Socket wrench set

E

Eliadn

Active member
Joined
Jul 25, 2022
Messages
210
Reaction score
114
Location
Croatia
I'm looking for a 3/8 socket wrench set that is bike oriented (doesn't have bunch of unnecessary bits). I found either chinesium crappy sets or uber expensive high quality brands. I don't want the cheapest stuff but also I don't think I need the creme de la creme as it's just occasional bike fixing.
I also thought of just getting an inexpensive socket wrench and better quality bits, but I like the idea of having all in a neat storage box. What are your recommendations?
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — exclusive discounts & ad-free Peaty's 25% off & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
Buy the decent quality pieces you want, figure out what size box you need to keep them in plus a bit bigger for maybe a couple of additional tools in the future and enough space above and below for foam padding then buy a wooden box and foam to fit (Amazon has a big selection). You can even make cut outs in the foam to locate each tool.:)
Voila!
For example my vernier, not a cheap one, came in a naf plastic box but a couple of Euros and and 10 mins work and it now looks much better.
vernier.jpg
 
Last edited:
Ou812 said:
Wera has a nice bike line of tools, there’s a few different kits depending on what you’re after.
Click to expand...
I checked wera and while they do have nice sets, it's way more than 100 eur which I think is the limit for me.
 
For mountain bikes, nearly every fastener is an Allen key or a Torx bit but mostly Allen keys. The gold standard is Park Tool & you can easily afford a basic set.

www.parktool.com

HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Wrench Set

A full set of shop-quality L-shaped hex wrenches in a handy portable tool holder.
www.parktool.com www.parktool.com
 
I already have some L shape and T handle hex keys, I'm looking for some good value socket wrench set.
 
Eliadn said:
I already have some L shape and T handle hex keys, I'm looking for some good value socket wrench set.
Click to expand...
Then you have nearly all you require for repairing a bike. Something like Draper tools may fit the bill, assuming you can find someone who sells it in your country. Unsurprisingly, in an MTB forum, you will tend to receive MTB specific recommendations & a nebulous definition of 'good value' isn't helpful. You could for instance say you want an 80 piece set with this, that & those for under 100 Euros & people would understand the assignment.
 
Eliadn said:
I already have some L shape and T handle hex keys, I'm looking for some good value socket wrench set.
Click to expand...
I have Teng Tools socket sets (1/2", 3/8", 1/4"), very well made. Perhaps Teng Tools are available in Croatia at a sensible price?
 
Who says it has to be a local shop lol, with power of the internet, you can buy anything from anywhere! Well apart maybe North Korea or Russia hehe.
 
RustyMTB said:
Then you have nearly all you require for repairing a bike. Something like Draper tools may fit the bill, assuming you can find someone who sells it in your country. Unsurprisingly, in an MTB forum, you will tend to receive MTB specific recommendations & a nebulous definition of 'good value' isn't helpful. You could for instance say you want an 80 piece set with this, that & those for under 100 Euros & people would understand the assignment.
Click to expand...
By good value I meant something that doesn't break the bank but also isn't the usual china tool quality. But yes, I have the basics but am missing a 3/8 socket wrench. I will keep looking.
 
I have owned a BGS socket set for about 20 years, everything is still in perfect condition, it is excellent value for money.. ;)

www.contorion.fr

BGS Jeu de clés à douille profil ondulé entraînement 6,3 mm / 10 mm / 12,5 mm 192 pcs.

BGS Jeu de clés à douille profil ondulé entraînement 6,3 mm / 10 mm / 12,5 mm 192 pcs. en ligne chez Contorion : ✓ Frais de livraison offerts à partir de 150 € ✓ Retour gratuit sous 30 jours
www.contorion.fr www.contorion.fr

You can also find it on Amazon
 
Eliadn said:
I checked wera and while they do have nice sets, it's way more than 100 eur which I think is the limit for me.
Click to expand...
I bought this Wera and it seems to be within your budget. My link is to U.S. Amazon so prices from sources you can realistically use would need to be taken into account.

Nicely thought out and packaged.
 
You don't really need a 3/8's socket set as theres only a few applications where you'd need anything larger than 1/4".

I personally like using ratchets more than allen keys. I'd get a nice 1/4" set and then a 3/8" ratchet with the few specific sockets you need.

