Direct-seller Superstar is known for very strong value, and this Proline kit is a good example. The 16 tools inside the box are sturdy and functional, if not flashy.
The long, ball-ended Allen keys are crisply made. Their sizes run from 2mm to 10mm, and they have their own fiddly holder inside the case. Other obvious elements include a pedal spanner, a chain breaker, pressed-steel cone spanners and spoke keys in three sizes – including Mavic.
There’s a three-pronged Torx key, though the big T40 arm is of little use – a T30, T25 and a smaller one, such as the T10 that's often found on brakes, would have been better. While the two screwdrivers (one flat, one cross-head) are decent, they are arguably taking up room that more specialist tools could occupy. The same can be said of the tyre levers. This criticism is true of many tool kits though, not just the Superstar Proline.
The Superstar Proline tool kit contains 16 sturdy tools
The inclusion of chainring bolt tool is a nice little touch, as is providing two sturdy handles that fit six different heads (chain whip, cassette tool, pedal spanner, bottom bracket wrench, crank puller and ISIS bottom bracket wrench). They save a lot of space and attach rapidly with sprung-bearing secured pins – you even get two spares.
The plastic case is chunky and holds the tools firmly, though you do have to dismantle the bigger stuff to get it back in, obviously. It’s not a big kit, but it’s a damn good start.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
Note: the Superstar Proline tool kit is not distributed in the US or Australia, but Superstar can ship overseas.