Features: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm allen keys, Phillips and
flat-blade screwdrivers. Removable chain tool.
* Also available: Excel 8 Metro featuring all the above except the
chain tool, £9.99, Excel 11 Professional with 8 and 10mm sockets
and 8mm allen key, £14.99
Test log: There is no test log - but given Mike's tendency to destroy componentry, we reckon it was pretty well used.
Handy Tools have been around for a while in many different formats
but always as compact as possible and packed with features. This time
round though with the Excel series, a re-design of the old Handy
Tool, they have opted for simplicity (and hence reliability) over
more features than the opposition.
The Trail 9 - frequently mistaken
for a
crab by wandering off road fishermen
The Trail 9 drops into the slot where the Handy 14 stood
previously and gets the nine most useful tools for the average trail
ride. The awkward to use 8 and 10mm spanners from the Handy 14 have
been dropped. Across the range the metal tyre levers have gone too,
as have the spoke keys. This leaves a tool that is lighter and
slightly more compact with less chance of bits dropping off and
getting lost.
All the tools are made from the same heat-treated, anti-rust,
hardened steel with a satin finish. The plastic body is a more
ergonomic shape than before, it is backed up by aluminium plates for
a little extra stiffness and features a rubber pad on one side for
grip with greasy hands. Although not truly re-buildable, because
individual components aren't available to buy, the Trail 9 is
serviceable, you can adjust the binding bolts with a 4mm allen key to
tighten the tools at their pivots. You could also pull the whole
thing apart to grease the pivots and add thread-lock to the binding
bolts if you choose. What you get for this little extra attention is
a tool that operates easy, its not too tight that you can't get the
tools out to use but sturdy so you can get torque on the
bolts/screws.
The removable chain tool, operated by the 5mm allen key, is a
simple but neat extra though it should never be viewed as the only
chain tool you'll need just like the allen keys won't replace a set
of quality ball ended ones in the workshop. It doesn't try to be a
portable workshop tool, it's just there for emergencies and in this
situation it works fine. The handle is a little short so pushing
rivets out can be hard work on the fingers but you can let the chain
wrap around the tool to steady it. There's not a loosening shelf but
taking out stiff links is easy enough with you hands and those things
tend to bend anyway on small tools like this.
In use the trail nine can get plenty of torque from the solid,
ergonomic, enough to snap light weight bolts actually so be careful.
The absence of tyre levers and spoke wrenches is probably for the
better. Tyres you can remove with your hands if you have to and
single plastic tyre levers are cheap and light. If you bend a wheel
so much you can't ride then a spoke key alone won't help you. If
there was one improvement we would like to see though it would be an
8mm allen key for crank bolts, then all the major common fixing bolts
are covered. As it is we have been carrying an 8mm key along side
this in our camelbaks anyway.
Verdict A redesigned classic made
lighter and simpler, nearly every thing you'll need in a
hand held tool for weekend rides. Missing an 8mm allen key
really but all the tools included are useful and the quality
is there. The chain tool is small but workable and there are
no unnecessary gizmos to get one more tool in over other
models. Treat it good and it should last years too.
Performance
Value
Quickly Everything you
need for medium length trail rides except an 8mm allen key.
Compact, fairly light yet sturdy and simple.
Your Opinion Here:
They haven't been in the shops for long, but if you want to add
your own experiences e-mail
us with a summary and we'll post them here in this handy space at
the bottom of the page.
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Discuss this article, 1 of 10 messages, read more:
Rich Wood
Posted: 27/04/01 14:36:00 00
"Test log: Around 15hrs in changeable conditions as part of 2- and 3-layer systems, 40-minute machine washing at 35 degrees and trips round the dryer."