Ratchet Brands I like -
Wera
Koken
Stahlwille
 
Eliadn said:
By good value I meant something that doesn't break the bank but also isn't the usual china tool quality. But yes, I have the basics but am missing a 3/8 socket wrench. I will keep looking.
Click to expand...
You want German, Japanese, British or American then.
 
I would start here:

This wouldn’t break the bank and Tekton is good quality. I recommend this because It’s all metric and a great range of sockets. Add a rachet and you’re good-to-go. I’m assuming you don’t need SAE sockets (profile says you’re in Croatia) and don’t want to pay for sockets that you’ll never use. I would add:
  • 3/8-inch universal joint
  • small set of Allen/Torx wrenches
  • 3-inch extension
I think that’s all in for less than $100us. I could go on but you said socket set. I agree with the person above who said buy the tools and then figure out what size tool box to buy.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jxj
Joecrow said:
Buy the decent quality pieces you want, figure out what size box you need to keep them in plus a bit bigger for maybe a couple of additional tools in the future and enough space above and below for foam padding then buy a wooden box and foam to fit (Amazon has a big selection). You can even make cut outs in the foam to locate each tool.:)
Voila!
For example my vernier, not a cheap one, came in a naf plastic box but a couple of Euros and and 10 mins work and it now looks much better.
View attachment 163841
Click to expand...
That looks great, I might do that for my adjustable wrench too…
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Dax
Diggy said:
I would start here:

This wouldn’t break the bank and Tekton is good quality. I recommend this because It’s all metric and a great range of sockets. Add a rachet and you’re good-to-go. I’m assuming you don’t need SAE sockets (profile says you’re in Croatia) and don’t want to pay for sockets that you’ll never use. I would add:
  • 3/8-inch universal joint
  • small set of Allen/Torx wrenches
  • 3-inch extension
I think that’s all in for less than $100us. I could go on but you said socket set. I agree with the person above who said buy the tools and then figure out what size tool box to buy.
Click to expand...
Tekton isn't really available around here. On another hand, maybe I could get away with quality socket bits (wera or something) and a crappy ratchet, as I would use it only a handful of times per year.
 
Eliadn said:
Tekton isn't really available around here. On another hand, maybe I could get away with quality socket bits (wera or something) and a crappy ratchet, as I would use it only a handful of times per year.
Click to expand...
A crappy ratchet with quality sockets is a better option because it won't damage your bolts.
 
irie said:
A crappy ratchet with quality sockets is a better option because it won't damage your bolts.
Click to expand...
You wouldn’t even have to buy a “crappy” ratchet. There are very good consumer-grade tools for reasonable prices that would literally last for decades. I would look for brands with life time warranties. Btw, Tekton is available on Amazon if it helps you out. I certainly understand if you’re inclined to buy tools that could be obtained/returned locally. Good luck
 
I rebuilt an entire car using only Halfords Advanced hand tools. Most of the bike stuff is done with T handle allen keys from Lidl or Aldi & they're fine. It's nice to have nice things but it's better to know how to use them in the first place.
 
Dax said:
What would you do with a 3/8 on a bike? 1/4” is much more normal.
Click to expand...
The OP specified a 3/8 drive Socket set so I stuck with that. I ride dirt bikes in addition to my emtb and built a full tool set that is 1/4-inch drive that I will also use on my bicycle when needed. Personally, I prefer 1/4-inch for a bicycle but I’m not the OP. One argument in favor of 3/8-inch is that there may eventually be a time when he may need to work on a car, large motorcycle, lawn mower, etc and 3/8 could be advantageous.
 
Motor mount bolts and some suspension pivot bolts are all I can think of, and the only 3/8 bits I have in my bike toolkit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dax
Oh, oh, oh! Just thought of another one; fork top caps.
 
Look at WorkPro on Amazon. They do a torque wrench set of allen and torx heads. Mid range stuff but adequate if normal bike maintenance.
I think the torque wrench is very useful and essential on some of the levers and controls. It goes down to small settings as well.
 
Doomanic said:
Oh, oh, oh! Just thought of another one; fork top caps.
Click to expand...
Exactly (also motor mounts bolts), and also I have a 3/8 parktool lockring, I guess using that with 1/4 is a bit cumbersome? Not enough leverage?
Otherwise for everything else yes, a 1/4 is more versatile.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Similar Threads

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    668K
    Messages
    40,788
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top