Torque wrench suggestions
 

Hello. I am in the market for a good torque wrench. I was looking at the Topeak D-Torq and the Park Tool TW 5.2. I am more in line with Park as it has a good torque range, isnt digital, and costs 130 less than the Topeak.

For some reason I have a memory of the Park Tool wrench not being very popular in reviews but i cant remember for sure. I am willing to spend more for quality tools, but i am not interested in spending more if its just a matter of the difference being a digital reading; accuracy is the most important. So my question is: does anyone here have experience with either or both of these wrenches and what are your opinions? Do you have other suggestions?

Thank you.

A $20 beam-type wrench does the job for me.

I like that. Keep it simple and cheap.

Park Tool ATD-1.2 is super convenient for every day (shop) use - range of most often used carbon stem/seatpost torques. No need to take the torque wrench out, then dial it back to zero and pack it back.
It is accurate and precise - simple mechanism, but relatively narrow torque range: 4 to 6 Nm.

Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza II Pro is very accurate and precise, small, convenient torque range for bike use (2-16). Just costs A LOT.

Park Tool 5.2. is good, not as precise, but still useable.

If on a budget, X-tools is cheap, but not bad.

The last two are not the most accurate at the ends of their torque range spectrum, but the most used torques are within the "mid-area".
For higher torques, I'd go with a 10-60 Nm wrench, probably ParkTool TW-6.2 - or any other of decent quality.

I'd second the notion of going with 2 separate ranged wrenches.
In a similar vein, but cuter and more portable (ie. seatbag) than the ATD, I really like the Topeak Nano DX for the usual accessory/cockpit clamp bolts
https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod148816

Another vote for 2 separate wrenches.

At the low end of this torque range I find it hard to use a beam or a ratcheting click style torque wrench like the TW-5.2. You can easily get to about 8-10 Nm with a screwdriver or T handle. I use a CDI TorqControl Wrench in this low range. This is also a common range for firearms, so there are a lot available if you look in gunsmithing tools. A buddy who is a gunsmith uses a Wheeler torque screwdriver for non-critical items and a Wiha for the delicate stuff. I got the CDI from him after he tried it and didn't like the T handle style. Above this range I use a GearWrench 85060.

Park makes good tools but I don't like their torque products. The ATD-1.2 fits nicely in the hand but I don't like that I need a 5mm wrench to change torque ranges. And the TW-5.2 is okay but 1) the scale window is sort of small, and 2) it is a 3/8" drive. All I usually use with it is 1/4" insert bits on these smaller fasteners. I had a 3/8" to 1/4" adapter and a 1/4" insert bit holder on it all the time, where the GearWrench just needs the 1/4" insert bit holder. It just makes it one more thing to misplace.

That's precisely why I love the beam-type so much. You can watch the torque approach the desired value and apply just enough effort to get it right on. :)

a set able click type may be nice for 1/4" drive , 3/8" & 1/2" , beam type will do..


for a lot of bike jobs, like 5mm Torx bolts holding on discs, a preset click is offered.. ..

Most posts above offer great options and insight.

As for not feeling the click: good quality ones haven't got that problem in my experience.

For various models: compact or less compact. As well as for Park Tool ATD-1.2 needing a 5 mm allen to preset the torque:
it all depends on one's preferences and priorities. Also for the type of use. Saddle bag (roadsite use) has different priorities than shop use. Shop use also differs on whether you have larger, or smaller space, or do mobile / race day repairs / tuning.

I like preset, small ones for speed (and a bit less worry whether they get dropped in a hurry - it rhymes :) ), but for home use, a good quality beam type, or click type wrench probably makes more sense. Park Tool ATD-1.2 is convenient for having just one "small, handy" torque "wrench" on the wall - 5 mm allen is always at hand in the shop.

For saddle bag use - the suggested compact models look like better options.

Another thing to consider is precision and how long it "lasts" until a calibration is needed (and how much it costs, unless you do it by yourself). It's not the same if you work on your own bikes, or other people's (uber-expensive carbon?) bicycles.

