Originally Posted by
SurferRosa
Aren't single sized hex/allen wrenches $0.50 at the hardware store?
Yeah, but I wouldn't use them. Bondhus will cost a couple buck each for singles and 20-25 for a set but at a good quality, US made, reliable allen wrench. Not going to ruin your nice stuff with a lousy, soft steel wrench.
Originally Posted by
smd4
I use the original AWS-1 from Park--aluminum-bodied and hard steel--and when we used them in the shop, they were virtually indestructible. Easily my favorite bike tool of all time, and never far from my apron pocket.
Today I wouldn't purchase the new version. Isn't worth the price.
However, the Unior seems a worthy replacement:
Unior Y-wrenches.
Agree, they've sucked since Park stopped offering those. I'll have to try out the Unior.
Originally Posted by
Calsun
The problem with snap on sockets and hex wrenches is that even a small ratchet wrench allows the user to apply too much torque with small fasteners and snap them off. Most common problem with the front derailleur was from owners snapping off the 8mm bolts. An advantage of small wrenches is that you avoid over tightening fasteners and damaging them in the process.
That's really true of any wrench, ratchet makes no difference. Early on I stripped out a couple of those 9mm nuts on the front der using an old craftsman wrench, which isn't as long as the Wright non-ratcheting I use and certainly shorter than the Snap-on and SK ratchet wrenches I use. Even with the longer wrenches I haven't stripped any out, I just learned to apply an appropriate amount of torque.