Excluding your mind, hands and perhaps bottle opener, nothing in the bicycle workshop is likely to get more use than Allen keys (AKA hex keys, Hex wrenches). So why is that so many of us will invest in other bicycle-specific tools, but make do with cheap L-shaped Allen keys or worse, a multi-tool?
Taking a peek in a well equipped workshop or pro-mechanics tool box will reveal that the experts don’t often agree on what type of hex wrench is best — and, more importantly, they rarely make-do with just a single style. On top of this, you’ll just about always find a torque wrench or two.
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Where most Allen keys will get the job done, the right tool for the job will be one that's more efficient and will potentially give you better results.
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Sure, a debate about different types of Allen key is trivial at best and perhaps comparable to bicycle saddles — what works for one person doesn’t mean it’s right for you. But how does less time fixing and more time riding sound? Good, right?
Below I explain the different styles of Allen key and when to use them. If you’re a home mechanic and have never put much thought into these tools, read on (also keep reading if you buy lots of Ikea furniture). This article applies equally to Torx wrenches too, because the star-shaped tool is quickly becoming commonplace on high-end bicycles.
Allen/hex keys for cyclists
L-shaped
T-handle
P-handle
Three-way
Folding
Ratchet
Screwdriver-style
Torque wrench
Don’t buy cheap
Tools wear
Ball drivers
Length and leverage
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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