A bolt isn't always in a convenient location or orientation to be able to read the scale on a beam type wrench.


-Tim-

If I ever buy a torque wrench, it will be from Harbor Freight.

+1 for Harbor Freight. I have their 1/4" and 3/8" click-type torque wrenches - $20 each - on sale for $10 occasionally. Some people express concerns about HF tool accuracy. The way I see it is that most torque values for bike bolts are given as a low/high range that spans about 10 to 20% I shoot for the middle and don't worry about it. Remember to turn the spring back to zero when storing.

If I had a real concern I'd simply take my cheap torque wrenches to my car mechanic and have him check them against his expensive Snap-On wrenches and give him $10 for his trouble. Cheap insurance or a valuable lesson learned.

I've been wrenching on bikes for many years and never even had a torque wrench until recently when I installed a new plug in a carbon steerer tube. So far so good.

Any model,even the cheapest, is vastly better than guessing.

I have the Topeak d-torq - I really like it. Since it's a transducer, doesn't need to be zeroed out between uses. Easy to set torque. Once you do, beeps when set torque is reached, then beeps again if you exceed set torque. Pretty much foolproof in operation. I find it much easier to listen for the beep than feel for the click.

I do most of the work on my British sports car and have three different torque wrenches so I'm pretty sensitive about accuracy and durability. I too have an Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza and love it but it is expensive.

I also have a CDI adjustable torque wrench and find I use it the most. It was a lot cheaper (~$65 bucks) than the Effetto seems to be just as accurate and easy to use. This is a high quality tool and I have found that it will give accurate results at the low and high end of the torque range.

https://www.amazon.com/Products-Torq.../dp/B01DIRD5CG

If you watch their sales and coupons you can get these models (1/4, 3/8 or 1/2) for about 9.99.

Yeah, I picked up their digital calipers on sale for $10, I love that thing

I have the HF digital calipers also - very useful for bike work and you can check the calibration yourself using a tape measure.

This... this is the most important point (assuming the wrench is used properly)

Learn to say, "Chiave Dinamometrica Effetto Mariposa Giustaforza" five times quickly, and you will have some serious street cred...

It hurts just trying to imagine how an American would pronounce that. :)

I have an older version of the Park TW-5 (when it was still using 1/4" square drive). It works well enough, but for the price it has some really basic design defects, and looking at the newer model, it might potentially have the same problem(s)

1. The little plastic window falls out eventually and must be glued back in
2. Similar to most click-type wrenches, the knob that sets the spring tension also has markings on it to act as sort of a Vernier scale to allow you to dial in fractional torque values. The problem is, the painted white numbers on mine wore off almost immediately, making it difficult to see the setting. IIRC, the number is still embossed into the plastic so you can still make it out if the light hits it just right, but this is a really cheap design for a >$100 wrench. It's a shame because otherwise this wrench would be a lot easier to read than some others (e.g. Harbor Freight) where the numbers are just stamped directly into the chrome handle and you really need to have just the right light to see anything at all (I often have to resort to using a lighted magnifier on my Harbor Freight and Tekton wrenches). Hopefully they use better ink on the new one.

I also have a CDI TorqControl which I like very much. Unfortunately it uses a similar style as the Park, with numbers printed/painted onto the knob. So far they haven't worn off but I've been careful not to touch them while adjusting the torque.

P.S. I think the newest version of the Park ATD-1.x allows you to set the torque without needing a hex wrench.

Does anyone have any experience with the Feedback Sports torque wrench? It's a beam style that only goes up to 10Nm, but it still works as a ratchet for higher torques.

I like that it seems relatively portable, uses 1/4" hex bits, and has a decent enough range- more than most some other hex drive torque wrenches like the Park, CDI, Silca, etc.

Other interesting looking beam style, hex drive torque wrenches:
IceToolz Ocarina (T-handle style, 2-10Nm)
Topeak ComboTorq (bulky form factor, 3-12Nm)