Leukybear 

I have a cycling buddy who's trying to learn to wrench on his own bikes and asked me about Avenir tools. Being an avid park tool user, I was not really able to answer him.

Having seen Avenir's offerings at Raleigh shops, and aided by their simple ziptie to plastic backing packaging, they seem up to muster for the home user upon closer inspection. With a matching price point as well.
For example, they have a set of 3 spoke wrenches (covering the usual sizes) for the same price it would cost to buy just 1 and a half park branded spoke wrenches.
But we all know that isn't enough to make a call without personally having used them.

Would they be considered China's best bicycle tool offerings in contrast to Park being the US's?
Should I tell him to avoid or buy?

roka

I've used some of their products and have never had any trouble with them. I only work on my personal fleet so if I were wrenching professionally I might opt for Park Tools. If your buddy is just trying to learn I don't see any point in spending tons of money on professional grade tools.

RoadGuy

I don't think the packaging necessarily tells you much about the product that it's shipped with. A plastic header/hanger tag is only for the convenience of the store's personnel, and the customer. When you get the thing out of the store, you're going to throw the packaging away anyway.

I'd suggest to your friend that he buy his bike specific tools from a store or Internet Supplier that offers a lifetime warranty on products so if his purchases don't stand the test of use and time, he can return them and get the better tools (if he chooses to go the more economical route up front).

Both Nashbar and Performance Bicycle offer lifetime warranty on purchases now, including on tools. Your friend can go into his local Performance Bicycle Store and get the same prices he get get ordering over the Internet, including price matching. If a tool he buys there (Park, house brand, or other) fails, he can get a credit or a replacement on the spot. Performance has there own line of tools that are less expensive, including a three spoke wrench combination set like you mentioned (for about $14 or $15). The price is 10% less if you drop in on Tuesdays during lunch. Frequently, both of these sources offer free shipping on your entire order if you order one or more Park Tool branded items.

I looked at the spoke wrenches and while they are not built as heavy as the Park Tool wrenches, they would probably work fine for most people. On the other hand, having had at least four or five (compact) chain breakers, I would not recommend buying a cheap chain breaker. Spend a little more, and get a name brand shop size tool, and you won't have to replace or exchange it when a lesser tool, or compact tool bends or breaks. I also don't think it pays to buy cheap cone wrenches. To put it simply, they bend.

I think that in most cases, Park Tool tools are not much more expensive that no-name tools made by primitive means in a third world country. They are not the most expensive tools or highest quality bike tools you can buy, but they do seem to hold up well in most cases, while in many cases being the only tools specifically made for some purposes.

Bezalel

I don't see much originality in Avenir products and suspect that it's all rebranded items designed to give sporting goods stores an accessories lineup without having to deal with a competing distributer. But I do like their packaging.

I know their tires are Kendas. They use the same Kenda molds and just add their own label.

SkyDog75

I have a few Avenir-branded items. Like Bezalel said, I suspect they're just rebranded generics. Generic products aren't always bottom-of-the-barrel, though. My impression of the Avenir items I've used is that they're decent bargains. Not top of the line, but certainly serviceable for home use.

okane

....I find something at a swap meet or show at a super low price made by another company.

My Park stuff is always up to the job and if you keep your eyes open, many times you can find Park stuff on sale from Performance,etc., and you can get what I think is the best for little more than the cost of "average" tools.

A few years back, one of the tips that held the rubber cradle on my Park stand broke off, Sent them an email and 3 days later I had a new cradle! Nobody's perfect but they stand behind their product.

I enjoy wrenching and using good tools. I am not affiliated in any way with Park Tool Company.

HillRider

I agree that cone wrenches and chain breakers are not the places to economize.

fietsbob

One Of China's * bicycle tool offerings.

* Fi,fy removed connotation of superiority..

NB: Aveneir is an importer's brand name , (we get the same stuff thru SBS distribution also calling it Aveneir)
you may have seen them in a store that also sold Raleigh bikes, but that is not always the case.

SkyDog75

Avenir is a brand name used by an importer, but the importer seems to be Raleigh USA. Same mailing address, same phone number. And there are a few hints scattered around the web, like blog posts where Raleigh employees are plugging their Avenir-branded stuff.

Unlike some other bike companies and their private brands, Raleigh seems to sell Avenir-branded accessories through sellers who may or may not carry their bikes.

fietsbob

FWIW, Maybe Currently , it has not always been so

Leukybear 

Well looks like I'll be recommending him some good ol' blue and giving him a disclaimer of getting what you pay for.

Oh I meant it as in aiding with the ease of pre-purchase examination.

3alarmer 

.
...the little Avenir spoke wrenches that come in colors and are sorta Park clones are as good, IMO.

Aristotle80

My Avenir chain whip was not very good at all.
1. shorter handle than I needed, not enough leverage.
2. Even if the handle was longer, My 150Lb body somehow put enough force on the tiny handle to BEND the metal. Cheap metal in the handle.

If you need a quality chain whip, the Park tool is worth the higher price for its strength and size.

Trakhak

Amen to that. Wise man, and undoubtedly a good mechanic. A true mechanic knows to respect the limits of tools. Strength of materials! My pet peeve: mechanics who disparage Vice-grips, which in the right hands are amazingly versatile tools, capable of the most delicate work.

daf1009

In my experience, which is limited, it is always best to go with quality tools. Cheaper tools tend to lead to cheaper repairs...and they do not stand up over time. Quality is, generally, cheaper than non quality...I know that sounds like a dumb statement, but many people do not get it...

Bradleykd

Buy cheap, buy twice.

Bradleykd

I think real mechanics hate Vice-Grips because, if there is no better tool for the job than a pair of Vice-Grips, something is already screwed up with what you are working on... Vice-Grips are a necessary evil for getting out of a situation where things went wrong.

daf1009

Or More!!!!!

dscheidt

Aveneir is a brand of the Accell group. So is SBS. So is Raleigh USA. (And so are diamondback, torker, redline, and probably others that I don't recall.) I'm sure they'll sell them to anyone who offers money...