. Yes, the Park blue handled single size wrenches are a bit more than you had in mind but well worth it. They are strong and comfortable. I have a pair of Campy double ended cone wrenches (13x14 and 15x16) and, while they are beautifully made of very hard steel, they are also very uncomfortable to use.

Basically the commonly needed sizes are 13, 14, 15, and 17mm with the 17mm being optional on most hubs since, as Bill noted, lock nuts are usually on the outsize so a standard 17mm box or open end will fit. You don't have to buy the entire set at once, just buy the sizes for your particular hubs as needed. Yes, the set is cheaper per wrench but you will wind up with a few you never use.

That said, I have hubs that need two 14mm cone wrenches, one using a 16mm and I have a new set of Shimano GRX thru axle disc wheels that use a 22mm cone wrench for the rear wheel and a pair of 17mm cone wrenches for the front wheel. I added wrenches individually on an as-needed basis.

grizzly59

I have used 2 Hozan C-503 wrenches forever. Each wrench does 13&14, 15&16, two wrenches will do anything I've ever seen, never needed a 17mm cone wrench. I have an ATD and a Campy, the Hozan's are as good quality as the Campy. I've never had any issue with the Hozan's spreading with really tight nuts. I use any decent mechanics wrench for the outer nuts. The Hozan's are old enough I've forgot when I got them, they are made in Japan.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HOZAN-C-503...0AAOSwvApaBI1J

andrewclaus

If you're going to be working on traditional cup and cone hubs, two 13/15 mm double ended wrenches, the Park DCW-4 or equal, will cover most of what you'll see.

JoeTBM 

We started with the double ended ones but found the single park tool ones had better leverage. We actually bought quite a few used on ebay so there are multiple sets in the shop and our mobile setup.

Try this link https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=park+tool+used

Edited to add

Actually there are two used sets up on ebay right now, not a bad price

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-6-Us...4AAOSwk1ZgDIsL
and
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-7-Us...AAAOSwFa9gDIh8

Good luck

bwilli88 

I have 3 or 4 sets of Park DCW cone wrenches.
1 set in my tool box here in Cambodia, one set in my tool box in the US and 2 or 3 sets spread thru my touring bike, Mt bike, and my Gravel/Allroad bikes and on a bike in the States.

easyupbug 

My singles collect dust, mostly because I deal with enough bikes and I am old so I can't remember cone and nut sizes and I ofter guess wrong on the smaller than 17mm size so it saves time. I try to always wear mechanics glove or at least nitrile so they are not too uncomfortable.

pdlamb

All my bikes take 15 and 17 mm cone wrenches. The Park SCW series is a whole lot easier on my hands than the double-ended, so I've gravitated to those. FWIW, I only need one 15 and one 17, although two 17s is a worthwhile luxury for me. YMMV.

davidad

Pretty much ditto.

Geepig

I have one Btwin tool I bought at Decathlon that fits 4 sizes of cone, 13 to 17 mm I think.

It seems to work, and I have serviced a lot of wheels with it. It also keeps the number of tools lying around on my bench or in my toolbox down.

rydabent

Why not get a good double ended set, that way you can cover most of the common sizes you come up against.

HillRider

Why not? Comfort. Double ends are hard on the hands. See above.

70sSanO

I would agree for most, but not all outside locknuts; as I discovered and needed a second cone wrench.

John

alcjphil

I would agree with you if I were working in a shop and had to service hubs several times a day. However, at home I can put up with discomfort a time or two per year. IN 35+ years of working on various bikes I have acquired a number of cone wrenches, some of them very cheaply. I still have the cheapest ones I bought and I still use them because they have offsets which are useful in close quarters. These wrenches have stood up to over 30 years of my personal use, but they probably wouldn't have lasted as long if used everyday in a professional setting

dscheidt

I like nice tools as much as the next guy, but the OP is asking about affordable options. I don't think he's working in a shop, so he's going to be using a cone wrench for a minute at a time, a few times a year. Not a big deal to use a uncomfortable one for that purpose, and easy enough to put on gloves, or just wrap a rag around the wrench.

I've also taken a cheap open ended wrench and ground it thin enough to fit.

Ambroseambrose

Overall I think these cone wrenches are a great value, they are very accurate when used with higher quality components and I have yet to have slipping issues when used correctly.

JoeTBM 

There are still plenty of used sets and individual Park Tool cone wrenches on eBay, try this link for what is currently available, this gives you the value of a quality tool at an affordable price

Park Tool used cone wrench

James1964 

I have a pair of VAR chromed vanadium double-ended cone wrenches that I bought in France 38 years ago. Great quality and durability.

zacster

I've had my cheap cone wrenches for 40+ years now. I'm only using them on my own bikes and they've been all I need. They are the generic double ended flat type with two fittings on each end. don't know the sizes. If I've used them 30 times in those 40 years that would be a lot. My main wheels the last 10 years or so have been sealed bearings anyway, but I have other bikes too.

cjenrick

was working on the bike at night, as usual,

needed a cone wrench, bike shops closed,

went to garage and found a nice chrome box end combo wrench ,

then the Nakita grinder started making sparks and i had a new custom cone wrench, nice and thick, as it was "machined" to fit snugly between the nut and washer,

dip it in water a bunch of times to keep it hardened like the blacksmith in Gunsmoke who used to be Burt Renyolds.