Any question answered...

Can anyone recommend a good quality torx tool? I need to keep one on me for M10 bolts that is ideally long enough to easily achieve 40Nm.

Halfrauds with a trade card.

Cheers guys, I'm not after anything complex, just a simple L shaped (T50?) tool to live in a bag/pouch but with enough length for reasonable leverage. I'd like a good quality one that isn't going get get chewed up easy. Ice Toolz make these but they look way too small, was thinking more like this:

the ice toolz allen key set I have is bendy as fook. I'd not recommend them.

Strongest chainset readily commercially available? Too many broken teeth for my liking - despite trying to keep it fairly well looked after.

Or would I have to get Look or Time pedals/cleats to use those shoes?

As-is, yes. You can get a converter plate, though.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-sh-sm85-cleat-adapter-plate/

Strongest chainset readily commercially available? Too many broken teeth for my liking - despite trying to keep it fairly well looked after.

Track, road, MTB?

Single/double/triple?

Type of bottom bracket, length of arms, colour?

Are you referring to the Dura Ace 7710 and Sugino 75 ring?

You monster?

If you can afford it, DA. Lasts FOREVER.

If it's an old Raleigh they'll be steel rims. So use your man muscles and bend it back into shape.
the wheels not bent, it just has a bulge in the rim. Guess i could try hammer it out

I'd look into another ride, something like that is not worth putting money and effort into unless there's true love between your friend and their bike.
thats what i thought would happen.

Now to guide the uniformed down the path of purchase.

Track, road, MTB?

Road

Single/double/triple?

Double

Type of bottom bracket, length of arms, colour?

FSA, 165mm, Silver?

Are you referring to the Dura Ace 7710 and Sugino 75 ring?

No.

You monster?

Yes.

Too many broken teeth for my liking...
Just call 'em shift ramps and stop worrying.

heh : )

Strongest chainset readily commercially available? Too many broken teeth for my liking - despite trying to keep it fairly well looked after.

From the interwebz shimnao 105 is going to be the best all round. If you can't hack the design then one of the cheaper Sram Rival OCT came up as being very stiff (albetit with shimano DA chainrings I think):

Source: http://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4284

gracias

I'll take a peek on wiggle later today. I'm in the process of converting my tourer into a sort of winter hacking bike for ditchling runs at the weekend. I cycled down here on Saturday from London and heard some nasty crunchy sounds on the way up.

Probably didn't help that I had this on my back:
(22kg)

So am in need of a replacement and want something that'll go the distance.

Cheers guys, I'm not after anything complex, just a simple L shaped (T50?) tool to live in a bag/pouch but with enough length for reasonable leverage. I'd like a good quality one that isn't going get get chewed up easy. Ice Toolz make these but they look way too small, was thinking more like this:

Wera make really good screwdrivers, so their Torx L-keys are probably good too: http://www-us.wera.de/catalog_us.html?L=1&file=/en-US/root_category_l-keys_l-keys_for_torx_screws.html

Bondhus make the best Allen keys, so their Torx L-keys should be good too. Park Tools Allen keys are made by Bondhus, but if you don't want the extra features & markup of the Park version, go for the Bondhus branded version, e.g. http://www.uktools.com/shape-c-1_94_2550.html

I've left my bundle of "out riding" Alan keys at my parents by accident.

Recommendations for the best mini-tool currently available?

Probably easier to buy a cheap set and leave them at work or something. I don't bother carrying tools any more. Everyone has allen keys.

This is true, however I'm thinking of two specific recent(ish) events:

• Tiswas, displaying his epic power, breaks his chain changing gear uphill
  
• My seatpost keeps slipping and I have to stop to tighten it mid-ride
  
  

Both of those would have stopped us in our tracks but for a chain tool (helpfully provided by a fellow BC member) and an Alan key in my pocket.

So what I'm after is the smallest, best made emergency use multi-tool that can go in my jersey pocket with my spare Tub.

This is true, however I'm thinking of two specific recent(ish) events:

• Tiswas, displaying his epic power, breaks his chain changing gear uphill
  
• My seatpost keeps slipping and I have to stop to tighten it mid-ride
  
  

Both of those would have stopped us in our tracks but for a chain tool (helpfully provided by a fellow BC member) and an Alan key in my pocket.

So what I'm after is the smallest, best made emergency use multi-tool that can go in my jersey pocket with my spare Tub.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgvR3y5JCXg

I've lost my Park Tools multitool. I am sad.

topeak hexus, by a country mile

^ I don't have one, but am thinking about getting one of these...fits the bill.

Topeak Toolbar. £12 and gives the option of being able to mix/match/customise the bits you carry. 68g for the inner-weenie.

Or the Ratchet Rocket if you value a chaintool over the addition heft of its 192g

This is true, however I'm thinking of two specific recent(ish) events:

• Tiswas, displaying his epic power, breaks his chain changing gear uphill
  
• My seatpost keeps slipping and I have to stop to tighten it mid-ride
  
  

Both of those would have stopped us in our tracks but for a chain tool (helpfully provided by a fellow BC member) and an Alan key in my pocket.

So what I'm after is the smallest, best made emergency use multi-tool that can go in my jersey pocket with my spare Tub.

I look for any excuse to cut a ride short these days.. that and I tend to have bikes that work properly most of the time. I like my Topeak Alien II but like I said it has been sitting on a shelf for the last year.

Strongest chainset readily commercially available? Too many broken teeth for my liking - despite trying to keep it fairly well looked after.

but you're only 5'6" and 7 stone

+1 love for Topeak tools. I have a trusty mini-9 that's very solid and effective.

A point to note with bit-type tools: some things on bikes require a bit more reach, e.g. it takes quite a long allen key to tighten the bar-clamps on STI levers - the mini-9 is just barely long enough for mine and a bit-type tool would be useless.

Bondhus make the best Allen keys, so their Torx L-keys should be good too. Park Tools Allen keys are made by Bondhus, but if you don't want the extra features & markup of the Park version, go for the Bondhus branded version, e.g. http://www.uktools.com/shape-c-1_94_2550.html

Thanks. This one seems perfect: http://www.rowland-tools.co.uk/epages/es144900.sf/?Locale=en_GB&ObjectPath=/Shops/es144900/Products/831850&ViewAction=ViewProductViaPortal

I've left my bundle of "out riding" Alan keys at my parents by accident.

Recommendations for the best mini-tool currently available?

Utfs ;)

No but seriously:
www.lfgss.com/thread5571.html

It would also help to keep the above posts there too.

I like my toppeak Hel.... II(?) which is a good do-it-all - esp the spoke keys and chainbraker.

I just got a textcycle cycle surgery saying my uber bling CF / Ti one was ready for collection (see thread link). I'll report back when I've got it.