I am an avid cyclist, not a bicycle mechanic. All of the major repairs on my bikes are performed by trained mechanics at a local bike shop. However, I do find myself constantly making adjustments to my bikes and either adding or subtracting accessories. The more I tinker around with my bike the more I have come to love Park Tools! The Park Tool Company is the world’s largest bicycle tool manufacturer and their products give ample evidence of the fact that their designers have spent a lot of time working on bikes. The Park Tool P-Handled Hex Wrench Set is the most commonly used set of tools in my man cave.
When I started cycling I often worked on my bikes using whatever tools I had around my garage. As I grew more experienced I realized that using bicycle-specific tools could make any repair job a lot easier. For many years I used a set of Craftsman T-Handle Hex Wrenches for bicycle repairs—they worked, but the T-handles always seemed to get in the way. The Park Tool P-Handle hex wrenches really are a major step forward in bicycle repair.
The Park Tool P-Handle Hex Wrench Set has eight wrenches (2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm), all made from high torque industrial steel. The long shaft on each wrench has a Bondhus Balldriver tip which is fantastic for getting into tight places, along with a short shaft that allows you to really apply torque when needed. The ergonomically-designed P-handles are extremely comfortable in your hands. This set of wrenches also comes with a very practical wall mount so the wrenches will always be at the ready.
These wrenches are not cheap. The list price is $75, but you can find them on Amazon.com for around $46. You could save a few dollars by buying a cheaper brand, but that is what I call false economy since cheap tools usually end up costing your more in the long-run and you will regret it every time you use an inferior tool. I look at the Park Tool P-Handle Hex Wrench Set as a good investment and they are definitely worth the cost.