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Telehex: A unique universal allen key

Written by Nick Burklow Sep 15, 2015 11:59 p.m. ET

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Oh Kickstarter, you’re at it again. Bike tools are no stranger to the pages of Kickstarter, with items like the Fix It Sticks and the The Nutter getting their start on the popular crowd funding site. Peter Wen is taking his turn now with his evolutionary design for an universal allen key. The TeleHex puts a twist on the standard pack of folding allen keys by packing a 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, and 6mm allen head into a single sliding unit. The TeleHex automatically adjusts to the size you need with a slight twist and a bit of pressure. As always, the full details can be found on the TeleHex Kickstarter page.

Nick Burklow

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Chris

8 years ago

Cool and all, but it’s not much if at all smaller or lighter than, say, a Lezyne 5 multitool (which has and extra tool). Looks like a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. Nice conversation starter, I suppose.

Matt Holland

8 years ago

“Looks like a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist.”
Sums up alot of kickstarter doesn’t it?

Bill

2 years ago

Reply to Matt Holland

Anyone who uses several different size hex / allen keys and nuts numerous times every hour of every work day would ABSOLUTELY love a strong and reliable universal / adjustable hex / allen key. I assemble machines all day and spend an ABSURD amount of time swapping out different size allen keys.

29erpilot

8 years ago

Interesting concept. The guy put a lot of heart and hard work into it.
We didn’t need another cell phone ,but we get a new one every week.

Gunnstein

8 years ago

@Matt: Sums up a lot of BR comments too. If the kickstarter succeeds, the problem obviously exists, for some people. Though I’m with you on this one – no major benefit, and how durable is this thing going to be?

8 years ago

This would be great as a workshop P handle tool. Make building cheap bikes quicker maybe

8 years ago

I agree with Jb, i’d love to try this as a shop level tool, assuming the durability and precision is there. As a multitool for rides, it’s too simple for me, i’d still want at least a Phillips/Flathead and T25 on there.

Andy H

8 years ago

If one of the “layers” gets rounded off, I imagine that it won’t easily push into the next layer. The last thing I want from a trailside tool is complexity and greater chance of failure.

yogibimbi

8 years ago

What would be really useful: if the variable allen head would b implemented just as a bit that we could put into standard sockets. On bit to rule them (the allen keys) all.

JBikes

8 years ago

Its a neat design exercise, but my experience with non-traditional or multiple use tool reliability is less than desired. I already wear out normal quality allen keys, so I’ll let others experiment first.

Fat Bike Fiend

8 years ago

This would be cool as the end of a portable T handle tool that folds down into straight shaft. With 4 in one end bits to add Torx/Screwdriver bits.

Frippolini

8 years ago

I like it.
Sure, it doesn’t come with a chain tool, or screwdrivers, but it’s neat simple and elegant.
What would make it a “killer” would be to add a screwdriver, chain tool, and have one of the sides work as a tire lever, then it immediately would address all my “daily” and “paranoid-never-has-happened-on/off-road-brakedowns”.
Probably also good to make a separate Road and MTB version, considering the need of T25 mentioned earlier.
All-in-all: I like it a lot, there’s room for making it “better” (a good thing), it’s unique, it’s simple and neat and elegant… And I probably just convinced myself to fund the thing on Kickstarter. 🙂

Fat Bike Fiend

8 years ago

Also like socket bit idea so it could go on torque wrench.

sspiff

8 years ago

Definitely cool, but my old park i-beam is smaller (based on appearance) and probably about the same weight, and has more functionality at $10 or so. I don’t use a mini tool enough to where long term durability is a real issue (if you do, you’re doing it wrong!). Chris nailed it – I can’t see why unless you’re looking for the conversation starter.

RobertW

8 years ago

What I want to see is a tool where you just replace the bit tips. It would be small and super reliable. Someone should make that.

Sean P

8 years ago

@MattH, I’m still waiting for my last two kickstarter projects to arrive at my door. One of them is the pump head that was posted here about 3 years ago…… Delayed…. Delayed….Delayed again. The I-beam is awesome for what the intended purpose is. Love that thing.

Neilthemeal

8 years ago

It’s a really cool idea that I wouldn’t spring for because ace hardware sells decent small hex wrenches for like 50 cents a piece in the bulk hardware area.

benzo

8 years ago

Smart idea! Never have to pick the correct allen key again.

Anon

8 years ago

I agree with @JB you could bang out a bike build with one tool pretty quickly up until things needed to be torqued. Three way tools always are too wide and I find clip the frame when working quickly. For those that travel with their bikes this is a great option. Especially triathletes that very rarely know anything more than riding their bikes in a straight line let alone unboxing one and assembling it. Its basically plug and play in a sense.

skip

8 years ago

Sweet! Round out 3 different size bolts (plus a torx!) with 1 wrench. This is going in my ultimate toolbox next to my gator grip socket and the vice grips.