FSA Self-Extracting Crank Bolts

Advantages: LightWeight, indestructible, good price
Disadvantages: not the Cheapest of Cranks

...The Middle burn Rs7 Cranks have been around for years now because there is nothing better on the market. 4 Years ago I bought a set to go on my pashley trials bike. I had been ridding for 3 years, and needed something that could keep up I had bent a pair of cheap cranks then replaced them with some FSA cranks I then Proceeded to smash them against every thing until also bent. Then they had to be grinded of my bike as they would not come off the bottom bracket. So I decided to invest in a set of Middle burn cranks I had seen at the bike show. At the time they set me back £180 with a bash ring and 22 Tooth chain ring. I put them on straight away unlike other cranks the bash ring is fixed to the crank via a large nut that attaches to the thread of the crank, this means there is no week point and the crank is almost one piece making... Read review

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Advantages: Virutally indestructable
Disadvantages: None

...which are expensive if you don't plan on doing regular maintainance on a bike. Replacing one involves removing the bolts that hold the cranks on with an allen key (which should be part of every rider's toolkit) and removing the cranks with a crank extractor, the first specialised tool which is available from any good bikeshop at around £10. Having removed both cranks, we need to take the old bottom bracket out using either a bottom bracket tool (£8) or a set of pin spanners (£10) depending on what sort of bottom bracket you have installed already. With an outlay of around £20 in tools just to get the old one out, it's obvious why many people have this done at a bike shop when compared to the £20-£25 for the part itself. Once the old one is out, you'll need to put the new one in. They're available in different sizes, if you don't know... Read review

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Advantages: Good variety of high quality tools in a compact and lightwieght package
Disadvantages: Tyre levers are average, no ring spanners for older bikes

...levers incorporate a stud for depressing Schrader (car-type) valves. I personally prefer to use my fingernail. 2 spoke wrenches, which I haven't used and never will, as they are poorly designed. One of the tyre levers has an allen key. This doubles as a lever for tightening the chain tool as well as for adjusting the tension of the flip out tools. What doesn't it do? The Hexus does not have any tools to fit hexagonal nuts and bolts, which are found on older/cheaper bikes. It's only really suitable for low torque applications. High torque applications need proper tools. For instance, I wouldn't use it for tightening crank bolts, but it would get you home in the event one your crank bolts loosened. It isn't any use stripping down parts that require specialist tools, such as hubs and bottom brackets. Would I ever be without one... Read review

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